Latest Posts

Passive Aggressives Anonymous – The Mauve Album

February 12, 2018

The Mauve Album is the perfect title for Passive Aggressives Anonymous’ first full-length release. The Rochester band’s music has more in common with the shade of violet than you might think–both have a pleasant and mostly disarming initial appearance, but upon scratching the surface you’ll find a little something extra. For Passive Aggressives Anonymous–or ‘PAA’–a band whose call to glory is their expertly-arranged romantic lounge style of instrumentation, that “something extra” comes in the form of frontman John Valenti’s tongue-in-cheek vocal delivery, which remains unabashedly intact on the new album. The Mauve Album is buffaBLOG’s Album of the Week. For those unfamiliar with PAA and have no idea what I mean by “tongue-in-cheek” vocal delivery, allow me to paint a picture. You’ve booked a suite in a hotel that’s near overly classy (not a t-shirt in sight, decked-out lobby bar, red velvet everywhere, etc.), but something about the elegance is[...]

Passive Aggressives Anonymous Release “Ninja” Music Video

October 13, 2015

Rochester tongue-in-cheek crooners Passive Aggressives Anonymous have premiered the music video to the previously unreleased song, “Ninja.” A heartbreaking tail of a ninja who can’t take a hint, the PAA front man John Valenti and crew deliver the slightly creeper-esque number in the most charming way possible. The clip was shot by Alex Freeman of Studio 73 Productions and directed by Valenti himself, and features cameos by the just-asking-for-it members of Buffalo Sex Change as Valenti’s ninja wisely keeps his stealth skills at bay inside Rochester’s Small World Books. No word on whether the track will show up on a future PAA record, so in the mean time, watch “Ninja” below. Ninja from John Valenti on Vimeo.

Tonight: Rochester Invasion Pt. 2

October 3, 2015

In what is shaping up to be one of the hottest weekends of local music since Herdfest, there exists a bill so Rochesterian, it just might work. Well—actually—it has worked already once before. Tonight, Nietzsche’s will host part two of our Rochester Invasion series, featuring more of the finest talent our neighboring city has to offer. Joining us tonight we have 60’s-tinged party-all-the-timers Harmonica Lewinski, tongue-in-cheek lounge crooners Passive Aggressives Anonymous, multiinstrumental virtuoso Sam Snyder (or OHS, his endearingly shortened project name), and stone-cold rock and rollers The Ginger Faye Bakers. Each of these four acts bring their very own compelling flavor to the table, so don’t miss out. Swing by after Porchfest, the party doesn’t start until 9pm. This lineup is stacked, so bring five bucks so we can get our Rochester friends home safe and sound after closing time.

Tonight: Passive Aggressives Anonymous

August 1, 2015

As the annual week long Infringement Festival nears its final days, we are left with decisions to make. Where should I spend my Saturday? Which acts and artists warrant my attendance? It’s tough, because there is no way to see every act, every performer, or attend every gallery, exhibition, or display. Well, if music is your bag then allow me to help with the decision making and schedule tinkering. Tonight, Allen Street Consulting (394 Franklin) will host an Infringement gig with buffaBLOG’s stamp of approval. Among tonight’s lineup is Rochester’s primary sardonic croon-rock unit Passive Aggressives Anonymous, making a welcomed Buffalo appearance. PAA’s tongue-in-cheek take on lounge rock is fresh and unique, and no stranger to the pages of our blog. The group just dropped an impressive new single, the impish and dreamy “Many At Once,” check it out below. Tonight’s bill also includes alt-country hometown hero Zak Ward, who[...]

Passive Aggressives Anonymous Releases New Single “Many at Once”

July 10, 2015

Tongue-in-cheek, Rochester crooner John Valenti and his band Passive Aggressives Anonymous have released a new single this morning, titled “Many at Once,” the follow up to the group’s late 2014 EP, Not so long songs of longing. If this is your first introduction to Valenti, think laid back Father John Misty showmanship meets Jens Lekman heart on his sleeve charm. Valenti and crew have the ability to romance you right off your feet, all while grinning ear to ear. PAA’s whimsical new song details the pros to keeping your options open when it comes to the opposite sex, all while striking riffs and fluttering strings back the dreamy, lounge ready number. In other Valenti news, the songwriter recently directed a clip for Kingston, NY musician Shana Falana. The video features appearances by fellow Roch musicans and Valenti buddies Buffalo Sex Change and just premiered yesterday on Paste. Check it out here.[...]

Passive Aggressives Anonymous Drops New EP

January 13, 2015

In yet another installment of buffaBLOG’s ‘we missed a lot of good music over holiday break and now we’re playing catch up’ series of posts, I find myself unabashedly swooning over the satirical croon-rock songs on Passive Aggressives Anonymous’ new EP, Not so long songs of longing. For those of you unfamiliar with the Rochester quartet, think the tongue-in-cheek lyrical prowess of Father John Misty meets the charming sounds of Yo La Tengo. There, somewhere in the middle (and probably off-center a bit), you’ll find Passive Aggressives Anonymous. The five songs on Not so long songs of longing are all full of finely-tuned nuances that one may miss out on upon first listen. Singer John Valenti’s theatrical baritone is easily appreciated over the smoothness of the lounge-like instrumentation, but an attentional listen-through reveals an enjoyable irony in the music’s romantic nature. Take “Grinding” for example: “Let’s spend the night grinding…[...]