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Must See Shows (12.18.24-12.24.24)

December 17, 2024

Saturday, December 21st @ 7:30pm buffaBLOG Holiday Party @ Milkies Well, we’re back. These past few months we have been increasing our content load and getting back on the saddle to provide our normal churn of quality local and regional bands for your listening pleasure. With that, we wanted to re-establish some of our defunct annual traditions, which include our heavily attended annual Holiday Party. Previously, we hosted this event annually at DBGB’s, however with the closure of the establishment, we had to find a new home for the showcase and we are happy to now collaborate with Milkies for this upcoming event. If you haven’t wandered to that section of Elmwood over the past couple years, the lounge underwent a giant revamp of their menu, branding, and interior since 2023 when the general manager Nikki Rosenberg took the realm. Our past holiday parties have featured performances by JOYWAVE, Humble Braggers, Newish Star, RADARADA, The Slums,[...]

Must See Shows (12.4.24-12.10.24)

December 3, 2024

Thursday, December 5th @ 8pm Bad Bloom @ Mohawk Place Rochester shoegaze band Bad Bloom return to Buffalo on Thursday in support of the project’s latest two singles “subatomic” and “onion.” Fronted by bassist/vocalist, Kate Rogerswith guitarist Jay Trovato co-writing the tracks, Bad Bloom have become a staple of the Rochester indie scene in short time period. Rogers and Trovato relocated from Brooklyn to Rochester as COVID-19 settlers, leaving the hectic and unpredictable NYC landscape during the very uncertain times in the early 2020s. Fans of From Indian Lakes, Gleemer, or Alvvways would be into this. Joining the night will be local dreamo act Cooler, as well as prog-rock newcomers Sailing Stones.  $10 cover. Bad Bloom · subatomic   Friday, December 6th @ 8pm The Baker’s Basement @ Milkies Cleveland-based alt-folk duo The Baker’s Basement (tBB) makes their Buffalo debut this Thursday with an eclectic line-up showcasing some of Buffalo’s[...]

Cooler – Doom Spiral

March 13, 2023

Cooler, a Buffalo-based three-piece, creates deeply personal, ethereal indie rock fit for the most intimate of moments. Doom Spiral, the group’s 2023 release, is their best work to date. The album centers around themes of opposition and devotion while persistently shifting between a confessional love story. Throughout the project, distance between people is a constantly developing undulation. Cooler braves this emotional disparity while engaging in intricate heart-to-heart discussions. The group fills out their already-strong sound with layers of carefully-laid, familiar guitar lines, sludgy bass flavors, and newfound sleek electronics, resulting in a sound they describe as “dreamo.” The album’s intro, “Gentleman,” was the first recorded with their current lineup, currently consisting of Alley, Jake, and Nick Sessanna. Breaking through the mist, the song’s flagship guitar line is as sentimental as it is catchy, while Alley’s reserved, melancholic delivery dazzles amidst lyrical dejection. “Succulents” is a meditative groover that aims to[...]

Tonight: The Get Up Kids

March 8, 2020

Kansas City emo forefathers The Get Up Kids will make their biennial stop in Buffalo tonight to play Rec Room amid a North American tour in support of their latest release, Problems (2019) – their first full-length since 2011. Though they aren’t happy to associate themselves with the genre, The Get Up Kids were major players in the midwest emo scene in the ‘90s and continue to be hugely influential to both emo and pop punk bands today. Their second album Something to Write Home About (1999) garnered wide acclaim, launched them into worldwide fame, and eventually became a second-wave emo classic. In the 20+ years since then, The Get Up Kids grew into the alternative rock scene of the 2000s and 2010s, survived a temporary breakup, and bumped their full-length release count to six. Problems, a release that fell around the 20th anniversary of that beloved sophomore release, takes a step[...]

Tonight: Stay Gold at the Burchfield Penney Art Center

January 10, 2020

Art and music intersect brilliantly and beautifully tonight when the Burchfield Penney Art Center hosts their annual Stay Gold party featuring some of Western New York’s hottest artists. Throughout the Burchfield Penney, au courant artists will be displaying site specific installations alongside the museum’s current ongoing exhibitions and performances by a plethora of up to the minute local acts including heave, Carmen & Izzy, The Burkharts, Tough Old Bird, Cooler, TVMTN, Sydney Jeanne, and MEDUSA. Admission is free, there’s a cash bar, and the museum is open to 10pm with music starting at 4pm. East Gallery heave – 4:05pm- 4:50pm Carmen & Lizzy – 6:05pm – 6:40pm Tough Old Bird – 8:45pm – 9:30pm Reception Space The Burkharts – 5:00pm – 5:50pm TVMTN – 6:40pm – 7:25pm Cooler – 8:05pm – 8:40pm Margaret L. Wendt Gallery Sidney Jeanne– 5:15pm – 6:00pm MEDUSA – 8:05pm – 8:40pm ET by MEDUSA

Cooler Drops New Single “Gentleman”

December 3, 2019

Buffalo’s favorite Indiemo trio Cooler returns with their newest single “Gentleman.” Their first release since 2018’s Buried EP shows a mature side of the band, with deeply cathartic lyrics that are very catchy. Their previous releases have been very guitar driven, and while that energy still exists, the lush harmonies and textures that are present on “Gentleman” really highlight the lyrical acuity of the band. Cooler has always had an ability to write compelling pop-oriented songs about such heavy topics such as mental health, love, and loss and “Gentleman,” which focuses on the end of a relationship, is no exception. Check out “Gentleman” below and be on the lookout for their upcoming EP in 2020. Gentleman by CoolerWritten by John Smigielski

Tonight: Hundred Plus Club

November 27, 2019

You know the deal. Wednesday before Thanksgiving = the #1 going-out night of the year. Nietzsche’s is properly prepared with a loaded card of homegrown indie rock talent to float you through to the holidays. Three-piece Cooler takes the stage fresh off of the release of their sharp-tongued, driving new single “Gentleman.” Hundred Plus Club is bringing their ear-worm catalog for some spins that’ll get your head bobbing and your body weaving.  Crisp outfit Urban Planning  and the snarky pop-punkers  SMUG round out a card that’ll leave the stage in flames. Plenty of chances to find your anthem for the night with the songwriting talent that’ll be in the room. We’ll see you there. $5 gets you in the doors after 8pm. What are you thankful for?

Tonight: Goon

November 18, 2019

LA-based touring act, Goon is making a stop tonight at 9th Ward. The quartet has been making a name for themselves in the blogosphere after releasing their new album Heaven is Humming via Partisan Records (Cigarettes After Sex, Craig Finn) this past summer. The band’s sound is reminiscent of Ovlov or B Boys. with a driving and experimental indie sound with a 90s slacker vibe. Joining the quartet will be locals Cooler, who word on the street is have a new single popping up soon. Get out of the house while you still can. Doors are at 7pm with a $10 cover.

Tonight: Sons Of Luther Album Release Party

September 28, 2019

Tonight Mr. Goodbar is hosting a killer lineup of hot local bands headlined by The Sons Of Luther and featuring Deadwolf, The Leones and Cooler, giving you the perfect excuse to hang out with college kids on a Saturday night. The Sons Of Luther, the brainchild of musical polymath (and podcaster) Wren Werner, have been tastefully releasing some very tight modern rock singles over the past month and it all culminates with the release of their sophomore EP Do What You Can tonight when the full band bring it all together for your listening enjoyment. The beyond space-and-time psych rockers Deadwolf will be opening the show with  vibe heavy Batavia desert space rock outfit The Leones and Buffalo emo heroes Cooler. Doors are at 8pm and cover is $8. Do What You Can by Sons Of Luther

Wild Once at Mohawk Place (5/10/19)

May 16, 2019

Fans of local music were treated to a superb showcase of the quality and diversity of Buffalo’s rock scene with Wild Once’s EP Release at Mohawk Place this past Friday, May 10th. Equal parts heartfelt and headstrong, Wild Once’s debut EP, Perennials (Admirable Traits Records), taps into the emotional ambivalence and messy uncertainty that define our lives and interpersonal relationships. Intertwining the dramatic thrust of midwestern emo with indie’s unvarnished charm, the band evoke heavy emotions without succumbing to melodramatics. Heavy-hitting supporting acts included Humble Braggers’ jubilant electronic-rock, Cooler’s gossamer cacophony, and Worse Things’ fuzzed-out fury. Worse Things Cooler Humble Braggers Wild Once  

Tonight: Wild Once

May 10, 2019

Tonight, you need to get down to Mohawk Place to see one of the best all-local lineups this year has to offer so far. Wild Once is kicking off the weekend by celebrating the release of their new EP Perennials. If that wasn’t enough to get you out the door, let us remind you that you will receive a FREE copy of the release with a ticket purchase. In case that doesn’t get you jazzed enough, keep in mind that the lineup absolutely rules. Synth-pop titans Humble Braggers are playing their first show in quite some time, which, in and of itself, is a good reason to attend. Joining them as well are rising post-emo acts Cooler as well as Worse Things. Doors are at 8pm, tickets are $10.  In the meantime, check out Wild Once right here: Perennials by Wild OnceWritten by Mike Rakiecki

Tonight: Slow Animals

April 26, 2019

There’s a rock show tonight at Buffalo’s Mr. Goodbar (downstairs) that should absolutely be on your radar. Can’t wait for the Strokes global comeback tour? Well, tonight you get the next best thing with the headlining act, Slow Animals, a Strokes cover band and patchwork of local talent. Come out and jam along with this on point five-piece as they perform your favorite tracks off albums like Is This It and Room on Fire. Sharing the spotlight is SMUG, the hometown pop-punk trio your mother warned you about. This set’s going to be a total party with addictive, booze-soaked anthems that will make you want to trash a living room. Everyone’s going to be there so give in to the peer pressure and don’t miss it. You know you want to. Topping it all off with a nostalgic indie rock sound that’s more comforting than a bowl of chicken noodle[...]

Tonight: Orations

March 29, 2019

Tonight, get on down to Mohawk Place to catch an electrifying lineup that is sure to start your weekend off right. 

Buffalo-based shoegaze act Orations will be performing tonight in celebration of the release of their new LP Receiver, which is dripping in subdued, moody, post-punk goodness. The band has generously dropped two new tracks: “All The Honey” and “False Face,” on their Bandcamp to hold you over until tonight. Trust us, you’re not going to want to miss this one. Sharing the stage with them is local fuzzed-out emo heartthrobs Cooler, and the unassuming-yet-thrilling Nylon Otters. There will also be solo performances by Dave Allison and Bill Nehill. Doors open at 8pm with a $7 cover. 

In the meantime, you can check out Orations’ “All The Honey” right here. Receiver by OrationsWritten by Mike Rakiecki

Tonight: Dentist

January 19, 2019

Kick your weekend into high gear tonight with an irresistible indie rock show at Milkie’s on Elmwood. Headlining and from the larger-than-life city of Asbury Park, NJ is garage rock act, Dentist. This kinetic trio applies breezy surf influences over raw pop-rock riffs like suntan lotion, creating catchy, sweet and sour records that will get your head bopping. These three have been turning a lot of heads with their 2018 album, Night Swimming, so now is the perfect time to catch their wave live. Sharing the spotlight are hometown heroes and indie rockers, Cooler. This talented trio craft exciting and melodic rock records that strike an emotional nerve like lightning through your veins. This is going to be a set you’ll get swept up in, so show up and surrender yourself. Rounding out this awesome lineup are Buffalo synth-poppers, Small Smalls. Show at 8pm with a $5 cover. Night Swimming[...]

Tonight: SMUG

April 23, 2018

The 9th Ward plays host to a heavy hitting three band lineup this evening featuring some of the area’s most buzzed about indie acts. Slated as part of the Weekend Mondays series curated by Feverbox, this month will feature some up-and-comers that hit a little bit heavier than past installments. Tonight’s lineup features grunge rock act SMUG (fka The Naturalists), the always frantic emotive sounds of Passed Out, and Cooler’s moody indiemo repertoire. Doors are at 7pm with a $3 cover. $5 beer/shot combos. Let the weekend begin.