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Tonight: This Will Destroy You

October 29, 2014

The Tralf, of all places, has been the host to some pretty great post-rock shows over the last few years. From Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai (maybe the loudest show I have ever attended) to the brain crushing Swans shows this year and last, the Main Street venue is becoming one of the go-to spots for deafening, slow building, and you guessed it, epic instrumentals. The tradition continues this evening with San Marcos, TX outfit, This Will Destroy You. The band name itself is quite the threat to audience members’ ear drums. Since forming in 2005, the band has released a steady output of material with its most recent being this summer’s Another Language. Check out the album’s first devastating single, “Dustism,” below before heading down tonight. Doors open this evening at 7pm. Tickets are available at the door for $15. Furture Death and Silent Land Time Machine will[...]

Skirts Debut First Single From Semesters EP

October 28, 2014

Rochester garage-pop act, Skirts (formerly the dorm room outfit Meanagers), dropped the first single from its forthcoming EP, Semesters (Dadstache Records), early this afternoon. Led by a bouncy surf rock lick, “Pink Hair” features a peppy, playful melody and bursting guy/girl vocals from Hayden Ford and Brianna Battista. The single and new EP are follow ups to the great, basement session filmed by Genesee Live this past summer, which you can view here. Listen to “Pink Hair” below and keep an eye out for Semesters later this fall.

Spooky Stephen Drops “Boom Room” Session Mix

October 28, 2014

If you happened to be one of the many who attended our sold out Hamlin House Halloween Party this past weekend, you may have caught Spooky Stephen, one half of Buffalo party DJ duo, Spooky Business, keeping the party lively in between Soul Patch sets. The always busy DJ recently released a new mix cut at DJ Flo’s “Boom Room” studio in Brooklyn late last week, in addition to a fresh mashup on his SoundCloud page. With another round of Halloween parties going down this coming weekend, make sure to add Stephen’s mix to the docket of spooky soundtracks. Listen to the mix below, and catch Spooky Stephen on Saturday, November 1st at Epic along with Josh Yourmoms and MAXY NY.

Just Announced: Sam Roberts Band

October 27, 2014

Proof that Buffalo’s love of Canadian acts will never die, Montreal power pop outfit, Sam Roberts Band, is set top hold a two night stand at the Town Ballroom early next year on Friday, February 6th and Saturday, February 7th. Over the years, the band has played various Buffalo stomps, from Canalside to an in-store appearance at the dearly departed New World Records. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, October 31st, for $22 in advance, $25 day of. If you wish to hit up both nights, discount ticket packages will also be available for $32.

Anthony Del Plato Covers Stepfriends’ “Strangers, Friends, and Pictures”

October 27, 2014

Batavia musician and blog all-star, Anthony Del Plato, has long been teasing his forthcoming local covers album. This weekend, he released the first track that could be a part of the project, a cover of “Strangers, Friends, and Pictures” from emo revisionists, Stepfriends. The original has been floating around bandcamp for a few months now, and was formally released this past Tuesday as part of Stepfriends’ debut album, All We’ve Got. Del Plato delivers a lush and gripping interpretation, departing from the bursting pep of Stepfriends’ initial take. Listen to the original over at Stepfriends’ bandcamp page, and check out Del Plato’s cover below.

Damian Preps Remix Album, Releases Re-Worked “They Fill The Space They Believe In”

October 27, 2014

Earlier this year, local mumblecore artist, Damian Weber, released one of our favorite local releases in You Don’t Need It, which, as the year starts to near its completion, has the staff over at the blog already arguing over which track should make our year end, best of list. I personally am pulling for the title track… Regardless, over the past weekend, Weber released a re-working of one of the album’s many standout songs, “They Fill The Space They Believe In.” The song is the first leaked track of a complete remix album he plans to release soon, titled You Don’t Need Shit. The new take is layered with nervy guitar picking and warm, subtle keys, adding a dreamy quality to the already celestial slow-burning rocker. Listen to the original take on “They Fill The Space They Believe In” over at Damian’s bandcamp page, and check out the remixed version below.

The Tins Release NSFW Video For “Let It Go”

October 23, 2014

Does a 4-song EP need a video for every song? Maybe not, but at least the Tins are making them interesting. From Freddie Mercury impersonators to violence on watermelons, the three-piece indie duo has been getting some major burn out of its latest release, Young Blame EP. The latest video comes from a pretty unlikely partnership in local motion picture artist, Malt Disney. The abstract visionary, who normally works with acts like Jact Toft and Dr. Ooo, took the reigns on the video for “Let It Go,” setting the single to sexy, topless shark girls walking around Outer Harbor/First Ward area, in addition to a lot of other really odd stuff. Regardless, its a fresh vision for the band, and anything Malt Disney gets his hands on is worth a peak. The video is NSFW so maybe wait a couple hours and watch the clip for “Let It Go” when you are safe at[...]

Andy Pothier Releases New Track, “Signs”

October 23, 2014

Earlier this week, local folk troubadour, Andy Pothier, released the first single from this forthcoming, untitled album. The bare boned “Signs” is another lovely number from the Pine Fever drummer, sounding like hushed Conor Oberst or weary, stripped down Hiss Golden Messenger. Keep an eye out for future tracks from Pothier’s new album, and in the mean time, listen to “Signs” below.

Just Announced: buffaBLOG Rochester Showcase

October 22, 2014

After four years of throwing parties in various Buffalo venues, we were itching to branch out a bit and get out of town. So with the help of Rochester promoter/talent buyer/musician, Tim Avery, we are happy to announce our first show in the 585 at the Bug Jar this November. If you haven’t been to the venue, its kind of like Rochester’s Mohawk Place, hosting shows of some of the city’s best acts like Joywave, the Demos, and Kopps, while bringing in some fantastic touring bands. For our Rochester showcase, we reached out to some of our favorite Roch acts to help us out. Bug Jar regulars Harmonica Lewinski, Buffalo Sex Change, and the Absolutes (making their triumphant return) will cover the local talent for the evening. In addition, we couldn’t do a show without having Buffalo represented, so we are bringing our friends from Mallwalkers with to round out the night.[...]

Just Announced: Dr. Dog

October 21, 2014

Dr. Dog never really did much for me. All of the elements were there: rollicking indie-folk rock, dual harmonies, just the right combination of psych, pop, and twang. But for some reason, I couldn’t get into them. Then a few friends dragged me to their early 2014 show, and I have to say I left a fan. The show was a blast and I was eagerly looking forward to catching them again. Luckily for me, and the rest of the bursting Town Ballroom crowd, the Philly band will return to Town Ballroom on Wednesday, January 21st as part of its Flamingo Hotel Tour. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, October 24th, at noon for $20 in advance, $23 day of.

Hawker M. James Premieres Glammy New Single, “Some Attention”

October 20, 2014

Hawker M. James, the moniker of Rochester every-man Mike James (Longwave, Demos, Admirers), had his latest single debut this afternoon on Wondering Sound. Produced by electronic musician Joel Ford (Tigercity, Ford & Lopatin), “Some Attention” sees James getting his best Mark Bolan on as the track is full of glam rock chords and in your face synths. The song is set to be included on James’ forthcoming new album (title and release date are unannounced), so in the mean time, rock out to “Some Attention” below and keep an eye out for future Hawker news.

Secret Pizza Releases New Song From Shark Tank Recording Session

October 20, 2014

Over the weekend, one of our favorite 585 acts, driving post-rockers Secret Pizza, released a new track as part of a (mostly) Rochester based compilation, The Shark Tank Sessions, from Brass Palace Recordings. The seven track collection features tracks cut from 4-hour recording sessions, many taking place in the living room and kitchen of Rochester’s Shark Tank. Secret Pizza’s contribution to the compilation, “Not About a Lover,” features drummer Giana Caliolo taking lead on the slow burner, guiding the sprawling introduction into a raucous, shoe-gaze jam. The full collection of recordings from the Shark Tank Sessions can be heard here. In the mean time, listen to “Not About a Lover” below.

Studio at the Waiting Room Open for Business

October 17, 2014

If the spacious Waiting Room isn’t intimate enough for you, then maybe you should head upstairs to the newly opened Studio at the Waiting Room. With a cap at around 250 people, the new venue has been quietly hosting shows over the past couple weeks in addition to debuting some weekly features, including Live Band Karaoke on Wednesdays playing your favorite emo tearjerkers, an Alternative Buffalo 107.7 indie/electro dance party every Friday, and live music on Thursday nights. In the near future, you can catch acts like Laura Stevenson, Dads, PUP, and the release show for Bryan Johnson & Family all at the Studio. The Studio at the Waiting Room will celebrate its grand opening this Wednesday, October 22nd, beginning at 6pm.

Tonight: On The Cob

October 16, 2014

I recently read this piece in UB’s Spectrum about “Why Buffalo Rocks.” While Mohawk Place is not a 30-40 min drive from the South Campus, the writer did do a great job of introducing new students to the variety of venues that the city has to offer, giving prospective local music seekers a bit of a check list when it comes to venturing out looking for new music. And tonight’s show at the Mohawk is one of those nights where if you are new to Buffalo’s eclectic scene, then this would be a great way to catch up. Steak & Cake’s mini festival, titled On The Cob, is a long and ambitious bill covering genres from fuzz to punk to garage to even toe-tapping slacker rock out of Akron. Some of the venue’s old guard (Johnny Nobody, Shane Sweeney) will be on hand, playing along side some acts that may[...]

New Look High Drags Release Latest Single, “Red White and Blue”

October 14, 2014

Our favorite (former)bi-coastal, brother/sister duo, High Drags, have reemerged this afternoon with their latest single, “Red White and Blue.” Marissa and James Longstreet, High Drags’ founding pair, have recently fleshed out to a five piece and permanently left their Western, NY hometown for the big city lights of Los Angeles. The first single from the new look High Drags is 6+ mins of smooth and sultry synth-pop that recalls Polica and Banks. Listen to “Red White and Blue” below.