Preview

Tonight: Deafheaven

September 18, 2014

In heavy metal, or any genre of music for that matter, it’s difficult to create a sound that is truly unique. For every band or artist that plies their craft in an attempt to be original and relevant and true to themselves, there are the inevitable comparisons to “similiar” artists; similar in sound, style or perhaps, more profoundly, in cultural expression. Take Pearl Jam, a massively popular band that, despite years of solid releases that span acoustic Crazy-Horse dirge to chaotic bombast, ala “Do the Evolution,” will always be, in some sense, lumped in with the grunge sound (whatever the hell that really is). Pearl Jam is associated with grunge because they were part of that movement, for good or ill, and their first album reflects that sound. And it doesn’t matter what the rest of the albums sound like. They will always be that band. That’s why it’s so[...]

Tonight: The Gaslight Anthem

September 17, 2014

Next to the Boss, no artist embodies the spirit of New Jersey quite like the Gaslight Anthem. With their tales of lost romance and city streets, poetic bent for gritty storytelling, focally set on urban imagery, the Anthem fit comfortably in the nestled nook of traditional rock’n’roll, all whilst traversing a somewhat punk rock spirit. Call them saviors, call them whatever you want. This is REAL rock’n’roll anyway you slice the dice. Along with Against Me!, another band that has carved out a unique niche in the ofter-than-not constricting medium that is punk, The Gaslight Anthem will be performing a special show tonight at the Town Ballroom ($29, 7pm). As legend of their live performances continues to grow, so does their popularity, and you’d be foolish to miss them. This band is just going to keep on getting bigger, mark my words. Get there early to catch opener, Twopointeight.

Tonight: Pinback

September 16, 2014

Who ever said Tuesday night is usually uneventful happens to be absolutely wrong when it comes to this Tuesday night. To be fair, I should say, they happen to be wrong if your idea of a good time includes treating yourself to a quality show. And they’re extra wrong if you want to witness a performance from seasoned indie veterans. If you haven’t heard, tonight affords an opportunity to fulfill all of the above. Iconic indie-rock group, Pinback will be hitting the stage at Buffalo Iron Works where they’ll be gracing all those in attendance with a live rendition of their 2004 home-recorded album, Summer in Abaddon, in it’s entirety. The album is a collage of breezy and catchy melodies saturated with a shadowy ambiance; a full display of the exquisitely raw resonance that launched the duo into the ranks of lo-fi sensations. Even if you are only a casual listener,[...]

Tonight: The Slums

September 14, 2014

Buffalo’s newest buzz act, The Slums, will be making its live debut tonight, in Frizzy’s back room of all places. The four piece, which features members of past Buffalo acts including The Malones, Scales, and The Boy and The Machine, dropped its debut, 3-track EP on bandcamp late this week. Highlighted by the stellar opening track, “The Devil,” the EP sounds like the Strokes if they went in a much more aggressive direction. Music kicks off this evening at 9pm. The Sleepy Hahas, who are in the process of recording their follow up LP to Dull Days, will also be playing. Entry is free of charge.

Tonight: Potty Mouth

September 13, 2014

This may be a bit last minute, but hey, it’s a punk show. Sugar City is hosting an eclectic mix of punk acts from all over the East Coast tonight, starting at 6pm. Potty Mouth, an all-female punk quartet from Northhampton, MA will be headlining tonight’s gig with touring support coming from DIY queercore charmers Aye Nako, of Brooklyn. Throw weirdo-punks Secret Tombs (Pittsburgh) into the mix, and it’s a party. Buffalo’s Softlines and Newish Star will be bringing the local support, making tonight’s Sugar City punk-stravaganza a total no-brainer. Bring a good attitude. Sugar City, 6pm, $7, Alcohol free. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/78871318″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: Heavy Rotation – Back to School Dance

September 12, 2014

After a successful first run for our Herd Fest this past June, we wanted to lay low for a bit. As fun as Herd was, it was an exhausting few months of planning and we wanted to take a little breather from parties and recharge our batteries. So much for that. For our next show, we thought we would resurrect our Heavy Rotation dance party series and ring in the start of the fall semester with a back to school dance throw down. Tonight at Hardware, the front and back rooms will be taken over by some of the blog’s favorite local DJs. If you missed any of the spotlights during the week, take a moment to catch up: Rick Jameson DJ Pizza Pizza TEENWOLF Chauncey Tails Music will kick off this evening at 11pm with Jameson, aka Spooky Sean of Spooky Business, while the back room will jump off[...]

Tonight: Pleasure Leftists

September 11, 2014

Rust Belt post-punk rockers Pleasure Leftists return to the Queen City with their insurgent sounds for what’s sure to be a special show at Spiral Scratch Records. Cleveland’s music scene has been blowing up recently (i.e. that packed Cloud Nothings show at the Iron Works in April), and Pleasure Leftists seem poised to continue that explosion thanks to their wonderfully propulsive and dark new wave guitar rock and the powerful, Patti Smith-esque vocals of Hayley Morris. Locals surfrockers Aaron & The Burrs, post-punkers Softlines, and Worse, who are making their live debut, will all be providing opening support. Show starts at 7pm, $7.

Tonight: Foster the People

September 11, 2014

Canalside has hosted some of the best events in Buffalo this summer, and they are winding down the season with another banger. Foster the People is bringing its genre-spanning, indie-pop-based breed of music to the waterfront for the last concert of the season. It’s a bold move to name your album after one of the best dance songs of the 90s, but much like Ru Paul, these guys work. Right now, that work includes sashaying throughout the east coast to promote their sophomore effort, Supermodel. The band strutted onto the scene in 2011, thanks to the success of their crossover hit “Pumped Up Kicks,” and have been moving forward ever since. When this track came out, I hated it: it was too catchy, too poppy, and yet somehow too dark thanks to the grim lyrics disguised by a melodic hook. Last summer, though, my adorably unhip Pilates instructor described the[...]

Tonight: Greensky Bluegrass

September 10, 2014

It takes a relentless disregard for boundary to push the music like Greensky does. They have this uncanny aversion to falling in line with what so many might think of as bluegrass in the conventional sense. Where the skill of songwriting is mixed with the finesse of an all string quartet, this progressive ensemble takes root in an old genre, turning it on its head to make it new. Hell, if nothing else, the proclamation lies in the name, as if trying to say, “it’s opposite day, and we’re here to fuck with all of your preconceptions.” You see a lot of jam bands make that push—one could argue it’s stylistically inherent to the approach—and in many cases it’s easy to see where the bluegrass roots have taken hold. Phish, String Cheese Incident, or moe., just to name a few. And while I hesitate to stick Greensky with the jam[...]

Tonight: Ami Dang and Slag Ralden

September 9, 2014

Over the past couple of years, the Ami Dang has garnered acclaim for her own brand of sitar electronic, her seamless ability to blend exotic melodies with puncturing beats, on her facebook page, she fittingly characterizes the project as “music from everywhere and nowhere.” Slag Ralden, in similar vein, creates brooding and captivating textures and melodies that bare semblance to elements of pop music. Together they have embarked on a Northeast US and Canadian tour in collaboration of each other’s material and tonight presents itself as an opportunity to catch one of their first stops at our very own Sugar City (recently relocated to 1239 Niagara Street). If this hasn’t captured your attention, set to open are Buffalo gems Pam Swartz, Copy Manager, and Little Cake & Jack Topht. Doors open at 7pm. We’ll see ya there.

Tonight: Francie Moon

September 9, 2014

You’re an idiot! Well, maybe not. Well you are if you don’t make it to the Hoyt House tonight. What’s the Hoyt House? Oh I don’t know, just one of the best destinations for house shows in the Queen City. The West Side is doing it right between Black Dots Record Boutique, the Glitterbox and the Hoyt House, so why should you ever leave? Tonight, the Hoyt will not disappoint as the main attraction, Francie Moon, will be bringing her New Jersey distorted blues along with her. Her raspy, sultry voice will seduce you and convince you to do things, things that you may not want to remember tomorrow. Also on the bill will be Mink, the surfer punk rock outfit from former members of Inquiring Mind and Tony Rocky Horror. Rounding out the bill will be Crusasis from Brooklyn and one of Buffalo’s favorites, John Toohill, performing a solo[...]

Tonight: Man or Astroman?

September 9, 2014

Is it a Man…or is it an Astroman? This is the question that has plagued mankind for over 20 years. And these surf rock sounds from outerspace? Well, lets just chalk it up to good old fashioned fun, because at the end of the day, isn’t that what Man or Astroman? is really all about? Those of us that grew up watching B-movies, Mystery Science Theater, and rank Plan 9 from Outer Space as one of our favorite movies gets it and tonight we celebrate it. For those who don’t know, picture Dick Dale on acid, a perverse distorted version of rock’n’roll held on planet Mars. This is essentially Man or Astroman?, one of the States’ greatest cult bands. They are the surf that meets the sci-fi. Totally bizarre, totally tubular (cowabunga?), totally everything that makes this kind of music fun. And totally playing the Tralf along with hard rockers,the[...]

Tonight: UB Fall Fest

September 6, 2014

Coming off of the release of his critically successful third LP, Oxymoron, Compton rapper Schoolboy Q has cemented himself as one of the biggest artists in hip hop at the moment. With his melodic, hook-heavy style combined with eclectic and forward thinking beat selection, Q, along with members of his Los Angeles Black Hippy collective Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul, have helped spur the resurgence of the West Coast hip hop mentality. The group has pushed boundaries in hip hop sonically with their sample selection as well, with sounds from indie artists like Beach House, Chromatics, and Twin Sister being used to forge an art-pop oriented hip hop vibe that has gained crossover appeal. Tonight, at University at Buffalo’s Alumni Arena the rapper will co-headline the school’s annual Fall Fest with Atlanta MC T.I., whose latest album, Paperwork: The Motion Picture, is due out late next month. T.I. has had an enduring career that has[...]

Tonight: Peterwalkee Records Fest – Day Two

September 6, 2014

Day Two is underway for Buffalo’s most talked about independent record showcase, featuring some of the city’s best DIY artists. Peterwalkee Records has put together a great lineup featuring a who’s who of interesting and creatively “free” acts, including hometown heroes, Lemuria, buffaBLOG favorites Space Wolves and Mallwalkers, as well as up and comers Cross Stitch and Newish Star and a host of several others. In addition to the music (doors at 6, first band at 7), the American Legion 1041 (533 Amherst St), will also feature an art show, including art from band members playing the fest. You can expect big sales, vendors from local record shops and all the best food and music this side of the border. If you appreciate the DIY ethic, or are just looking to hear some rad bands, make it down the Legion tonight and celebrate with the best of em.

Tonight: Adventure Club

September 5, 2014

Hailing from Montréal, Quebec, Christian Srigley and Leighton James form the dubstep DJ duo Adventure Club. They have performed at festivals such as Lollapalooza, Electric Daisy Carnival, Ultra Music Festival, and Electric Zoo. Presented by After Dark Entertainment, Factory Nightlife, and Funtime Presents, they will be performing at Town Ballroom, tonight. Be sure to get there early for a show that’s most likely going to sell out; the opening lineup is absolutely stacked. In addition to Buffalo’s Brother Bear, catch two local duos that have been taking things to the next level. Kyle Tatum and Brian Doyle, of Eyes Everywhere, recently released an EP that climbed the Beatport charts. In the past year, SwaggleRock — otherwise known as Buzz Trillington and Shooter McNappin — have done some traveling from coast to coast and also up across the Canadian border [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/17602302″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Tonight, Friday, Sept. 5 Adventure[...]