Preview

Tonight: Ugly Sun

July 15, 2018

Show up to Mohawk Place in downtown Buffalo tonight for an electrifying grassroots rock and roll show that’s sure to blow out both the speakers and your eardrums. Headlining, and celebrating a 2-year anniversary, is Buffalo’s Ugly Sun. This thrilling trio plays an intoxicating form of raw indie rock that’s wrought with emotion and isn’t afraid to venture outside the grimy garage and into a vibrant garden. It’s a dynamic sound you can feel and, best of all, will jumpstart your heart rate like a bolt of lightning. All of Mohawk is going to be singing and rocking along to this performance so get into it. Philly lo-fi four-piece, Qwark, will also be taking the stage with their delightful and deafening super rock records in tow. Seriously, these guys are loud as hell and could shatter a nerd’s lenses with the stroke of a single chord. Fun and rambunctious, Qwark[...]

Tonight: Cavalcade

July 14, 2018

Rochester’s Cavalcade is trekking out to Buffalo tonight to play what is sure to be a wild set. Having been around for a decade and change, this quartet mixes the free spirit vibes of Frank Zappa with the wild, sometimes discordant sounds and shout/speak vocals of The Dismemberment Plan. Joining them will be fresh, indie janglers Little Summer (ex-Unwelcomed Guests, Mallwalkers) and progressive funk duo Ish Kabibble. Tonight’s show is at Milkie’s Elmwood Lounge at 9pm. The door price is mysterious, but we would suggest bringing along at least $5 for admission. The Switch by Cavalcade

Tonight: The Messthetics

July 13, 2018

Tonight fans of beloved punk legends Fugazi will be congregating  in the 9th Ward to catch the intense power trio The Messthetics, which features Joe Lally and Brendan Canty, the late band’s rhythm section along with DC based jazz guitarist Anthony Pirog. The trio released their self titled debut back in March, a surprisingly proggy and psychedelic slab of intensely evocative rock that ought to sound real good in the perfect acoustic confines of that intimate concert space. Opening the show will be the ever delightful future punk of The Mallwalkers. Tickets are $12 and doors open at 8pm. The Messthetics by The Messthetics

Tonight: The Molice

July 7, 2018

Get your culture on tonight at Sugar City as they host a righteous evening celebrating the creative expression of art, rock and roll. Venturing all the way from Japan and continuing their extensive US tour are one-of-a-kind indie rockers, The Molice. This charming DIY three-piece play bright, bubbly and highly danceable power pop records that draw from a wide range of influences. If you haven’t heard their cover of The Police’s “Bring on the Night,” seek it out ASAP and find out what all the buzz is about. As a special treat, lead singer and guitarist, Rinko, will be showcasing a series of original paintings in the gallery to kick off the night. Stimulate your ears, eyes and mind with this ever-creative and rocking act. Also taking the stage and bringing the noise are gnarly garage rockers and Buffalo scene vets, Green Slime. This brother duo specializes in raw, melodic[...]

Tonight: Robert Earl Thomas

July 5, 2018

Tonight chilled out and trippy indie folk rocker Robert Earl Thomas rolls through Mohawk Place with boffo opening support from local wunderkind Jacob Peter and Oats Holy Roller. Taking a break from psychedelic dream pop band Widowspeak, Robert Earl Thomas released his debut LP Another Age in February, a tight collection of woozy and slightly glammy 70’s AM gold American pop that’s groovy, real easy on the ear, and probably ideal for cooling it down on a hot and steamy summer night. Meanwhile, the virtuoso Jacob Peter, who is seemingly everywhere in the best way possible, will be there too, a good thing if you’re down with good music; and be sure to get there early for Oats Holy Roller, who will bare his soul and metaphorically set your hair on fire with only his voice and an acoustic guitar. Doors are at 7pm and cover is $5. Another Age by[...]

Tonight: BAMBARA

June 28, 2018

Electric Avenue is hosting an eclectic, heady, and dark lineup of noise rock tonight headlined by Athens GA by way of Brooklyn death rockers BAMBARA that could be exactly what you need. Droning, rootsy like a deranged preacher, and vaguely scary in an apocalyptic sort of way, BAMBARA is a bleak storm that shreds on a variety of levels good for the soul if you’re into that sort of thing, which we are. Opening the show will be local doom and gloom punks Alpha Hopper, punk country nihilists Be Locus Or Alone, and new wave newbies Cyber Bullies, playing just their second show. Doors open at 9pm and cover is $7.

Tonight: Ghastly, Indiana

June 27, 2018

Basement shows are the best shows and Buffalo’s Deep Space Eight is hosting an absolute killer one tonight. Topping the bill is touring punk four-piece, Ghastly, Indiana, who are hot off the release of their debut full-length, Nowhere is Perfect. This band is Pop Rocks for the ears with a raw, melodic-as-hell sound influenced by alt-rock, pop punk and everything in between. Lucky for you, there’s no better venue for this guaranteed fun, kinetic set that will rattle your bones and shake the ceiling tiles. Sweetening the show is Buffalo’s Little Summer and their oh-so-catchy mingling of indie pop and synth tones. Seriously, these breezy tunes will crawl inside your ears and never leave. Featuring highly contagious hooks and sing-a-long choruses, this special hometown quartet will get everyone bouncing up and down and off the walls. Last, and certainly not least, is the spectacular slowcore trio, honey COMA. Show is[...]

Tonight: Attic Abasement

June 23, 2018

Nietzsche’s takes the title for chillest spot in Buffalo tonight as they host a stellar, can’t-miss line-up of zoned-out indie rock. Headlining is Rochester’s irreverently laidback, Attic Abasement. If you don’t know singer-songwriter-guitarist Mike Rheinheimer (Science vs. Witchcraft), and you should, pull up a front row seat. Recognized for his mellow, personal mumblings, Rheinheimer enlists the help of a bassist, drummer and keyboardist to bring his special blend of experimental, lo-fi tunes straight to your eardrums. Trust us, these guys will rock you like a baby. Making her triumphant and awaited return to Buffalo is Jack. The brainchild of former Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, Brittany Costa, Jack is a brewing storm of indie rock. What starts as a drizzle intensifies to a Category 5 while Costa weathers the chaos with her resolute and emotionally freewheeling voice. Don’t make the same mistake if you missed her the first time around. Rounding out the[...]

Tonight: Algiers

June 20, 2018

Big time indie soul band Algiers rolls through DIY art/performance space Sugar City tonight with support from Velvet Bethany and Hundred Plus Club and the timing could not be better. Known for their righteous and progressive approach to glorious American soul music, the Atlanta by way of UK outfit were excellent when they last played these parts, opening for !!! for their on/off/surprise show at the Mohawk last September, and with America staring into the abyss this sure to be incendiary show might be exactly what you and I need. Local surf punk shredders Velvet Bethany and indie post punkers Hundred Plus Club open the show, which starts at 7pm with $5-$10 suggested donation. Remember, Sugar City is all ages and a drug and alcohol free space, so be cool.

Tonight: River Whyless

June 19, 2018

Touring Asheville-based folk act River Whylesss makes a stop at the 9th Ward tonight for an undoubtedly intimate performance in Delaware Ave’s best basement venue. The band is on tour in support of their new album, Kindness, A Rebel, which came out on June 8th.  The band has an organic almost retro vibe similar to that of Paul Simon with some modern comparisons to Conor Oberst’s folk leanings or even Fleet Foxes with their lush vocal deliveries. Supporting the band is  soul artist Jalen N’ Gonda. Show starts around 8pm and there is a $15 cover. Kindness, A Rebel by River Whyless

Tonight: Bad Bad Hats

June 17, 2018

9th Ward at Babeville has an excellent excuse for local indie rock fans to get out of the house on a Sunday night when they host Bad Bad Hats and blog favorites Honey Coma. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, land of Prince Rogers Nelson, Husker Du, and The Replacements, Bad Bad Hats rock an earnest and classic indie sound that’s soulfully honest and catchy as hell, propelled by the wise, crystalline power of frontwoman/guitarist Kerry Alexander and the tight rhythm section of Chris Hoge and Noah Boswell. Lovely local slowcore sad rockers Honey Coma open the show with their life enhancing beautiful melancholy, and all this sweetness can be yours for $12 at the door, which opens at 7pm.

5 Bands to Catch at Thin Man Brewery’s Summer Solstice

June 16, 2018

Today Thin Man Brewery celebrates their second annual Summer Solstice street festival, where the up-and-coming establishment takes over the Elmwood Village block between W. Utica and Hodge and provides ample tunes from talented locals as well plenty of craft beers to wet your whistle. Doors start at 12pm with the fun going until about 10pm. Tickets are $20 for the GA with a $30 VIP option for the high rollers. Here are five bands we recommend checking out today, beer in hand. The CPX (3pm) If there is a community festival in Buffalo, chance are the CPX will make an appearance on the bill – and with good reason. The Americana-country leaning outfit has been in the local scene for years with their accessible sound and commanding stage presence, the CPX is a good lead-in to an afternoon of brews and sunshine. Bold Folly (5:30pm) Bold Folly are an up-and-coming[...]

Tonight: of Montreal

June 13, 2018

of Montreal will be making what seems to be their annual stop in Buffalo this evening.  Since their inception, of Montreal has been dropping a project almost yearly, all having their own unique feel with their latest album White is Relice / Irrealis Mood being no different. The band will be bringing their captivating performance  to Town Ballroom this evening for an undoubtedly entertaining show that is second to none. of Montreal’s live act includes snippets from the band’s expansive discography and unpredictable stage antics, coming together to create one of the most interesting live shows in the game. Doors at 7pm and tickets are still available for $24.

Tonight: Blis.

June 9, 2018

Last minute show alert! Atlantan midwest-twinkle act Blis. is swinging through tonight to play a passionate set of guitar-driven emo/rock to us Buffalonians… Joining them are NJ act Puddle Splasher, who play equally emotive (but occasionally synth/fuzz tinged) emo rock. They’re bolstered by some of Buffalo’s finest, including math-emo prodigies Alleys, shoegazy-emo act Previous Love, and solo act Milo Duhn. Tonight’s show is at 7pm at Milkie’s. Bring $5-$10 for a donation. No One Loves You by blis

Tonight: Sugar City Soul Night

June 8, 2018

Get ready to shake your butt to the hottest soul, funk, disco, and afrobeat cuts tonight at Milkie’s when Sugar City puts on the latest edition of their Soul Night! Dance Party fundraiser. The volunteer and event powered DIY art and performance space (disclaimer: I’m one of those volunteers) has lined up Handsome Dan, Pat K, Press and Mutualism to spin only the choicest vinyl for your listening and dancing pleasure from 10pm to 3am, and it can all be yours for the reasonable donation price of $5. So be sure to carb up, hydrate, find your comfiest shoes, and get down to Milkie’s to get down for a good cause.