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Tonight: Why Not

January 11, 2020

Thrash, garage rock, indie alternative, math rock – I’m not here to put Minnesota’s Why Not in any sort of box. The band rides into Sugar City tonight in the midst of loaded January tour 18 high octane shows in like 22 days.  Song to song, measure to measure, the trio are filled with unpredictable sonic surprises. Buffalo gets tonight’s edition of the band’s thrashing guitar riffs and breakneck percussion, highlighted in songs “Pink Hat” and “Ready for the World.” The off-beat Minnesota groovesters are joined on the card by catchy local garage rockers Adjacent Jason, along with must-see Phriendly Phoes and the dynamic Wolf of Waltzer. It’s $8 to get in the door at Sugar City tonight, and doors open at 6pm for all the ages you can think of. Check out Why Not’s latest video for “No Suggestions Here” below:

denzelworldpeace Releases New Single “Body Pillow”

December 20, 2019

Buffalo beat maker Denzel World Peace joins the lo-fi hip hop ranks with their latest release, “Body Pillow.” The mellow, soft snare-driven track is the centerpiece for Denzel’s latest release, Body Pillow EP. Denzel’s production transports you to the high seas, as seagulls caw and waves rush before settling into “chill beats you can study to” vibes. “Body Pillow” gets a siren-like vocal assist from Leeks, serenading in the upper register while  Denzel perfects the isolating full-body aesthetic down below. Slot this track right into your relaxing, lo-fi playlist. Give the track a listen here: Body Pillow EP by denzelworldpeace

HC Kush – “Motivation”

December 11, 2019

HC Kush is a preacher of authenticity. The Buffalo rapper doesn’t mince words on his latest single “Motivation.” He’s a straight shooter, and the targets can hit anywhere from social media goons to prospective partners.. The trapper paints vivid pictures of the lifestyle and invites you onto the corner of Rodney and Filmore for the music video. Each lyric cuts, and the talented emcee HC Kush remains calm and cool with his delivery. Tune in below:

Twin Child Drop New Single “Amateur MCs”

December 8, 2019

Buffalo spitfires Twin Child and Benny Moses comes through with ferocity with his latest single “Amateur MCs.” Twin Child is the rap moniker for SMUG drummer Travis Perno, who with this project has abandoned his punk stylings for punchy rhymes. Rapping at a breakneck speed, the pairing stays true to to the track title, referencing life outside of the pros, with a minimum wage check in your digital wallet. Twin Child cooked the beat and ate it, and he and Benny Moses do their best to live in the shadow of Fu Schnickens or Tech N9ne’s Strange Music crew with their delivery. Child is creative with his sample choice on production, and the “This some shit we’ve never seen before” serves as nice table settings for the two’s verses. Check it out here:

Preview: Koko Neetz EP Release

November 22, 2019

Head on out to Nietzsche’s tonight for a night to get lost in your thoughts. Buffalo’s residential existential pop star Koko Neetz is bringing the party favors and atmospheric scenery out to play in celebration of his EP release  i.t.t.i.p.  Neetz, the moniker for Buffalo-based musician Andrew Kothen, has been a staple of the local music scene these past couple years, mostly known for his efforts in dreambeaches. Sound wise, Neetz’ aura is reflective, perceptive, present. Guitar is light and complimentary, leaving you plenty of room for Neetz’ sweet, if not Socratic, lyrics. Joinng Neetz’ latest journey into the void will be heave, VR Sunset, and Humble Braggers doing a stripped down minimalist set. Doors start at 9pm. $10 gets you in along with a copy of the i.t.t.i.p. EP. Take a sneak peak below:

Listening Party! at the Central Library

September 4, 2019

In an exciting development, the Central Library in downtown Buffalo is now hosting a weekly Listening Party for lovers of hot new music to come together to listen and discuss fresh new albums Wednesdays over the next seven weeks. Seriously, check out this rather well curated line up: 9/4: Jay Som, Anak Ko 9/11: Tool, Fear Inoculum 9/18: Charlie XCX, Charli 9/25: Shredders, Great Hits 10/2: !!!, Wallop 10/9: Tegan and Sara, Hey, I’m Just Like You 10/16: Angel Olsen, All Mirrors The Buffalo and Erie County Library is clearly not messing around with this listening party series, and in case you missed it they don’t mess around with their music collection either if you’re library card enabled. The Listening Party series runs from 3pm to 5pm Wednesdays in the West Room of the downtown Central Library.

Space Cubs – The 4th Age

July 29, 2019

The future is always now for Buffalo avante-garde electronica outfit Space Cubs, and on their first full length LP The 4th Age the intrepid trio find themselves confronting their future, uncertainty, and immense potential head on, with some inspiring results. Haunting and otherworldly, “The End Seems Easier” is some quintessential Space Cubs, an icy and tightly contained amuse bouche that features Suzanne Bonficio’s ethereal vocals submerged yet floating over an eerie, anxious soundscape before “Summons” drops the listener in the deep end of the pool with it’s hyper self-aware freakout of discordance and droning doom. The lead single and first proper album banger “Sideways” is when The 4th Age really gets going, with a ferocious industrial sound that calls to NIN influenced mid 90’s Bowie/Eno collaborations and the band’s ambitious debut EP. “Circular” is vibey, glacial trip hop floating under mournful melodies and Greenwoodesque guitars that surrenders itself into one of[...]

14 Trapdoors Comes Through with New Single “Ghosts”

July 24, 2019

Buffalo’s own 14 Trapdoors comes through with their hyped-up new hip-hop single, “Ghosts.” This three-headed crew is comprised of emcees, Bendyface, WZA and Short Moscato, who skate on a banging squeegee trap beat like big baller figure skaters. If the production doesn’t catch your ear, their slick and dizzying flows and raps will. Bump this fresh listen below and keep your eyes on 14 Trapdoors via their SoundCloud here.

Kelli Bobbi Releases Debut “Cruising”

June 19, 2019

Steak And Cake Records has a fresh new video and single out that’s destined to be your jam of the summer that’s also more than a little bit mind blowing. Going under the cheeky alias Kelli Bobbi, label mastermind and genuine artistic polymath Brandon Schlia and Jazmine Frazier (aka Hop Hop) go above and beyond on “Cruising,” a supernaturally crisp slab of urban funk that feels super good in your ears thanks to some choice next level grooves, frequencies, and techniques from each half of our dynamic duo. The video, directed by Schlia, is chill, pleasantly trippy, and a swell drive around town. If there’s more where this came from, yes please.

Passion Pit at The Rapids Theatre (5/20/19)

May 23, 2019

Michael Angelakos brought Passion Pit, his beloved indietronica passion project, back to Western New York to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the band’s acclaimed debut, Manners, with a stunningly euphoric show at The Rapids Theatre on May 20th. An exuberant collection of magnificent pop hooks and gossamer synthesizers, Manners unflinchingly chronicled Angelakos’ struggles with mental health, while earnestly pursuing the unabashed joy of human connection. Released the same year indie rock began its breakthrough into the mainstream, Manners still holds up as a gorgeous pop record with a very real human heart underneath the synthetic sheen. For the adoring fans in the crowd, watching Angelakos and his bandmates rekindle this magic onstage was a moment of pure joy and emotional catharsis, with every lyric recited in unison and every grand gesture met with applause. The giant halls of The Rapids Theatre weren’t big enough to contain the love and excitement[...]

The Hamiltones – The Shape of Walter

May 20, 2019

Creeping out of the shadows for some fun in the sun are spooky surf rockers, The Hamiltones, with their tubular new instrumental EP, The Shape of Walter. Having risen out of the Buffalo party scene like a Chubbies-clad Dracula from his coffin, this cheerfully eerie trio has crafted a rad 4-track record that perfectly captures their upbeat and gothy surf rock sound. The release features three killer original tunes and a special cover of “Without You” from the Son of Dracula (1974) soundtrack, all courtesy of maestros Richard Reynolds on bass and organ, John Toohill (Science Man, Alpha Hopper, Radiation Risks, Night Slaves) on guitar and Chris Scamurra (Kharlos, Space Wolves) on drums. As soon as you drop the needle on this bad boy you’ll feel like you’re catching a wave with the Munsters on their summer vacation. Each vibrant track stands out with its own identity and is a[...]

Younger Then at Mr. Goodbar (4/27/19)

April 30, 2019

Buffalo’s Younger Then ended a five-year hot streak with their final show at Mr. Goodbar on Friday, April 27th. Channeling their love of outsized alternative rock––U2, Arkells, Cage The Elephant, Kings of Leon, The Strokes, among others––the band combined richly-textured riffs with propulsive grooves, soaring vocals, and hooks as massive as the Grand Canyon. Playing to a packed house, the band pulled no punches, tearing through their greatest hits and fan favorites from their full-length album, “Bad Life” (Standby Records), and their self-titled debut EP. Though it was certainly bittersweet to commemorate the end of a talented group, the members of Younger Then––singer Zack Dupuis, guitarists Michael Wirth and Austin Dorr, drummer Jeremy Shields, and bassist Matt Dudek––are already planning their next moves, with a series of new projects in the works. Supporting acts included rust-belt rockers The Eaves and Rochester’s power-pop purveyors The Demos. The Eaves The Demos Younger Then

Wild Once Release Brooding Debut Single, “Perennials”

April 15, 2019

Newly-minted Buffalonian indie rockers Wild Once are due to release their debut EP later this spring. Until then, they’ve come out swinging with the brooding title-track, “Perennials.” The quartet shows off a decidedly mature and atmospheric guitar-driven sound, while not straying too far from their emotional and punk rock roots – think The National meets The Get Up Kids with a hint of The Killers. Perennials is due out this spring via Admirable Traits records. Make sure you catch Wild Once’s EP release – it’s at Mohawk Place on May 10th. Perennials by Wild Once

Ryan Luce Finds “California Gold” On New Single

April 2, 2019

Buffalo ex-pat Ryan Luce has hit a vein of pure Americana goodness on his new single “California Gold” off his forthcoming album and you should get it in your ears pronto. Shuffling earnestly with just  a sweet whiff of melancholy, some killer slide guitar lines and intertwined harmonies that conjure sensations of 70’s country and Buckingham Nicks, “California Gold” is indeed AM radio gold; timeless and bittersweetly irresistible. “California Gold” is the title track of Luce’s forthcoming album that comes out April 26, with a homecoming  show scheduled for May 4th at The Tabernacle.

Velvet Bethany – Rock & Roll Vacation!

March 4, 2019

Feminism is punk rock. If you don’t think so, you don’t know punk. Punk rebels against the status quo and focuses angst and anger to inspire change for the better. And in 2019, women have plenty to be pissed off about. Enter Velvet Bethany and their brand new full-length, Rock & Roll Vacation!. The latest is the band’s fifth release and stuffed with ten catchy tracks of garage punk rock that’s an absolute blast from start to finish. What started as singer and guitarist Allison Mitchell’s solo project evolved over the past five years into a four-piece powerhouse with the additions of Vivian on lead guitar, Lux Arnold on bass and Mike D behind the kit. These four bring out the best in each other to create candy-coated, sweet ‘n’ sour punk rock with badass and irreverent feminist attitude. After a brief 8-bit musical masterpiece, the album opens with the[...]