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M.A.G.S. at Nietzsche’s (12/22/18)

December 27, 2018

Elliott Douglas, the multi-talented musical force behind M.A.G.S. came home for the holidays for a headlining slot at Buffalo’s Nietzsche’s on December 22nd. Having recently relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his artistic muse, this rare opportunity for M.A.G.S. to play the Queen City was met with a rapturous response, as friends, peers, and fans came out of the woodwork in support of Douglas. A gifted singer-songwriter and a serious multi-instrumentalist, Douglas was joined by his brother Christian on bass and Deadwolf’s Tyler Mendola on drums for a raucous evening of impactful indie-punk classics, including a selection of brand-new songs. Supporting acts that evening included Feverbox, playing in support of their new Political Theater EP, Rochester’s The Demos, keeping the spirit of The Strokes alive and well, and powder-keg punks SMUG, setting the stage for a night of playful mayhem. SMUG The Demos Feverbox M.A.G.S.

Tonight: M.A.G.S.

December 22, 2018

Nietzsche’s is where it’s at tonight when it hosts an exceptional lineup featuring a home for the holidays performance from former Buffalo  but now Los Angeles based guitar hero and  blog favorite M.A.G.S., aka Elliott Douglas. Always hard to pin down when he was kicking around the city, M.A.G.S. hit listeners with surf punk, soul, and emo rock all, frequently at the same time, with a crack band including Deadwolf’s Tyler Mendola on drums backing up his soaring musical ambitions that’s also reconvening for the evening. Opening the show will be the wonderful fellas of Feverbox also home for the holiday weekend and fresh off the release of their righteous Political Theater EP, the always excellent power pop of The Demos, in town from Rochester with tunes from their fine If You Only Knew EP, and high flying local punks SMUG. Doors are at 9pm and tickets are $10.

Tonight: This Day & Age

December 23, 2017

In the early to mid 2000s, Tonawanda act This Day & Age were hometown heroes. After inking a record deal with One Eleven records, they released two beloved albums, 2004’s Always Leave The Ground and 2006’s The Bell and the Hammer. Between that time, TD&A evolved from a light-hearted, emo-pop band to a nuanced and jazzy quintet, lush with electric piano and complex arrangements. After a 10+ year absence, they are finally reuniting tonight at the Town Ballroom for a long-overdue revisit to those two albums. Opening up the show are fellow 2006-ers Common Kings, as well as americana-rockers The Eaves and indie-rock mainstay MAGS. Tickets are $20 presale and $25 at the door. Doors are at 6pm, music starts at 7pm.

Tonight: Hundred Plus Club

November 25, 2017

Head down to Allen tonight for a nice little gig celebrating the release of Hundred Plus Club’s new EP.  Their new 6 song EP, titled Everybody’s Friend, just dropped on Admirable Traits Records, and will be bringing their live set to Nietzsche’s tonight with the help of some nice locals and one touring act.  Newly formed local pop punk act Mason Jar will be kicking things off, followed by Little Image, and indie act all the way from Dallas, TX.  Hundred Plus Club will play some tracks off of their new EP, and then Buffalo’s own raucous rock trio, MAGS, will close things out. Doors open for the show at Nietzsche’s at 9PM, and with a cover of only $5, you can’t go wrong.  Beware though, the show is strictly 21+.

M.A.G.S. – S/T

September 25, 2017

Our city’s been waiting on this one for a while now. We now have a full-length from M.A.G.S. I repeat: a full length from M.A.G.S. It’s been two and a half years since the band’s debut EP Cellophane made waves in the local scene and beyond, solidifying frontman Elliott Douglas’ status as the posterchild of local indie rock. Between then and now, M.A.G.S. has played a truckload of shows, landed licensing deals, and amassed a sizeable following on social media. Now with their self-titled debut album under their belts, there’s not much that can stop the M.A.G.S. train. Album opener “Real Talk” is a fast and furious blast of garage rock with an energy level to parallel “My Love,” one of the best tracks off of Cellophane (and most popular songs to date). Not surprisingly, “My Love” has been re-recorded and included on the full-length. M.A.G.S. seems to be in[...]

M.A.G.S. & The Slums at Mohawk Place (9/8/17)

September 12, 2017

Two of Buffalo’s biggest local bands—righteous indie-punks M.A.G.S. and hardcore heavyweights The Slums—celebrated the release of their new, highly-anticipated albums with a stunning double release show at Mohawk Place on September 8th. MAGS’ self-titled debut for Admirable Traits Records showcases Elliott Douglas’ knack for razor-sharp riffs and hooks that deliver like a knockout punch. Likewise, The Slums’ latest EP, Bloodsucker, refines their signature amalgam of knotty math-rock riffs, driving rhythms, and Steven Floyd’s caustic howl. Having rigorously road-tested their new material for months, M.A.G.S. and The Slums blew the roof off Mohawk Place with unrivaled abandon. Joining them that evening were local synth-pop heroes (and M.A.G.S.’ labelmates) Humble Braggers, and the Albany-based “dreamo” quartet Jouska, making their return to Buffalo since their Dreamland show this past February. Humble Braggers Jouska The Slums M.A.G.S.

Tonight: MAGS and The Slums Double Release Show

September 8, 2017

You might want to clear up your schedule and head down to Mohawk Place tonight.  Two great local acts, MAGS and the Slums, are both dropping new projects today, and are having one big party to celebrate.  MAGS are dropping their first full length on Admitrable Traits Records, titled M.A.G.S., and the Slums are putting out their final(??) EP, titled Bloodsucker. If I were you, I’d show up early because this one will probably be packed. Buffalo’s own Humble Braggers will be kicking things off, and Albany’s Jouska will also be returning to Buffalo to perform. Doors open at the Mohawk at 8PM, and it is $12 at the door.  Admission comes with one free MAGS CD, and the first 50 people though the door get a free “mystery swag bag” via The Slums. Photo by Brendan O’Connor

Tonight: Kopps

April 29, 2017

Rochester electro-pop outfit Kopps return to Buffalo after a near yearlong absence from playing New York’s Queen City. The band has remained very active over the past year, playing a slew of dates with Joywave and pumping out four new singles (one of which we will be featuring later in the week). As usual, expect Kopps’ live performance to be tight, complete with synched dance moves and smooth transitions, making the band ‘s vibe come across extremely professional. Kopps’ slot should be the icing on the cake for a stacked bill. Also set to perform are synth act fresh off the release of their new album, Humble Braggers, recently-out-of-hibernation indie rockers M.A.G.S., and cloud pop outfit Mutual Friends. Doors are at 9pm with a $6 cover.

Tonight: Rock A Mile In Her Shoes

April 5, 2017

Tonight one of the best fundraisers in Buffalo returns as Babeville once again hosts the 3rd Annual Rock A Mile In Her Shoes show featuring The Slums, Morbs, Erica Wolfing, Del Paxton, and M.A.G.S.. The show benefits the Crisis Services Advocate Program which provides 24/7 support to victims of domestic and sexual abuse while working to reduce violence and to make our community a safer place. This year’s show brings together local heavyhitters The Slums, Del Paxton and Morbs with ethereal chanteuse Erica Wolfing and indie pop act M.A.G.S. for a night of crushing riffs, solidarity, love, respect, and fellas rocking in high heels (fellas in the audience who want to rock some heels in solidarity are encouraged to do so if the spirit moves them). Tickets are $10, doors are at 7pm with fun set for 8pm..

KIN Release Video For “Try”

March 24, 2017

KIN, the infinitely charming side project from Eliot Douglas (M.A.G.S.) featuring himself and his lovely wife Julia Douglas, released the video for their debut single “Try,” and it is absolutely wonderful. A sweet ode to married indie rock domesticity, the joys of shopping at Home Depot, Brian Wilson’s mythic living room, and the quest for summer fun during a WNY winter, this clip is utterly irresistible. Director Corey James Harris truly makes this video seem naturally effortless, summoning a level of breezy, whimsical artifice reminiscent of The Flaming Lips, another band that does a lot of work in these here parts. Check it out, feel warm and fuzzy, and keep an eye out for more from KIN.

M.A.G.S. Debuts New Side Project, KIN

February 2, 2017

Elliot (M.A.G.S.) Douglas is back with a rather exciting new project that’s been something very much missing from the Buffalo music scene up until now. Over the last decade indie music has seen an entire sub genre rise up of boy/girl bands: Beach House, Purity Ring, Sleigh Bells, Civil Wars (defunct), Best Coast, Phantogram, etc etc… a genre noticeably absent from these parts until KIN. Composed of Douglas and his wife Julia Douglas, KIN goes one better and gives us the husband/wife duo (ala Tennis or The Carpenters) we’ve been waiting for, kicking TV On The Radio styled surf rock jams that feel good in all the right ways. Check out KIN below and stay tuned for more from Mr. and Mrs. Douglas.

Tonight: Candy Ambulance

November 22, 2016

Well, you made it through Monday.  What better way to celebrate than with a super stacked Tuesday night gig?  Grunge-y alt rock act Candy Ambulance from Saratoga Springs will be making the trek to Dreamland in Buffalo tonight, playing along side some key Buffalo acts.  Tight indie-emo band,Passed Out, will be kicking the show off, with raucous rock act, M.A.G.S., and  new Buffalo slowcore act Honey Coma closing out. The Facebook event has no price for the show listed, but bring at least 5 bucks for the touring band to be safe.  Things are set to kick off at 8pm and will be over by 11pm.

Tonight: Mallwalkers

October 29, 2016

The expression “family friendly” and punk rock don’t generally go together but they might tonight when Mallwalkers celebrate the release of Dial ‘M’ For at Sugar City with special guests for an all ages show that also happens to be free. With doors opening at 6pm and music at 7pm (sharp) you can pack up the whole crew and see what’s going on at Sugar City while thrilling to the punk shenanigans of the 9 member local gang known as Mallwalkers; who will be joined by sharp indie rocker M.A.G.S., punk rock warriors Gun Candy and Trinkit, twee pop minimalists Welk’s Mice, and Pat Kewley, who will be doing stuff. Because it’s an all ages space Sugar City is a drug and alcohol free space, so please, do all that at home. There might be some punk rock loving families present!

Tonight: The Naturalists

August 12, 2016

The Naturalists have one of the most distinct sounds out there. In the ten or so months since their 6-song EP release, Home Honey, I’m Hi, the band hasn’t slept on expanding and improving that sound, especially with the addition of a second guitarist (Jimmy Dimartino) and two shiny new singles released earlier today. “Wicked Dreams” and “Grown Up” are undoubtedly branded with The Naturalists’ familiar throwback-grunge  sound. Both tracks are as rambunctious as ever, yet totally refined in tone and melody. Not to mention, the new material is just downright fun to listen to. It’s hard to argue with something so amiable. On “Grown Up” vocalist Craig Perno sings about subject matter most of us can relate to — the innate fears and confusions of growing older (grow up and hold back / no sleep ’til we’re dead / making sense of dreaming dementia / make me a witness,[...]

Tonight: Jeff the Brotherhood

May 7, 2016

Tonight, one of indie rock’s most celebrated “it” bands will be gracing the stage at the Waiting Room (Studio). Jeff the Brotherhood has been a consistent highlight of the scene for the past few years. Their assorted mix of sounds, ranging from punk to garage rock to psychedelic heavy-fuzz crunch, has made them a constant talked about band, especially since they’ve split releases with other great bands such as Best Coast and Ty Segall. The duo will be sharing the stage tonight with another celebrated “live act” (one of many bloggers favorites for best live shows), Diarrhea Planet. Don’t let the name dissuade you. Diarrhea Planet write some of the catchiest songs in the pop/punk/garage realm and kill audiences consistently with their all-out assault. Openers tonight include Buffalo’s own MAGS and Deadwolf. Get there at 7 to check out all the bands ($17).