Latest Posts

Full Body – Always There

November 27, 2019

Waste not, want not. If one uses their provisions wisely they will never be in need. Rochester-based band Full Body apply those wise words to their musical prowess, and it resulted for them in a wide ranging new album, Always There. Following their much applauded debut record, What’s Good?, Full Body have created a separate, and at times manic, new world. Full Body found themselves recording their sophomore effort away from their home turf. They tracked down to Headroom Studios in the bustling city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, PA, and worked with engineer and producer Scoops Dardaris. Track number one, “Small Voice (Still),” kicks the album off with slow sludge drums accompanied by metallic and beautiful guitar chord picking. Vocals hover over the main melody, and lead singer Dylan Vaisey long-windedly sings the main character’s motivation with the simplistic self-centered line, “I’m here for myself.” “Small Voice (Still)” lays down[...]

On the Cinder – Lamplighter

October 21, 2019

Punk rock acts as a conduit to free oneself. Restrictions are lifted, and the only requirement lays in the band’s willingness to persevere. On The Cinder began their crusade in The University at Buffalo. They hit the ground running, feeding off of the advice they now dispel to younger bands, “Once you have eight songs get in the van and go.”. An EP, two tours through America’s underground circuit, and a then a full Length LP with a tour of Canada filled the bands schedule. Then, as life often does, On The Cinder got delivered a curve-ball. “There has been a lot of loss since our last album,” Mike Jacos, bass and vocals, describes the unique process surrounding Lamplighter, the bands newest effort, “This new material reflects the changes we’ve had to overcome.” The changes brought about a polishing of the On The Cinder sound, which thrives in the contrast[...]

Tonight: Rust Belt Brigade

August 21, 2019

One must pay dues in life, and that certainly holds true for the music scene. The two acts taking to the stage at Nietzsche’s tonight are paid in full. Both The Rust Belt Brigade and 20,000 Strongmen forged their respective paths through the time honored tradition of busking. This helped the Rust Belt Brigade transform from a punk-duo to a four piece Americana band with strong rhythms and a swamp folk style vocal. Meanwhile, 20,000 Strongmen, headed by everyone’s favorite banjo picker Mike Strongman, sound as though they just stepped off a back porch of 1940’s Appalachia. Leave your technology at home tonightand enjoy music stripped down to its bare bones being played by the finest acoustic musicians Buffalo has to offer. $5 at the door and the show starts at 8:30pm. Written by Kevin Prentice

A House Safe for Tigers – Space Between

August 12, 2019

If it’s not baroque, then you need to fix it. That is the key to indie two-piece A House Safe For Tigers’ mojo, as is evident with their new release, Space Between. Members Mark Constintino and Brendon Delmont, who each have pasts rich with hardcore-punk and synth-heavy rock, have matured into a more serene sound, but retain the haunting atmosphere of their youth. “Bumblebee,” track one from Space Between opens the door with an upbeat ode to a wonderful person, who has earned the name, ‘”My Sweet BumbleBee.” The synth provides a full metallic melody, while the drums and percussion dig out a smooth groove. Acoustic guitar fills in the background, and the chorus explodes with the band’s well-crafted hook and vocal harmony on the title lyric. A running theme on the album is landscape and mother nature. “Sound Valley,” track number five, opens with an electric guitar riff, dry[...]

Roger Bryan and The Orphans Release New Single

August 9, 2019

Local indie mainstays, Roger Bryan and The Orphans are back with the announcement of their new album. Their first single, “Nowhere, Underground,” from their forthcoming LP, Keep You In Mind, kicks off with a quick four bar build before a shiny slide guitar, or possible pedal-steel, blossoms out. Lead singer/strummer, Roger Bryan’s deep vocals lock in with the back beat rhythm and complement the guitar playing quite well. Think The Fray mixed with The National.Taking on themes of self-dependence, Bryan uses the lyrics, “Gunning for the crown, Patiently, nowhere to be found, nowhere underground, No where is the reason you have a soul to breathe,” to introduce a character who has shrugged off the modern trappings of society. “Feed off the moon, and sing into your lips,” lyrics describing a hopelessly romantic scene, proves the optimism held in life’s simple pleasures. Taking a cue from the debut single, the rest[...]

Carmen & Lizzy – Climate

July 23, 2019

Mother Nature’s daughters have come down from the clouds with an album of tender and heartfelt songs. Buffalo’s Carmen & Lizzy, cousins who grew up together singing and playing music have released their third effort in three years, 2019’s Climate. An introspective album about their past, present, and future, Climate polishes elements of folk to tackle an ever pressing dilemma: Our Environment. “Carry You,” a short lead off track, gently stirs the album to life with thick and warm acoustic pickings from Carmen, guitar and vocals. The message directly employs pathos with Lizzy, vocals, reassuring that the subject will always have an aid. Bridging seamlessly into the second song, “Shelter,” the album continues its message of protecting the most vulnerable. Lizzy and Carmen highlight their harmonious beauty throughout the entire track, which bolsters the compassionate lyrics, “Even if you want to hide/I’ll shelter you.” Pulling from their bag of magic,[...]

Ugly Sun – s/t

July 22, 2019

Crunchy, sweaty, rock-n-roll that should be played to summon demigods or while making sweet love under the desert sun has landed in Buffalo. The Crook brothers, John and Harrison, formed the rock duo Ugly Sun and have showed us the portal to a good time with the release of their first album, self-titled, Ugly Sun. The tone of the album begins at the cover. A desert sun setting behind mountains, spends its last few minutes shining down on a group of presumably nude females. If one downloads their album from Spotify, the figures will be blurred. However, I am hard pressed to believe that the brothers made that decision themselves, since their attitudes align with consistently pushing their creative boundaries. “Little Fire,” the album’s first song, and first released track, begins with an airy guitar melody that steadily builds until it combusts into a full on arena rock guitar lick[...]

Tonight: The Burkharts

July 20, 2019

Wes Anderson’s favorite band, The Burkharts, have released the perfect soundtrack for summer daydreams. Their latest effort, ‘Lazy Dazing’, shows how the Buffalo natives have grown into a distinct field of well-crafted and hook laden indie rock n roll. Reminiscent of Buffalo heavyweight ex-pat M.A.G.S. with a hint of Mac DeMarco, The Burkharts will put a groove in your step tonight at Nietzsche’s. Sharing the stage will be newcomer M.T. Lakes, who will be playing their second show ever (this time a stripped down solo set), former Dreambeaches guitarist Koko Neetz, and one-woman synth project VHS Era. Doors at 9pm with a $5 cover. Written by Kevin Prentice

Tonight: Handsome Jack

July 6, 2019

Happy Birthday America, land of the free home of the blues. Keep the celebration going with Buffalo’s own Handsome Jack, as they are poised to set off an explosion of their own this this even at Buffalo Iron Works. If you haven’t felt the ground rumble from Handsome Jack’s brand of boogie-woogie and blues then this is your last chance, at least for a short while. The love child of John Fogherty, Muddy Waters, and The Band head across the pond for a European to support their latest record Everything’s gonna Be Alright. Bring your sparklers, dancing shoes, and good vibes to Iron Works to properly bid this rock trio ‘adieu’. Doors at 8pm with a $12 cover. Get there early to check out First Ward. Written by Kevin Prentice

Maybird – Things I Remember From Earth

July 1, 2019

“Earth weighing you down? Take an intergalactic trip with the latest effort from Rochester’s very own Maybird. Things I Remember From Earth, the band’s first release since 2017’s ‘Unraveling’, which had The Black Keys’ drummer, Patrick Carney, at the producing helm, sends the listener on an upward trajectory that happens to be highly infused with technicolor, rock n roll riffs, and dance grooves. The second track, “To You,” and the first dosage of pop melodies on the album, displays a pleasant view of hedonism. Or better, what to do to reach a person who has become wrapped up in the world of pleasures. The vocal’s plead in a soft voice to “Stick around a little bit longer/Mix it up a little bit stronger/ This is the best I ca do to get through to you.” The sentiment becomes reinforced with high end back up vocals reminiscent of Motown, and then[...]

Ian McCuen – Songs of Fleeting Permanence, Vol. II

June 10, 2019

Beware the quiet man. When others speak, he watches. When others act, he plans. When others rest, he strikes. Ian McCuen is our modern day quiet man. He began his journey almost a decade ago when he entered an intense six year period of self-reflection and discovery. The light at the end of that tunnel turned out to be an epic three volume set of indie-folk music entitled Songs of Fleeting Permanence. He recently released Vol. II. Volume II’s lead off track, “Drowning,” sets the emotionally heavy tone that serves as the release’s foundation. A vocal melody, reminiscent of a church choir in terms of depth and haunting feel, bolsters the melancholy lyrics. In a near-whisper, McCuen sings, “Keep your head up/treading water/keep your head up/just stay afloat.” “Facade,” the second track, gives the listener reason as to why one may find themselves struggling to not go under. In a[...]

Tonight: Sleep

June 6, 2019

For those who believed they would never live long enough to see a band carry on where Black Sabbath left off, fear not. We have Sleep. Emerging from the stoner rock capitol of the world, southern California, Sleep started in the early nineties with their meld of stoner rock and heavy metal. Bass player Al Cisneros tuned down to create hypnotic drone rhythms while guitarist Matt Pike layered in stoner-rock riffs and created Doom-Metal. The band found critical success that lead to battles with record labels who ultimately forced them to lay down their instruments. Again, fear not, for Sleep has woken up. They released their first full length album in almost twenty years in 2018 thanks to Jack White’s record label Third Man Records, and the result most definitely warrants the wait. The Sciences brings Doom Metal back to the forefront of rock ‘n roll, and combined with their[...]

Ugly Sun Drops Single “Little Fire”

May 29, 2019

What the world needs now more than ever is an injection of feel good party music, and Buffalo’s own Ugly Sun has the prescription. The band, consisting of brothers John and Harrison Crook, is a duo hellbent on delivering catchy 70’s era rock riffs and infectious vocal melodies. Case in point, their new single ‘Little Fire’. The song starts with an airy guitar melody that steadily builds until it combusts into a full on arena rock guitar lick reminiscent of Nazareth’s ‘Hair of the Dog’. John Crook, bass and lead vocalist, delivers a flawless howl recounting possibly the steamiest of romantic encounters, as the proof is put on display front and center, ‘I’m hangin’ by a thread when you lick it up’. After a short and sweetly stripped down bridge the song’s chorus roars to life with rock ‘n roll tricks that always deliver; crashing cymbals, steady tambourine, and layered[...]

Tonight: North by North

May 20, 2019

The unicorn of rock ‘n roll bands happens to be the two piece line-up. Stripped down, this combo of guitar and drums delivers more punch than a full piece orchestra.Take for example, The Flat Duo Jets influencing the White Stripes who gave credence to the Black Keys. Following suit, from the city of Chicago, I’d like to introduce to you North by North. Self described crunch rockers playing sweaty fever dream rock ‘n roll, North by North use their experience of over 650 shows to their advantage. They unleash boogie-woogie grooves from drummer Kendra Blank and psych-surf riffs from guitarist Nate Girard to create a rich and colorful atmosphere that reminds one of The Stooges mixed with Sonic Youth. They will be in town tonight in support of their latest album Last Days of Magic. Also on deck tonight are garage act The Gennies, buzzing newcomers Halo Nellie, and raw rock act[...]

Tonight: The Sea The Sea

May 14, 2019

The Sea The Sea come to the 9th Ward tonight in support of their latest album From the Light. Expect the group to bring along with them their folk harmonies that rival The Fleet Foxes. Mira Costa, keyboard, guitar, vocal, and percussion, approached Chuck E. Costa after a talent competition, and the two used their mutual love of gospel and Sunday Service to craft indie-folk-pop. Currently playing with a drummer and an additional vocalist/, The Sea The Sea have carved out their definitive folk sound with extraordinary pop hooks and should brighten up your rather cloudy Tuesday/May. The Sea The Sea are accompanied by Koko.Neetz (Andrew Kothen). Doors are at 7pm with a $12 door. Written by Kevin Prentice