Preview

Tonight: The Ataris

August 29, 2016

The Ataris may only have released five albums in their twenty one years as a band, but there’s something to be said for a punk band that has stuck around for that long. Vocalist/guitarist Kris Roe is the only original member on this tour, but they’re still playing the same songs you grew up listening to and is guaranteed to be a fun and nostalgic time. Don’t miss your chance to see them tonight at Mohawk Place because you never know if this might be their last tour. Doors open at 6pm with opening slots from The Barksdales and Younger Then. $15 cover. Written by Derek Neuland

Tonight: Big Eyes

August 28, 2016

Tonight marks what could be one of the best under-the-radar shows of 2016. Fresh off the release of their third album, Stake My Claim, Seattle’s Big Eyes make their way to Buffalo with a plethora of new punk gems. Big Eyes is the brainchild of Kate Eldridge, a longtime stalwart of NY’s D.I.Y. scene, having notably played with Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) in her former band, P.S. Eliot. Big Eyes is Eldridge’s first lead project and they’ve been quietly creating buzz with outlets like Spin, Pitchfork and Brooklyn Vegan over their last few releases with their blend of hard rock and pop sensibilities. Fans of artists like Sleater-Kinney, Superchunk and the aforementioned Waxahatchee will find a lot to love in Big Eyes music and long time fans will relish the chance to catch them in our fair city. Seriously, don’t sleep on this show, it has the potential to be an[...]

Tonight: Gringo Star

August 28, 2016

It’s the Wild West meets the wonderful ocean. Deep, dark, and cavernous, yet dirty and mustard yellow. Previews of the new Gringo Star album The Sides and In Between are as amusing as they are unique. “Rotten,” Magic,” and “Get Closer” demonstrate versatility and three different sides of the band. Whether Gringo Star is gritty, keeping it light, or playful (listen carefully to the mix and lyrics of “Get Closer”), Gringo Star shines true. Catch the group headlining at Studio at the Waiting Room with support from Ugly Sun, Feverbox, and One Way to Nowhere. Doors are at 7pm, with the show starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are $12 and the show is all ages (more details here). For soundalikes, see Bosco Rogers and Cage the Elephant. Otherwise, preview Gringo Star’s new album below and warp here for tasteful merchandise.

Tonight: Alpha Hopper LP Release Show

August 27, 2016

Dreamland is most defintely going to be the place to be tonight.   Everyone’s favorite post punk freakers, Alpha Hopper, are finally releasing their LP tonight, and to celebrate, are having a stacked release show at Dreamland.  It is pretty tough to describe Alpha Hoppers unique sound, so you’re probably better off getting to the show and seeing for yourself.  The new full length, Last Chance Power Drive, is getting a physical vinyl release as well, which should be for sale at the show. The show will feature support from local heavy hitters, Space is Haunted, Trinkt, and Gun Candy. Doors open at Dreamland at 7pm, and with only a $5 cover, I can’t find a a better reason for you to go and celebrate what is sure to be one of the best Buffalo releases this year.

Tonight: The Melvins

August 24, 2016

Legendary 80’s stoner rockers and alternative music survivors The Melvins return to the Queen City after a seven year absence to play The Buffalo Iron Works tonight. With not one but two albums in stores this year, Three Men And A Baby and Bases Loaded, the sludge metal masters will be joined by Seattle sludge rockers Helms Alee, promoting their fourth LP Stillicide. Day of tickets are $22 and doors open at 8pm. The Iron Works brick building will be vibrating mightily so prepare yourselves.

Tonight: Izzy True

August 22, 2016

Izzy True‘s Nope, released in early August, carries a sound that spans decades. With the pulse of 80’s pop and the instrumental sensibility of a 60’s psych-rock band at times, it’s a time warp of sorts, but one that melds together brilliantly. The album is a total daydream and there is a matured variance in comparison to the Troll EP released last year. Highlights for me include “Mr. Romance” and “Cruel Kings II”. Catch Izzy True tonight at Dreamland along with Chevron Bloom, Teenage Satan and Yellow House. Entry is $6. Show starts at 7:30.

Tonight – Sleepy Hahas Farewell Show

August 20, 2016

Farewell old friends! Iconic psych rockers Sleepy Hahas have been a fixture in the Buffalo music scene for the past six years. Tonight, we celebrate their long and impressive career at Sleepy Hahas Farewell Show. The band has been planning a career-spanning set, featuring songs from: Cranberry Juice & Battery Acid, I Am Not a Happy Person, Dull Days, and their newest release, From the Bottom of a Warm Lake. You can only see this great Buffalo band one more time! We celebrate their career tonight at Mohawk place. Doors are at 8:00pm. $10 at the door. 18+.

Tonight: Guerilla Toss

August 19, 2016

Brooklyn-based band Guerrilla Toss has garnered a reputation for their ecstatic, genre-defying live performances. Their visceral, psychedelic take on funk, post-punk, and no wave is a barrage of frenetic instrumentation that centers around eccentric percussion and bass grooves. After moving to New York from Boston and signing with DFA records the now five-piece band released their latest album Eraser Stargazer which incorporates elements of disco and other dance music while preserving their idiosyncratic yet concise sound. Tonight, the band will perform at Buffalo art venue Sugar City at 7pm. Local experimental electronic musician Lesionread will open the show accompanied by his live band. Also opening are Buffalo progressive rock band Luanjie. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door.

Tonight: Passed Out

August 18, 2016

Tonight in what might be one of the jarringly different billings in recent memory, Passed Out will headline the afterparty for autotune superstar, T-Pain. But more importantly, local aggressive indie rockers, Passed Out will be premiering their debut EP, ‘Infinite Regresssion; a collection of panicked emo anthems that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Desaparecidos album. Lead singer, Andy Pothier has been a noteable mainstay in the local scene for awhile with well-regarded acts like Pine Fever and Deadwolf, so his new venture is well worth checking out. Passed Out recently released single, “Winnipeg,” as a thrilling teaser of what’s to come, with plenty more in store tonight. But they’re not alone, joining them are local singer-songwriter, Sonny Baker, the hardcore punk sounds of Albany’s Throat Culture, Rochester garage rock slackers, Total Yuppies, and the raucous noise punk antics of GLOVE. It’s such a great bill that as T-Pain would say[...]

Tonight: The Mystery Lights

August 16, 2016

Fans of Daptone Records know that whatever the label is putting out, whether it’s Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Charles Bradley, Antibalas, Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens, or The Budos Band, it’s going to sound instantly classic but also have a sense of immediacy that says “we’re here, you’re hear, and this is right now.” Now the Bushwick ,Brooklyn soul empire is expanding to include straight up rock music with their new WICK Records imprint, and their first band The Mystery Lights will be making their Buffalo debut tonight at the Mohawk Place. Cranking an insurgent brand of rock that channels The Animals, Jefferson Airplane, and The Black Angels, the Salinas, California by way of Queens outfit will be in town to promote the eponymous debut album, released in June. Opening the show will be the recently reformed The Good, the city’s first New Wave band, along with heavy duty garage rockers The Pepperoni Boys,[...]

Tonight: See Through Dresses

August 13, 2016

If you have been finding yourself listening to Verucca Salt, The Breeders, Dinosaur Jr., Blake Babies, and other great 90’s “alternative” bands lately, then the lineup tonight at Tudor Lounge can help you scratch that itch. Touring Omahans See Through Dress blends elements from all your favorite bands that Matt Pinfield used to play on 120 Minutes, with a sound that ranges from indie rock to shoegaze to dream pop. Also on the lineup are 80’s gothrock act Orations and raw garage punk band with riot grrrl influences, Trinkit. Doors are at 9pm with a $5 cover. Written by Derek Neuland

Tonight: The Naturalists

August 12, 2016

The Naturalists have one of the most distinct sounds out there. In the ten or so months since their 6-song EP release, Home Honey, I’m Hi, the band hasn’t slept on expanding and improving that sound, especially with the addition of a second guitarist (Jimmy Dimartino) and two shiny new singles released earlier today. “Wicked Dreams” and “Grown Up” are undoubtedly branded with The Naturalists’ familiar throwback-grunge  sound. Both tracks are as rambunctious as ever, yet totally refined in tone and melody. Not to mention, the new material is just downright fun to listen to. It’s hard to argue with something so amiable. On “Grown Up” vocalist Craig Perno sings about subject matter most of us can relate to — the innate fears and confusions of growing older (grow up and hold back / no sleep ’til we’re dead / making sense of dreaming dementia / make me a witness,[...]

Tonight: Bold Folly

August 11, 2016

Broncho might have stiffed local fans tonight but a night of solid local music still awaits later at the Mohawk featuring psych rockers Bold Folly, dreambeaches, and Mr. Boneless. Bold Folly’s been cultivating an alluring sound that’s part Gene Pitney on acid, part unhinged rockabilly, and part bluesy space rock for a year or so, releasing the EP Queen City Tuesday in March. dreambeaches approach their satisfying take on psychedelic pop in a way that recalls fun Peter Gabriel from the mid 80’s, the Beach Boys, and Vampire Weekend, while Mr. Boneless brings a distinctly Flaming Lips vibe to their vaguely country rock sound. Taken together there’s a possibility your brains might be running out your noses by the end of the night… in a good way. Show begins at 8pm, and cover is $5.

Tonight: The Fall Of Troy

August 9, 2016

Blistering, face-melting riffs. A vocal range of the gods. Inhuman time signatures. Yes, we’re talking about The Fall Of Troy, the post-hardcore heroes who just happen to be visiting Buffalo tonight. They’re playing the Studio at the Waiting Room with fellow heavy-hitters ’68 and Illustrations. Doors are at 7:00pm – tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Tonight: Yes Yes

August 8, 2016

A new pop-up space in the heart of Allentown is set to launch it’s inaugural showcase this evening. Dubbed The Modeling Factory, the space will host two stripped down acts, Yes Yes and Andrew Sblendorio. Sblendorio is a familiar face coming all the way from Utica. He plays double duty as part of frequent Buffalo-touring powerpop act, Comfy. His solo material is quite opposite, where he plays with atmospheric sounds as well as bleeps and bloops for fans of Brian Eno or Fourtet.  He will be joined by Alexis Aguam who will be helping with the visualization of Sblendorio’s music. Also on the bill is hyper-folk musician Mike “Yes Yes” Ersing. Yes Yes is a Buffalo-native, and has been in and out of the local scene for nearly a decade. Recently, Yes Yes was living in South Korea, working as a musician playing shows and festivals and exposing the native population to[...]