Latest Posts

Tonight: Guerilla Toss

September 13, 2019

Tonight walk on the wild side at Sugar City when Boston by way of NYC avant garde funk band Guerilla Toss rolls through with Philly post punks Empath and local freaks Mallwalkers and Lesionread. Blending  arty NYC New Wave with noise, psychedelia and crazy funk, Guerilla Toss keeps your brain swimming in ideas and out there sounds that are simultaneously very listenable yet totally bonkers. Empath meanwhile, is psychedelic punk: raw yet freaky in the ear, and completely unbothered by your rules or your need for labels. Providing local support will be legendary punks Mallwalkers playing their penultimate local show, and avant provocateur  Lesionread. Tickets are $15 and doors are at 6pm.

Tonight: Space Cubs

June 1, 2019

Indietronica multimedia ensemble Space Cubs will be releasing their hotly anticipated LP The 4th Age, with a show tonight at Mohawk Place. Originally born in 2011 as a venture of songwriter/producer Suzanne Bonifacio, the group grew with the addition of multimedia whiz Shawn Lewis (Lesionread), and guitarist and visual artist Adam Pressley (Frenchpressley). It’s been fascinating to see how the band has progressed, growing their sound with each release anchored consistently by Bonifacio’s powerful, otherworldly vocals. Most recently, the band released three singles leading up to their new album; “Shelves” in November 2018, “Sideways” and “Circular” which were both released a few weeks ago. If the singles are any gauge, this new album is going to be special. With the ability to channel early period Eno ambient, as well as the jagged, angular art-rock of Radiohead, Space Cubs have consistently proven themselves to be one of the most interesting bands[...]

Tonight: Matthew Danger Lippman

April 19, 2019

Tonight, Buffalo to Brooklyn transplant Matthew Danger Lippman brings his glammed out, soul man jive home for a special show at Sugar City with Welks Mice and Lesionread. Matthew just released Sadomania hot on the heels of last year’s trippy and surprisingly soulful Ill, which found MDL leaning hard into melodicism and confessional turns to find some real catharsis; also, it’s always real interesting to see what he’s got going on. Actually that’s also true for good vibes prophets Welks Mice and the always provocative Lesionread, who’s taking a night off from Space Cubs to offer artistic support to a fellow troublemaker comrade in arms. Cover is $7, doors are at 7pm,  and don’t forget Sugar City is all ages and a drug & alcohol free venue, so please be cool. Sadomania EP by Matthew Danger Lippman

Lesionread at Mohawk Place (3/2/19)

March 5, 2019

Audio-visual manipulator Shawn E. Lewis resurrected his Lesionread project for a night of mind-warping mayhem at Mohawk Place, having shifted his artistic focus to his on-going production/percussion duties for Space Cubs. Kicking off his set with “2019,” a frantic, stream-of-consciousness spoken word released as a video back in January, Lewis swan-dove deep into his psyche while simultaneously excoriating the corrupt institutions of the powers that be. Featuring a crazy light show, video projections, crowd participation, dancing red people, and a cameo appearance by Lesionread alumnus Reggie Clark on bass, Lewis didn’t blur the lines between performance art and live music; rather, he erased those distinctions entirely, creating a truly outrageous, interactive experience that has to be seen to be believed. Lesionread was supported that evening by Dogs in Stereo (lo-fi rock and roll), The Gennies (“Blues for recovering punks”), Reggie Clark’s VR Sunset (psychedelic yacht rock), and VHS Era (dreamy synth-pop). VHS Era[...]

Tonight: Lesionread

March 2, 2019

Lesionread, aka Shawn Lewis aka Sean Louis, has been busy these last few years as a member of Space Cubs giving the Buffalo music scene a swift kick up the backside, but he’s doing a special solo show tonight at Mohawk Place and word on the street is that it’s going to be thoroughly bonkers. The provocative and always entertaining  Lesionread will be joined tonight by neo blues outfit The Gennies, new synth pop act VHS Era (aka blog alum Jeannette Chin), lo-fi vibe rockers Dogs In Stereo, and indie electronica act VR Sunset (aka Reggie Clark), whose debut was our Album of the Week a few weeks back. Doors are at 8pm and cover is $7.

Lesionread is Back for “2019!”

January 15, 2019

Art provocateur Lesionread has returned to us from the ether (and his ongoing membership in Space Cubs) with a handy and bonkers manifesto for the new year in the form of a new video for “2019!” that’s almost too much. Featuring drums from dreambeaches alum Gabe Wells and even more bodystocking action than ever before, this truly is the kind of art that kicks you up the backside, shakes loose the cobwebs, and blows off excess steam caught in the pipes and leftover from the year before.

VR Sunset Drops “I’m Your Density”

January 10, 2019

Electronic artist VR Sunset aka Reggie Clark, formerly of Planet Three and Lesionread, just released “I’m Your Density,” the debut single for his forthcoming  solo album Artifact that is pure, uncut ear candy and a showcase for some really talented people operating in the Buffalo scene. On the music end you’ve got contributions from local psychedelic sound gurus Tyler Mendola on drums (who was on fire at that M.A.G.S. homecoming show before New Years) and co-producer Cody Morse from Deadwolf, while the ethereal video features direction from Jeanette Chwan and editing by Space Cub’s Shawn Lewis (aka Lesionread) and Reggie channeling Alan Palomo, Crispin Clover, Top Gun, and that dude from The Kingsmen movies. Check it out.

Beekeeper Drops Video For “King Me”

May 25, 2018

Beekeeper, aka Elias Van Son has been cooking up a full length album with Brandon Schlia when he’s not playing with Jawbone that’s dropping today, and he’s dropped a terrific video for it’s lead single “King Me” to get us warmed up. Created by Shawn Eliot Lewis, of Lesionread infamy and currently a member of Space Cubs, it’s a glitch art masterpiece that coats Van Son’s vaguely sinister yet sweet lounge music with soothing, sexy butter. Treat yourself to a few minutes of audio visual bliss. You deserve it.

Tonight: Herd Fest Day 3

June 17, 2017

Herd Fest Day 3 launches tonight and after catching so many acts the past two days and lack of sleep, my ability to craft creative introductions isn’t what it used to be. Mohawk Place kicks off the night with sets from plucky up-and-comers Johnny and the Man Kids, new rock act The Gennies, Brooklyn indie band Kissing is a Crime, pop act Suburbs, fun indie outfit Gillian, and rounded out by alt-rockers Younger Then. $7 cover with doors at 7pm. Milkie’s also kicks off early at 7pm with sets from synth-pop act Small Smalls, pop-punkers Dead Lounge, bluesy alt rockers White Shade, post-emo outfit Into the Wake, and rounded out by noisey punk act Filthy Gorgeous. $7 cover. DBGB’s is set to have one of the biggest shows of the festival, with Made Violent headlining with support from buzzing newcomers Ugly Sun and a recently subbed Super American. $5 cover with doors[...]

Tonight: Anklepants

October 7, 2016

The music of enigmatic Australian producer Anklepants is a glitchy, unpredictable blend of electro and techno created by the artist coordinating his movements to trigger his sounds via wearable sensors. His live performances have gained notoriety for their element of controlled chaos which surrounds both the visual and sonic nature of these events. The frenetic music comes together as a result of an unparalleled display of technical and artistic prowess that shakes up the prevailing notion of live dance music performance. Tonight Anklepants will bring his wonky electronic set to Mohawk Place for one of the most unique shows of the year that includes a pair of Buffalo’s best experimental electronic talents in Lesionread and UVB76. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are available for $10 presale, $12 at the door.

Tonight: Guerilla Toss

August 19, 2016

Brooklyn-based band Guerrilla Toss has garnered a reputation for their ecstatic, genre-defying live performances. Their visceral, psychedelic take on funk, post-punk, and no wave is a barrage of frenetic instrumentation that centers around eccentric percussion and bass grooves. After moving to New York from Boston and signing with DFA records the now five-piece band released their latest album Eraser Stargazer which incorporates elements of disco and other dance music while preserving their idiosyncratic yet concise sound. Tonight, the band will perform at Buffalo art venue Sugar City at 7pm. Local experimental electronic musician Lesionread will open the show accompanied by his live band. Also opening are Buffalo progressive rock band Luanjie. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door.

Tonight: Herd Fest Day One

June 16, 2016

Tonight is the night. After close to nine months of planning Herd Fest is finally launched. This year we did things different. In the past we subcontracted shows to various scene reps and labels in order to diversify the voices being represented for the festival. This highly collaborative process was fun and confusing so we decided to do things different this year. For our third year, we took the reigns and centrally booked all of the shows. We had bands go through an application process in order to diversify and cater to fans of up-and-coming indie acts, resulting in four days of showcases at seven venues with 67 bands set to perform. We launched our Herd Fest app, where you can go and download and create your own schedule for the next four days. In addition, we have on-site managers for each venue ensuring stage management. Bands will be playing very close[...]

Lesionread – “Listen To Me”

May 31, 2016

Local multi-media artist Lesionread (aka Shawn/Sean Lewis/Louis) seems to be everywhere lately, playing shows with a band, gearing up for his split release with Space Cubs, and most recently, releasing a wonderfully trippy video for “Listen To Me.” The gorgeous kaleidoscopic visuals are cut perfectly in time to the sweetest sounds we’ve gotten this far from Lesionread, so perfect that one can pleasingly anticipate when the soothingly psychedelic visuals will change. Even the LR psycho sound and vision breakdown seems pleasantly mesmerizing in execution for this preternaturally satisfying slab of art. Lesionread has a mixtape release party with Space Cubs coming up at the Mohawk this Friday featuring Mooses, Dogs In Ecstacy, Little Cake and Jack Toft, as well as a headlining spot at the Herd Fest 2016 kickoff June 16th, also at the Mohawk. Check out the clip for “Listen to Me” below. Lesionread – Listen To Me (Official Music Video) from Shawn[...]

Tonight: Kopps

March 4, 2016

Kopps, a four piece electronic dance group from Rochester, have proved themselves to be a potent force within the electro-pop scene. They are yet another Rochester band to break through the regional seal and go national (I like to think of them and Joywave as partners in crime on the road to success). Just recently, their sultry jam “Thermometer” was featured on the Netflix revival of Full House, aptly named Fuller House. How many people can say the gawky but loveable Kimmy Gibler busted a move to one of their original songs? The band has no doubt found their niche and are unbreakably confident in their sound, but at the same time they aren’t totally defined by their genre either. Each and every show, they dish up something fresh, along with infectious beats, sweat and a whole lot of sexiness for good measure. The rest of tonight’s bill is stacked to[...]

Guest Picks: Lesionread

December 28, 2015

For our Best of 2015 coverage, we once again decided to reach out to some friends of the blog to get an idea of what made the year in music so great for them. For the latest installment in the guest series, pop artist Shawn Lewis, aka Lesionread, submitted his year end list. Earlier this year, the musician released Lesionread’s Greatest Hits Vol 1, a career spanning collection which includes remixes from Ay Fast, Jon Bap, Charles Bordeaux, and more. You can stream/download the album here. Make sure to follow all of the blog’s year in review coverage throughout the month of December. ​The year is now over, and so much has happened. Lesionread went on our first full USA 2-month-long tour (see #LESIONREAD_USA2015 for all instatweet videos and phone documentation before I gave up trying to capture all the fun) Listen to Me by Lesionread Anklepants brought his dick nose[...]