Preview

Tonight: Humble Braggers

June 13, 2015

After a dreary day of shopping for flower sprinklers and silhouette cut-outs at the Allentown Art Festival, you’d best find yourself at Mohawk Place this evening. Humble Braggers will be releasing their excellent new EP, Disposable Friends, full of lush synth-heavy tunes a la Passion Pit or Joywave. This release is the next strong contender to come from record label Admirable Traits. Rounding out the night are two newish Buffalo bands, the ex-ICSM led THICK WINTER BLUD and The National-esque Sixties Future, as well as the Rochester synthmasters in Sea Planes. All in all, tonight should be an incredible show. Doors are at 8:00pm and $8 gets you in – don’t forget, that admission price comes with a copy of Disposable Friends. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/202715178″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: Fourth Annual Neil Young Tribute

June 12, 2015

I’m going to preface this preview with the following statement: I don’t own a working record player. But there I was, a few Saturdays past, browsing a few milk crates of old vinyl in some dude’s garage at an East Aurora garage sale. The lot looked pretty picked over, there were a couple Neil Diamond albums, way too much Barbara Streisand (he claimed they were his wife’s), and—wouldn’t you know it—two classic Neil Young records. Despite my inability to actually spin them, I left that garage sale with clean copies of After The Gold Rush and Harvest, and a smile on my face. Why? Because if there is ass to be kicked, Neil Young is there to kick it. The folk musician’s extensive discography spans the late 60’s to today, with Young’s thirty-sixth studio album scheduled for release later this month. And tonight at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo will pay tribute to[...]

Tonight: Northern Spies

June 11, 2015

Lately it seems like some of Rochester’s best and up-and-coming acts have been making frequent stops to Buffalo and the trend continues tonight as ROCH foursome, Northern Spies, will take the stage at Sugar City. The power pop group, which features members of KOPPS and Quarries, recalls acts like Elvis Costello, the Byrds, REM, and Stephen Malkmus. While the band only has a short EP to its name, the late 2014 released Nothing But Static, its spring released Genesee Live session should give a nice indication of what to expect later on from NS. Music begins this 8pm with a cover of $5. Indie rock trio turned quartet, Wolf, and Steak & Cake’s politically minded act, RED HEAT, will round out the bill. And please remember to leave the booze and drugs at home as Sugar City is a substance free space.

Tonight: Arkells

June 11, 2015

The second installment of Thursday at Canalside 2015 keeps it going tonight with a visit from Hamilton, ON’s Arkells along with Robert DeLong and Milo Greene. Local favorites who almost qualify as local, Arkells have been journeying down the QEW to Buffalo for the last few years, gradually building a sizable audience for its potent power pop, currently showcased on most recent album, 2014’s High Noon. Rounding out tonight’s hodgepodge of acts will be Washington state EDM starlet Robert Delong and Los Angeles indie folk rockers Milo Greene. Tonight’s Thursday at Canalside will also be interesting to see how Canalside handles the crowds as amenities like beer, food, and port-a-potties that were lacking at last week’s kick off. Will supply satisfy demand? Will the NO FUN police break up excessive freedom? Will the crazy fun times continue? Find out tonight. Gates open at 5pm.

Tonight: Sleepy Hahas

June 10, 2015

The Sleepy Hahas were going to move to Athens Georgia, but due to unprecedented circumstances of colossal proportions, the now trio has elected to stay in the city it calls home. To celebrate, come out to The Studio at Waiting Room later on and have 1-38 drinks with Sleepy Hahas’ keyboard player, known by most as “Drunk Phil,” before the band ignites the upstairs room with old hits and new tunes from its upcoming album From the Bottom of a Warm Lake. When asked if there was anything people should know about the show, Hahas singer Pat Butler said “to be honest I don’t even know if I’ll still be alive by Thursday night, but if I am, it’ll be a great show. People should come out. We’ve been practicing all of the time and our sound is improving.” The Hahas are joined by local acts The Soft Love, SHEDS,[...]

Tonight: Jooklo Duo

June 9, 2015

Saxophonist Virginia Genta and drummer David Vanzan have been collaborating musically as Jooklo Duo since 2003. Since then, the pair have forged a visceral, impassioned sound that blends elements of free jazz and noise rock, making for chaotic spontaneous performances that continue the tradition of artists like Pharoah Sanders and John Coltrane. Their avant-garde inclinations have also led them to collaborations with Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Sonic Youth, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and Andrew Barker. Tonight, Jooklo Duo will perform at Buffalo’s 9th Ward at Babeville along with local jazz artists Bacz/Sack Duo, who have been creating improvised music for several years and have recently been collaborating live with drummer Jim Abrason. Music starts at 8pm, admission price has been listed as pay what you can, suggesting $6-10. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/181667019″ 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: The Cardboard Swords

June 9, 2015

Tonight marks the tour kickoff for the local boys Del Paxton, along with the trio’s good friends, The Cardboard Swords. The Grand Rapids group’s blend of traditional Midwest emo and a more modern singalong style should be a perfect match for the DP guys, and for fans bands like American Football, Into It. Over It, and Empire! Empire! (I was a Lonely Estate). The four piece’s emotionally heavy lyrics about love and heartbreak will be sure to have you feeling some kind of way by the end of the night. Also on the bill alongside Del Paxton are fresh local acts Unisex and Kimmy.  Doors open at 6pm at the Glitter Box, music will start at 7pm, and you should have $5 on you for the touring band.  This is the last scheduled local date for Del Paxton for now, so come out.

Tonight: YAWN

June 8, 2015

Sugar City has been tearing it up lately with excellent and affordable all-ages bills featuring some of the coolest indie/punk/whatever acts rolling through Buffalo, many times stacked with quality local talent. Tonight the newly revamped Niagara St. venue will follow that trend when Chicago’s indie-psyche sensation YAWN brings its freshness to the Queen City. The act’s latest LP Love Chills (via Old Flame Records) is blissful and weird, channeling catchy summer vibes through a pair of kaleidoscope binoculars. Recommended for fans of MGMT, Panda Bear, and Menomena. Though YAWN won’t be the only act peddling pandemonium from Sugar City’s freshly-built stage tonight, as the Buffalo-bred experi-tronic whiz kid Lesionread will be shaking things up with his own electro craziness to whip the crowd into shape. If you’ve never been to a Lesionread show you should probably remedy that tonight. Also on tonight’s bill are YAWN tourmates Blind Moon and Pleasure Hammer,[...]

Tonight: Sam Moss

June 6, 2015

Tonight, Sam Moss will become the latest artist to have his musicianship echo off the walls of Buffalo’s storied grain silos. Moss, a singer/songwriter from Boston Massachusetts, has been lauded for his haunting spin on roots music. His ghostly vocals, rhythmic string playing, and intensely personal performance style are sure to make this Silo Sessions, the first to be filmed with a live audience, one you don’t want to miss. Obody and T.J. Borden add to the musical delights. Because this show is the last of a series of fundraisers that benefit the Public Picnic, you have no excuse to miss it! Show will be held in Marine A at Silo City (look for signs when parking on Silo City Row), with performances beginning at 7pm.

Tonight: Queen City Music Lottery #2 Showcase

June 6, 2015

The Queen City Music Lottery is an exciting experiment  that tests some of the myths we hang onto about bands, such as that they are made up of organically formed people who share deep personal bonds. Obviously, we know this isn’t actually the case but on some level, I think we unconsciously subscribe to this. This is why the Lottery sounds so intriguing. What happens if you assemble bands via lottery, what kind of random combinations of people does it create and what kind of music can they make in a short time? As I mentioned, the Queen City Music Lottery is Sugar City’s annual event where bands are assembled by drawing names out of a hat. These bands can be made up of long time musicians or people who have never picked up an instrument in their life, the bands are assembled and given a few months to coalesce.[...]

Tonight: (New England) Patriots

June 5, 2015

Kickstart your weekend with a showcase stacked with weirdo punk rock at Milkie’s tonight. Boston noise rockers, (New England) Patriots, will be taking you, or forcing you, on a sonic adventure in the headlining spot. The band features loud, strange, almost psychedelic sounding vocals, comparable to Ty Segall, along with an insane noise rock edge. Filling the local spots on the bill will be similar sounding local punks Alpha Hopper, the mellowed out Wax Mice, and Toppus Bottomus. The show starts at 9pm and tickets are only $4. At that price, there’s no reason NOT to go. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/142140729″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: The Demos

June 4, 2015

If a crowded Canalside isn’t your scene tonight, then stick to Allen St for a weekend pre-game bill made up of a trio of WNY rock acts. With a Genesee Live session on the way, in addition to a new EP set to drop sometime this summer, now is as good of a time as any to catch Rochester power pop act, The Demos, as the band is set to visit Nietzsche’s later on this evening. The band has been making a habit of visiting Buffalo lately, but with some new material under its belt ready to be road tested, you might as well start digging through your couch for $3 in change now to cover tonight’s door. Joining The Demos this evening will be The Soft Love and The Naturalists, two acts that will be a part of Quiet Country Audio’s Herd Fest showcase in a couple weeks at[...]

Tonight: Matt & Kim

June 4, 2015

It’s that time of year again. As the weather gets warmer and the days grow longer, the Thursday at Canalside series has returned, and kicking off the year is none other than Matt & Kim. While the Brooklyn act might not find its names on any year-end lists, few would argue with the pair’s incredible live shows. Bringing to the stage a catalog of shimmering catchy pop gems and raucuous energy, the duo has become a staple of summer music festivals and concert series. Even those who aren’t fans of the band’s catalog will be able to enjoy Matt & Kim’s series of enthusiastic covers and general sense of fun that few live acts these days can match. The band has played Buffalo more than a few times with the crowd growing on each successive visit, so expect to get down there early tonight (gates open at 5pm). And if that’s[...]

Tonight: Sebadoh

June 4, 2015

Sebadoh is hard to describe. The trio’s career, and subsequent sound, spans over a decade. They are kind of lo-fi, kind of all-American rock and roll, sometimes screamy, and a little experimental. I can only liken listening to their discography to that Dinosaur Jr. cover of “Just Like Heaven:” chaotic. But I am probably projecting; founding member Lou Barlow took a hiatus from Dinosaur Jr. to start Sebadoh in 1989. The lo-fi Cleveland act, Total Babes, which feature members of Cloud Nothings, open the show. The group sounds like it records in your bedroom, which is a good thing. Total Babes are cool, effortless, and clever. This should be a sweet start of summer gig. Sebadoh and Total Babes play at Mohawk Place tonight for $15. Doors open at 7pm.

Hurray for the Riff Raff

Tonight: Hurray for the Riff Raff

June 3, 2015

It may be a chillier-than-usual start to the summer, but that doesn’t mean the essence of down home dog days can’t be celebrated. Hurray for the Riff Raff, a New Orleans based outfit, will help you do just that. Hurray for the Riff Raff is American folk that is dressed plainly — as in it doesn’t rely on contrived exaggerations of the genre to convey anything. It’s upfront, honest, and backed by authentic born-with-it type talent. Somewhere at the rootsy core of HFTRR’s music, the band offers a very real, palpable feeling delivered through Alynda Lee Segarra’s smoky, subtle vocals, the rawness of the instrumentals, and the slow unfolding of a beautiful story. Mechanical River, hailing from Charleston, SC, is set to kick off the show at Asbury Hall at Babeville. Doors are at 7pm with music starting at 8pm. Tickets are only $15. More information can be found here.