Latest Posts

Top 20 Rochester Tracks: 10-1

December 10, 2015

It’s that time of the year again where we rack our brain, scan our playlists, and check all of our posts for all of the songs that we’ve covered from the 585 from the past year. It seems like just yesterday we were jamming out to Kitty Snowpants and discussing when JOYWAVE was going to break (spoiler: they did). This is our fourth year of tracking our favorite songs of the year out of Rochester. Now, I am sure there are amazing songs that we’ve brushed over or haven’t even heard coming out of the city. This list is subjective obviously, this is a blog. Regardless, I think Rochester’s scene this year has been the strongest it has been ever, pumping out consistent jams which is giving Buffalo a run for its money. On Tuesday, we posted our first half (20-11) of our favorite tunes. Here are our top ten songs[...]

Just Announced: The Mountain Goats

December 8, 2015

At this point last week, we were a little worried about our event calendar going into 2016. It was looking pretty sparse heading into the new year with less than ten events  on our radar. This is rapidly changing this week with the announcements of some real heavy hitters – Mac Sabbath, Bruce Springsteen, Deer Tick, and now hyper-literate indie folk veterans, The Mountain Goats. On Wednesday, April 6th, the trio is set to perform at Asbury Hall with 7pm doors. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am on TicketWeb.

Just Announced: Deer Tick

December 7, 2015

Minutes ago, The Tralf announced that on Saturday, March 19th, Providence-based rollicking alt-country act, Deer Tick, will be headlining a stripped down show in continued support of their latest album, Negativity. This will be more of a minimalist show (acoustic) so keep that in mind. We suggest grabbing a table quick. Tickets go on sale Friday via TicketMaster and are $20 presale.

High Drags Side Project, SLUGS, Release New Single

December 4, 2015

SLUGS are a fairly new project for long-time collaborators (and siblings) Marissa and James Longstreet. We have covered the pair in the past under their high-energy electro-pop moniker High Drags. With roots in Rochester, SLUGS is now Los Angeles-based, and probably as opposite of High Drags’ vibes as it can get. The new project’s sound drawing comparisons to Courtney Barnett, Angel Olsen, or Deer Tick. “Anything’s Impossible” is desert-y rock and roll tune, with some 90’s grunge tinge. Check it out below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/233472120″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: Dreamers

December 2, 2015

Tonight, The Studio at Waiting Room plays host to touring Brooklyn-based band, Dreamers, as part of their nationwide tour in support of their forthcoming album set to be released in 2016. The band’s name might ring a bell as they were in town last September in support of Atlas Genius. If you weren’t at the show (or late), then expect Dreamers’ sound to be a mix between poppy garage-rock, surfy hooks, and gritty 70’s retro vibes. Fans of The 1975, Broncho, or even Muse would be into Dreamers. Also on the bill are locals Darling Harbor, Daniel Robinson, and No Vacancy. Doors open at 6pm with a $10 cover. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/233365889″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Chad Valley – “Arms Away”

November 30, 2015

Electro-pop UK-based artist, Chad Valley (aka Hugo Manuel), released his latest single and accompanying music video last week while we were scaling back for the holidays. Valley’s latest single, “Arms Away,” off of his sophomore album, Entirely New Blue, is synth-pop at it’s purest, combining youthful perception with growing-up sensuality. As poppy as “Arms Away” is, the subject matter is fairly sullen – the follow-up to a long term relationship that is no more. The video, directed by Lauren Sieczkowski (who also has directed TVOTR, and Vampire Weekend videos in the past) features dream-like interpretative dancing from Brooklyn’s Indelible Dance Company along with a sullen Valley talking to a past self, transforming back to the present. Fans of Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaur, Frankmusik, or Evan Voytas would dig Chad Valley. Check it out below.

Tonight: Lazlo Hollyfeld & Friends do Talking Heads

November 25, 2015

After dropping a crowd stirring performance at the Night Lights Festival this past September, long time experimental rockers Lazlo Hollyfeld (& Friends) will once again tackle their reoccurring tribute series to the Talking Heads this evening at McGarret’s. Since its debut at Pearl Street’s New Years Eve covers party in 2009, the tribute show has seen many different variations at venues and events all over town. Playing the part of the always revolving “Friends” role this evening will be Dave Calos (Bearhunter, Applennium), Chris Groves (Fourem, Applennium), both of whom joined Lazlo at Night Lights for the performance, and Ryan Campbell, currently drumming in Lazlo lead guitarist’s Sonny Baker’s fleshed out solo project. Music kicks off at 10pm and will go long into the night as the band plans two long sets. Cover will be $5 at the door.

Just Announced: buffaBLOG Holiday Party

November 23, 2015

Throughout our close to six year existence, we’ve had multiple staple events – our birthday party, Halloween Party, Herd Fest, and of course our year-end Holiday Party, with this year being no different. Join us on Saturday, December 19th at Duke’s to drink, be merry, and catch a killer lineup. This year, we are having soaring synth pop three piece, Humble Braggers, Rochester’s raucous grunge rockers, Secret Pizza, Buffalo’s resident bar band, Sixties Future, and hip-hop supergroup, Good Huemans, along with the sweet deejay’d sounds of GLDN GRLS pulling the night all together. 9pm doors with a $5 cover.

Tonight: See Through Dresses

November 13, 2015

Omaha’s See Through Dresses is garnering quite a name for themselves between their growing presence on the blogosphere and ability to pack basement shows to the support beams. If their name sounds familiar, you might have caught them on their pivotal opening spot for the sold-out Cursive show last March Signed to Tiny Engines, the quartet is on a nationwide tour in support of the band’s latest album, End of Days. See Through Dresses is a mix between dreamy indie rock and vulnerable shoegaze (a la Bob Mould), depending on if Mathew Carroll or Sara Bertuldo is singing. The group will be making a stop in Buffalo tonight at Mohawk Place with a pretty light bill (considering For The Music Productions is promoting it) featuring Orations, Area Niftyone, Jennifer Karlis, and Improbable Cause. Put $8 in your pocket before you leave the house. Music begins at 8pm.

Just Announced: Andrew W.K.

November 12, 2015

If you are looking to party this holiday season, then look no further to…Broadway Joe’s? Yes, everyone’s favorite University Heights haunt will be hosting cult leader / party legend, Andrew W.K. In a freshly  announced event this afternoon, the rock and roller announced he will be making a solo stop in Western New York on Tuesday, December 7th. If you’ve seen Andrew W.K. in the past as a full-band, his solo shows are still a party, just with only one person on the stage. This will be W.K.’s  the 8th annual Christmas show and since he is immortal, maybe it will be the first of many. Tickets are available at Ticket Fly for $25 and you should probably get them soon. We predict a sellout.

Tonight: Damian

November 2, 2015

Mondays are usually fairly sleepy in Buffalo, so many local singer-songwriters head on down to Nietzsche’s in order to try new material, collaborate with other musicians, or grab a fairly-priced PBR. However, this week at Nietzsche’s is a little different from the rest. This week is the debut and farewell performance of mumbly introspective local songwriter, Damian. We’ve covered a lot of Damian’s solo work and various group efforts over the past five plus years. His album, You Don’t Need It, has over 100 plays on our office computer, and we even dubbed his song “I My Own,” as the best song out of Buffalo in 2014. I guess tonight will be Damian’s Buffalo-residency swan song. It’s no doubt that he will be back, playing intimate semi-frazzled and endearing performances, it will just take a bit. Come to Nietzsche’s starting at 8pm to catch one of Buffalo’s best songwriters. Free dollars.

Tonight: Windhand

October 22, 2015

It’s gonna get heavy tonight at the Studio at the Waiting Room with Richmond-based psychedelic-metal act, Windhand, taking the stage. The band is on tour in support of their latest album, Grief’s Infernal Flower, produced by Jack Endino (Nirvana, High on Fire), which just came out on Relapse Records. Fans of Electric Wizard or Sleep would dig this rising sludge act. Also on the bill are Portland prog-metal act Danava and Swedish doom band Monolord, Doors are at 7pm with a $17 cover. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/209888525″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: Orenthal

October 17, 2015

Local punk act, Orenthal, is having a release party tonight at Mohawk Place, for their debut album, Rising. Aggressive punk rock prime for rushing the front and enthusiastically shouting along with the lyrics with finger-pointing exclamations. The band cleverly mixes hardcore punk influences with ska breakdowns, making the songs both fun and unpredictable. Fans of the Offspring’s Smash, NOFX, or Bad Religion should be psyched on it. Also on the bill is On The Cinder, BastardBastardBastard, as well as The Wagon by way of Akron, OH. Show starts early, like get there at 7pm seriously early. $5 cover. Pack some extra bills to pick up the Orenthal album.

Tonight: Tragedy (All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees & Beyond)

October 15, 2015

New York City glam-metal tribute band, Tragedy, will be making a stop at the Studio at Waiting Room tonight on their tour.  Equal parts 80’s Metallica, Poison, and Dethklok, the band’s hilarious takes and exploits make Tragedy one of the most entertaining  tribute bands on the market. Tragedy has expanded their initial Bee Gees centered setlist to put a metal hairband spin on pop classics of yesteryear. Not to be overlooked is Metalachi, a mariachi band that hails Satan and snorts horse tranquilizers. Doors open at 7pm with a $15 cover.

Wood Bois Release New EP Sex Playlist

August 5, 2015

With the break-up of Buffalo’s beloved goofrock band/art project, Well Worn Boot, the local scene has been void of a talented group of talented musicians that can simultaneously deliver good music and “wait… what did they just say?” Enter Wood Bois, a three-piece electro-goth project featuring Blaine Wood (vocals/keyboards), Julius Bois (vocals/samples) and Hiding in the Dark Hiding in the Shadows (keyboards). I am assuming that’s not his birth name. Anyway, the trio released a new EP this past week, titled Sex Playlist. riding  As far as the subject matter,  it’s all over the gambit. The EP starts off with “Razor Scooterz.” The track is led by a gothy-synth and soon evolves into a song about how much a job sucks and how you can’t wait to just get out of work and ride a Razor Scooter. The second track of the album, “The Sparkles,” could easily be a Cure/The[...]