Latest Posts

Tonight: RL Grime

November 8, 2014

Well, the show sold out a few days prior to tonight and people were in a frenzy trying to find tickets. Waiting Room will be packed to the legal capacity brim for three heavy-hitting DJs. RL Grime is headlining the evening. With the WEDIDIT Collective, he kick started his career in the electronic realm. Further releases gained him recognition from Fool’s Gold, Ministry of Sound, Boiler Room and more. On tour for Void, his most recent album release, his track “Core” had people losing their minds after the first listen.   [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/158827653″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]   Also playing will be Branchez and Tommy Kruise. Hailing from New York City, Branchez has become acclaimed for his productions and supported by names like Diplo and Skrillex as well as  touring with Zeds Dead, Paper Diamond and Giraffage. Tommy Kruise has been rising as a big talent within the pool of Quebecois[...]

Tonight: J.Phlip and Monty Luke

November 7, 2014

Dirtybird is not just a record label. The people that comprise dirtybird are your friends. Whether it is one of the dirtybird players performing solo, or all of them at their touring dirtybird BBQ, there is no doubt that you will have an experience. J.Phlip, the dirtybird duchess, returns to Buffalo again tonight. When not monikered she is known as Jessica Phillippe. Given her Chicago house influences from growing up in Champaign, Ill., the sounds of her sets and productions have a depth, complexity and smoothness to them, you might as well be drinking a well-aged scotch. J.Phlip has the ability to draw you in with sound and take you to another place. Don’t believe it? Just take a listen to her set closing down the Beatport stage at DEMF last year. Also on tour with her is Monty Luke. From Brooklyn, he made his way to the West Coast[...]

Tonight: Keys N Krates

October 26, 2014

In the year 2008 in Toronto, Adam Tune, David Matisse, and Jr. Flo decided that they wanted to do something different. Live electronic music with their own style, the three perform with  turntables, keys, a synth, and drums  to re-create the trap genre as Keys N Krates. Elementally transformative, Keys N Krates establishes a show that is complex. The members have had recognition from major names, including the signing of their EP to major record label Dim Mak Records. With the release of their Every Nite EP in September, the group is on a 40-50 city tour, along with other impressive names in the game. Keys N Krates will hit Buffalo tonight, hosted by MNM Presents, at Town Ballroom. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/52053453″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Also performing will be gLAdiator, a duo that gained recognition and an debut album release from the highly esteemed Fool’s Gold Records, with productions undeniably intricate[...]

Tonight: Gwar

October 19, 2014

For many, Gwar is that band. That band that “I must see before I die.” Earlier this year, though, many believed that if you hadn’t seen Gwar already, then you were doomed after front man and founding member, Dave Brockie, was tragically found dead due to a heroin overdose. However, Gwar is bigger than one man. Even with Brockie and his alter ego, Orderus Urungus, sadly gone, the show must go on. New front woman, Vulvatron, is the first female member of the shock-metal act since the departure of Slymenstra Hymen in 2000. Vulvatron is played by designer Kim Dylla, who allegedly shoots blood from her nipples (see below), so that’s something for the kiddies. The Gwar traveling circus will be making a stop in Buffalo tonight at the Town Ballroom. Also on the bill are Decapitated and American Sharks. Tickets are $24 at the door. This show is a[...]

Tonight: Cheap Girls

October 13, 2014

Mohawk Place is a venue with more than a lot of history for Buffalonians and since it reopen last month, many bands will add to the esteemed venue’s history. That said, few bands better reflect both where the venue has been and where it is going than the showcase of bands gracing it’s stage tonight. That starts with Cheap Girls, a trio hailing from Lansing, Michigan with a sound that reflects everyone from The Replacements to Gin Blossoms to the Gaslight Anthem. They’ll be hitting our fair city in support of their latest album, Famous Graves.  The band has been quietly been making a name for themselves among retro-rock enthusiasts for awhile and with their realist blue-collar lyrics, catchy pop hooks, and classic guitar riffs, should put on quite the show. And speaking of bands of the future working off the past, Beach Slang will bring their brand of 90s-inspired[...]

Tonight: II Sogno Del Marinaio with Mike Watt

October 8, 2014

The Sportsmen’s Tavern is like the forgotten step child on Christmas, somehow ending up overlooked while everyone else got presents. In all fairness, the Sportsmen is really easy to skip over, especially if you don’t live in Black Rock. For the Allentown and West Side kids, it’s really convenient to locked into our little commune between the Glitterbox, Hoyt House, the Jungle Gym, and Black Dots Records, not to mention the Allen Street staples like Nietzsche’s, Duke’s, and Hardware. Sportsmen’s manages to fly underneath the radar, even though the joint continues to book some amazing acts. Tonight is one of those nights, as II Sogno Del Marianio with Mike Watt will be gracing the stage. Watt is just that guy, still flying high on his glory days with The Minutemen. In recent years, he has found himself in projects with musicians half his age as well as taking over bass responsibilities[...]

Tonight: Ab-Soul

October 2, 2014

After Dark presents hip hop artist Ab-Soul at Waiting Room tonight. Hailing from California, the rapper, born Herbert Anthony Stevens IV, has had a long winding road that has led him to where he is now.  He has had three albums released and has been featured and collaborated with plenty of climbing and established hip hop artists, like Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, Danny Brown, Jhene Aiko and more. Also performing tonight will be BAS, EARTHGANG, BILL $ABER, and DJ JETT. Tonight, Thursday, October 2 After Dark Presents Ab-Soul Waiting Room (334 Delaware Ave.) Doors at 7 p.m., $27 See the Facebook event page.

Tonight: Deafheaven

September 18, 2014

In heavy metal, or any genre of music for that matter, it’s difficult to create a sound that is truly unique. For every band or artist that plies their craft in an attempt to be original and relevant and true to themselves, there are the inevitable comparisons to “similiar” artists; similar in sound, style or perhaps, more profoundly, in cultural expression. Take Pearl Jam, a massively popular band that, despite years of solid releases that span acoustic Crazy-Horse dirge to chaotic bombast, ala “Do the Evolution,” will always be, in some sense, lumped in with the grunge sound (whatever the hell that really is). Pearl Jam is associated with grunge because they were part of that movement, for good or ill, and their first album reflects that sound. And it doesn’t matter what the rest of the albums sound like. They will always be that band. That’s why it’s so[...]

Tonight: The Gaslight Anthem

September 17, 2014

Next to the Boss, no artist embodies the spirit of New Jersey quite like the Gaslight Anthem. With their tales of lost romance and city streets, poetic bent for gritty storytelling, focally set on urban imagery, the Anthem fit comfortably in the nestled nook of traditional rock’n’roll, all whilst traversing a somewhat punk rock spirit. Call them saviors, call them whatever you want. This is REAL rock’n’roll anyway you slice the dice. Along with Against Me!, another band that has carved out a unique niche in the ofter-than-not constricting medium that is punk, The Gaslight Anthem will be performing a special show tonight at the Town Ballroom ($29, 7pm). As legend of their live performances continues to grow, so does their popularity, and you’d be foolish to miss them. This band is just going to keep on getting bigger, mark my words. Get there early to catch opener, Twopointeight.

Tonight: Man or Astroman?

September 9, 2014

Is it a Man…or is it an Astroman? This is the question that has plagued mankind for over 20 years. And these surf rock sounds from outerspace? Well, lets just chalk it up to good old fashioned fun, because at the end of the day, isn’t that what Man or Astroman? is really all about? Those of us that grew up watching B-movies, Mystery Science Theater, and rank Plan 9 from Outer Space as one of our favorite movies gets it and tonight we celebrate it. For those who don’t know, picture Dick Dale on acid, a perverse distorted version of rock’n’roll held on planet Mars. This is essentially Man or Astroman?, one of the States’ greatest cult bands. They are the surf that meets the sci-fi. Totally bizarre, totally tubular (cowabunga?), totally everything that makes this kind of music fun. And totally playing the Tralf along with hard rockers,the[...]

Tonight: Shilpa Ray

August 23, 2014

Shilpa Ray has a long and passionate history with the city of Buffalo. The NYC resident has played our little nook for years, both as a solo act and as the front woman for Her Happy Hookers. Since her visits began nearly a decade ago, Buffalo has embraced her with open arms, perhaps because, as the old saying goes, real recognizes real. Shilpa is an artist’s artist; a commanding lyricist, powerful stage presence, and a unique entity in todays mish-mash world of categorized phonies. An infusion of blues, punk, rock’n’roll, and soul is perhaps the only good way to describe her sound. Look to 2011’s Teenage and Torture for assurance and to have your mind absolutely blown. Girls got pipes. Tonight, Shilpa will be playing Nietzsches, her main stomping grounds since Mohawk closed, along with the fast-rising duo, She Keeps Bees. As both are known for their eclectic and moving live shows,[...]

Tonight: Hooray For Earth

August 20, 2014

Originating as an alias for the home recordings of multi-instrumental Noel Heroux, New York-based experimental rock band Hooray For Earth have released five studio albums since 2008. Their most recent LP, Racy, was released back in July on Dovecote Records and includes the blissfully experimental single, “Keys,” and features an atmospheric pop-rock sound. The latest single from the album, “Say Enough,” had its’ video premiere on Stereogum earlier today. The clip follows the band’s tradition of pairing their work with equally experimental visuals. Tonight, the band plays Buffalo all-ages venue Sugar City in support of Racy. Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm.

Tonight: Lydia Loveless

August 15, 2014

The name Lydia Loveless may not ring a bell, even though it should. The alt-country goddess hailing from Columbus, Ohio has been churning out recordings like it’s her job since she was fifteen. Loveless (who is no relation to Nashville great Patty Loveless) was born with the music business pumping through her veins. Herfather owned and operated a country music venue in her hometown, which Loveless remembers fondly. “There were always musicians around from a very early age for me, and I think that’s one of the reasons why it’s ingrained,” she says. Loveless has also built a reputation for herself, due to the subject manner of her material Song subjects have ranged from a stalker who resembles Steve Earle to one about Jeffrey Dahmer. “Sometimes I try to re-examine certain situations I’ve experienced or read about, not necessarily for a song, but just to think about it from a[...]

Tonight: Boris

August 8, 2014

It’s not often that an experimental, Japanese metal trio receive the kind of hype that Boris has been showered with. After all, they are decidedly rock (in decidedly un-rockist times) and the words “experimental” and “trio” in the rock idiom are usually attached to bands like YES, a decent act if you like watching paint dry or think jazz fusion is “pretty cool maaaaaaaan”. Fortunately, Boris is not that kind of band. What they ARE is a blistering amalgamation of pyschedelia, ambience, pop and metal riffage rolled into one six-legged package. With influences as deep as Nick Cave, Venom, Sleep, and Nick Drake, one can see how good taste in music often translates to good taste in songwriting. Bonus points for naming your band after a Melvins song. It’s been five long years since Boris returned to Buffalo. Tonight they will be blowing eardrums (literally: earplugs advised) at the same[...]

Tonight: Queen City Cartel Presents Boombox 004

August 1, 2014

It’s a sucker free zone at the Queen City Cartel Boombox parties. The fourth session will take place tonight in the backroom at Hardware, featuring music from Miosi, Jolly Wailer and NSFW. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/76932595″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/160955179″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156985056″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] The colorful and vibrant painted stacked sound system, provided by Jolly Wailer, is like no other. High energy vibes and dancing. Also, get entranced by the weirdly fascinating visuals projected behind the DJ. Jony James Band will be in the front room if you’re looking for that kind of vibe. Or party in the back, if that’s more what you’re about. Queen City Cartel presents Boombox 004 Allen Street Hardware (245 Allen St.) 11 p.m.-3:30 a.m. 21+ View the event page on Facebook.