Mr. Boneless
If you happened to miss our 4th birthday party a couple weekends ago at Duke's, thanks a lot. I am sure you had a good excuse. Kidding of course. For those who could not make it though, we did happen to capture some footage of all of the acts performing, and over the...
Just Announced: Titus Andronicus
New Jersey punk rockers, Titus Andronicus, are making their way back to Buffalo on Saturday, June 7th with a return to the Tralf Music Hall. The band recently played the downtown venue late last summer in support of their third full length album, Local Business. Led...
The Hold Steady at Town Ballroom (4/8/14)
As advertised yesterday, The Hold Steady played the Town Ballroom last night. Cheap Girls opened (though I arrived too late to catch them) and dozens likely woke up with hangovers on this Wednesday morning. Though the band's set wasn't as strong as their harbor show...
Honduras – “Ace”
Buzzing Brooklyn quartet, Honduras, released the video to their latest single, "Ace," yesterday exclusively to Bullett Magazine. We don't have that type of pull, so 21 hours later, we are more than happy to share this raucous new era punk track. The video for "Ace"...
Ratking – So It Goes
Let's be honest--New York City is still a main hub of culture when it comes to the arts, but it's changing rapidly. A constant topic of discussion is gentrification, basically, in more simple terms, the 'neighborhood is changing.' Defining a 'New York' artist sound is...
Tonight: Pleasure Leftists
If you caught last Friday's Cloud Nothings show, then you also had the pleasure of catching opener Pleasure Leftists. If you didn't, don't sweat: they're coming back. After a few dates supporting Cloud Nothings, they'll be swinging back through Buffalo to grace the...
She’s So Rad – “Levels”
Our inbox gets close to a hundred e-mails a day from PR agencies, freelance managers, and independent bands casting their nets for coverage. With the new updates to the site, we pledged to give more listens, reads, and write-ups to these e-mails. With that being said,...
Tonight: Iron Chic
Iron Chic is a band with an amusing tongue in cheek modesty, describing themselves as a "decent" band that plays "acceptable" music. They also go by the self deprecating title of, Your Previous Least Favorite Band, giving the impression that they're not even important...
Like A Parrot Debut “Awkward Arm”
I just want to dance! Maybe it’s because it’s Tuesday or maybe it’s because Like a Parrot has just released the brand new track, “Awkward Arm.” Consisting of Aaron Bonus and Justin Gammella, Like a Parrot have been making music together for the past year, creating...
Know Your Opener: Cheap Girls
Lester Bangs once wrote, “nothing ever quite dies, it just comes back in a different form.” Now Mr. Bangs could have been talking about a slew of things, however most likely he was speaking of music. Cheap Girls fits right into the quote by the late rock critic. The...
Just Announced: Boris
Japanese rock trio Boris, who last played the area five years ago, will be making a return to Buffalo this summer on Friday, August 8th at the Tralf Music Hall. Boris' experimental rock sound, which has shades of shred tempered by heavy tonal effects, should work...
Tonight: The Hold Steady
One time I heard the Hold Steady described as "Bar Rock for literates," and to this day, I think that's the best description I've heard of them. Thoughtful lyrics spoken story-like to the tune of hard-driving indie music with classic rock leanings. I suppose that's an...
Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks – Enter the Slasher House
After more than a decade together as one of the most prolific and unorthodox psychedelic-pop indie bands, Animal Collective's founding member Avey Tare has decided to break away and form an alternative trio side-project called Slasher Flicks. Unlike many of the less...
The Hold Steady’s First Four Albums (and Their Last Two)
The Hold Steady have been playing music for just over 10 years now. They started out in 2004 with Almost Killed Me and since then, they’ve released another five full-length albums, including this year’s Teeth Dreams. Popular consensus seems to be that their last two...
Passion in Constellation Releases Music Video for “Weird Tonight”
Simply put, Passion in Constellation will expand your connotation of the word “weird,” which according to Chris Alan (the artist behind PIC), is a state of mind that should be fully embraced to it's second exponent. Let's get weird squared is more like it and this...
Mapmaker – Critical Path
Mapmaker is probably one of the more underrated bands in Buffalo’s catalog. Their new release is called Critical Path and, while putting the finishing touches on this review on this fine Sunday evening, I realize what a real barnburner it is. The production is lo-fi,...
Adanowsky – “Dancing to the Radio”
Adanowsky recently dropped last month the highly catchy single for his first album in English, ADA. "Dancing to the Radio" has a knack for staying in your head. The song is part Falco/part Empire of the Sun/all JAM. If Holy Ghost took themselves less seriously and...
buffaBLOG 2.0 Launches
Well, after four tedious years on blogger, we finally made the move over to wordpress. Good riddance to that awful site. Despite desperately needing a makeover, we didn't want to drastically change the look of the site. Most people have become accustomed to the...
Is Discography Dilution A Problem?
Last week, a rather strange rumor hit the internet. Apparently, The Flaming Lips were going to record a "companion" album to The Dark Side Of The Moon. The idea was that you played the two albums simultaneously and that they sync up, just like The Wizard Of Oz. Well,...
Tonight: Screaming Females
There’s something ironic about having a band like New Jersey’s Screaming Females playing at Buffalo Iron Works. Something just doesn’t sit right with me. A band who has worked with the likes of Steve Albini playing at a venue that sells four dollar Pabst Blue Ribbons....
Tonight: Healing Mary Moser
When one goes to a U2 show you are invariably treated to a sermon (or two) from Bono about people of great importance, usually in far away lands, like Mandela or Aung San Suu Kyi. The last time U2 played Buffalo in 2005 the audience at the HSBC Arena however was...
Cloud Nothings at Buffalo Iron Works (4/4/14)
Last night's Cloud Nothings show at the Buffalo Iron Works was a great experience. The bands played well, the crowd was into it, but it was the synergy between the two that pushed things over the top. I admit I was worried at the beginning. Openers Pleasure Leftists,...
Tonight: Queen City Music Lottery Showcase
Tonight's the night! One of the most novel ideas to come out of Buffalo's music scene is the Queen City Music Lottery. With an initial showing of 62 members and 15 bands, it has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Some bands have fallen along the way, but here...
Tonight: Depeche Mode Vs. New Order Dance Party
If these dance parties are any indication, the 80's must have been a tough time for fans of British music, you constantly had to pick a side. The Smiths vs. The Cure, Depeche Mode vs. New Order, Wham vs. Boy George. Ok, I pulled the third one out of my ass but still,...
Fat Africa Releases Teaser Single
Set to be released on Dadstache Records (Skirts [formerly Meanagers], Routine Involvements, and bc likes you!), Rochester based outfit, Fat Africa, released their teaser single to their upcoming album. "Futility, or..." is a crawling minimalist track which can be be...
Rhubarb w/Ocupanther & Brown Sugar
We have a triple threat on our hands tonight. Each act offers a mind-bending exploration of sound, that is, if you choose to let go. Think of them as a triple-layer popsicle--flavors blending and melting together, yet distinguishable by taste and age. First on the...
Queen City Music Lottery Band, Nail School, Debuts First Song
On the eve of the Queen City Music Lottery Showcase, one of the randomly assembled acts, Nail School, has released its first track via bandcamp. Featuring members of JOHNS, Merchants, and Space Wolves, Nail School's "Russian Bride" is a cut of dark, aggressive...
Tonight: Cloud Nothings
Cloud Nothings is one of those groups that become popular simply because there is no other option. Too inspiring to remain hidden, too interesting to blend in with the grey scenery, too good to go unnoticed, the now trio has become one of the most talked about bands...
April 3rd
Lone - "2 Is 8" British producer Lone was responsible for one of the most infectious singles of 2013 with "Airglow Fires," a track that features a hip-hop inspired outro, hinting at a possible new avenue for the artist. "2 is 8," the latest single from his upcoming...
Cloud Nothings – Here and Nowhere Else
Cloud Nothings' face-crunching fourth album is a fearless, assertive follow-up to 2012's Attack on Memory. Oscillating between a chaotic rush of existential howls and throaty but tuneful melodies, Here and Nowhere Else pounds its presence out through furious snare...
Hamilton Leithauser – “11 O’Clock Friday Night”
Despite the Walkmen calling it quits, their former members have been keeping quite busy. Bass player Walter Martine appears to be releasing children's music, albeit with some help from indie friends like Karen O. Organist Peter Matthew Bauer is prepping his solo LP,...
Rackmastas Release Return of the Rack LP
Rackmastas, a long time duo born out of the basement of Gates Circle Wine & Liquor, recently released its long awaited LP, Return of the Rack. Spanning 17 tracks, the record has a lot going on, although don't be misled by the long tracklist as a handful of those...
Tonight: Amy Helm & The Handsome Strangers
Tonight, Buffalo's incredibly busy spring rumbles on with a visit by Amy Helm & The Handsome Strangers to the Buffalo Iron Works in the Cobblestone District. The daughter of The Band's Levon Helm and singer Libby Titus, and veteran of the Midnight Ramble Band, Amy...
Girl Talk and Freeway f/ Waka Flocka Flame: “Tolerated”
Ok, so technically the song and video came out on Monday, but I finally stopped shaking with excitement over it to have steady enough fingers to type about it today. Mind you, it's not the best thing I've heard this week, but it is my most anticipated. The first...
Just Announced: Bombay Bicycle Club
Yesterday, proving its never too early to start thinking about summer, Town Ballroom announced that London band Bombay Bicycle Club will be making a stop at the Main St. venue on Saturday, August 2nd. If you are unfamiliar with the act, think of them as a UK version...
Great Western Plain – “Thom”
Driving is one word to describe Maine-based tree-piece, Great Western Plain. Their most recent release, Elastic Smile, was sent to us a few short weeks ago, and has been on repeat in the buffaBLOG offices. The first track on the album, "Thom," is a fourteen minute...
Cut Copy – “In These Arms Of Love”
Exclusive Record Store Day release from the Aussie synth pop quartet. The banger of a track will be available on 4/19 as part of a split single.
Listen to “See Me Again” by Soul Butchers
Soul Butchers have recently made a blip on our radar with their debut 7 deep EP/short album 18 Wheeler (produced by Mr. Skimask). The album starts off with a retro-punk flavor similar to that of locals Irving Klaws or Wolf Tickets, but the real magic creeps out on the...
Thievery Corporation – Saudade
Rob Garza and Eric Hilton are busy guys. Since forming Thievery Corporation in the late '90's, they've produced eleven studio albums, with the release of Saudade as their twelfth. Normally when one thinks of Thievery Corporation, they are associated with the acid-jazz...
Tonight: House Concert w/ John Langford & Skull Orchard
Get up close and personal with Jon Langford & Skull Orchard tonight at the Boratin-Tanner home in Hamburg. Langford, a versatile folk-punk musician, has performed in the backing band for This American Life and is considered a staple of the Chicago music scene....
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – “Coming Down” [ft. Matt Berninger]
Fuzzy and exhilarating psych rock single from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's upcoming album, Only Run, due out 6/3. Features the National's Matt Berninger on supporting vocals. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/141751050"...
The New York Breakfast Releases DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK
Anyone who takes even a brief dip into the waters of Buffalo's live music culture quickly realizes that Steak and Cake founder Brandon Schlia is one of its proudest captains. On the eve before his label's third anniversary show (which also happened to be Valentine's...
Mac DeMarco – Salad Days
NOTE: This review was written immediately after returning from a Mac DeMarco concert in Cleveland, in which he and his touring bassist licked me in the face (I gave Mac a Valentine and asked for a kiss in return. He obliged me.) and then I talked to him and...
S Carey – Range of Light
S. Carey – better known as Sean Carey, the drummer for Bon Iver – knows how to stay on the top of his solo game. After surprisingly captivating us with single after single of ethereal beauty from his debut effort All We Grow, the soft voiced drummer has returned in...
Check Out Made Violent’s New Video “Dirty”
There's something incredibly infectious about Made Violent's approach to rock'n'roll. Part Strokes-swagger, part downstroke pummel, their songs have a melodic bite to them; A special kind of thing that you don't find every day. Attitude, fun, and energy have always...
Wild Wild Fest Announces Lineup
This evening, the Wild Wild Fest announced the initial lineup for year three of the two-day fest. Hosted at the Willow Creek Winery in Silver Creek, NY, and curated by Matt Wisniewski aka Well Worn Boot's Plainsman, the fest will be hosting Well Worn Boot (festival...
Passion In Constellation Drops New Single
Passion in Constellation, the project of Buffalo producer Chris Alan, released its follow up single to "Sunlight" this past weekend. On "Weird Tonight," Alan appears to be aiming to drop a summer anthem on Buffalo as playful synths lead up to a big chorus that recalls...
First Aid Kit – “My Silver Lining”
Lead off single from the folk sister's forthcoming album, Stay Gold, set to drop on June 10th via Columbia Records. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/140599293" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450"...
Failures’ Union – Tethering
When I mentioned to people that I'd be writing up the new Failures' Union release, Tethering, I generally got one of two responses. The first was that these guys were staples over at Mohawk Place. The association makes sense: that's where the band got its start back...
Tonight: buffaBLOG 4th Birthday Party
Our birthday has arrived. Well, technically its tomorrow, but we are close enough. This evening at Duke's, we will celebrate four years of the blog with a great cast of bands from over the WNY area. If you missed any of the spotlights on the acts playing tonight, make...