Preview

Tonight: Muerte & the Coltranes

August 5, 2015

All you Buffalo punks are in for a real treat tonight. I mean, how often do you get to see a band straight out of Mexico? Well, tonight’s the night. Hitting the Glitterbox later on will be the stellar Mexican hardcore act, Muerte, along with fellow touring bands the Coltranes, a bizzaro ripping punk act from California, and post punk / sludge act Coordinated Suicides from Wisconsin. Local wise, you’ll be getting a taste of a brand new punk act, called Basement Rat. As usual, the show is all ages. If you don’t know where the Glitterbox is, feel free to head over to the facebook event and ask an admin, they don’t bite. Things are set to take off at 6pm, and $7 is being asked for the touring acts, but as stated on the event page, no one will be turned away.

Tonight: Incubus & Deftones

August 2, 2015

These days, the so-called nu metal movement of the late 90s and early Aughts – spawning such atrocities as Papa Roach, Kid Rock and Linkin Park, to name a few – is typically dismissed with the contempt and scorn it so rightfully deserves. But, as is the case with most fad sub-genres, it also spawned a handful of artists who are actually worth your time and money. Chief among these nu-metal diamonds in the rough was the Sacramento art-metal quintet the Deftones. While their contemporaries have mostly fallen by the wayside, finally succumbing to years critical panning and godawful records, the Deftones have remained popular and even acclaimed, buoyed largely by their varied influences, adventurous experimentation and flair for juxtaposing beautiful, serene moments with vicious screaming and chainsaw riffage. You could make the same case for the alt/funk rockers Incubus, who while best known for their 2000 rock ballad “Drive,”[...]

Tonight: GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES!

August 1, 2015

Those looking for an alternative to the sold out show at the Town Ballroom tonight, there are plenty of options to chose from, one of which being a show at Buffalo Iron Works. Bearing only a guitar and a drum kit, math rock duo GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES! will provide a real treat for the audience. Cited as one of the leaders of the math rock movement, the duo is sure to provide an incredibly high energy set, and their experimental yet accessible style of songwriting is something you won’t want to miss.  Included in the GIRAFFES tour package is experimental / progressive outfit, TripLip, and the show will also feature an opening set from local dual drum duo, Coca Cola Death Squad, or CCDS for short. The show is set to start at 8pm, and the entry fee for the show is only $8.

Tonight: Father John Misty

August 1, 2015

In recent years, Buffalo experiences an uptick in shows around festival season due to our relative geographical proximity to Toronto’s North by Northeast and Chicago’s Lollapalooza. This is good news for us because it brings acts like Real Estate and now Father John Misty to soundtrack some of these balmy nights. And really, there is no one more fitting for the sultry height of summer than Father John Misty. This show is sold out so there is little to do to get you to go to the show if you don’t already have a ticket, so I am going to offer a warning. If any of you notice a distant look in your loved one’s eyes tonight, if suddenly they don’t seem to notice you even exist, I really wouldn’t take it personally. These people are under a powerful spell, the powerful spell of Father John Misty, a strange and[...]

Tonight: Passive Aggressives Anonymous

August 1, 2015

As the annual week long Infringement Festival nears its final days, we are left with decisions to make. Where should I spend my Saturday? Which acts and artists warrant my attendance? It’s tough, because there is no way to see every act, every performer, or attend every gallery, exhibition, or display. Well, if music is your bag then allow me to help with the decision making and schedule tinkering. Tonight, Allen Street Consulting (394 Franklin) will host an Infringement gig with buffaBLOG’s stamp of approval. Among tonight’s lineup is Rochester’s primary sardonic croon-rock unit Passive Aggressives Anonymous, making a welcomed Buffalo appearance. PAA’s tongue-in-cheek take on lounge rock is fresh and unique, and no stranger to the pages of our blog. The group just dropped an impressive new single, the impish and dreamy “Many At Once,” check it out below. Tonight’s bill also includes alt-country hometown hero Zak Ward, who[...]

Tonight: Pleistocene

July 31, 2015

Infringement is one hell of a festival, isn’t it? In case you haven’t had your fill, we’d like to bring attention to the showcase at Sugar City tonight, also known as the Sugar City Masquerade Ball. Costumes are encouraged! Obviously we’re a music blog, so we’re here to tell you one of our Rochester faves, the jangle-poppers in Pleistocene, will be kicking off the night right. They’re followed up by Baltimore, MD’s Joseph and the Beasts (who sound like Father John Misty meets Of Montreal), as well as Buffalo stalwarts Like a Panther and Wolf. Pleistocene plays at 7:00 so make sure you get there early! $5 entry, $3 if you have a costume on. Let’s get festive.  

Tonight: Blueprint

July 31, 2015

World-class lyricist Blueprint is headed into the Studio at the Waiting Room to perform tonight. The Rhymesayers MC is a frequent collaborator with some of independent hip hop’s best, like producer RJD2 and rapper Illogic, as well as his high-profile labelmates Atmosphere and Aesop Rock. As expected with a Rhymesayers signee, Blueprint can rap his face off, and often does so on genre-bending production. Blueprint’s latest album King No Crown is a fusion of the soul samples and experimental sounds that have brought his projects acclaim in the past. Joining Blueprint in the show is the North Carolina veteran rapper Supastition. Best known for his 2013 single “Yada Yada” Supa’s career extends from his time as a NC battle rapper in the late 90s to his current role as an artist and social activist. Tickets are going for $10-$12, and doors are opening up at 7 pm.

Tonight: M.A.G.S. w/ the Soft Love

July 30, 2015

While Elliot Douglas has been part of the Buffalo music scene for quite awhile, but it wasn’t till his formation with Adam Lilley and Andy Wesner as M.A.G.S. that it seemed as if everything came into place. The trio finds itself in a middle ground between garage rock and post-punk but with hooks to rival any major pop act. This is a band that can be absolutely blistering live while still delivering sugary sweet singles. Tonight, the band continues to ride the wave of momentum its been on since the release of the Cellophane EP earlier this year. Joining them will be the Soft Love, the much-buzzed new kids on the block who’s debut single “ALL OF IT” introduced the world to their particular gritty and aggressive blues rock sound. The band has gained a glowing reputation for its live shows at local clubs and this year’s Herd Fest. This stellar[...]

Tonight: Bourbon and Coffee

July 30, 2015

Freak-beat poetry unit Bourbon and Coffee is taking on the task of tackling Neutral Milk Hotel’s seminal album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea in full tonight at Dreamland. Those who attended the now defunct Inventory Mondays at Hardware a couple years back may remember B&C leader Ian Be performing the occasional selection off of the album on his ukulele in what appears to be some sneaky foreshadowing to this evening’s event. Joining the group will be Tins’ drummer Dave Muntner and Space Cubs herself, Suzanne Bonifacio. In addition, B&C will be their own opening act, delivering a set of original material before diving into the Neutral Milk Hotel masterwork. Music begins tonight at 6pm while the first strum of “King of Carrot Flowers Pt. One” should ring sometime around 7pm.

Tonight: Iron & Wine w/ Ben Bridwell

July 30, 2015

My experiences at Iron and Wine visits to Buffalo over the years have been a bit mixed. Sam Beam’s sort of solo show (his sister was on hand to play cello) at Babeville’s Asbury Hall back in 2008, despite being rather beautiful, was down right sleep inducing while his face saving, big band backed performance at Town Ballroom in 2011 was quite possibly my favorite show at the venue that year. I missed his Spring Fest show at Buff State the following year, but I recall that being a solo show too, so maybe it was for the best. As for tonight, I think its safe to assume this show will be a busy one as Beam, a former Florida State film professor, takes on his biggest Buffalo audience yet at the Thursday at Canalside concert series with Band of Horses front man Ben Bridwell by his side. The pair[...]

Tonight: Mischief Brew

July 29, 2015

In 2009, I was listening to a lot of folk punk. I remember emailing Mischief Brew to see if they wanted to play a show at my college. It never came to fruition, but they still have a spot in my heart. This evening at Sugar City, the group, touring from the Philadelphia area, is back, set to pump out the kind of goofy folk punk you can sing along to. Tonight’s support begins with Pine Fever, a band of Buffalo buskers for fans of Defiance, Ohio that compliment Mischief Brew nicely. Also from Philly, Dark Thoughts offer Ramones style, snotty punk rock and roll. Rounding out the night is Aaron and the Burrs, two thirds comprised of members of the band Blobs. I love contemporary surf rock and this band puts their own spin on it, taking it back to pure instrumental. There is something for everyone tonight at Sugar City. Doors[...]

Tonight: Grace Potter

July 28, 2015

Known for her upbeat blend of soulful retro-rock, Grace Potter makes her way back to the Western New York region at Artpark this evening. The St. Lawrence grad has continued her solo career for yet another tour, emerging from the rock roots of her backing band, the Nocturnals. Potter will release her much-anticipated album Midnight on August 14th, which the audience can hope to get a glimpse of tonight at the show, along with popular hits like “Alive Tonight” and “Stars.” Accompanying Potter tonight is neo-country turned  grunge rocker Jessica Lea Mayfield. Only general admission tickets remain for $17 at the door. Gates open at 4:45pm today and the show will start at 6:30pm.

Tonight: Lord Huron

July 28, 2015

Following performances from the likes of Neutral Milk Hotel, The Tallest Man On Earth, and Strand of Oaks (among others) over the past few months, Buffalo’s summer folk streak continues full-steam tonight at the Town Ballroom. West coast indie-folk unit Lord Huron will make a stop in Buffalo just before their Strange Trails tour takes them across the border. Michigan-bred but Los Angeles-based, Lord Huron’s crisp and handsome indie-folk is comparable to contemporaries The Lone Bellow or Horse Feathers (also from L.A.), both of which already having made stops in the Nickel City this year (#folkstreak2015). Tonight’s show supports LH’s latest full-length, the excellent Strange Trails, which was released earlier this year via Dead Oceans; I would put my money on hearing a lot of those songs tonight. Side note: if you haven’t already, check out Lord Huron’s collection of captivating music videos, each of them setting a pretty high standard[...]

Tonight: Rebecca Ryskalczyk

July 27, 2015

Rebecca Ryskalczyk, a current member of Bethlehem Steel and former member of the now defunct Paul’s Grandfather, is no stranger to the DIY music scene. As of late, she’s really taken the DIY attitude to heart by embarking on a solo tour. That solo tour has landed her in her home city tonight, to much anticipation from friends and fans alike. Ryskalczyk has a subtle approach to vocals and instrumentals, but there’s more to it than that. Though she successfully maintains a genuine vulnerability in her sound, total fragility doesn’t seem to be what she’s going for. This helps her music have it’s own alluring brand of dynamism, in that she can be gently whisper-singing one second, belting the next, and have it all dig at you in some intense way. This show is definitely a good one to check out, whether you haven’t made it out to any Infringement[...]

Tonight: Strand of Oaks

July 25, 2015

About this time last summer, I remember hearing a genuine surprise of a record, one that seemingly came out of nowhere but was one of the purest distillations of rock music I’d heard in some time. That record was Strand of Oaks’ HEAL, a deeply personal and at times harrowing record but one so incredibly full of life. I hadn’t known of Tim Showalter’s previous releases but after being blown away by that record, I quickly became a fan. A year later, the Indiana-native makes his way to bring his signature soulful rock sound to Buffalo at the Tralf Music Hall. After a year of much praised festival and late night appearances, the band seem to be as well-tuned a force as they’ll ever be. To say that I’m excited for tonight’s show would be an understatement, this will be one show not to miss. Doors open this evening at[...]