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Tonight: Mannequin Pussy

August 27, 2015

If Philly’s basements are shit holes, they still spring eternal. Phila’s own Mannequin Pussy is pretty dynamic, just like the scene: equal parts sassy shouts, surf rock, and compact punk. They are for fans of Chumped and The Le Sigh blog. Crosss from Toronto was set to play tonight with Mannequin Pussy at the Glitterbox, but sadly, passport issues will keep them off of the bill. If case you were wondering, Crosss sounds like Slow Warm Death meets Belle and Sebastian’s eerie grunge. This trio produces out there tunes with laid back vibes. Holding down the hometown is Hot Tip as well as cool duo Space is Haunted.  The night starts with bands at 7pm and don’t forget to bring some money for the now one touring band.

Tonight: Space Wolves

August 27, 2015

You wouldn’t necessarily guess it upon first listen, but Space Wolves’ music offers up an interesting contradiction. The duo, comprised of Chris Scamurra and Nick Reynolds, pairs woeful lyrics with docile instrumentals, then runs it all through a sprightly, retro-pop filter. Of course, it’s a little naive to to think that happy sounding music always equates to happy subject matter, but SW’s version of this contradiction really resonates. To me, it’s the very real angst that a lot of us self-doubting, nervous ninnies feel, masked in the sunny tint of a 60’s sitcom. In a similar fashion to Newish Star, Space Wolves have very few songs over two and half minutes, making each one a quick jab that knocks you back because you’re either A) relating all too well to the tragedies of heartbreak and debilitating anxiety or B) you’re dancing your arse off to the rambunctious surf rock melodies.[...]

Tonight: Beach House

August 21, 2015

Beach House is a band that wants you to pay attention to more than just their haze-pop sound. The Baltimore duo has been at it for just about 11 years now and they’ve maintained consistent notability throughout. But they’ve also been met with some opposition over, oddly enough, the consistency of their sound and the lack of drastic sonic change over the years. In a 2012 interview with Pitchfork, Alex Scally discloses, “Writing about us, people have said: ‘Do we need another album by this band?’ What the fuck is that? That only matters if you’re just listening to sound…A lot of people listening to music now don’t listen to the songs or lyrics at all. They just go, ‘Good tones…’ and that’s it. But we’re obsessed with songs. Sometimes, I feel like people aren’t listening to our songs, they’re just listening to the sound.” Beach House is heavily identified[...]

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.

Tonight: Social Distortion

August 18, 2015

Social Distortion are legends; punk icons that bridged the gap between alternative rock audiences and mainstream crowds in the 90’s, with their rock-meets-blues-meets-country approach. Never straying from the firm DIY ideals that punk has come to represent, the band has continued to grow and evolve, pulling from a variety of roots-rock traditions, all whilst keeping the music true to themselves and their dignity intact. One of their most commercially and critically successful albums (and let’s be honest, most people’s fave) was their self-titled album released in 1990, the album that truly broke the band. Prior to that, Social Distortion had dabbled with fame here and there. Their classic Mommys Little Monster is essential in any punk collection and Prison Bound offered a unique transition into unchartered rootsy territory. It was the self titled, with hits like “Story of my Life,” “Sick Boy,” “Ball and Chain” and a most excellent version[...]

Tonight: The Tins

August 18, 2015

The Picnic in the Parkway free concert series at Bidwell Parkway is presenting a can’t miss concert later on tonight showcasing two of the local scenes most exciting bands, Aircraft and The Tins. Blog favorites Aircraft are getting ready to release their latest EP, the hotly anticipated and deliciously named 7 Gems From The Sparkling Void and embark on a tour of the Rust Belt and North East, while the adventurous electropop trio (and fellow blog favorites), The Tins, will be unleashing danceable synth driven jams from last year’s Young Blame EP and converting new members to their cause. Just think of all the unsuspecting Elmwood Village free concertgoers about to be turned on to two of Buffalo’s most exciting bands… what fun awaits. The show starts at 7pm.

Tonight: Pawns

August 17, 2015

New York City’s Pawns and Rochester’s Hot Mayonnaise  will be bringing down the house at Sugar City tonight. Headliners Pawns sounds like a modern day Bauhaus channeling cool rockers with contemporaries like Perfect Pussy, Institute, and the latest from Ceremony. Nihilistic and anti establishment, Pawns vibe is very cool. Not to be overlooked is Hot Mayonnaise, who play straight up shredding punk rock with a 70’s vibe and look to match. Rounding out the bill are  new local act, Basement Rat will open. Tonight’s show begins at 7pm over at Sugar City with a $5 cover. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/161071418″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: Mac DeMarco

August 16, 2015

Mac is back! The reigning king of jizz jazz, Mac DeMarco, will make his welcomed return to Buffalo tonight at The Tralf, hopefully this time with full band in tow. Following last year’s excellent Salad Days, the goofball crooner’s latest mini-LP Another One continues his ultrachill slacker rock sounds, but this time draped in full love-song garb. It’s an interesting juxtaposition between love, compassion, and DeMarco’s typical “take-it-sleazy” approach—expect to hear a lot of that tonight. Last year we were graced with swigs of Jameson, crowd surfing, and a ten-minute cover of “Smoke On The Water.” What does the Pepperoni Playboy have in store for us this year? Doors at 7pm, show starts at 8pm—get there early to loosen up with the unconventional synthpop of supporting act Jerry Paper. And from what I could gather on the show’s Facebook event, the show is now a SOLD OUT affair. So if[...]

Tonight: The Jaguar Club

August 15, 2015

Brooklyn new wavers, The Jaguar Club, are in town this evening for a show upstairs at Mr. Goodbar with DC out synth rock outfit Incredible Change and local hard rockers The Soft Love. Propelled by soaring keyboards and even more soaring vocals, The Jaguar Club is straight up English New Wave with a rusted out sensibility that’s sure to please, while the spaced out synths and electronic distortions of Incredible Change will be sonic champagne in your ears. The dark, heavy duty post rock jams of headliners The Soft Love however are ideal for headbanging. The show starts at 9pm and $5 gets you in.

Tonight: The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die

August 14, 2015

Emo lovers rejoice. Another absolutely stacked lineup makes it was to Waiting Room tonight. Taking the stage tonight will be indie emo/post rock outfit The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die, fresh off of the announcement of a new album, Harmlessness, set to be released September 25th via Epitaph Records. The band has hyped the record as one of its most ambitious releases yet. Also on the bill is the post hardcore / screamo act turned turned soft (in a good way), Pianos Become The Teeth. Opening will be emo / pop punk outfit Turnover, making their much awaited return to Waiting Room. Turnover also embraced a softer, lighter sound on their latest release, Peripheral Vision, creating an incredible atmosphere throughout the new record.  First to take the stage will be the talk rock band Take One Car, also making their return to Buffalo.[...]

Tonight: The Both (Aimee Mann and Ted Leo)

August 14, 2015

Individually, a chance to see either Ted Leo or Aimee Mann is a no brainer. Both musicians have had long and consistently solid careers and continue to make great music. So, having the opportunity to see their collaborative project, The Both, is a double no brainer(?), which, I know is not the best way to say attending this show is a good idea but it is Friday and we have all had a long week. What started as a one off collaboration between good friends has evolved into a fruitful creative endeavor and the band is touring in support of their debut LP, released earlier this Spring on Aimee Mann’s label. Fans of either artist’s solo material, as well as solid power pop, catchy hooks and clever lyrics will find a lot to like here. Opening for The Both is Bryan Johnson and the Family. Bryan Johnson is a very[...]

Tonight: Sonny Baker w/Dreambeaches

August 13, 2015

Free show alert! One of Buffalo’s most prolific musicians, Sonny Baker, will be performing selections off his upcoming, full band EP Flesh It Out later on this evening at Hardware. Baker just shared the EP’s latest track, titled “(underachiever),” earlier this morning. Check it out below. As if that wasn’t enough, the local dream-surfers in Dreambeaches (Humble Braggers’ Corey Bzibziak) will be rounding out the bill. Queen City Cartel are the people to thank for tonight’s wonderful (did we mention free?) showcase – tonight is round six of their biweekly Thursday series in the back room of Hardware. Like we said, there’s no cover tonight. The show is set to start at 10pm, but make sure you are 21+ before you head out the door. We’ll see you all for some drinks and music tonight at Hardware.

Tonight: Hieronymus Bogs

August 12, 2015

Looking to get out of the house tonight? Interested in hearing some live music that wont melt your face or leave you wishing you brought ear plugs? Then you should probably head down to Nietzsche’s for a night of acoustic tunes from Rochester’s Hieronymus Bogs and home town acts Leroy & Loretta and The Brown Family Singers. Bogs’s new record The Angel is set to drop this Saturday (you can stream it here), so look forward to a selection of those tunes to be tackled later on. If you make the leap and go, expect to have your heart warmed with the soft acoustic tunes of all of these groups. To put it in another perspective, this isn’t a night for $3 PBRss but rather one to sip on scotch. The evening will be hosted by Alfred Eberle Brown of the Brown Family Singers. Admission is presumed to be free, but that[...]

Tonight: Iris Lune

August 12, 2015

Since it’s debut as a new art space, Dreamland has put a special effort into bringing exciting new and upcoming artists to a receptive Buffalo public. Tonight is no different as as the Brooklyn-based indie rockers, Iris Lune, make their way to Buffalo. Still on the cusp of finally releasing their debut EP, Iris Lune’s exact music identity remains still much a mystery, but the glimpses we’ve gotten thus far are quite promising.  Lead single “Triplets” and live track “Bring Me the Moon” suggest a band with a unique blend of instrumentation, producing work massive in scope on a micro level. Iris Lune’s music has a sweeping majestic quality to it, one remiscent of artists like Bjork and Bat for Lashes. Dreamy but formidable, this band could be one to watch in the coming year. Joining Iris Lune will be a host of local bands, including local grunge rockers, Circular Logic.[...]

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.