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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: Aircraft

October 16, 2015

Buffalo’s heady psych pop outfit Aircraft will return to Mohawk Place’s stage tonight as the group continues to tour in support of its latest record, the Admirable Traits released 7 Gems From the Sparkling Void. With a healthy dose of surf and space rock, the album continues to raise the ceiling of one of the city’s most cherished and promising acts. Those who have yet to catch the band live will be #blessed tonight with some fantastic harmonies and exhilarating musicianship. Joining Aircraft tonight will be rising Rust Belt post-rockers Tomoreaux and sardonic slackers Difficult Night, both of which are set to release a new album over the next couple months. Rounding out the bill will be the debut local performance from Albany’s dark shoegazers, Slowshine. Doors open at Mohawk Place this evening at 8pm with a cover of $5.

Tonight: Sonny Baker

October 14, 2015

Sonny Baker is set to celebrate the release of his new EP tonight at Mohawk Place. Baker’s Flesh it Out is soulful like, well, Pavement meets Ryan Adams. Baker (member of lots of bands) will perform will perform with his new trio which features members of Lazlo Hollyfeld, Rhubarb, Gravy, and more. I’ve loved Softlines from first listen and they don’t play enough shows. On the other hand, the ever prolific Newish Star just dropped a newish album and will be playing this gig too. Bright Eyes-esque Andy Pothier will also be there. Honestly, I heard him at Herd Fest and thought he was Conor Oberst. Mohawk opens its doors for the gig at 8pm and its $5 to get in.

Meric Long of The Dodos

October 8, 2015

After six full-length albums and 10 years under their belts as The Dodos, Meric Long (guitar, vocals) and Logan Kroeber (drums, percussion) have something to be proud of. The duo crafts a signature strain of rhythmic indie rock, lying heavily on technical proficiency such as intricate strumming patterns and intense polyrhythms. Their latest album, Individ, capitalizes on these aspects to deliver some of the best-rounded Dodos songs to date. We caught up with Meric and snuck in a few questions before the band’s Buffalo visit brings them to the stage of Mohawk Place later tonight. buffaBLOG: Compositionally, did you approach your latest album Individ any differently than your previous work? Meric Lonh: The approach was pretty carefree with the one focus being that the songs be exciting and had parts that would push the limits of our abilities. bB: The interpretative dance in the “Competition” video—did you work with a choreographer? Tell us of your preparations. ML: Katie[...]

Jana Hunter of Lower Dens

October 1, 2015

Baltimore’s Lower Dens have carefully balanced experimental, cerebral inclinations with a strong melodic sensibility throughout their career. Their third LP, Escape From Evil, released earlier this year on Ribbon Music, finds the band in full-fledged pop territory, drawing from the sounds of the 80’s to make for a nostalgic, emotionally direct record that finds lead singer/songwriter Jana Hunter comfortably exploring pop themes, her voice featured prominently both sonically and lyrically. We had the chance to speak with Hunter about the new album leading up to Lower Dens’ performance tonight at Mohawk Place. buffaBLOG: Escape From Evil feels more succinct and focused than the band’s previous work, was there anything that inspired a more intimate approach both sonically and lyrically? Jana Hunter: I wouldn’t call it intimate. It’s direct. It’s simple. It has a simple message (for a thing I’d write anyway) about keeping things simple. We’re complicated. Our lives are too complicated. We just want our[...]

Bully at Mohawk Place (09/26/15)

September 27, 2015

Since the show’s announcement, I have been hyping this past Saturday night’s Bully gig to all of my friends as one of the potentiality best shows of the year, and I was damn near right. Thinking they could properly warm up the crowd for what was to come, the Dead Soft and Heat delivered absolutely incredible sets, but there was nothing that either could do to really prepare you for the Nashville buzz band’s enormous sounding, raucous performance. There are still a few months left this year, but I can already tell that this is going to be on my list of the best shows of 2015.  Check out some photos from the show below, and a full gallery of the night’s shots, click here. Heat Bully

Tonight: Bully

September 26, 2015

Buffalo is all lined up to host what might be one of the surprise shows of the year tonight in Bully. The Nashville indie rockers are fresh off the heels of their debut album, Feels Like, and while they might not be a major force yet, one listen suggests it’s not far off. The band has been quietly building buzz for awhile and its album brims with nostalgia for 90’s grunge and garage rock. Lead singer Alicia Bognanno spends most of the band’s debut tracks switching between sugary sweet pop vocals and a vicious snarl of a howl that breathes life into every song. Whether the band’s pure raucous energy communicates live is yet to be seen, but if it even comes close, then those at tonight’s show are in for one hell of a night. Don’t miss your chance to catch this band before it becomes near impossible to[...]

Just Announced: Screaming Females

September 18, 2015

New Jersey punk trio Screaming Females will make its latest Buffalo appearance  later this fall with a date set for Mohawk Place on Tuesday, November 3rd. Featuring powerhouse vocalist/guitarist Marissa Paternoster, the group released its latest record Rose Mountain earlier this year on the buzzing Garden State label Don Giovanni Records. Joining Screaming Females will be Massachusetts punk/pop three piece Potty Mouth as well as local basement super group Hot Tip. Tickets are currently available for $12 in advance, $14 at the door.

Tonight: ronaldraygun

September 18, 2015

ronaldraygun is finishing its Buffalo career tonight at Mohawk Place. The band plays spacey and psychedelic rock n’ roll almost reminiscent of Janice Joplin in attitude and sound, but tinged with punk and grunge moments. The departing group will be joined by enigmatic comedian and artist Clayton Williams. Having played together before, hometown classics and Mohawk royalty Irving Klaws and the raygun crew are no strangers. Their rockabilly meets Tony Hawk Pro Skater-core has been drawing fans to Mohawk for years and will be sure to make the farewell a memorable one. The BiPolaroids will round out the night beginning at 8pm. Cover is $5.

Mikal Cronin at Mohawk Place (9/15/15)

September 16, 2015

As summer comes to a close, I am reminded of all of the incredible shows that come through Buffalo. Last night at Mohawk Place, though, I was greeted with a strong reminder that just because the season is turning over, doesn’t mean the barrage of shows will be stopping any time soon. The Cairo Gang and Calvin Love both played stellar opening sets, and Mikal Cronin and his backing band played an upbeat and indisputably memorable set, spanning his entire catalog. Check out our photos from the show below, and click here for a full gallery. The Cairo Gang Calvin Love Mikal Cronin

Tonight: Mikal Cronin

September 15, 2015

Over three albums, Mikal Cronin has established himself as an incredibly consistent and solid musician, creating catchy and throughly enjoyable power pop since launching his solo career in 2011. Having previously recorded with Ty Segall, Cronin skews in a sunnier direction that Segall’s sludgey garage rock, favoring lusher instrumentation and more tuneful vocals. Obviously indebted to the heady mix of yearning and soaring melody that characterized Big Star’s  most upbeat songs. Cronin’s most recent album, MCIII, released earlier this Spring fills out the promise of his breakthrough, MCII, with better recording quality and added strings and horns. The album’s latest single, “Made My Mind Up,” playing to all the right anthemic notes. This concert should prove an excellent way to celebrate the last few blissfully nice nights of Summer as it gives to chill of Fall. Doors for tonight’s show open at 7pm with a cover of $14. Arts & Crafts pop artist[...]

Just Announced: buffaBLOG Presents Halloween w/ Soul Patch

September 15, 2015

buffaBLOG is pumped to announce our second annual Halloween party, teaming up once again with local 90’s alt-rock cover band, Soul Patch, and buzzing indie rock newcomers, Sixties Future, on Friday, October 30th at Mohawk Place. Expect a riotous night filled with zany costumes, debauchery, and losing your voice screaming along with some of the very best(?) songs from two decades ago. Pre-sale tickets can currently purchased here, and it might be a good idea to grab one ahead of time: last year’s Hamlin House party sold out, so don’t sleep on this.

Tonight: Transmission’s 80’s Dance Party

September 12, 2015

Do you like swaying and bopping back and forth to obscure new wave pop songs? Do you love the 80’s or were you made in the 80’s? If yes, you might not want to miss DJ duo Transmission’s freshest 80’s dance party. After watching the Goo Goo Dolls at the sloppy Music is Art, head over to Mohawk Place for plenty of the Smiths AND the Cure; you don’t even have to pick a side this time. While you are bound to hear mainstays like New Order and Violent Femmes, the night usually gets more mainstream and raucous as they spin toward closing. The wild party costs $5 and starts at 10:30pm.

Tonight: A House Safe For Tigers

August 29, 2015

Best thing about Buffalo on a Saturday night? Options. One of tonight’s top picks would bring you to Mohawk Place for the highly-anticipated release party of A House Safe for Tigers, the debut album from the local mellotron supergroup of the same name. If you’re reading this, you may have been vibing out to AHSfT (our most recent Album of the Week) for a few months already; now is your chance to see the album performed in full-band glory. Opening tonight’s festivities are two acts that have been pretty scarce on this year’s live circuit—synthrock revivalists TMMC and a special solo performance from Failures’ Union’s Tony Flaminio. Get there on time to catch everyone. Doors open up at 8pm with an affordable $5 cover. A House Safe For Tigers by A House Safe For Tigers

Tonight: Inlite (Last Show)

August 20, 2015

Bummer! Tonight we say goodbye to a longtime contributor to Buffalo’s canon. The Grand Islanders in Inlite are playing their final show, after close to a decade of existence. The Brit-tinged synth-rawkers are sure to put on a wonderful farewell tonight at Mohawk Place. Fans of Franz Ferdinand, The Bravery, or We are Scientists should get their last taste of this outgoing quartet. Support tonight comes from Sleepy Hahas and The Naturalists – what better of a duo to send Inlite off with? Doors are at 8pm and it’s only $5.