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Tonight: IAMDYNAMITE

September 25, 2015

At some point in time, over the last ten years or so, 80’s music suddenly became cool again. People started getting hip to the fact that retro-style new wave was catchy as all hell and, honestly, just fun, fun music. This led to some great bands, a lot of so-so bands, and a legion of please-stop-now bands. Place IAMDYNAMITE in that first category. With an undeniably catchy sound found somewhere in the midst of the Police, Hall and Oates, and Modern English, IAMDYNAMITE has carved out a unique niche in the 80’s influenced pop world. To simply label them an “80’s retro band” does a great injustice. Pulling influences from a modern assortment of electronic music, current pop and pop-punk they have developed a sound that can only be described as their own. Tonight, IAMDYNAMITE are in town celebrating the release of their new album, Wasa Tusa. You can catch[...]

Tonight: Social Distortion

August 18, 2015

Social Distortion are legends; punk icons that bridged the gap between alternative rock audiences and mainstream crowds in the 90’s, with their rock-meets-blues-meets-country approach. Never straying from the firm DIY ideals that punk has come to represent, the band has continued to grow and evolve, pulling from a variety of roots-rock traditions, all whilst keeping the music true to themselves and their dignity intact. One of their most commercially and critically successful albums (and let’s be honest, most people’s fave) was their self-titled album released in 1990, the album that truly broke the band. Prior to that, Social Distortion had dabbled with fame here and there. Their classic Mommys Little Monster is essential in any punk collection and Prison Bound offered a unique transition into unchartered rootsy territory. It was the self titled, with hits like “Story of my Life,” “Sick Boy,” “Ball and Chain” and a most excellent version[...]

Tonight: Down

August 10, 2015

Phil Anselmo is a busy, busy man. In addition to running his record label, Housecore Records, and playing in about 20 different bands (seriously), Phil still has the time to tour the world with his main squeeze, Down. Those that remember Phil as the enigmatic frontman for metal legends Pantera often find that same wild spirit festering in Down, albeit a southern-fried, sludgey version. Full of low-end, slow speed chugging, coupled with the sleaziest stoner riffs, Down are the kings of that New Orleans influenced, down-south sound. Tonight (7pm, $26) the kings make their crawling passage through Buffalo, celebrating 20 years of foggy memories and impossibly slow riffage. Town Ballroom holds the key.

Tonight: The Church

August 8, 2015

It is easy to forget that there was a time when independent, or “indie” music as it’s most commonly referred to, actually meant something. In 2015, every website, bandcamp, and band has the “indie” label affixed to its name. You could argue that any band that picks up an instrument and plays original songs is an independent band, in the sense that they are acting independently of whatever else surrounds them, but that would be missing the point. “Independent,” as it was originally conceived, represented music treading new grounds. The term became popular in the 80’s, when groups realized they didn’t have to follow the same old commercial mold. One such band provided one of the finest offerings of this new approach. The Church were an alternative rock band that sprinkled in neo-psychedelic tendencies with haunting riffs, and combined it with progressive flair. Much like their contemporaries Echo and the[...]

Tonight: Ceremony

July 5, 2015

Ceremony is a beautiful oddity. Throughout its career as a band , the group has shape-shifted and morphed, broadening its sound, and, most importantly, took risks. This is especially impressive considering the fact that Ceremony started as a nondescript power violence group. Early works gave no indication of things to come. Then, in 2008, out of nowhere, we were blessed with the gift of Rohnert Park; a focused, angry blast of aggression, strong songwriting, and lyrical poignancy that stood out amongst a sea of pretend hardcore bands and breakdown-obsessed nonsense. Rohnert immediately put Ceremony on the map and the best was yet to come. Defying convention again, the band signed to Matador and put out a more post-punk influenced collection of songs in Zoo. Last month, the group stretched a bit farther with the Joy Division and Interpol obsessed, The L-Shaped Man, undergoing another dramatic transition. The L-Shaped Man is[...]

Tonight: The Pixies

May 19, 2015

The Pixies are an important band. Let’s just start there. In the 80’s, when alternative acts were rejecting all forms of “mainstream” music, pop or otherwise, the Pixies opened their arms and embraced it, fusing the more melodic aspects of sound with an experimental (yet no less aurally pleasing) style, along with some good natured, pre-irony, ironic humor. In the process, they saved the all-too-serious indie rock scene from itself, stoked Kurt Cobain, influenced a who’s who of musicians and artists, put out some great records, imploded, Breeders, Frank Black, reunited, Indie Cindy (minus Kim)…wow. Their’s is a documentary waiting to happen… Word on the street is that the Pixies are killing it live these days. And that is important for two reasons. First, it is a testament to the fact that the greats, if they’re truly great, never lose it, whatever it is. And second, they’re playing tonight, so[...]

Tonight: Every Time I Die

April 22, 2015

Every Time I Die (ETID for you ETIDIOTS out there) are clear frontrunners in the “Hometown Heroes” category. They’ve toured the world, sold a ton of records, and amassed a legion of fans during their 17-year tenure. What impresses most, however, is their unabashed loyalty to and love of Western New York in spite of all this. They usually play here 3x a year, whether it be as part of a summer festival (singlin’ you out Warped Tour) or for one of their famed Christmas shows. I’ve seen them a great many times here in countless venues over the years, probably more than any other touring band. The other day, I was trying to think of all the places ETID has played in the area, and that is a history lesson on its own. Here’s my count; the Atomic, the Basement Bar, Cruise Inn, 33 Tyler St, the Funeral Home,[...]

Tonight: The Battery Electric

April 18, 2015

Saturday nights are for rock’n’roll takeovers, and what better way to celebrate than to spend it at the Polish Library; the East Side’s coolest haunt (612 Fillmore Ave). New Jersey outcasts, the Battery Electric and Hot Blood, deemed fit to grace our little town with the sweatiest, nastiest, r’n’r their bodies could muster. Full-scale heathen-on-fire, Turbo-worshipping, punk rock. Wondering why the highly hyped Jersey-boys have developed such a serious rep? Gotta get to the east side to find out. The bill also features a tour-de-force of Buffalo’s best. Johnny Thunders-rip off duo, Raunchy Sex, will be making their semi-annual reunion. Bobo, the Jimmer-led beautiful disaster, as well as garage bangers, Fatal Figures and Gay Boy Berserkers, Governess grace the stage, as do speed-chargers, One Way Terror. In between sets, Buffalo’s go-to punk rock DJ, Malik Saint, will be hypnotizing us with sleazy wax singles. And what rock’n’roll show would be[...]

Tonight: The Decemberists

April 1, 2015

Portland’s hyper-literate, indie-folk rock act, the Decembrists, have amassed many accolades, from Grammy nominations to well-documented participatory live shows. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the group however is its consistency of strong material. Since the band’s inception in the early 2000s, the Decembrists have released one phenomenal album after another, leading to many debates (as is oft the case among great bands) about which album is the creme de la creme, the focal center. My personal favorite remains the Hazards of Love, for many reasons. It caught me at the right time, and I could heavily relate to the character arcs and the bold, exploratory nature of the music. Thematically, it was a powerhouse, tempered by a vibe both subdued yet somehow startlingly open. (Feel free to debate this is the comments section. Everyone’s a winner in these kind of arguments.) Tonight, the Decembrists will be regaling us with[...]

Five Year Rewind: Staff Picks – Part 1

March 23, 2015

Since the blog debuted on March 28th, 2010, with a truly horrible post about a Passion Pit show (sorry Bill), our ever revolving staff of writers and contributors have spun hundreds of albums and songs, and attended more shows in and out of Buffalo than I dare to count. To commemorate our upcoming five year anniversary this Saturday night. we have assembled a cast blog writers from past and present, each discussing their favorite albums, songs, shows, and even some memories since the blog’s inception. Today is Part 1. – Mac McGuire Steven Gordon (Staff Writer) Favorite Album: Thee Oh Sees – Castlemania (2011) There are so many good things about Thee Oh Sees: an insane rate of musical output, notorious live performances, profoundly debauched aesthetics, and a propensity for gradual innovation despite inherent stylistic simplicity. The group started a decade or two ago as the artistic vehicle for guitarist/vocalist/flutist John Dwyer.[...]

Tonight: King Buffalo

February 6, 2015

Rock’n’roll is alive and well in the Rust Belt, and in spite of the shit weather, is making a home at Mohawk Place tonight. Rochester’s King Buffalo makes its return to our fair city with a sinewy brand of stoner hymns (Think Quest for Fire), along with Buffalo hings of heavy, Malarchuk, rock’n’roll throwback machines, the Evil Things, and Merchants/Space Wolves-by-way-of-new-name, Kharlos. This show is quintessential Buffalo winter. Drink Pabsts, get loose, shake hips, fun, smile, party. Action Jackson at 8pm.

Tonight: Genocide Pact

January 22, 2015

Whoa. Genocide Pact is heavy. Like, brain crushingly heavy. If your thing is old school death metal (ala low-end, riff bludgeoning), you’d best be advised to get to Mohawk tonight to check em out. I probably listened to “Despotism” off their bandcamp 5x trying to figure out how they got down to such a low register. There’s some cool locals to round the bill out too – Junk Drawer, Cal Dripkin and Armageddon – a beautiful sweaty mix of heavy. thrash, groove, and thunder, all at your fingertips. $7 for 7pm.

Tonight: Bill Nehill Tape Release Show

January 21, 2015

Bill Nehill should be no stranger to anyone who grew up in the Buffalo independent music scene. For years, he was Mohawk Place’s resident bartender, and, along with Pete, Marty and a slew of others, was one of the faces of our favorite neighborhood haunt. He’s also a fantastic musician and songwriter. Whether performing solo or with Magi Chippie, or anyone else for that matter, Bill speaks truth through his music, evoking the very real sense that he’s been there and lived it. Tonight, Bill would like you to join him for the release of Forward to Ministry Autumn, his new cassette tape. In his own words, Ministry is “six songs written in a hypomanic spree early in the summer and recorded on a September morning in a grey grain silo with one mic.” This couldn’t take place anywhere BUT Mohawk (7pm) and features some other familiar faces in Matthew[...]

Today: Cold Blood MMXV

January 17, 2015

Good fests come along once in a blue moon, and, with respect to our lovely little wintry wonderland, are somewhat of a anomaly here in the Queen City. Oh sure, you have your Veggie Fests and Decency Rallies, but Buffalo is a “what have you done for me lately” kinda place. We are blessed in that sense. Buffalo breeds the toughest and the most dedicated. Not quick to rest on their laurels, the movers and shakers of the scene embody the DIY ethic that has made punk and hardcore the most significant form of underground music in the last 30 years. Case in point: Cold Blood MMXV, a 17 band first-run fest featuring some of the best and most rippingest (fuck a vocab) in local punk and hardcore (and a bunch of out of towers too) brought to you by Josh Smith, owner of Black Dots and Melody Seymour from[...]

Tonight: The Silks

January 9, 2015

Here’s the key to being a cool rock’n’roll band: Authenticity. Real deal, tried and true grit, spunk and ‘tude. You can have the riffs, the looks…even the swagger can be faked. But Authenticity is something that can only be felt. The Silks are as true as it gets. Heavy, soulful, boogie-in-the-heels rock that harkens back to the days when rock’n’roll was the coolest thing on the planet. A true mish-mash of Mountain thunder, ZZ sleaze, and Hooker-blues, the Silks feel right…and that’s a cool thing. Along for the ride tonight our Silky Rhode Islanders are accompanied by Buffalo’s own kings of groove, Second Trip and Lockport Boogie-merchants, Handsome Jack. $5 to swing at where else? The ‘Hawk.