Preview

Tonight: Joe Marcinek Band

September 3, 2015

If you respect yourself enough to listen to the best that music has to offer and understand that there is nothing more moving than live music, then you had better make your way down to Buffalo Iron Works tonight for the Joe Marcinek Band. Marcinek is known for “an ever evolving mixture of original compositions and incredible musicians. Each show has a slightly different lineup and interpretation. The music is a blend of jazz and funk with a cerebral emphasis on groove and improvisation.” Tonight’s special guests include Nate Werth of Snarky Puppy, Steve Molitz of Particle, and Mike Gantzer of Aqueous. The show is set to begin at 9:30pm. Tickets are $10 and while currently available at the door, it may be best to order them online in advance as this show has the potential to sell out. Guests are welcome ages 18 and up with proper ID.

Tonight: Ratatat

September 3, 2015

On tour in support of their 5th album, Magnifique, Ratatat will be stopping in Niagara Falls to perform at the Rapids Theater tonight. Rising to the prominence in the 00’s for their hip hop remixes and equally engaging hip hop influenced instrumentals, the group has been consistently making solid and interesting music for over 10 years. Magnifique, released earlier this summer, sees them returning more closely to the style of Classics after a more experimental turn on their last two albums. The record’s single “Cream on Chrome” features an almost baroque groove and infinitely catchy melody. This is sure to be an excellent show and a great way to spend one of these final sultry nights of the quickly waning summer. Tickets are still available for $30 at the doors, which open at 6:30pm.  

Tonight: Frank Hurricane

September 2, 2015

Bring $ or food for bands to Hickory Urban Sanctuary at tonight for an indiscernible gig. Frank Hurricane is less of a tropical storm and more of a wind through a field of wheat. The touring troubadour’s folkster Americana is pure good vibes and will surely feel fully supported by Buffalo acts. Bul Bul Tarang Gang will be gearing up and Lara Buckley’s a master of musical instruments who shines with the assistance of a loop. The unpindownable genre defying Jack Toft escapes definition and is also set to play some cool original tunes. Food and music will be served at 6pm.

Tonight: A House Safe For Tigers

August 29, 2015

Best thing about Buffalo on a Saturday night? Options. One of tonight’s top picks would bring you to Mohawk Place for the highly-anticipated release party of A House Safe for Tigers, the debut album from the local mellotron supergroup of the same name. If you’re reading this, you may have been vibing out to AHSfT (our most recent Album of the Week) for a few months already; now is your chance to see the album performed in full-band glory. Opening tonight’s festivities are two acts that have been pretty scarce on this year’s live circuit—synthrock revivalists TMMC and a special solo performance from Failures’ Union’s Tony Flaminio. Get there on time to catch everyone. Doors open up at 8pm with an affordable $5 cover. A House Safe For Tigers by A House Safe For Tigers

Tonight: The Utah Jazz & Love Canal

August 29, 2015

What is better than a tape release show? A dual tape release show! Tonight, rock and roll kings the Utah Jazz, along with local hardcore freakers Love Canal, are both dropping new tapes on the Black Dots record label. To celebrate, the bands are setting it off at the Hickory Urban Sanctuary, a small warehouse type venue on the East Side of Buffalo. Set to open up the show are garage rock act and overall fun time Kharlos plus local doom outfit Sun Black Smoke. The Hickory Urban Sanctuary is at 232 Pratt Street on the East Side, and doors are set to open around 7pm.  With a cover of only $5 and a good attitude, there’s no reason NOT to go support your local punks. BLK-07: LOVE CANAL – Enter the Love Canal by LOVE CANAL BLK-06: UTAH JAZZ – Ivory Wave by UTAH JAZZ

Tonight: Aircraft

August 29, 2015

While we have been geeking out all summer over the great music our sister city of Rochester has been putting out, Aircraft, one of the blog’s favorite Buffalo acts, has been busy at work on its latest release. Tonight at Sugar City, the soaring psych rock four piece is set to celebrate said release, a new EP titled 7 Gems from the Sparkling Void.  The EP will be released by Buffalo rooted label Admirable Traits records, which if you have been following, has quietly built a great catalog of local releases from Humble Braggers, M.A.G.S., Bryan Johnson & Family, and more. The party kicks off tonight at 7pm. Fuzzy Rochester shoegazers Pleistocene and fresh Buffalo rock saviors Sixties Future will provide support. $10 gets you through the door an a copy of the EP.

Tonight: Mannequin Pussy

August 27, 2015

If Philly’s basements are shit holes, they still spring eternal. Phila’s own Mannequin Pussy is pretty dynamic, just like the scene: equal parts sassy shouts, surf rock, and compact punk. They are for fans of Chumped and The Le Sigh blog. Crosss from Toronto was set to play tonight with Mannequin Pussy at the Glitterbox, but sadly, passport issues will keep them off of the bill. If case you were wondering, Crosss sounds like Slow Warm Death meets Belle and Sebastian’s eerie grunge. This trio produces out there tunes with laid back vibes. Holding down the hometown is Hot Tip as well as cool duo Space is Haunted.  The night starts with bands at 7pm and don’t forget to bring some money for the now one touring band.

Tonight: Space Wolves

August 27, 2015

You wouldn’t necessarily guess it upon first listen, but Space Wolves’ music offers up an interesting contradiction. The duo, comprised of Chris Scamurra and Nick Reynolds, pairs woeful lyrics with docile instrumentals, then runs it all through a sprightly, retro-pop filter. Of course, it’s a little naive to to think that happy sounding music always equates to happy subject matter, but SW’s version of this contradiction really resonates. To me, it’s the very real angst that a lot of us self-doubting, nervous ninnies feel, masked in the sunny tint of a 60’s sitcom. In a similar fashion to Newish Star, Space Wolves have very few songs over two and half minutes, making each one a quick jab that knocks you back because you’re either A) relating all too well to the tragedies of heartbreak and debilitating anxiety or B) you’re dancing your arse off to the rambunctious surf rock melodies.[...]

Tonight: Beach House

August 21, 2015

Beach House is a band that wants you to pay attention to more than just their haze-pop sound. The Baltimore duo has been at it for just about 11 years now and they’ve maintained consistent notability throughout. But they’ve also been met with some opposition over, oddly enough, the consistency of their sound and the lack of drastic sonic change over the years. In a 2012 interview with Pitchfork, Alex Scally discloses, “Writing about us, people have said: ‘Do we need another album by this band?’ What the fuck is that? That only matters if you’re just listening to sound…A lot of people listening to music now don’t listen to the songs or lyrics at all. They just go, ‘Good tones…’ and that’s it. But we’re obsessed with songs. Sometimes, I feel like people aren’t listening to our songs, they’re just listening to the sound.” Beach House is heavily identified[...]

Tonight: Inlite (Last Show)

August 20, 2015

Bummer! Tonight we say goodbye to a longtime contributor to Buffalo’s canon. The Grand Islanders in Inlite are playing their final show, after close to a decade of existence. The Brit-tinged synth-rawkers are sure to put on a wonderful farewell tonight at Mohawk Place. Fans of Franz Ferdinand, The Bravery, or We are Scientists should get their last taste of this outgoing quartet. Support tonight comes from Sleepy Hahas and The Naturalists – what better of a duo to send Inlite off with? Doors are at 8pm and it’s only $5.

Tonight: Social Distortion

August 18, 2015

Social Distortion are legends; punk icons that bridged the gap between alternative rock audiences and mainstream crowds in the 90’s, with their rock-meets-blues-meets-country approach. Never straying from the firm DIY ideals that punk has come to represent, the band has continued to grow and evolve, pulling from a variety of roots-rock traditions, all whilst keeping the music true to themselves and their dignity intact. One of their most commercially and critically successful albums (and let’s be honest, most people’s fave) was their self-titled album released in 1990, the album that truly broke the band. Prior to that, Social Distortion had dabbled with fame here and there. Their classic Mommys Little Monster is essential in any punk collection and Prison Bound offered a unique transition into unchartered rootsy territory. It was the self titled, with hits like “Story of my Life,” “Sick Boy,” “Ball and Chain” and a most excellent version[...]

Tonight: The Tins

August 18, 2015

The Picnic in the Parkway free concert series at Bidwell Parkway is presenting a can’t miss concert later on tonight showcasing two of the local scenes most exciting bands, Aircraft and The Tins. Blog favorites Aircraft are getting ready to release their latest EP, the hotly anticipated and deliciously named 7 Gems From The Sparkling Void and embark on a tour of the Rust Belt and North East, while the adventurous electropop trio (and fellow blog favorites), The Tins, will be unleashing danceable synth driven jams from last year’s Young Blame EP and converting new members to their cause. Just think of all the unsuspecting Elmwood Village free concertgoers about to be turned on to two of Buffalo’s most exciting bands… what fun awaits. The show starts at 7pm.

Tonight: Pawns

August 17, 2015

New York City’s Pawns and Rochester’s Hot Mayonnaise  will be bringing down the house at Sugar City tonight. Headliners Pawns sounds like a modern day Bauhaus channeling cool rockers with contemporaries like Perfect Pussy, Institute, and the latest from Ceremony. Nihilistic and anti establishment, Pawns vibe is very cool. Not to be overlooked is Hot Mayonnaise, who play straight up shredding punk rock with a 70’s vibe and look to match. Rounding out the bill are  new local act, Basement Rat will open. Tonight’s show begins at 7pm over at Sugar City with a $5 cover. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/161071418″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: Mac DeMarco

August 16, 2015

Mac is back! The reigning king of jizz jazz, Mac DeMarco, will make his welcomed return to Buffalo tonight at The Tralf, hopefully this time with full band in tow. Following last year’s excellent Salad Days, the goofball crooner’s latest mini-LP Another One continues his ultrachill slacker rock sounds, but this time draped in full love-song garb. It’s an interesting juxtaposition between love, compassion, and DeMarco’s typical “take-it-sleazy” approach—expect to hear a lot of that tonight. Last year we were graced with swigs of Jameson, crowd surfing, and a ten-minute cover of “Smoke On The Water.” What does the Pepperoni Playboy have in store for us this year? Doors at 7pm, show starts at 8pm—get there early to loosen up with the unconventional synthpop of supporting act Jerry Paper. And from what I could gather on the show’s Facebook event, the show is now a SOLD OUT affair. So if[...]

Tonight: The Jaguar Club

August 15, 2015

Brooklyn new wavers, The Jaguar Club, are in town this evening for a show upstairs at Mr. Goodbar with DC out synth rock outfit Incredible Change and local hard rockers The Soft Love. Propelled by soaring keyboards and even more soaring vocals, The Jaguar Club is straight up English New Wave with a rusted out sensibility that’s sure to please, while the spaced out synths and electronic distortions of Incredible Change will be sonic champagne in your ears. The dark, heavy duty post rock jams of headliners The Soft Love however are ideal for headbanging. The show starts at 9pm and $5 gets you in.