Preview

Tonight: Bryan Johnson and Family

July 24, 2014

Thank goodness for Infringement today/tonight because without the festival, tonight’s best bet for music would be heading down to Canalside to catch Extreme. Yes, Extreme. If you do find yourself downtown near the water, and if you are, God bless you soul, then stick around after Extreme closes up shop with whatever power ballad they sing and head over to Buffalo Iron Works for a post-Canalside show featuring Bryan Johnson and Family. One of our original blog favs from way back in our early days, the surf pop trio turned quartet has cranked up the volume over the last year or so, and are finally getting ready to release their long awaited EP later this year. BJ and Fam are set to kick off just after 9pm, or whenever people stumble out of Canalside. Whatever comes first I suppose. Entry for tonight’s show is free.

Tonight: Humpday Horrorshow

July 23, 2014

Tonight, Allen St.Hardware is getting a facelift. The neighborhood bar, known for its classy decor and modest atmosphere, will paint its face black in celebration of the first Humpday Horrorshow, courtesy of Hematone Productions. What you can expect: Industrial music, courtesy of DJ’s Malik Saint (of Shaken Stylus) and [K A T O], go go dancers, shooter girls, pizza, wine tasting, a costume contest ($100 gift certificate to Divine Machine for best costume) and much more. With several sponsors and a great deal of hype, this is set to be one helluva mid-week party. And it’s only $7. The needles set to drop at 10, but doors are at 9 so get there early and experience all things Hump.

Tonight: Weatherbox

July 22, 2014

San Diego’s Weatherbox will bring their cosmic brand of punk rock to The Waiting Room tonight in support of their most straightforward record yet, Flies In All Directions. The 13-track album covers a lot of ground, containing songs written as far back as 2006. Fellow buffaBLOGGER Nick Sessanna had an interesting conversation on the subject with the creative force behind the box, frontman Brian Warren. Check out the article here. Joining the flock of Weatherboxes on tour are the spacey emo mavens of Florida band Dikembe. Their newest LP Mediumship is set to drop August 1st, and it sounds promising based on the three songs the band is currently streaming on their bandcamp page. Local support comes from dedicated indie rockers Brother Keep, who have also just finished up recording some fresh material (keep your ears open!), and Del Paxton—a band you should know by now if you’re a fan[...]

Know Your Opener: Midlake

July 22, 2014

With free music offered on nearly every night of the week throughout the summer, it’s hard to justify dropping $35 on a show when I can practically hear live music from my balcony on many nights. Having a worthy opener, one that could easily be headlining on another night, certainly helps cushion the cost. That’s what we have facing us tonight as Band of Horses rolls through town with Midlake playing the role of table setter for an eager group of Buffalonians who want more out of their ticket price than simply getting out of the sweaty night and into some AC a few minutes early. I first heard about the Texas group after stumbling across their haunting, Fleetwood Mac-esque single, “Roscoe,” a few years back. Then front man Tim Smith’s tender vocals gave what could have been a cold number a beating heart, becoming one of the best singles[...]

Tonight: Band of Horses

July 22, 2014

“I’m coming up only to hold you under And coming up only to show you’re wrong And to know you is hard; we wonder… To know you all wrong; we warn. Really too late to call, So we wait for morning To wake you is all we got To know me as hardly golden Is to know me all wrong, they warn. At every occasion I’ll be ready for the funeral At every occasion, once more, it’s called the funeral At every occasion, oh, I’m ready for the funeral At every occasion, oh, one billion day funeral” These iconic lyrics from Band of Horses track “The Funeral” are some of the most recognizable and cherished words ever sung in indie rock, and for good reason. They come from a place we have all, at one time in our lives, visited; a dark, inward vestige, the hole that we had to[...]

Tonight: Nudes

July 21, 2014

If you’ve ever been to a show in the basement of Spiral Scratch Records, then you know that it can get ear-splittingly loud down there. Which is perfect for a band like Seattle’s Nudes, who sound like they’re living inside a tornado anyway. They’re at Spiral Scratch tonight, supported by locals White Whale and Sleeptalker. If you’ve ever been naked and covered in venomous spiders, then you kind of already have a grasp on what Nudes is bringing to the table. It’s pulverizing and dark: these guys do not wish you well. Probably a blast to catch, though. White Whale’s no slouch, either, though they substitute Nudes’ darkness with rage and angst. Still grinders, but they wouldn’t be out of place on a bill with Sonic Youth at points, either. While everyone brings the anger, Sleeptalker’s going to bring the weird (and I’m not just saying that because one of[...]

Tonight: Teamwork 2014 The BBQ

July 20, 2014

Dinner and a show for $10? And some of the proceeds go to a local youth organization? Sign me up. For the third year, Team Radio hosts this event, aimed at bringing the community together one artist and innovator at a time. Chae Hawk is one of Buffalo’s best backpack rappers, and his music with a message mission is clear in everything the multi-talented artist does. There are many facets to the music industry, and Chae and his team are educating local students on what it truly means to be an artist in varying capacities. From web design to press to designing and printing posters, there are a myriad of ways to express yourself without a mic in your hand, and this event brings them all together. This 16+ event, hosted by Billy Drease is being held at Buffalo Iron Works, and tickets are still available. BBQ begins at 7/music[...]

Tonight: A.J. Woods

July 20, 2014

Since opening a year or so ago, the back room of Hardware has been a great space to host a variety of events/functions from dance parties to poetry readings to a couple showcases from our recent Herd Fest. Later this evening, the room is set to host a night of quiet contemplative folk music headed by the New Mexico based A.J. Woods, who vocally recalls John Samson of the Weakerthans or local singer/songwriter Alex Berkley. His most recent album, AdamWoods, was released via bandcamp in 2013 and can be listened to here. Providing local support will be folk musician Andy Pothier, who on other nights can be found behind the drum set of rollicking Pine Fever, and Helen, a suddenly rather busy project featuring Andrew Biggie of Bourbon & Coffee. Music kicks off around 8pm. Bring $5-$7 to support the touring acts.

Tonight: Zealot

July 19, 2014

Fredonia has taken over the Buffalo music scene tonight, leaving those looking to fill their local music kick a couple nice options. If you can’t get over to the West Side to catch the release show for punk-folk foursome, Mr. Boneless, then head down to the Tudor Lounge later this evening to catch fuzz rock trio Zealot. The three-piece debuted late last year with their distortion heavy, No Age-esque single, “Magic Eye,” and has slowly been building a nice following between bouncing between Fredonia and Buffalo. Word is the the band has an EP/LP in the works so keep an eye out for it to drop later this year. In the mean time, catch them tonight along with support from Barry Place and Tugboat. Cost is $5 for entry. Music begins around 10pm. Zealot should hit the stage right around midnight.

Tonight: Mr. Boneless Album Release Show

July 19, 2014

Bumrush Booking recording artist, Mr. Boneless, will be celebrating the release of the group’s full length debut, Cutting Teeth, tonight at the Gypsy Parlor. The Fredonia-born, Buffalo-based steam folk quartet (think an early Modest Mouse if they came out of the back woods), led by the menacing growl of Elliot Boneless, has been making the rounds in the city for a the past couple years, between members relocating to Philly and back. Since settling in Buffalo, the band has become one of the better live acts in town, normally found on area bills along side fellow Fredonia act, Well Worn Boot. Cutting Teeth is already streaming on Boneless’ bandcamp page if you want to brush up on the new material before heading over tonight. Unsure if physical copies will be made available, but bring some extra cash in case. Music begins tonight at 8pm. Cover is not noted so maybe[...]

Tonight: Jolie Holland

July 18, 2014

Jolie Holland‘s take on Americana is hardened and harrowing, a bracing brand of homegrown darkness. Injecting elements of jazz, soul, and rock n’roll into her country-noir folk songs, the Houston singer-songwriter embodies the sum total of our American music traditions. Tonight, Holland’s intimate performance at Babeville‘s Ninth Ward will demonstrate her range, precision, and passion. She will be accompanied by the similarly formidable Shy Hunters from Brooklyn. Tickets to this evening’s event are only $12. Doors open at 7pm.

Tonight: Mac DeMarco

July 18, 2014

Mac DeMarco gets called a slacker a lot, but that’s only half the story. He reminds me of this kid I went to high school with: let’s call him Mike. Mike, I imagine, was a precocious little youngster, and very bright. Rolling with ease right over the kindergarten curriculum, it didn’t take long for lil’ Mike to get tracked into the gifted program. The gifted program was not much more than a get-out-of-jail-free card. Gifted students, it was assumed, didn’t have much to gain by attending regular classes. Give them a place to go that’s free of structured drudgery and their little minds would flourish all on their own. Mike, bless him, was gifted enough to see not only the pointlessness of his general education classes, but the pointlessness of signing up for field trips and academic triathalons and all the other carrots that the gifted program offered. And, given[...]

Tonight: 716 Sike-O-Delic Party Invational

July 16, 2014

Chill party. Great bands. Sound like something you’d like to get into tonight? All this and more at Jack Topht’s Sike-O-Delic 7/16 show, held at local music, ahem, venue, the Plymouth House. Like most shows held at Plymouth House, the start time is more of a suggestion than a rule, and doors open at 9pm for this house party turned musical showcase. Local music lovelies Jack Topht & Little Cake and Chauncey Tails, along with out-of-town act Schwarz & Kilbourne, who round out the evening with a late-night DJ set, comprise most of the bill, but Gangsta Love (aka Frank Hurricane) and Wume will also be in the building with their unique sounds. Following tonight’s show, Topht and Hurricane will be hitting the road for a short tour so make sure to send them off right. Because this isn’t a traditional venue, I recommend you BYOBeverage, as well as hand sanitizer[...]

Tonight: Schwarz & Kilbourne

July 16, 2014

Get your body moving EARLY tonight over at Dreamland as the venue/gallery will be hosting the Health Club “Do or Die” Tour, a combined tour between East Coast DJs Schwarz(Baltimore) and Kilbourne (NJ). Listen to the audio below to give you an idea of what to expect because it can explain much better than I ever could. Local support will include the ever busy electro, space traveling duo UVB-76 and the hypnotic Ay-Fast. If you can’t make it to Dreamland, then you can catch the Health Club tour over at the Shit Mansion (yep) later tonight along with tag-team duo Jack Toft and Chauncey Tails, Toft tour-mate Frank Hurricane, and many more. Music kicks off at Dreamland at 7pm. $5 to get sweaty.

Tonight: Fat Creeps

July 15, 2014

This evening, Spiral Scratch will be home to an explosion of garage rock and good vibes. The ever-charming Fat Creeps (Boston) will be headlining, with supporting acts The Lentils (Vermont), as well as Buffalo groups Space Wolves and JOHNS. Space Wolves will be opening the set promptly at 7pm. The tour is in support of Fat Creep’s new album, Must Be Nice, an array of indie infused gritty surf rock. From Space Wolves’ short, peppy rock to JOHNS’ darker neo-new wave, these bands come from the same musical family, but all are all diverse enough to put together a really interesting show. $6 at the tour for the touring bands. Photo Credit – Joe Difazio