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Tonight: Palberta

August 10, 2015

Mohawk Place continues to be the place to be with tonight’s line-up featuring Yonkers/ Bronx rockers, Palberta. The group sounds like the cool girls practicing fractured punk in the garage down the street from your parents’ basement. Known for on stage antics as well as frequent instrument changes to keep things loose, the newly four piece group will be joined by chaotic punk out-of-towners Big Neck Police from Brooklyn. Buffalo’s best friends Wax Mice, the mysterious Dildon’t, and Americonic Peter Kirsch with Toppus Bottomus round out a full Tuesday night bill. Bring $5 tonight plus some fun funds to Mohawk. Jams start at 8pm.

I’m Broke, I Hate You, I Quit

August 10, 2015

Other than being randomly selected to win year-round access to a zoo at your own desire, I can not imagine anything more exciting and overly-optimistic than day one with your new band. You’re going to take over the world and you know it. Banality aside, the band is undoubtedly your oyster to which you have every opportunity to create and brand. Hell, you can even pet it if you really want to. But creative obstacles linger, eager to snatch your prize. Yes, our area has been spoiled with unparalleled national acts including the Goo Goo Dolls & Every Time I Die, groups whose impact is not only absorbed right here at home but also on an immense international level. But what about those armfuls of bands who had every opportunity to do the same but rather opted out based on the inevitable sense of vexation that comes with being in a band — the erosion of personal funds,[...]

Tonight: Beams

August 6, 2015

After tackling Detroit last night, Ontario alt-folk collective Beams will continue its first tour through the states this evening at Mohawk Place. Armed with a 1-2 punch female harmony and a singing saw, the group recently recorded its most recent EP, The Gutters & The Glass, with Tortoise and Sea & Cake member John McEntire, who has previously worked with Yo La Tengo, Stereolab, and Broken Social Scene. Beams reminds us of a rootsy version of Arcade Fire with touches of Neko Case sprinkled in for good measure. The band also has a pretty great and unexpected cover of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” which was previously covered by Chromatics on their 2007 record Night Drive. Check it out below. On hand for opening support tonight will be the crust buskers of Pine Fever and the folk group of Observers. Music begins this evening at 8pm with a measly cover of only[...]

Tonight: Rebecca Ryskalczyk

July 27, 2015

Rebecca Ryskalczyk, a current member of Bethlehem Steel and former member of the now defunct Paul’s Grandfather, is no stranger to the DIY music scene. As of late, she’s really taken the DIY attitude to heart by embarking on a solo tour. That solo tour has landed her in her home city tonight, to much anticipation from friends and fans alike. Ryskalczyk has a subtle approach to vocals and instrumentals, but there’s more to it than that. Though she successfully maintains a genuine vulnerability in her sound, total fragility doesn’t seem to be what she’s going for. This helps her music have it’s own alluring brand of dynamism, in that she can be gently whisper-singing one second, belting the next, and have it all dig at you in some intense way. This show is definitely a good one to check out, whether you haven’t made it out to any Infringement[...]

Tonight: Sonny & the Sunsets

July 24, 2015

California surf poppers Sonny & the Sunsets bring their wryly hilarious, daring, and tuneful summer bonfire rock to Mohawk Place this evening with fellow Californian Sarah Bethe Nelson. Fronted by songwriting mastermind Sonny Smith, Sonny & the Sunsets have been putting their cockeyed spin on surf/garage rock since the early 2000’s, and are in town to promote their 2015 release Talent Night at the Ashram, while San Francisco’s Sarah Bethe Nelson features a 60’s pop meets garage rock sound and a fine Instagram account. Doors open at 8pm and tickets are $12.

Tonight: METZ w/ Viet Cong

July 23, 2015

Mohawk Place hosts a seriously stacked lineup tonight with bands touring in support of some the year’s best releases. METZ, after opening for Lightning Bolt and releasing their stellar second albums return to Mohawk Place, joined by Viet Cong and Crosss. METZ have released two albums to date, both equally unrelenting and visceral. Their performances are ferocious and gloriously loud. Viet Cong are touring in support of their full length debut LP, Viet Cong, released earlier this year to wide acclaim. Their songs are delightfully bleak, jittery and dense, each track shifting and pulling the floor from under you at every point. Rounding out the bill is Crosss, a sludgey and heavy counterpoint to the comparatively quick moving Viet Cong and METZ. To sum up, tonight wil be a heavy and amazing lineup of bands at Mohawk Place and we will need a written excuse, signed by a parent or guardian as[...]

Tonight: Mr Twin Sister w/Moon King

July 21, 2015

Mohawk Place will host the hard to pin down Mr Twin Sister tonight. The genre hopping band has released a handful of EPs and a short album over the years, with music running the gamut of indie pop to disco. Consistent throughout is a playfulness and an apparent refusal to be boring. Joining them is the Toronto based duo, Moon King, touring in support of their debut LP, Secret Life, which was released back in April. The pair’s music is dreamy and perfect for an easy going summer night like tonight. The show features two great bands for a very nice price of $14. Those heading to Mohawk surely won’t regret it. Doors open at 8pm.

Tonight: Liturgy

July 20, 2015

The barrage of shows at Mohawk Place this year just keep on coming, and this week is no exception. This evening, the venue will host black metal (??) outfit Liturgy as the four piece continues to tour in support of its 2015 release, The Ark Work. Following a fairly substantial sonic departure from transcendental black metal sound on previous releases, the band took a more gothic, brooding electronic based approach on the newest record, which actually makes for an incredibly interesting listen. I have a feeling that these varied styles will make for a very off the wall and strange live performance. Performing on tour with Liturgy tonight is experimental / industrial duo, Yvette. Opening up the show will be the stellar local garage / noise rock act, JOHNS.  The show is set to take off tonight at 8pm, with tickets available at the door for $14.

Tonight: Jaill

July 17, 2015

Unite The Beatles, Ty Segall, The Beets, Beach Fossils, The Spinto Band and Surfer Blood in a harmonious marriage, and Jaill is the ultra cool offspring of all six individually brilliant parents. It’d be too much of a cop out to describe ‘em as just plain surf rock, because it’s a little more varied and textured. They have a distinctive psych-pop sound with a dark tinge in terms of lyrics, all wrapped up in a bubblegum-like exterior. Jaill, a member of the extensive Burger Records family (and formerly a member of Subpop Records), recently released their full length album Brain Cream in June of this year. In celebration of the release, they’re bringing their divey jangle pop to Mohawk Place tonight. The album is a great continuous listen and successfully dangles the listener at the threshold of low-key pleasantry and fetching, upbeat energy. The rest of the lineup includes The[...]

Tonight: Frame and Mantle

July 9, 2015

Tonight kicks off a mini-tour for our ambient indie-rock friends from Erie, Frame and Mantle. In the first of nine tour dates that take the band from Buffalo to as far south as Wilmington, North Carolina, Frame and Mantle will be setting up camp at Mohawk Place with Elemantra and Sea of Teeth. Frame and Mantle have an EP out right now, which is available for free download over at its bandcamp. While Our Fields Lie Fallow has 5 songs, and shifts back and forth from loud, intense busts to American Football-esque ambient rock. It’s the kind of stuff you’d love to see in an intimate location, such as a basement show. Or Mohawk Place. So, as the day grows longer and this rain clears up, go download the EP, memorize all the lyrics, and sing right back at the band tonight at Mohawk. It’s $5 at the door and well[...]

Just Announced: The Dodos

July 8, 2015

While starting blankly at the walls in the blog office today, our Songkick app woke us up with the news that the Dodos will be making a stop at Mohawk Place on Thursday, October 8th. The energetic, San Francisco psych folk act has been quietly building a pretty solid and consistent catalog over the years since dropping Visitor in 2008, and will add recently added to its discography in early 2015 with the well received Individ. Songkick failed to give us any further show details, as it so does, so keep an eye out in the very near future for on sale dates and ticket prices on the show’s event page.

Tonight: Little Ruckus

July 6, 2015

Mohawk Place has been killing the gig game lately with a jam packed calendar and it isn’t stopping anytime soon. The extremely prolific and eclectic Little Ruckus, a sort-of collective from Iowa, is hitting Mohawk tonight on tour with Calliope Musicals. Calliope churns out classic rock and roll with twinges of folk and psychedelic landing on a happy, feel good vibe. Little Cake and Jack Toft is simple, catchy, and weird.  Self described as Kool Keith meets Crass plus a classically trained music teacher, the duo is undeniably alluring. Catch them with their experimental rap tonight at 8pm for $5. I think I just talked myself into going.

Just Announced: Lower Dens

July 6, 2015

Following a jam packed September for music fans in Buffalo, this fall will keep the good times rolling as the 80’s tinged Baltimore-based pop act, Lower Dens, will visit Mohawk Place on Thursday, October 1st. Earlier this spring, the band released its latest album, Escape From Evil (think Beach House recording in Twin Peaks), a high point in an already intriguing catalog. Ticket prices and on-sale dates have yet to be announced, but stay plugged up to date on the event page for further updates.

Pity Sex & Ceremony at Mohawk Place (6/5/15)

July 5, 2015

I had a very pleasant holiday weekend. The 4th really was a nice night. I drove “home” to Hamburg, lit off some fireworks, and spent the night at my parents like I was a spry teen once again. Truthfully, July 5th had me just as excited as Pity Sex was playing at Mohawk Place. Having consumed approximately five (or eight) Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandies (and a few shots of Goldschlager) the night before, my blood was running thin with gold flecks and citrus-flavored alcohol, but nothing could stop me from making it to Mohawk. By some twisted stroke of fate (no, I don’t want to talk about it), I ended up walking in on Pity Sex already on stage. I’m sure I missed “Wind Up” and “When You’re Around” (heartbreaking), but I was able to catch a decent portion of the band’s set. The first complete song I caught was “Acid Reflux” off[...]

Tonight: Ceremony

July 5, 2015

Ceremony is a beautiful oddity. Throughout its career as a band , the group has shape-shifted and morphed, broadening its sound, and, most importantly, took risks. This is especially impressive considering the fact that Ceremony started as a nondescript power violence group. Early works gave no indication of things to come. Then, in 2008, out of nowhere, we were blessed with the gift of Rohnert Park; a focused, angry blast of aggression, strong songwriting, and lyrical poignancy that stood out amongst a sea of pretend hardcore bands and breakdown-obsessed nonsense. Rohnert immediately put Ceremony on the map and the best was yet to come. Defying convention again, the band signed to Matador and put out a more post-punk influenced collection of songs in Zoo. Last month, the group stretched a bit farther with the Joy Division and Interpol obsessed, The L-Shaped Man, undergoing another dramatic transition. The L-Shaped Man is[...]