Preview

Tonight: EL VY

May 1, 2016

Rapids Theatre plays host tonight to one of the hottest indie acts on the tour circuit one of the EL VY (pronounced EL-PIE with a v). The band’s promo picture might yield some familiar faces, as EL VY is the side project for Matt Berninger (of The National) and Brent Knopf (of Menomena). Sound wise do not expect The National’s dreariness, but EL VY carries over the frontman’s story telling ability but in a much more wry and playful fashion. Also on deck are local sunshine haze-pop act, Get Money Squad. Doors are at 6pm with a $25 cover.

Tonight: The Fox Sisters

April 30, 2016

Rochester’s retro rock scene will be invading Mohawk Place for a night that will undoubtedly entertain fans of R&B, Blues, and retro rock and roll.  The Fox Sisters’ band name basically describes their vibe, which is that of an energetic rhythm blues band with the power of Little Richard, the brash vibes of King Khan and the horns of Van Morrison. Also on the bill are The Temptators will be putting on your dancing shoes as well with their surf rock beats and 50’s style jams. Their lyrics fit the bill of The Beach Boys, and their guitar riffs will take you straight to the beach. Not to be overlooked are The Televisionaries, whose retro instrumental surf rock licks  will surely bring you straight to the beach. Maybe after the show is done you can go to the waterfront or something. Doors open at 8pm with a $5 cover.

Tonight: Midnight Purple Rain At The North Park

April 29, 2016

Tonight The North Park Theatre joins in the many Prince tributes happening around WNY  (and the world) with a midnight screening of the 1984 classic Purple Rain. Proceeds go to Music Is Art and Prince videos will be shown to get the crowd ready for the movie that made Prince an international star; a glorious rock and roll B-movie with the best soundtrack ever and magnetic performances from our dearly departed Purple One, love interest Apollonia, and  onscreen “foil” Morris Day. Show starts at 11:55. Prince tribute screenings of Purple Rain will also be happening this weekend at the Riviera Theatre Saturday night in North Tonawanda and at the Transit Drive-In in a wonderful double feature this weekend with Bowie’s Labyrinth, a reminder of just how lousy 2016 has been for music fans. Wear purple to all the above and say goodbye to a legend gone too soon.

Tonight: The Slums

April 29, 2016

After 2 years of anticipation, we’re finally here, all the hype, all the teases of new material from this passionately loved artist who wears their heart on their sleeve and reps their city to the death; I am of course talking about the release of, Sorry by The Slums. Unless you’ve been completely oblivious to the local music scene, it’s been kind of hard to miss the local shout-rockers in our fair city, playing barn-burner of a show after barn-burner of a show. But tonight’s show is one of proper celebration, as the band marks the release of their buffaBLOG-approved, debut album. The Slums will be playing most (if not all) the tunes off their debut with I’m sure some room for old singles as well. The band’s trademark raw, aggressive, and wildly emotive punk sound, lends itself especially to the live setting, and if you’re like me, I know[...]

Tonight: Reverend Horton Heat

April 29, 2016

In the year 2016, no band quite embodies the spirits of the ’50’s like Reverend Horton Heat.  With an obsession for Buddy Holly meets Chuck Berry style rock’n’roll, stand up bass slides, flame colored everything, and rollicking rockabilly licks the Rev have steadily built up a loyal fanbase, as crazy about hot rods, bikes and those “good ol'” years, as you’re gonna find. Tonight, along with Nashville Pussy, another  hard-edged, slighty more worshipping of AC/DC hard rock band, Unknown Hinson and Lucky Tubb the band will play the Tralf, in what has seemingly become a tradition.  There are still tickets left at $28 but get there early (7pm). Chances are this one’ll sell out.

Tonight: The Besnard Lakes

April 28, 2016

Montreal psych/prog rockers The Besnard Lakes make a long awaited return to Buffalo tonight at the Tralf Music Hall with Detroit’s Turn To Crime. In town for the first time in 6 years, this time in support of their most recent opus, 2016’s  A Coliseum Complex Museum, The Besnard Lakes will be unleashing their Beach Boys by way of David Lynch infused indie take on the ambitious prog rock of the 70’s, all haunting yet gorgeous vocal harmonies, otherworldly, spaced out melodies, and epic jams. Meanwhile, opening the show will be Turn To Crime, the latest project of Awesome Color’s Derek Stanton is an intriguing fusion of classic Detroit rock and modern post punk. Doors open at 7pm and tickets are $14.

Tonight: Fucko

April 27, 2016

Another Wednesday, another solidly stacked gig at the Glitterbox.  Fucko from Boston will be rolling through town as the touring act this time around, which you’d probably be into if you ever wanted to hear a slightly darker version of Potty Mouth.  Locals on the gig include the new(ish), rip roaring band Kimmy (band), the equally as fresh hardcore act Uniform OPR, and Glitterbox staples Hot Tip. According to the facebook event, this will be one of the last shows at the Glitterbox, so if you’ve ever wanted to check out a show there, now’s your chance.  Doors open at 6pm, and the show is $6 at the door, or free/pay what you want if you’re under 18. Head to said facebook event to inquire about the address.

Tonight: Freddie Gibbs

April 27, 2016

Tonight, the Shadow of a Doubt Tour will be making a stop in Buffalo. Gary, Indiana native Freddie Gibbs is bringing his aggressive and personal style of rap to Mohawk Place for an intimate evening with the rising artist. Fans of hardcore hip-hop are sure to enjoy the rapper’s versatile blend of influences (ranging from DMX  to ODB), something he displayed on his most recent release, Shadow of a Doubt. Two local rappers will join Gibbs tonight. Short Moscato is coming off of his 2015 release of laid-back hip-hop, Whatever | Forever. Opening the show is Lucky Seven, who founded local label Howhood University Records, under which he has released several mixtapes. Doors are at 7pm at Mohawk Place. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at the door.

Tonight: Attic Abasement

April 23, 2016

Attic Abasement are undoubtedly one of the breakout upstate New York bands of 2016. If If you are unfamiliar with the Rochester-based trio, think a mopier Parquet Court, and a teensy amount of instrumental comparison from the abrupt, explosive leads of Make Believe. Perhaps an even better comparison would be a bedroom-ridden Pavement. With positive reviews from Pitchfork and Spin Magazine endorsing Attic Abasement, you know these guys are certainly worth checking out. The band will be playing selections from their upcoming release, Dream News (our May 27th), along with some of their greatest hits. Come out to their show tomorrow at Milkie’s at 9pm. Also on the bill are backwoods indie band Mr. Boneless and agressive indie-punkers Passed Out. $5 cover.

Tonight: Red Francis

April 21, 2016

The Chicago natives in Red Francis will be gracing Buffalo with their presence this evening. Red Francis simply describe themselves as “rock-n-roll” but there’s a more subtle nuance to their jams… Think Kurt Vile with a little retro flavor. Tonight’s show also has a strong opening crew. Slacker rockers Difficult Night are sure to add to the vibes, and newcomers Coral Collapse have been sitting on a bit of buzz lately. Either way, tonight’s show is a solid three-band line up. Doors open at 8:00pm tonight – bring $5 for admission and a few bucks for beer.

Tonight: New Madrid

April 21, 2016

One of the exciting thing about Town Ballroom’s recent Leopard Lounge shows is that it has provided the perfect venue for some of indie rock’s rising stars or best kept secrets. The latter is especially true of tonight’s guest, New Madrid. It’s almost difficult to describe the sound of these Athens-based indie rockers because they almost seem to pull inspiration from every major era of indie rock and do so with a sound that’s effortless and immediate. Given their hometown, it’s maybe too easy to label that as “College Rock” but if any band in recent memory deserves that label it’s them. Yet the band also seem to carry with them the lazy slacker rock vibes of the early 90s as much as the wandering experimental rock of the early 2000s. New Madrid sounds immediately familiar but like no one specifically, which in itself is an incredible feat. The band arrives[...]

Tonight: Palberta

April 19, 2016

Head down to Milkies on Elmwood tonight for a nice little freaky Tuesday night treat.  This will be your final chance to catch Buffalo act Jamie and the Debt, as one member will shortly be moving to the land down under.  Other locals on the bill include Slow Mutants and Much Band.  The bill will also feature the undefinable Palberta from NYC.  There’s no doubt in my mind that things are sure to get a little freaky tonight. The show is set to kick off at 8pm at Milkies, with a small cover charge of only 3 bucks. Head out to see some great live acts and send off Jamie and the Debt the right way.

Tonight: Bleached

April 18, 2016

The L.A. based trio, Bleached, knows how to pen an appetizing punk song. Comprised of sisters Jessie and Jennifer Clavin and bassist Micayla Grace, the band capitalizes on propulsive power chords, chunky bass lines, and uncontrived, fuzzed out vocal melodies that call upon traditional punk music from the 70’s and 80’s. There is a genuine attitude about it that is probably best captured and shared in a live setting between plugged-in band and audience. Even with a clear old school punk influence, there are distinct elements of modern lo-fi thrash rock tossed in, and it’s all tightly packaged in a pop sort of way. No Parents, another L.A. based thrash punk band, are offering support for Bleached on this tour. They’re a bit sludgier and more boisterous than Bleached, but still incredibly melodic and fun to listen to. There’s an aspect of unashamed comicality to their stuff but none of[...]

Tonight: Hundred Plus Club

April 17, 2016

Mohawk Place is set to host a sleepy Sunday show this evening, headlined by touring indie power-pop musician, Sam Vicari,  but the band that has really caught out eye is Buffalo-based quartet, Hundred Plus Club, who will be on support. Hundred Plus Club’s got a sound like Tokyo Police Club: matter-of-fact drums, near spoken singing, and exciting, colorful riffs on both the bass and electric guitars. The band recently released an EP recorded at World of Noise sSudios titled Three Songs.. The brief three song snapshot of the band’s repertoire are all equally upbeat, despite some dwelling lyrics. New listeners will appreciate the dance-and-sway vibes of Hundred Plus Club. Also on the bill are Small Smalls and Andrew Kothen. Doors at  8pm with a $5 cover.

Tonight: Tomoreaux

April 16, 2016

There are just too many jokes I could make about the title of this post, so I’m just going to leave it alone. All jokes aside, Allentown house venue Little Baltimore is hosting a stacked lineup of bands tonight for your listening pleasure that is just straight up dreamy. The all local bill consists of dream pop act Coral Collapse, folkgaze act The Leones, post jammers Lazlo Hollyfield, and the return of Buffalo post rock / shoegazers, Tomoreaux. Doors open at 8pm, with a music starting some time around 9pm. For only 3 bucks at the door, how could you possibly have a better Saturday night? Check out the facebook event HERE for the address and more info.