Preview

Tonight: The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die

August 14, 2015

Emo lovers rejoice. Another absolutely stacked lineup makes it was to Waiting Room tonight. Taking the stage tonight will be indie emo/post rock outfit The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die, fresh off of the announcement of a new album, Harmlessness, set to be released September 25th via Epitaph Records. The band has hyped the record as one of its most ambitious releases yet. Also on the bill is the post hardcore / screamo act turned turned soft (in a good way), Pianos Become The Teeth. Opening will be emo / pop punk outfit Turnover, making their much awaited return to Waiting Room. Turnover also embraced a softer, lighter sound on their latest release, Peripheral Vision, creating an incredible atmosphere throughout the new record.  First to take the stage will be the talk rock band Take One Car, also making their return to Buffalo.[...]

Tonight: The Both (Aimee Mann and Ted Leo)

August 14, 2015

Individually, a chance to see either Ted Leo or Aimee Mann is a no brainer. Both musicians have had long and consistently solid careers and continue to make great music. So, having the opportunity to see their collaborative project, The Both, is a double no brainer(?), which, I know is not the best way to say attending this show is a good idea but it is Friday and we have all had a long week. What started as a one off collaboration between good friends has evolved into a fruitful creative endeavor and the band is touring in support of their debut LP, released earlier this Spring on Aimee Mann’s label. Fans of either artist’s solo material, as well as solid power pop, catchy hooks and clever lyrics will find a lot to like here. Opening for The Both is Bryan Johnson and the Family. Bryan Johnson is a very[...]

Tonight: Sonny Baker w/Dreambeaches

August 13, 2015

Free show alert! One of Buffalo’s most prolific musicians, Sonny Baker, will be performing selections off his upcoming, full band EP Flesh It Out later on this evening at Hardware. Baker just shared the EP’s latest track, titled “(underachiever),” earlier this morning. Check it out below. As if that wasn’t enough, the local dream-surfers in Dreambeaches (Humble Braggers’ Corey Bzibziak) will be rounding out the bill. Queen City Cartel are the people to thank for tonight’s wonderful (did we mention free?) showcase – tonight is round six of their biweekly Thursday series in the back room of Hardware. Like we said, there’s no cover tonight. The show is set to start at 10pm, but make sure you are 21+ before you head out the door. We’ll see you all for some drinks and music tonight at Hardware.

Tonight: Hieronymus Bogs

August 12, 2015

Looking to get out of the house tonight? Interested in hearing some live music that wont melt your face or leave you wishing you brought ear plugs? Then you should probably head down to Nietzsche’s for a night of acoustic tunes from Rochester’s Hieronymus Bogs and home town acts Leroy & Loretta and The Brown Family Singers. Bogs’s new record The Angel is set to drop this Saturday (you can stream it here), so look forward to a selection of those tunes to be tackled later on. If you make the leap and go, expect to have your heart warmed with the soft acoustic tunes of all of these groups. To put it in another perspective, this isn’t a night for $3 PBRss but rather one to sip on scotch. The evening will be hosted by Alfred Eberle Brown of the Brown Family Singers. Admission is presumed to be free, but that[...]

Tonight: Iris Lune

August 12, 2015

Since it’s debut as a new art space, Dreamland has put a special effort into bringing exciting new and upcoming artists to a receptive Buffalo public. Tonight is no different as as the Brooklyn-based indie rockers, Iris Lune, make their way to Buffalo. Still on the cusp of finally releasing their debut EP, Iris Lune’s exact music identity remains still much a mystery, but the glimpses we’ve gotten thus far are quite promising.  Lead single “Triplets” and live track “Bring Me the Moon” suggest a band with a unique blend of instrumentation, producing work massive in scope on a micro level. Iris Lune’s music has a sweeping majestic quality to it, one remiscent of artists like Bjork and Bat for Lashes. Dreamy but formidable, this band could be one to watch in the coming year. Joining Iris Lune will be a host of local bands, including local grunge rockers, Circular Logic.[...]

Tonight: Palberta

August 10, 2015

Mohawk Place continues to be the place to be with tonight’s line-up featuring Yonkers/ Bronx rockers, Palberta. The group sounds like the cool girls practicing fractured punk in the garage down the street from your parents’ basement. Known for on stage antics as well as frequent instrument changes to keep things loose, the newly four piece group will be joined by chaotic punk out-of-towners Big Neck Police from Brooklyn. Buffalo’s best friends Wax Mice, the mysterious Dildon’t, and Americonic Peter Kirsch with Toppus Bottomus round out a full Tuesday night bill. Bring $5 tonight plus some fun funds to Mohawk. Jams start at 8pm.

Tonight: Down

August 10, 2015

Phil Anselmo is a busy, busy man. In addition to running his record label, Housecore Records, and playing in about 20 different bands (seriously), Phil still has the time to tour the world with his main squeeze, Down. Those that remember Phil as the enigmatic frontman for metal legends Pantera often find that same wild spirit festering in Down, albeit a southern-fried, sludgey version. Full of low-end, slow speed chugging, coupled with the sleaziest stoner riffs, Down are the kings of that New Orleans influenced, down-south sound. Tonight (7pm, $26) the kings make their crawling passage through Buffalo, celebrating 20 years of foggy memories and impossibly slow riffage. Town Ballroom holds the key.

Tonight: Kevin Greenspon

August 8, 2015

Tonight, Squeaky Wheel hosts what promises to be an engaging performance by composer and video artist, Kevin Greenspon. Greenspon will be performing To Leave a Mark, a collection of electronic music that mixes spacious melody with spurts of noise and distortion and is intercut with fast cut video montages promising to coax “the viewer into a state of self-reflection.” Touring regularly for years, Greenspon also finds the time to run the record label, Bridgetown Records, which releases music by his “like-minded peers from the deep reaches of the underground.”  Opening for Greenspon is Frankie NP and Nick Gordon: two Buffalo artists who have performed for years under a number of guises and monikers, each instantiation of their work showing equal talent and inventiveness. This is not a performance to be missed. Music begins tonight at 8pm. The first come, first seated event is$5 for non-members, free for Squeaky Wheel members.

Tonight: The Church

August 8, 2015

It is easy to forget that there was a time when independent, or “indie” music as it’s most commonly referred to, actually meant something. In 2015, every website, bandcamp, and band has the “indie” label affixed to its name. You could argue that any band that picks up an instrument and plays original songs is an independent band, in the sense that they are acting independently of whatever else surrounds them, but that would be missing the point. “Independent,” as it was originally conceived, represented music treading new grounds. The term became popular in the 80’s, when groups realized they didn’t have to follow the same old commercial mold. One such band provided one of the finest offerings of this new approach. The Church were an alternative rock band that sprinkled in neo-psychedelic tendencies with haunting riffs, and combined it with progressive flair. Much like their contemporaries Echo and the[...]

Tonight: The Receiver

August 8, 2015

Tonight is one of the most stacked bills I’ve seen in awhile as four completely terrific take the stage at Nietzsche’s tonight. Kicking off things is local electro-pop artist, Space Cubs. Knowing little to nothing about her, I saw her open for Majical Cloudz a couple years ago at the Tralf and was absolutely blown away. Her fairly expansive music means at times her work sounds reminiscent of everyone from Portishead to Neon Indian. Either way, this songstress creates an utterly enchanting show. Following that is Humble Braggers who are fresh off the release of their supremely impressive Disposable Friends EP. The band’s modern synth-rock sound is immediately infectious and there’s no doubt they’s put on a truly thrilling show. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Hailing from Columbus OH, sibling indie pop duo The Reciever will bring their lush dreamy sounds to Allentown. Fresh off the release of its[...]

Today: Vaggie Fest

August 8, 2015

The sixth annual Vaggie Fest takes place today at the Adam Mickiewicz Library. Originally a riff on Veggie Fest, the all day festival is a celebration of women in punk from in and around the WNY  area. Groups from Pittsburgh, Montreal, Toronto, Rochester, and Buff will be on hand to shred. Canada is represented by VCR, weirdo Toronto wailers, on tour with eclectic group Tonka and Puma while Montreal offers up queercore hardcore (the best kind) band Pretty Boys. Seismic Thrust brings a different kind of Philly flavor with their jangly alt country,and PBGH neighbors Cruces dish out blues vocals with stoner doom instrumentals. Fellow Steel City act Brazilian Wax will bring some riot grrl flavor for a new generation. Chimes sounds like the NY/NJ indie scene they’re from with their psychedelic slacker jams while the familiar fuzzy garage sounds of Rochester friends Green Dreams will supplement the know em love[...]

Tonight: araabMUZIK

August 7, 2015

The MPC, or music production controller, has become an iconic piece of hardware within hip hop culture since it was first introduced by Japanese company Akai in 1988. By facilitating rapid sampling and drum looping, the instrument lends itself to dynamic live performance as well as studio use. Providence, Rhode Island born producer Abraham Orellana aka araabMUZIK quickly made a name for himself as a virtuoso of the machine, as videos surfaced online showing the artist’s rapid-fire finger drumming and sampling that features elements of electro, dubstep, and trance along with club-ready hip-hop. With the release of his 2011 debut LP, Electronic Dream, the producer offered an infectious hybrid electronica/hip-hop style that earned a spot on Pitchfork’s “Top 50 Albums of 2011” and was praised for its’ energetic take on various classic dance genre’s. The follow up to that record, Dream World, is due out later this year and includes the single[...]

Tonight: Attic Abasement

August 7, 2015

If you like Fridays, if you like Nietzsche’s, if you like stacked bills at Nietzsche’s, there is a 100% chance that you should locate your physical being there for tonight’s gem of a lineup. Hailing from Rochester, Attic Abasement is a low-fi indie trio who’s slack-rock sound unites a quiescent attitude with effortlessly disheveled vocals and instrumentals. Frontman Mike Rheinheimer’s voice, at times, bears sonic resemblance to Dave Bazan’s (Pedro The Lion) mellow but emotionally pointed croon. It’s basement music with a simple exterior, but there’s a lyrical complexity woven in that heightens the captivation factor. Opening the show are three beloved local bands including Sixties Future, a new Gaslight Anthem-like band, MAGS, and Newish Star. Cover is only $5 and music kicks off around 10pm. Check out the Facebook event for more information.

Tonight: Beams

August 6, 2015

After tackling Detroit last night, Ontario alt-folk collective Beams will continue its first tour through the states this evening at Mohawk Place. Armed with a 1-2 punch female harmony and a singing saw, the group recently recorded its most recent EP, The Gutters & The Glass, with Tortoise and Sea & Cake member John McEntire, who has previously worked with Yo La Tengo, Stereolab, and Broken Social Scene. Beams reminds us of a rootsy version of Arcade Fire with touches of Neko Case sprinkled in for good measure. The band also has a pretty great and unexpected cover of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” which was previously covered by Chromatics on their 2007 record Night Drive. Check it out below. On hand for opening support tonight will be the crust buskers of Pine Fever and the folk group of Observers. Music begins this evening at 8pm with a measly cover of only[...]

Tonight: Cop Circles

August 6, 2015

If you’re into classic throwback electro sounds, then Dreamland has quite the bill for you tonight. Kicking off the party is Buffalo’s very own UVB-76 and Fashion Expo 1990. And the year in Fashion Expo 1990’s name is no misnomer; this is an artist who’s sound is almost completely influenced by the house sounds of yesteryear when artists like 808 State and The KLF ruled the rave scene. Following that is the electro-funk synth-pop jam of Cop Circles. The Denver-based electronic artist brings a sound that calls on the funk sounds of the 1970’s and the synthesizer music of the 80’s, essentially delivering some Random Access Memories before Daft Punk ever started hanging out with Nile Rogers and Giorgio Morridor. The show is sure to be one of the finest dance parties you’ll find in Buffalo this summer. The doors at Dreamland open at 8pm, and a $5 donation is appreciated.