Preview

Tonight: Pompous Rat (Modest Mouse Tribute)

January 31, 2020

The greatest form of flattery is imitation, so what exactly does it mean to pay tribute? If you have ever checked out Buffalo’s premier Modest Mouse tribute band, Pompous Rat, the answer is simple. Overflow of love and respect. Spearheaded by The Real Movement’s Kevin Kauffman, Pompous Rat takes the main stage tonight at Nietzsche’s. Expect two sets from Modest Mouse’s expansive catalog. In addition, tonight will mark the debut performance of former Halo Nellie guitarist, Nate Miller with his new project Olmsted. The evening will have us all float on, okay. Doors at 9pm with a $7 cover. Written by Kevin Prentice

Tonight: Too Many Zooz

January 30, 2020

Tonight NYC trailblazers Too Many Zooz bring their enigmatic and irresistibly danceworthy brand of brass band music to Buffalo Iron Works with fellow NYC vibe guru Birocratic. Ecstatically and virally bursting forth from the subway station busking scene with a sound and aesthetic that blends house, funk, and a few genres of jazz, the trio that is Too Many Zooz is all about groove, feelings, putting on a good show, and getting down. Opener Birocratic aka Brandon Rowan is a New Jersey by way of Brooklyn multi instrumentalist with a thing for Adult Swim calibre ethereal vibes and soulful emotions, so get there early. Tickets are $17 and doors are at 8pm.

Tonight: Allison Pipitone and Kevin Lewis

January 24, 2020

Back beyond the tall grass and among the ghosts of Buffalo’s silos sits the rustic venue Duende. A burgeoning spot for Buffalo’s cream of the crop musicians has a ‘must-see’ show this evening. Buffalo songbird and leader of the Alison Pipitone Band, Alison Pipitone, and Kevin Lewis, lead-singer and guitarist of The Space, present an evening of acoustic originals. The two share a unique relationship that had been forged through the Buffalo music scene, as Pipitone has taken Lewis under her wing. Both talented musicians and storytellers will delight and conjure up spirits of the past and present. Doors at 6:30pm. Written by Kevin Prentice

Tonight: 14 Trapdoors

January 23, 2020

It’s Hip Hop Night at Nietzsche’s  and Buffalo’s whose who of hip hop heads are taking the stage in droves. The new trap boom bap trio 14 Trapdoors, made up of scene mainstays WZA, Short Moscato and Bendyface, are set to perform among a loaded group of city friends contemporaries. Each member’s been making waves throughout the years through their solo projects and collaborative efforts, with biting lyrics and creative song construction remaining themes that crossed through their work. Others appearing from the crew include rapper Dripstarr, Nightmall, CHANGO4, Skate Cobain, Vaporwave, WAY2WAVYBABY, and video authority Be_Daylight. Doors open up at 8pm – $5 to get in said doors. Check out the video for “Pocket Protector” by 14 Trapdoors below. Guest appearance from Nick Cage post-National Treasure 3 announcement was a big get.

Tonight: Sons of Luther

January 18, 2020

Driving alt-rockers Sons of Luther headline a diverse indie showcase tonight at Mohawk. With a dark, brooding sound, their most recent EP Do What You Can really highlights their riff heavy, new wave aesthetic. Joining the  line-up is dark-pop producer Medusa. To call their music danceable would be an understatement, but it’s also deeply dark, even menacing at times. Truly the most compelling aspect of their music is how cathartic it is. A perfect hybridization of aggressive synths, unique samples, lush harmonies, and diss track lyrics, Medusa is a singular artist and commands your attention. Also on the bill is indie emo-punks Passed Out. In a similar vein of Modern Baseball, Passed Out writes deeply cathartic lyrics that succeed in their mission of making you “very sad, then happy, then very sad again.” Finally, rounding out the bill is jangly dream-pop outfit Coral Collapse. With enveloping shoegaze textures, and a danceable driving[...]

Tonight: Advance Base

January 16, 2020

Tonight electronic minimalist troubadour Advance Base returns to Buffalo to ply his dark trade at Nietzsche’s with local indie rocker Ex-Pat and Nashville lo-fi indie band Sinai Vessel. The current project from Casiotone for the Painfully Alone’s Owen Ashworth features the Chicago singer/songwriter channeling Nick Cave and Phosphorescent’s  Matthew Houck against sparse and increasingly bleak electronic soundscapes, so be prepared to go deep into your own emotions. Tour mates Sinai Vessel are an evocative lo-fi folk trio who just released yours, an EP of new material last month that leans away from garage rock and into folk. Ex-Pat aka Patrick Weil opens the show with his laid back and very psychedelic brand of indie. Doors are at 8pm and cover is $10. Animal Companionship by Advance Base

Tonight: Why Not

January 11, 2020

Thrash, garage rock, indie alternative, math rock – I’m not here to put Minnesota’s Why Not in any sort of box. The band rides into Sugar City tonight in the midst of loaded January tour 18 high octane shows in like 22 days.  Song to song, measure to measure, the trio are filled with unpredictable sonic surprises. Buffalo gets tonight’s edition of the band’s thrashing guitar riffs and breakneck percussion, highlighted in songs “Pink Hat” and “Ready for the World.” The off-beat Minnesota groovesters are joined on the card by catchy local garage rockers Adjacent Jason, along with must-see Phriendly Phoes and the dynamic Wolf of Waltzer. It’s $8 to get in the door at Sugar City tonight, and doors open at 6pm for all the ages you can think of. Check out Why Not’s latest video for “No Suggestions Here” below:

Tonight: Stay Gold at the Burchfield Penney Art Center

January 10, 2020

Art and music intersect brilliantly and beautifully tonight when the Burchfield Penney Art Center hosts their annual Stay Gold party featuring some of Western New York’s hottest artists. Throughout the Burchfield Penney, au courant artists will be displaying site specific installations alongside the museum’s current ongoing exhibitions and performances by a plethora of up to the minute local acts including heave, Carmen & Izzy, The Burkharts, Tough Old Bird, Cooler, TVMTN, Sydney Jeanne, and MEDUSA. Admission is free, there’s a cash bar, and the museum is open to 10pm with music starting at 4pm. East Gallery heave – 4:05pm- 4:50pm Carmen & Lizzy – 6:05pm – 6:40pm Tough Old Bird – 8:45pm – 9:30pm Reception Space The Burkharts – 5:00pm – 5:50pm TVMTN – 6:40pm – 7:25pm Cooler – 8:05pm – 8:40pm Margaret L. Wendt Gallery Sidney Jeanne– 5:15pm – 6:00pm MEDUSA – 8:05pm – 8:40pm ET by MEDUSA

Tonight: Laveda

January 9, 2020

Albany-based lo-fi dream pop outfit Laveda share an interesting bill tonight at Nietzsche’s. After forming in 2017, the group burst into the spotlight when their debut single “Dream. Sleep” was premiered in February 2019 by Pitchfork Radio at their Mid-Winter Festival in Chicago. Since then the group has released two more singles, most recently “If Only (You Said No)” this past November. With lush harmonies and shoegaze textures, their songs completely envelop you. Definitely a must-listen for fans of Beach House, Slowdive, and Tennis. Also on the bill are Fredonia synth-pop group superficial. and Buffalo alt-rockers Red Button Dilemma. superficial. is a deeply fun band, in the wheelhouse of groups such as The 1975 or Wallows, while Red Button Dilemma fuses new-wave aesthetic with a gritty alternative undertone. The lineup compliments each other quite well, and will definitely be a great night to discover some new favorites. Doors at 8pm,[...]

Tonight: NYE @ Nietzsche’s

December 31, 2019

Tonight Nietzsche’s is hosting a stacked local music bill and  this year may truly be one for the record books. With acts ranging from synth-pop to psychedelia to moody indie-rock there’s most certainly plenty to go around. Headlining will be everyone’s favorite synth-pop act Humble Braggers. Known for their energetic live shows, they’re sure to make you dance the decade away in style. Also on the bill is local psychedelic heavyweights Deadwolf. True revivalists, their lush textures harken back to the “golden age” of psychedelic acts such as The 13thFloor Elevators or Strawberry Alarm Clock. Rounding out the local “heavys” on the bill is indie-rock outfit The Burkharts. With a distinctly lo-fi dreamy surf-pop sound, they’re a deeply fun band and certainly one to get you moving. Also on the bill is Urban Planning and relative newcomers to the scene The Best Strangers. Urban Planning plays jangly, moody indie-pop, with[...]

Tonight: The Hollywood Motel

December 26, 2019

Tonight at Nietzsche’s marks the debut Buffalo performance of a familiar act under a new moniker. The Hollywood Motel, fronted by Niagara Falls native turned Portland multi-media artist Billy Fortier, was formerly behind popular WNY act Seafox. This evening will be the band’s first outing – they have put together a one-off performance in Buffalo that luckily coincides with their holiday travel plans. The Hollywood Motel is rounded out by Fortier’s brother, Eric Fortier, Pete Heuer, and Deadwolf/Passed Out’s Andy Pothier. Their sound has a psych-y upbeat 70s sound with contemporary indie pop drive. The band is currently in the studio fleshing out their debut album with the Dandy Warhols. Also joining The Hollywood Motel are locals Canetis, who are fresh off the release of their new album Putting Time Together, and psych-pop trio VR Sunset. Doors are at 8pm with a $5 cover. In the meantime check out  the[...]

Tonight: Televisionaries

December 19, 2019

Vintage Rochester surf rockers Televisonaries roll through town tonight at the Mohawk for a solid show featuring darktronica mastermind Medusa, garage punks Regular Sex, and Velvet Bethany. Bringing together rockabilly grit and California surf rock, Televisionaries rock hard with some clean lines and some off the rails guitar riffs. Buffalo darktronica mastermind Medusa has a new album in the works for early 2020, and everything they’re doing is always worth checking out, while Regular Sex and Velvet Bethany round out the evening with some fine punk rock for your kicking out the jams needs. Doors are at 7pm and cover is $7. Live From Three Sheets by Televisionaries

Tonight: heave

December 18, 2019

Do you need to escape the winter cold? Nietzsches has you covered this evening with a night of soulful folk by a Christmas Tree. Tonight’s lineup will feature Heave, who will play a solo set from lead singer Emily Finlan. A good portion from Heave’s catalog will translate well to a solo acoustic performance, as many tracks from their EP Pike are stripped back and subtle. That said, it will be nice to see Emily deliver a solo version of their full band Buddy Holly-esq tune ‘Boys’. Support acts, Sidney Jeanne, a punk rock carnation, and scene newcomers Blunted Lip will round out the night. Bundle up and make your way to out.. $5 cover and doors at 8:30pm. Pike by heaveWritten by Kevin Prentice

Tonight; Music Is Noise

December 13, 2019

Buffalo noise outfit Noumenoise is curating a heavy duty two night noise fest celebrating and exploring “ordered and chaotic sound.” Tonight’s first night at Milkie’s on Elmwood is focused on “heavy earth sounds” and will be featuring Ithaca’s HEARSE, Cosmic Heart Crisis from Syracuse, Rochester’s Fentanyl Tapwater, plus local noise artists Anthopic, Jesse and the Spirit, Menophilia, and Party Shirt. Tomorrow night at Nietzsche’s will be all about “heavenly space sounds” from Cleveland’s Item, Denzelworldpeace, Dogs In Stereo, Family ph0t0 b00k, $Bitch.00, Karsten Brooks, TEA SOUP, and Destroying. Cover is $5 per show or $7 for a two night wristband, and doors are at 8pm. Being a celebration of the local and regional noise scenes, it has been requested that there will be “no discrimination, no creeps, no egos,” so please, don’t be a dickhead.The Light Has Gone [demo 2019] by Hearse

Tonight: Mikaela Davis and Southern Star

December 12, 2019

Rochester-based songstress and premier harpist visits Babeville’s 9th Ward tonight for an evening of poppy, singer/songwriter star power. With her backing band Southern Star, Mikaela Davis‘ shine has risen over the past several years (prior to that was viral YouTube harp covers), in large part due to her 2018 debut album Delivery. Featuring Davis’ signature harp-playing integrated into dazzling and varied production, album highlights include the swelling head-nodder “Delivery” and the empowering harmonies of “In My Groove.” Davis’ lyrical themes are stream-of-conscience, lifted from a sharp-tongued diary. Most recently from her discog is”Take 54,” the opening track to 2019’s Tribute to Nillson, Vol. 2, a compilation of big names covering the work of early indie catalyst Harry Nillson. Davis has hinted on her social channels that 2020 may bring her follow-up album, so we’ll see if the mystifying harpist holds any surprises on the tracklist. The show kicks off at 8pm with doors at 7pm, $15 to get in that door. Get[...]