Latest Posts

JEWELTONE – Visions of Heaven

December 9, 2024

Buffalo hardcore trio, JEWELTONE, bring the pain with their new EP, Visions of Heaven. Following up their demo release last year, this bruising EP features four new tracks of stripped-down, no-frills hardcore punk that will have you two-stepping and stagediving.   With an endearing band statement of unity and inclusivity, JEWELTONE have spent the last year building a name for themselves in the city’s hardcore scene. At their shows you’ll find a melting pot of all ages and backgrounds pinballing off heavy riffs, punishing drums, and howling vocals.   Consisting of Christian Adams on bass/guitar, Jordan Walker on drums and Neftali on vocals, each member brings their own unique perspective and influences to the project. These influences, acting as their north star, are wide-ranging and far-reaching, especially Nef’s whose roots are firmly planted in Buffalo’s hip-hop community.   Their spotlighted single “IDFWY,” puts all these influences in a blender for[...]

Black & White Cat / Black & White Cake – S/T

December 2, 2024

Throw on a leather jacket and mirror shades and let Buffalo deathrockers Black & White Cat / Black & White Cake be the soundtrack for your cemetery dance party with their debut self-titled album.   Inspired by the 1977 horror flick, The Sentinel, and formed six years ago by vocalist Dan Oh and guitarist John Toohill, this gothic five-piece delivers lo-fi melodic post-punk that’s cloaked in darkness and apathy. Rounding out the group and helping to bring their sound back from the dead are guitarist Dave Ward, bassist Paul Morin and synthesist Kelly Morduant.   Opening up this brooding collection of songs is the track “Useless” that encapsulates B&W Cat / B&W Cake’s macabre spirit. Oh’s cold, near-death vocals play perfectly against Toohill and Ward’s warm-blooded guitars; perfectly reflecting of the duality of life and death. It’s a great and catchy introduction to the band and their brand of punchy[...]

The Manx – “Weird Girl Stuff”

November 6, 2019

Get weird with LA-based art punks, The Manx, as they debut the visuals for their spastic new single, “Weird Girl Stuff.” Off their latest LP, Malibu Slime, this unique quintet shows off their sweet side with a romping beat that twists, turns and shivers with electro blasts and jolly vocals. Taking it to another level are director, Jennifer Ruiz, and animator, Amy Q. Huang, who punctuate the track with vibrant visuals and awesome animations that will charm your socks clean off. Do yourself a favor and give this wonderfully oddball video a watch below. For more of The Manx, check out their Spotify here and Facebook here.

Tonight: koko.neetz

October 9, 2019

Allen Street is hosting an intimate night of up-and-coming Buffalo-based singer/songwriters in the front room tonight. Sharing the floor will be koko.neetz, Andrew Kothen of dreambeaches’ intricate solo works. This will be a preview of koko.neetz’ upcoming album release, due out next month. Also on the bill will be soulful acoustic act Yali, the brainchild of Humble Braggers guitarist, Bryan Zellz. Rounding out the lineup is Derick Evans, a fresh face to the local alt-Americana/indie scene. Doors are at 8:30pm and there is a $5 cover. Stay long enough to wish Kothen a happy birthday. Written by Matt Burgerhoff

Tonight: Red Devil Ryders

September 21, 2019

Get your thrills tonight on Main Street in Buffalo as the Hostel hosts an awesome lineup. Taking the stage and on the lam are Cleveland’s outlaw lo-fi power pop act, Red Devil Ryders. This trio will charm you with a catchy Southern throwback sound that will make you feel like an easy rider cruising into the sunset. Expect a stellar set filled with tangy BBQ riffs, piston-firing drums and free bird vocals. Check them out and get your engine revved. Sharing the bill and fresh off their latest tour are hometown punk rockers, Alpha Hoppers. Chaos will surely reign when these four hit the stage. Expect boisterous, experimental punk beats and in-your-face, wild-woman vocals that amount to some of the most righteous jams on the scene today. Show up and give them a warm welcome home. Rounding out the night is the Buffalo emo post-punk four-piece, Speed Dial. Doors at[...]

Tonight: Leggy

August 23, 2019

Get your kicks tonight at the 9th Ward in Buffalo who host buzzworthy Cincinnati garage rockers, Leggy. If you’re not in the know, Leggy released their new album, Let Me Know Your Moon, which features fantastically ragtag, punk-flavored garage rock. Dual vocalists, Veronique Allaer and Kirsten Bladh, who also double-up on guitar and bass, sing their hearts out over relationship woes while weaving no-nonsense riffs that will give you an adrenaline rush. Tying everything together with calamitous drumbeats is Chris Campbell behind the kit. With a song for every flavor of punk, don’t miss this irresistible trio who are sure to put on a great performance. Sharing the stage are hometown favorites, Velvet Bethany. A band that needs no introduction, this four-piece is still riding high off their latest album, Rock & Roll Vacation!, which saw them put out their best material to date. Prepare for an electrifying performance filled with[...]

Tonight: Alpha Hopper

August 14, 2019

Stage dive into a mid-week treat tonight at Buffalo’s Mohawk Place for a killer punk rock show. Headlining are the noisy punk rockers, Alpha Hopper. This hometown four-piece will inject their experimental, power chord-heavy sound straight into your brain and leave you bouncing off the walls and the people around you. Their riffs are catchy and crunchy and their vocals are abrasive and female, it’s the perfect recipe for a good time. Expect old frenetic favorites and new sublime stuff off their recently released album, Aloha Hopper. Also performing is the Washington, DC rock and roll hardcore adrenaline rush, CDR (Crude Death Rate). If you’re having a bad week and hate your job, this set will be the perfect release to kick you over the hump. Fresh off their explosive new EP, Kill Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow, CDR pumps out pissed off hardcore that’s sure to get[...]

Tonight: Candy Ambulance

August 11, 2019

Must-see Troy, NY grunge rockers, Candy Ambulance, make their much-anticipated return to Buffalo tonight for a party hosted by Milkie’s on Elmwood. Candy Ambulance has a well-earned reputation for putting on a killer set you don’t want to miss. This badass and charismatic tripod, composed of singer and guitarist Caitlin Barker, bassist Jesse Bolduc, and drummer Jon Cantiello, is fueled by pure passion and alcohol. Barker lets her booze-soaked vocals stumble everywhere from a soft sincerity to a snotty snarl. Laid underneath are live-wire riffs and catchy drumbeats layered by Bolduc and Cantiello that will get your BAC pumping. Catch them while you can for a blackout good time. Also taking the stage is local raw indiemo act, Passed Out. Sing and dance your feelings out to their irresistible records filled with life and heartache. Perfect for the recently dumped; Passed Out are sure to put on an awesome set[...]

14 Trapdoors Comes Through with New Single “Ghosts”

July 24, 2019

Buffalo’s own 14 Trapdoors comes through with their hyped-up new hip-hop single, “Ghosts.” This three-headed crew is comprised of emcees, Bendyface, WZA and Short Moscato, who skate on a banging squeegee trap beat like big baller figure skaters. If the production doesn’t catch your ear, their slick and dizzying flows and raps will. Bump this fresh listen below and keep your eyes on 14 Trapdoors via their SoundCloud here.

Tonight: Heart Bones

July 16, 2019

The 9th Ward at Babeville in Buffalo hosts a special mid-week treat tonight with the eccentric indie-pop duo, Heart Bones, taking the stage. After meeting on tour in recent years, fearless singer-songwriters, Sean Tillman (aka Har Mar Superstar) and Sabrina Ellis (A Giant Dog, Sweet Spirit), joined forces to compose irresistible love songs with a dangerous edge. This modern-day Sonny & Cher share a love for the theatrics that shines through in their performances as they sing their hearts out over colorfully catchy beats sweetened with moody synth melodies. Bring a pillow because you’re going to fall hard for these two tonight. Doors at 7pm, music at 8pm. Tickets are $15; get them here.

Tonight: Crimps

July 14, 2019

Buffalo’s Mohawk Place is going to rock your socks off tonight with the help of local and out-of-state punk rockers. Headlining are the Salem, Mass synth-punkers, Crimps. This four-piece, who kicked off 2019 with the release of a split with Automatic Shoes, specialize in catchy, no-nonsense punk beats sugarcoated with bright-eyed, bushy-tailed synths. Take that and mix in some lo-fi, sing-a-long harmonies and you’ll be crowd surfing and stage diving in no time. Don’t miss this welcomed breath of fresh air tear it up while you can. Opening tonight are new punks on the block, Piss Phantom. There’s something special, but certainly not pretty, about this Buffalo band and their down-and-dirty, DIY sound that will take you by storm. Expect to hear ear-bleeding material off their just-released EP, Piss Takes Two, that’s a one-two knockout punch of raw guitar riffs and stark-raving-mad vocals. Check them out and tinnitus be damned.[...]

Death Bells – “Around the Bend”

July 3, 2019

Aussie-born, LA-based duo, Death Bells, flex their post-punk muscles in the video for their new single, “Around the Bend.” The song reflects on feelings of stagnation founding band members William Canning and Remy Veselis had when they decided to pack it up and move to Los Angeles for new opportunities. The track is packed with a driving drumbeat, thoughtful chords and a chorus that will echo in your ears for days. If you need a change in your life, watch the visuals below and let “Around the Bend” be your sonic catalyst.

Cannons – “Talk Talk”

July 3, 2019

Electro-pop trio, Cannons, release the iridescent new video for their single, “Talk Talk.” This sultry number is lead by dreamy vocalist, Michelle Joy, over a catchy and fizzy beat courtesy of guitarist, Ryan Clapman, and drummer-keyboardist-bassist, Paul Davis, that will tickle your ears. It’s a fantastic mix of 70’s grooves and 80’s electro-funk unique to this LA-based act. Check it out and boogie down below. For more Cannons, check out their SoundCloud here and be on the lookout for their new LP, Shadows, out July 12th.

Rees Finley – “I Belong Beside You”

July 3, 2019

Get ready for some melodic alt-rock goodness with “I Belong Beside You,” the new single from Columbus, Ohio singer-songwriter, Rees Finley. This track will hold you from start to finish with a sunny melody intertwined with killer riffs, dancy drums and Finley’s electric vocals. It’s the first single off the promising crooner’s new album, A Tale Told by an Idiot, and boy is it a good one. Hear it for yourself below. For more Rees Finley and to stream A Tale Told by an Idiot, visit his official site and Spotify here.

They Owe Us – “Don’t Think About Me”

July 2, 2019

Swedish indie-pop duo, They Owe Us, schools us in the visuals for their hypnotic new dance single, “Don’t Think About Me.” Off their debut album, Broken English & Sad Serenades, duel singers, Rane and Kris, borrow from their own experiences as grade school outcasts to set the visual backdrop. They surround their scintillating vocals with bassy percussions and featherweight flutes for a track you’ve got to hear. Watch the video below. Broken English & Sad Serenades is out now. Check it out on the group’s official site here or Spotify here.