Latest Posts

Listen to “See Me Again” by Soul Butchers

April 2, 2014

Soul Butchers have recently made a blip on our radar with their debut 7 deep EP/short album 18 Wheeler (produced by Mr. Skimask). The album starts off with a retro-punk flavor similar to that of locals Irving Klaws or Wolf Tickets, but the real magic creeps out on the third track, titled “See Me Again,” where the band distances itself from the rowdy Stooges-like intensity. “See Me Again,” sounds like a mix between a lighter Les Savy Fav meshed with more cathartic Dismemberment Plan. Comprised of past members of 90’s hardcore/punk band, Black Tar, and more recently Delores, and Trailerpark Tornados, Soul Butchers’ next show will be at Spiral Scratch’s Record Store Day showcase on 4/19. Request “See Me Again.”

Thievery Corporation – Saudade

April 2, 2014

Rob Garza and Eric Hilton are busy guys. Since forming Thievery Corporation in the late ’90’s, they’ve produced eleven studio albums, with the release of Saudade as their twelfth. Normally when one thinks of Thievery Corporation, they are associated with the acid-jazz movement and over-dubbed relaxing reggae. For the duo, things are shifting with this new release. What drew them together is the Brazilian-born genres of music that can be seen here in purely classical form on Saudade. After straying and exploring several elements of the electronic world, as Garza says, ‘it’s us coming full circle from electronic music back to something organic.’  The Portugese word ‘saudade’ means “a longing or something or someone that is lost, a contented melancholy, or, simply, the presence of an absence.” This is an appropriate titling for the group and the musical shift they are exploring. Sometimes, in order to get rid of that feeling of loneliness,[...]

The New York Breakfast Releases DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK

April 1, 2014

Anyone who takes even a brief dip into the waters of Buffalo’s live music culture quickly realizes that Steak and Cake founder Brandon Schlia is one of its proudest captains. On the eve before his label’s third anniversary show (which also happened to be Valentine’s Day), he was part of an unforeseen and harrowing turn of events that left him hospitalized. Showing perseverance in the face of adversity as well as true rock n’ roll diction, the two part show went on, and even included Schlia, home from the hospital and sitting on a chair in his living room.  Last Friday, Steak and Cake released a 4-track album titled DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK by his personal solo project, The New York Breakfast. The New York Breakfast has always been an intimate vessel, and these songs make the listener feel as if they’re spying on Schlia in his bedroom while he plays[...]

Passion In Constellation Drops New Single

March 31, 2014

Passion in Constellation, the project of Buffalo producer Chris Alan, released its follow up single to “Sunlight” this past weekend. On “Weird Tonight,” Alan appears to be aiming to drop a summer anthem on Buffalo as playful synths lead up to a big chorus that recalls Empire of the Sun’s “Alive.” Fans of Passion Pit, MGMT (at their less difficult), and yes, Empire of the Sun, should give the track a listen. Keep an eye out for future tunes from this interesting project. Check out “Weird Tonight” below.

Attic Abasement Teases Upcoming Split LP

March 27, 2014

Carbon Records, a 20 + year Rochester indie rock mainstay, is prepping the release of a split LP from 585 act Attic Abasement and Nod. Earlier this week, the label dropped a couple teaser tracks from the record via bandcamp. “Pretty Teeth,” part of the Attic Abasement half of the LP, is a cut of jangly 90’s college rock from the bedroom indie rockers, led by lead singer Mike Rheinheimer’s pleaing vocals. Fans of Yuck, Silver Jews, Smog, and Pavement should check the track out. The full release appears to be dropping in early April. In the mean time, listen to “Pretty Teeth” below.

Gumwads Release Debut Surf-Punk Single

March 26, 2014

Over the last couple years, a few surf-rock bands have been sprouting up in Buffalo, most notably Space Wolves and Aaron & the Burrs. Yesterday, Gumwads, a new local surf-punk trio, released their raucous debut single “Gimmie Every Inch.” This is dirty, messy music. Captain Geech & the Shrimp Shack Shooters it is not. The single, along with the change of pace B-side “I’m Sick of Musicians,” was recorded by Mr. Ski-Mask and can be downloaded over at Gumwads’ bandcamp page. Don’t be surprised to hear this blaring through the Pink’s speakers at last call one of these nights. In the mean time, listen to “Gimmie Every Inch” below.

Todd Terje w/Bryan Ferry – “Johnny and Mary” [Robert Palmer Cover]

March 26, 2014

Maximum smoothness levels. Todd Terje is really someone to keep an eye on this year. Also getting Bryan Ferry on your track helps. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/140882320″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Humble Braggers Release New EP

March 25, 2014

Since being featured on one of our Album of the Week features last year, Humble Braggers have been quietly working on their live set. They’ve also been hard at work on some new material. The Say EP was released today and features three new songs that show that the Braggers have been working hard at honing their reverb-soaked indie rock. I’d like to call these songs “sharper” than their last release, but that wouldn’t be the right word… In fact, they specialize in swirly songs whose instruments seem to decay for days. The EP puts a spotlight on prominent bass, ambient guitars, and foggy synths. There is a distinct 80s vibe to some of these songs (most notably, the cover of Tears for Fears “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”), but on songs like “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” the Braggers nail it with catchy, contemporary guitar lines.  Have a listen below.

Tigers Jaw – “Nervous Kids”

March 24, 2014

Tigers Jaw gets laid-back and grungy on this charming new song from their upcoming album, Charmer. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/134470863″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

HAERTS -“Call My Name”

March 24, 2014

The trickily named HAERTS return with another warm and dreamy track. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/140704426″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Merchandise – “Figured Out”

March 24, 2014

Merchandise returns with a new single that makes the influence of Echo & the Bunnymen even more apparent. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/138066660″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]