Latest Posts

Tonight: Lightning Bolt w/ METZ

April 15, 2015

Tonight’s Lightning Bolt show at Mohawk Place may be so sold out. There were ten tickets for $15 each left at midnight, so if you haven’t already purchased a ticket, now is your absolute last chance. I really encourage you to do so because the last time Lightning Bolt was in town, it was absolutely bonkers and amazing. Lightning Bolt have recently released their first album in over 6 years, Fantasy Empire, through the always solid Thrill Jockey records. Lightning Bolt’s music is a blistering attack of noise and sound but, as their live performance makes abundantly clear, one in which the duo has total control over. This is as much a physical accomplishment as it is a musical one and you have to wonder how they manage to keep pace with what they are doing and how they don’t collapse from exhaustion after a few songs. If the show they played[...]

Wilder Maker

Tonight: Wilder Maker

April 9, 2015

Sometimes the best musical landscapes are painted through the most seemingly simple songs. With all the pleasantries of easygoing alt-country mixed with harmonious folk influences, Wilder Maker steadily leads you through that landscape, introducing you to the treasure-like intricacies along the way. This Brooklyn based group is unmistakably good at capturing a sweeping and pensive Americana vibe. The band’s founder and lead vocalist, Gabriel Birnbaum, shares a similar baritone croon to Matt Berninger of The National, which is both vulnerable and inviting. Catch Wilder Maker at Mohawk Place tonight, along with Sharon Mok of Tiny Rhymes, another solid alt-folk artist. Doors for the show are at 7pm, and admission is only $5. (Note: Hussalonia was originally scheduled to play but will not be on the bill tonight in case you were expecting them.) Check out the Facebook event for more information.

Tonight: Jeffrey Lewis & the Jrams

April 7, 2015

Tonight, Mohawk Place will host singer-songwriter Jeffrey Lewis with local support from Jack Topht and Max Weiss. Even if you don’t know Jeffrey Lewis, he is still probably like a guy that you know. With some hope, I might say their ranks are growing: the witty, thoughtful, sensitive types given both to melancholy and optimism, sometimes both at the same time. Lewis’s music is often humorous and easy to listen to, but it can still affect the listener deeply, sometimes unexpectedly. It kind of reminds me of watching home movies from your childhood: you’re laughing, you’re smiling, it all seems light, and then feel like crying all of a sudden. Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm. Facebook event here.

The Queers

April 1, 2015

Mohawk Place is the site for the night’s best punk bill. Long time, Portsmouth punkers, the Queers (an act that’s reminiscent of high school, Screeching Weasel, and juvenile boys who picked on you when they actually liked you), will be rolling through town. The band will be turning out its brand of bratty punk alongside Richie Ramone. Ramone, perhaps unsurprisingly, sounds like the Ramones if they had a different singer, and with one listen to the Atom Age, its pretty clear they belong on this bill. Buffalo buds Newish Star are opening. Tonight’s doors open at 7pm, show at 8pm, and tickets are $15.

Just Announced: Pile

March 31, 2015

This afternoon it was announced that Boston-based heavy indie rockers / 2015 tour warriors, Pile, will be taking the stage at Mohawk Place on Sunday, May 17th. The band has literally been all over the country in 2015, playing for four months straight in support of the highly praised album You’re Better Than This. After listening to the album over and over again this afternoon, I would best describe it as meeting in the middle venn diagram between Cursive, Pissed Jeans, and Attic Abasement. The bill will definitely be the best line-up on Buffalo that night. Support for Pile comes from spooky locals, JOHNS, who are still high on their very successful release show for Grift Marks as well as buzzing heavy-hitters, the Slums. No word on doors, but I imagine it would be on the early side and well worth your money.

Diarrhea Planet w/ Left and Right, Sleepy Hahas at Mohawk Place (3/30/15)

March 31, 2015

If you missed last night’s show, I am so, so sorry. Monday night, soon to be rock and roll legends, Diarrhea Planet, absolutely ripped apart Mohawk Place. You may remember when Nashville group did the same last year, being hailed as one of the best performances in Buffalo in 2014 by buffaBLOG writer Michael Morretti. DP definitely did not disappoint this time around either. Sleepy Hahas opened up the show with a very jam oriented set, featuring lots of psychedelic elements, as well as a lot of electronics and synthesizers. The set featured amazing custom lighting done by Shawn Lewis, aka local electrofreak, Lesionread. Following the Hahas was touring Philadelphia rock and roll act, Left and Right, who also put on an incredibly entertaining set of raucous garage rock While both opening acts were impressive, its no surprise that Diarrhea Planet commanded the night. There is just a certain energy[...]

Tonight: Diarrhea Planet

March 30, 2015

If we move past the obvious party metal comparison and the unpleasant imagery of the name (sorry if you’re not already picturing an entire planet of diarrhea), Diarrhea Planet is a hardworking band with a more-than-devoted fan base that has successfully transitioned themselves from a “buzz band” to a mainstay in the rock scene. The sextet from Nashville, TN consistently owns and stays true to their image and sound, one that is eccentric, a little droll, but never hackneyed. They are a well-oiled arena punk machine with classic riffage and the energy of a loaded bottle rocket. Think Andrew W.K. meets The Afghan Whigs meets Heavy Cream. Buffalo’s own psychedelic blues rockers Sleepy Hahas will also be gracing the stage, along with punk rock outfit Left & Right from Charlottesville, VA. Last time Diarrhea Planet was in town, the guys played Mohawk on a Monday, and it looks like they’re[...]

Tonight: The Public Picnic Fundraiser

March 26, 2015

The Public Picnic, a new collaborative project between Silo Session and the Public, will host its first fundraiser tonight at Mohawk Place, hopefully shedding a bit more light on the summer, Silo City located events curated by the live session series and still fresh, weekly publication. One tap tonight for musical merriment will be a trio of the city’s finest songwriters: Alex Berkley, Sonny Baker, and Laura Buckley. The Evil Things, a long time duo featuring Pine Fever band mates Andy Pothier and Levi Van Cleve, will come out of a long hibernation for a special performance this evening as well. Music begins this evening at 8pm. Event runners are asking for a donation of $5-$8 at the door.

Torche w/ Nothing and WRONG at Mohawk Place (3/23/15)

March 25, 2015

It’s shows like this that really make me happy that Mohawk Place is back in action. There is just a certain vibe there that other venues downtown can’t really recreate. This past Monday,  Florida sludge rock titans, Torche, brought their tour to town, along with WRONG and Nothing. Torche and crew were one of the loudest shows I have ever been to, and it will also go down as one of my favorites. Not only was this the first show that I shot for the blog, but every single one of the bands seemed to be having a blast, even more so than usual. WRONG and Torche put on two of the heaviest sets I have seen in a long time, while Nothing put on easily the best live set of shoegaze music I have seen, period. WRONG NOTHING TORCHE Photos by Brendan O’Connor

Tonight: Torche

March 23, 2015

Following the release of its highly acclaimed February album, Restarter, Miami’s stoner/sludge metal heroes, Torche, makes its way to Buffalo tonight to Mohawk Place for a night full of riffing. Opening the show will be Florida band WRONG, followed by Philly shoegaze outfit Nothing. This is sure to be a very loud show, so bring your earplugs along to this one. Doors open at 8pm, and tickets are $17 at the door.  Beware though, as of this morning, there were only about 70 left, so try to make it as doors open.

Just Announced: Melt-Banana

March 19, 2015

One of 2013’s more bonkers shows in Buffalo had to be Melt-Banana’s ridiculous fall show at the Tralf Music Hall. The schizophrenic, Japanese punk/pop/noise group unleashed a chaotic set full of squealing guitars, out of control percussion, and songs sung so strangely you barely recognized they were sung in English. Concert opener Lesionread, who was still establishing her live act, even brought along a 15 foot machine pinata to the show, which was quickly destroyed at her request almost as quickly as it was assembled on the venue floor. If you missed this one-of-a-kind show, fear not. Melt-Banana will be back in town on Saturday, May 16th, at the strangely early time of 6pm, this time around at Mohawk Place. Tickets will go on sale this Friday at noon for $14 in advance, $16 day of.

Tonight: Cursive

March 15, 2015

Following the deluxe reissue of their hugely popular album The Ugly Organ, indiemo heroes, Cursive, announced a spanning tour which reaches its near end at Mohawk Place tonight. Reviews from this tour have been nothing but positive. Opening the show will be first See Through Dresses, and then Beach Slang. If you caught Beach Slang last year at the Mohawk Place with Cheap Girls, you know that their set is not to be missed. Doors open at 8pm. If you did not snag tickets in advance, you’re out of luck. This show is completely sold out.

Tonight: Filmstrip

March 11, 2015

Filmstrip will be bringing their wholly pleasant brand of alt-Americana to Mohawk Place tonight. The Cleveland-based band evokes a laid-back vibe reminiscent of The Life and Times, Pedro the Lion, and just the slightest touch of Father John Misty. My personal recommendation is the upbeat, guitar driven “Dollar Store.” Support tonight comes from the ever-fuzzy Fredonians in Zealot and Buffalo’s answer to alt-Americana, American Stores. The show starts at 8pm for $5.

Tonight: Pink Elephant

March 6, 2015

Tonight, one of our favorite regional hard-hitting rock bands, Pink Elephant, will make its triumphant return to Buffalo. Quickly becoming a regular embedded in the Buffalo music scene, Rochester’s Pink Elephant has been buddying up with local bands Soul Butchers, Handsome Jack, and Governess. The group’s raw indie rock sound is something that Buffalo could always use a bit more of. Fans of Les Savy Fav, Heavy Hands, or Call Me Lightning should make their way out to Mohawk Place with doors at 8pm and a $5 cover. Also on the bill is Governess, Fatal Figures, and Tugboat, so you’re $5 goes a long way on Mohawk Avenue tonight.

Tonight: Mooses

February 26, 2015

Tonight, Fred-town four piece, Mooses. will play the Mohawk with a strong bill of local and non local bands including The Naturalists and The Soft Love from Buffalo and Thick, out of Brooklyn. The blissfully fuzzed out psychedelia of this Fredonia quartet promises to balance out the garage rock of Naturalists and Soft Love and the intense punk of Thick. It’s always a treat when these guys play Buffalo. Doors open at 8pm, music starts at 9pm. Cover is probably around $5