Latest Posts

Gatto Black – Sky Is Blue

November 20, 2025

If there is a singular ethos driving Buffalo’s Gatto Black, it is the sheer, unadulterated catharsis of truth. The recording project, spearheaded by singer/songwriter Sal Mastrocola, has spent the last few years sharpening its teeth on a pair of EPs—2022’s 2 Stressed 2 Be Blessed and 2024’s (Not) Ready To Die. But on his debut LP, Sky Is Blue, Mastrocola isn’t just sharpening teeth; he’s baring them. Released via Triple Hammer Records, the album benefits heavily from the steady hands of producers Gary Cioni (Hot Mulligan, Crime in Stereo) and Michael Hansen (Pentimento, Hotel Etiquette). Together, they have helped Mastrocola sculpt a sound that sits comfortably at the intersection of melodic hardcore and emo, channeling the frantic energy of Comeback Kid with the emotional weight of Touché Amore.   The visual identity of the album—a black cat (often the project’s mascot of sorts) precariously navigating a power line against a[...]

Gatto Black – “You Can’t Make Me Dance”

June 6, 2025

By now you probably know that Gatto Black doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to their highly emotive songwriting – project mastermind Sal Mastrocola confronts the realities of growing up queer AND Catholic on his latest single, “You Can’t Make Me Dance.” Insanely fast drumming, urgent chord progressions, and gritty vocals power this one forward with unmatched energy – perfect for skateboarding or just the simple act of feeling not-so-alone in your self-loathing. Aside from the skate punk, emo, and post-hardcore glory we’ve come to know and love from GB, “You Can’t Make Me Dance” takes aim at the formative traumas that pop up while you’re reconciling your burgeoning identity in an otherwise inhospitable environment. Mastrocola puts it better than we ever could below:   “When I was 14, my religion teacher told me I was going to hell for being bisexual… Years later it came out that he[...]

Must See Shows (5/28/25-6/3/25)

May 27, 2025

Thursday, May 29th @ 7pm Keep Flying @ Rec Room   Since 2015, high energy pop punk/ska hybrid act Keep Flying has been consistently pumping out Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater adjacent singalong anthems that have been hooking listeners throughout their tenure. The outfit may already be in your periphery as they have been regularly touring Western NY between Buffalo and Fredonia for close to a decade. If you are fan of Less Than Jake, Four Year Strong, or Millington, this one is for you.   This gig has a great undercard as well, featuring Buffalo post-hardcore act Gatto Black (who also released one of our favorite albums in 2024). Joining the lineup is local indiemos We Were Blank and alt-rockers Star Theory. $20.55 landed.   To save the bartender from repeating the same phrase over and over again, yes, Rec Room has mozzarella sticks.   Daylight by Keep Flying Saturday,[...]

Gatto Black – (Not) Ready to Die

December 13, 2024

The cat’s out of the bag with (Not) Ready to Die, the bombastic new sophomore EP from feline-friendly Buffalo post-hardcore project, Gatto Black.   Featuring singer-songwriter, Sal Mastrocola (EXNATIONS, No Net), this 7-song collection is a powder keg of emotions triggered by screamo vocals, chaotic drum beats, and third-rail riffs that will shock your system.   “But the thing about cats… they’re never afraid of their shadows,” and neither is Mastrocola, as he wails introspectively on the opening track, “Bitch I’m a Cat.” The singer-songwriter wears his heart on his sleeve and spills his guts via snotty emo-punk vocals that shake with anger and sadness. Each song is impressively unique, robust and layered, and runs a gamut of feelings that wallow in angst and insecurities.   You can feel these difficult, dizzying emotions on tracks like “No One Can Ruin Me.” This absolute tornado of a tune lashes out with[...]

Gatto Black – “Escape You”

May 6, 2024

A recent poster for a show at Amy’s Place in Buffalo described Gatto Black as SSRI post-hardcore and it’s pretty spot on. Sal Mastrocola, the group’s main songwriter, has an anxious and very emo take on hardcore. Mastrocola popped onto the scene a few years back with two 2021 singles and the 2022 EP, 2 Stressed 2 B Blessed, released through local label, Triple Hammer Records. The group’s sound is nostalgic for the emo side of 2000s skramz, but takes it to the next level by moshing it with modern sounds of hardcore, post-hardcore, and even alt-metal. The group’s latest release “Escape You,” explores the apathy of enduring toxic relationships, especially those that find pleasure in the pain of overstaying their welcome. In the song’s opening verse, Mastrocola demands the listener’s attention with an emotionally charged vocal delivery that trembles with palpable rage. Listening to Mastrocola stutter, yell and cry his way[...]