Latest Posts

Tonight: Peterwalkee Records Fest – Day One

September 5, 2014

Labor Day marks the symbolic end of summer (of course the powers that be have decided to attach a stigma to a holiday celebrating the labor movement), but as long as there are festivals and gatherings, I like to think that there’s still a little warmth in our bones. And if the good times have to end, Peterwalkee Records Fest is a worthy last gasp. The two day festival kicks off tonight at the American Legion hall on Amherst Street. Admittedly, I’m not an expert on every single band on the bill, but to my ears the first night is the heaviest. We’ve got: Male Patterns: breakneck-yet-catchy punk from Albany JOHNS: dark, anthemic blend of punk and pop (but not pop-punk) Dead Unicorn: noisey powerpop from Kingston centered on the impending nuclear apocalypse Cruelster: speed up The Marked Men, piss ’em off, make it awesome and from Cleveland Resist Control:[...]

Silo Sessions Premieres New Installment Feat. JOHNS

July 21, 2014

Just over a month into the new video blog series, Silo Series, and we have already been treated to some fantastic clips from musicians like Nat Baldwin, Jax Deluca, and Julie Bryne. Today’s latest installment, the sixth in the on going series, featuring an acoustic set from Buffalo garage act, JOHNS, in addition to bonus songs from JOHNS’ members Nick Gordon and Sean Kader. What makes Silo Sessions so special is pairing the unusual space with a variety of musicians, genres, and sounds, and in featuring JOHNS, the musicians have left the normal comfort of West Side basements to perform in one of Buffalo’s most unique venues. Watch the full clip of JOHNS, with Nick Gordon and Sean Kader below. You can also brush up on past sessions here.

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

Tonight: Newish Star

June 24, 2014

Head down to the Glitter Box later to catch one of Buffalo’s best newish bands in Newish Star. Sounding like a mix of Pavement and Coyote Shivers, the group recently played our Herd Fest this past weekend as part of the Black Dots showcase and have been building some nice buzz around town since forming back in 2013. Also on the bill are blog regulars JOHNS and Aaron & the Burrs, along with Cleveland’s gruff punk rockers Cruelster. Music begins at 6pm prompt. Bring $6 to cover the touring acts.

Tonight: Party at the Polish Library

May 10, 2014

Over the last couple years, a weird thing’s happened in the Buffalo music scene: a ton of mid-level rock music clubs closed. With the departure of long-time staples like Mohawk Place, Soundlab, The Vault, and even, like, that place that used to be Blue Monk, most area bands and promoters have been forced to shoot for either opening slots at bigger downtown halls, or organize house parties at one of the myriad, illegal basements. This kinda sucked on one hand, but on the other, it forced local music to adjust, and move beyond its arguable state of atrophy; things kinda had to change. So bands broke up and re-organized in better forms, and new, oddball venues started getting a lot of traction. One place that’s picked up a bunch of otherwise homeless show ideas is the Polish Library (612 Fillmore Ave) – a weird but welcoming East Side locale with[...]