Preview

Tonight: The Found

August 6, 2014

The Found don’t play all that much these days. With members relocating out of the city, it’s rare to come across a local, or any gig for that matter, from Buffalo’s psych infused garage rockers. But the planets aligned just right this evening, so head over to Nietzsche’s to catch the band as they return to a 716 stage. If you are new to the Found, the band’s sound ranges from the Rolling Stones and Deep Purple to more modern acts like the Black Keys and Monotonix, save the antics. Check out their most recent album, 2012’s 4, over at their soundcloud page to brush up. Providing support for the Found this evening are Handsome Jack, a band that is the living embodiment of the Dazed and Confused soundtrack. The long time Buffalo act has a new album set to drop this fall so listen up for some fresh material[...]

Tonight: Drake vs Lil Wayne

August 5, 2014

Drake and Lil Wayne are kicking off their tour locally tonight so we can all hang with the Young Money Club and see the saddest twenty-something of Toronto in action. A new Street Fighter themed trailer for the tour’s associated smartphone app even seems to promise battles between the “Sage” and “Protégé.” Drive out to the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center tonight if you’re trying to catch as many happy Lil Wayne giggles in your butterfly basket as possible. But in all reality, drive out for Drake. Drake at all costs. Drake is so hot right now. He even gave us “Make Me Proud,” the hip-hop song our generation truly deserves. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are $35.00 for lawn seating, or range from $49.50 to $125.50 for reserved seating.

Tonight: Wonk Sesh feat. Lord Nathaniel

August 3, 2014

The latest Wonk Sesh taping will take place tonight over at 362 Baynes. Shot and edited by Lesionread, this co-presented series aims to capture some (usually) electronic, left-of-the-dial touring acts stopping in Buffalo. Tonight’s taping will be headlined by Boston experimental musician Lord Nathaniel. Local electronic acts Barf and Wonk Sesh alumni Copy Manager will also be performing this evening. Music/filming begins tonight at 8pm. Bring $3 to cover the touring act. Check out Lord Nathaniel below before heading down, and check out Copy Manager’s Wonk Sesh as well.

Tonight: Queen City Cartel Presents Boombox 004

August 1, 2014

It’s a sucker free zone at the Queen City Cartel Boombox parties. The fourth session will take place tonight in the backroom at Hardware, featuring music from Miosi, Jolly Wailer and NSFW. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/76932595″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/160955179″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156985056″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] The colorful and vibrant painted stacked sound system, provided by Jolly Wailer, is like no other. High energy vibes and dancing. Also, get entranced by the weirdly fascinating visuals projected behind the DJ. Jony James Band will be in the front room if you’re looking for that kind of vibe. Or party in the back, if that’s more what you’re about. Queen City Cartel presents Boombox 004 Allen Street Hardware (245 Allen St.) 11 p.m.-3:30 a.m. 21+ View the event page on Facebook.

Tonight: Blessed State & Worn Leather

August 1, 2014

The show must go on at The Flower House tonight. New Haven’s Worn Leather and Western Massachusetts’s Blessed State are coming to town, supported by locals Radical Operations. This was originally a five band bill, with four touring bands descending upon our sleepy hamlet with a well-meaning sneer. But God hates bands with vans. Inflatable Best Friend and Brother Gruesome ended up stuck out in God knows where with a transmission that wouldn’t push past second gear. In a world where the police get a real kick out of pulling over a band on tour, the highway is not a kind place for people who can’t drive faster than 25 miles per hour. But don’t sweat: the Flower House will not abandon you. Blessed State, as has been noted both on the event page and in their Bandcamp tags, will be bringing some excellent Hüsker Dü-esque vibes. Worn Leather will[...]

Tonight: Hallowed Bells

July 30, 2014

Tonight at the Electric Avenue, Hallowed Bells will be gracing the crowd with lush, twinkling, synthesizer melodies, organ raptures, and steady rhythms. The two-piece Philadelphia outfit creates the kind of otherworldly music that calls to mind the sky, sentient beings from another planet, pastoral epiphanies among other things.  According to their website, much of the music was recorded this January and February, combining “dense chromatic harmonies and intricate arrangements with moments of luminous simplicity and lyrical melodies.” They will be fittingly accompanied with notable Buffalo musicians in the city’s electronic scene:  Sparklebomb, Kristachuwan, and Eppo. The first of whom arranges moon-landing chord progressions with elegiac rhythms along with static-y radio and tape recordings, while Kristachuwan accompanies live sax with thumping, kaleidoscopic dream scapes. Last but not least, Eppo manipulates eastern samples, matching them with pronounced, swinging beats, producing hazy yet melodic tracks with a hip-hop flair. The ethereal electronic affair begins[...]

Tonight: La Luna

July 30, 2014

Nothing quite like a perfectly curated bill. Tonight at the Glitterbox: Calgary’s La Luna, supported by Sperm, Hot Tip, Fleshy Mounds and Alpha Hopper. These bands really are five fingers on one hand, whatever that means. La Luna is about 80 percent brutal assaults, 20 percent breakdowns and breathing room (maybe it’s more of a 90/10 split, 95/5, hard to say). The result: you aren’t necessarily drowning in noise, but you’re definitely getting waterboarded. That description stands for Sperm as well. I think so, anyway: we’re being treated to a “new lineup, new Sperm,” so it could be light beer and Simon & Garfunkel for all I know. Doubt it, though: their last tape (released in February) is still sitting on my desk and it still grinds with the best of ’em. Hot Tip, you guessed it, still rules, and if you’ve somehow missed ’em up to this point, you’re[...]

Tonight: RADARADA

July 29, 2014

Combining jazzy live instrumentation with dexterous, melodic lyricism, Buffalo hip hop outfit RADARADA have quickly caught on as one of the most intriguing new groups to emerge locally as of late. Their excellent debut, First Edition, received album of the week honors here at buffaBLOG and was a soulful, welcome addition to the already eclectic local hip hop scene that boasts a healthy mix of veteran talent and hungry newcomers.  Tonight, the band brings their impressive live chops to McGarret’s on Elmwood for a show following the Bidwell Concert Series beginning at 9pm. Admission is $3 at the door. 21+.

Tonight: Morning Arms

July 29, 2014

Tonight, buffaBLOG’s favorite basement venue, the Ninth Ward (341 Delaware Ave.), will play host to dreamy indie Chicago sextet, Morning Arms. The band’s sound is comparable to a female-fronted Ra Ra Riot with a morphined Los Campesinos. For a local touch, Applenium would have been the perfect opener for the band’s vibe.  Also on the bill is Steak and Cake Records’ MINK as well as the Etchings. Doors are 7pm with an 8pm start time. There will be someone behind a table asking for $5.

Tonight: Buffalo Vaggie Fest Benefit DJ/Dance Party

July 26, 2014

Planning a festival is not easy. Having just spent the last 6 months stressing over our first annual Herd Fest, I don’t want to think about the next installment for some time. It was a blast, but a breather is needed. Another area music festival that is quickly approaching, very quickly I am sure for the promoters, is the Buffalo Vaggie Fest, a three showcase festival celebrating everything that is woman in music. With showcases being held at Broadway Joe’s and Sugar City, the festival will host female fronted/centric bands from the Western New York area and beyond. Planning a festival also isn’t cheap. Pre-sale bracelets, merch, food, tapes, promo flyers, etc. all cost money so tonight at the newly opened, very female present Hot Mama’s Canteen (12 Military Rd.), a benefit dance party will be going down in hopes to help cushion some of the Vaggie Fest costs. Beginning[...]

Tonight: Kerfuffle After Party

July 26, 2014

Hosted at what is quickly becoming my new favorite local music venue, the Kerfuffle afterparty is the perfect way to end your day of outdoor music festivities here in Buffalo. Buffalo Iron Works welcomes everyone 21+ to keep the party going at this free event (make sure you bring your ticket stub from Kerfuffle) that kicks off at 11pm, and while having that stub is important to admission, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get in. Once the venue reaches capacity, and I have a feeling it will, no one will be admitted. This is one time you won’t want to show up fashionably late, because acts from Utah to Rochester will be there to entertain you with a blend of unique sights and sounds. 585 favorites Joywave, who’ve collaborated with Kerfuffle act Big Data, take the stage, along with Meg Myers; Oh, Be Clever; and Panama Music.  

Today/Tonight: Kerfuffle

July 26, 2014

Back in mid-April, I remember seeing a lot of tweets from Alt Buffalo and their DJs filled with the hastag #Kerfuffle. Twitter had a minor buzz storm on its hands. To the surprise of some, Kerfuffle turned out to be a one day festival curated by the radio station. And as of yesterday, the damn thing was sold out. It’s not easy to sell out Canalside. That’s a big space. But when you have a hand full of alt-rock buzz acts, coupled with the strong following that Alt Buffalo has built in its first year, I suppose I shouldn’t be shocked. The first annual (I would assume) Kerfuffle bill is highlighted by acts like Cage the Elephant, Bear Hands, and Bleachers. If you are reading this post and have a ticket, I take it you know these acts. Bear Hands, though, is an act that has been on our radar[...]

Tonight: The Vonneguts

July 26, 2014

I know you folks like crying, but there’s nothing quite like a real actual rock ‘n roll show, which is exactly what The Vonneguts are bringing to town tonight. These grisly fellas hail from Detroit, and they’re an increasingly rare breed: a band that plays unhyphenated rock that isn’t overblown, willfully stupid or a White Stripes ripoff. It’s good, it’s catchy and it’s easy to like. They’ll be joined by locals that, if you ask me, possess similar purity of intention: stoner rockers Second Trip, pop rockers Victory for Poland and rock rockers Newish Star. You’ll like it. I’m not at liberty to divulge the address openly, but if you’re inclined to go, head on over to the Facebook event and ask an admin. Unless you have a reputation for tearing down light fixtures in other people’s homes, chances are they’ll tell you. Five bucks at the door, starts at[...]

Today/Tonight: Summer Scum Noise Fest III

July 25, 2014

It’s the middle of the summer again and that means it’s time for another installment of the Summer Scum Noise Fest. The noise and power electronics oriented two day festival is in it’s third year and if the track record remains the same, things will be even better than the previous year. This year boasts over 40 performers including special performances by Total Abuse and Rectal Hygienics, the first bands to play the fest. Other stand out acts include Pharmakon (who you may have seen open for Swans last year), Corporate Park, Ahlzdeveloper, Deterge, Hive Mind, and Taskmaster, but every performer has something intriguing to offer. There’s also a great showcasing of local talent including River OF Ichthyosis, VWLS, Oxygen Starvation, Partly Zombish, and Deceiver. This year, Summer Scum will take place at The Foundry, located at 298 Northampton St., and will run from 4pm-1am today and 3pm-1am on Saturday. More[...]

Tonight: Mikaela Davis

July 25, 2014

If you want to be able to say you saw a huge star before she was famous, you would be wise to get yourself the Buffalo Iron Works tonight and catch Mikaela Davis. Davis is a harpist from Rochester who has recorded two fantastic albums. The first was 2012’s self-titled record, and her January release, the Fortune Teller EP, was one of the best albums of 2014 so far. The manner in which Davis blends classical and pop is remarkable. Tracks like “I Wouldn’t” and “Lady Lavender” blend immediately catchy melodies with lush, intricate orchestration. Davis has an incredible ability to create complex, intricate music, and make it seem immediately accessible. After her show at the Tralf in January was canceled because of burst pipe, it’s wonderful to have this brilliant performer back in our fair city. As someone who was planning on attending that show, I was sorely bummed out.[...]