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Tonight: Killswitch Engage

May 18, 2014

After years of touring and a steady stream of innovative and punishing releases, Killswitch Engage has finally found their way into the mainstream. Perhaps the most popular “metalcore” band of our time, Killswitch’s combination of soaring melodies and crushing breakdowns, coupled with the return of original singer, Jesse Leach, has proven itself to be a successful formula, credibility still intact no less. A KE show is high-energy; windmill kicks, pit bashing, and fist-pumping chants galore. I’d suggest checking them out tonight at Town Ballroom (7pm, $28) to see what I mean. It’s hard not to get charged during their sets. Opening are Battlecross and Nothing More.

Tonight: Pearson Sound

May 17, 2014

Part two of Club Phenomenology will stir up Buffalo tonight. It’s subtitle? “The Grid.” Put on by Sean Feiner and Nick States of Infinite Zone Productions, in addition to their other crew Cool Dad Records, which additionally comprises Kyle Tatum and Brian Doyle of Eyes Everywhere and Alex Morrison, the tight-knit group is out to bring an aspect of music that is not new to the dance scene. Rather, they’re out to enhance it further, and explore the opportunities. Headliner Pearson Sound, a UK producer and DJ, will take the stage at Buffalo Iron Works. Originally, this event was planned to be at The Wastelands (located at 700 Main St.) but due to unfortunate – and uncertain – circumstances, that venue closed. Execution of the event was shaky, but only momentarily. In the same day that it was “cancelled,” it was announced to be back on and taking place at Iron Works,[...]

Tonight: Marco Benevento

May 16, 2014

Much like the rambling drags of his jazz-infused keys, Marco Benevento has wandered among the ranks of a star-studded list of musicians with whom he has shared both stage and studio. Anastasio (Phish), Chamberlain (Pearl Jam), and Traver (Rubblebucket), just to name a few. Through his genre-transcending sets steeped in everything from elegant classical compositions to psychedelic jams and vibrant dance electronica, Benevento creates a free-flowing experience of a live show that one should find themselves hard-pressed to miss. He’ll be bringing it all to Nietzsche’s tonight at 10pm, $15 Door

Tonight: Sleepy Hahas Album Release Show

May 16, 2014

After some minor lineup tweaking, the Buffalo psych garage four-piece, Sleepy Hahas, is set to celebrate the release of its debut LP, the heavy and driving Dull Days, tonight at Buffalo Iron Works. The coming together of the album has been a bit of a communal effort, with the Victory Gardens handling some impressive album art work and Lesionread jumping behind the camera for a couple videos (see the lyric video below) to a couple of Dull Days‘ tracks. As for our thoughts on the album, check back with us next week for a proper write up. Joining the fun tonight will be Fredonia fuzz rock threesome Zealot, the darker pop sounds of Strange Acres, and crunchy college rocking Bearhunter. Tonight’s show kicks off at 8pm with a $5 cover.

Tonight: Night Birds

May 15, 2014

Before heading to Canada for a couple gigs, New Jersey’s Night Birds will make a quick stop at Nietzsche’s this evening, not Broadway Joe’s as originally planned. The band plays a brand of fast-paced raucous surf-punk that is pretty well-received in our city. They also wouldn’t sound out of place on an early Tony Hawk Pro Skater game. Providing local support tonight will be instrumental surf trio Aaron & the Burrs as well as the crispy new post-punk act Orations. Show kicks off at 8:45 sharp. $6 will get you through the door.

Tonight: Mastodon

May 12, 2014

The other day I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and we were talking about what makes a metal band great. In this day and age, metal bands are a dime a dozen, and with so many heavy bands out there, it’s sometimes difficult for the uninitiated to discern the trash from the true. True fans of the genre ( like my friend, who’s absolutely obsessed) seem to have an innate understanding and opinion of what makes a band great, good, or simply average, so I was curious to pick his brain a little bit and see what we could come up with. Here’s the gist of our convo. The band should be overwhelmingly fast (DRI), or overwhelmingly slow (Crowbar), overwhelmingly crushing (Behemoth), absurdly technical (Unearth), or just flat out produce memorable riffage (Pantera). Points for creativeness (Spiral Architect) and the ability to integrate other musical genres[...]

Tonight: Party at the Polish Library

May 10, 2014

Over the last couple years, a weird thing’s happened in the Buffalo music scene: a ton of mid-level rock music clubs closed. With the departure of long-time staples like Mohawk Place, Soundlab, The Vault, and even, like, that place that used to be Blue Monk, most area bands and promoters have been forced to shoot for either opening slots at bigger downtown halls, or organize house parties at one of the myriad, illegal basements. This kinda sucked on one hand, but on the other, it forced local music to adjust, and move beyond its arguable state of atrophy; things kinda had to change. So bands broke up and re-organized in better forms, and new, oddball venues started getting a lot of traction. One place that’s picked up a bunch of otherwise homeless show ideas is the Polish Library (612 Fillmore Ave) – a weird but welcoming East Side locale with[...]

Tonight: Floor

May 8, 2014

To the heavy-initiated Floor need no introduction. They are a legendary metal band incorporating stoner elements with traditional doom and sludge. To their fans, they are much, MUCH more. Floor have always been trendsetters, among the first to incorporate slowed tempos with churning groove, and always stood apart from the rest of their bearded brethren. Their magnetic releases could only be topped by their live shows, a caucophony of blistering sound and visceral pummel. They’re the band that the newbies would be forced to hear about, as us old-timers not-so-subtlely bragged about “being there” in the 90’s. Fortunately for those newbies Floor is back, after a bit of a layoff, and have been laying crowds to waste in recent times. I had the chance to see them at Soundlab a few years back and loud isn’t strong enough of a word. Earplugs are advised. Tonight, we hail all things Floor[...]

Tonight: Pine Fever

May 5, 2014

What says “Cinco de Mayo” more than an Americana band playing at a pizzeria? A ton of things. But given that so many people use Cinco de Mayo more as an excuse to drink tequila than to celebrate the Battle of Puebla, I don’t think it matters so much, as long as it’s fun. Pine Fever will be playing some tunes at Vera on Lexington at 10 pm. They’ll be joined by local burlesque heroes the Stripteasers. Check it out, try to keep the crass cultural appropriation to a minimum, and you’re sure to have a great Monday evening.

Tonight: Transmission Dance Party

May 3, 2014

Buffalo’s best alt music dance party, Transmission Dance, is back for another round at the Tudor Lounge tonight. Since Mohawk Place shut down, the long running series has bounced around a bit from venues like Buffalo Iron Works, the Waiting Room, and most recently, in Hardware’s back room last month for a Depeche Mode and New Order focused evening, but it seems like Tudor is slowly becoming its new home base. Those familiar with Transmission know what to expect: choice cuts of indie and alternative dance music from the 80s/90s/aughts all night long. Hit up the event page to make a request or two with Bill and Jason before heading over. Music kicks off at 11pm tonight. Make sure to have $5 ready at the door.

Tonight: Hot Date

May 3, 2014

If getting your brain guts all twisted up is something you’re into tonight, we’d like to suggest checking out Hot Date at Dreamland. Seeking to free the upright bass from the strict role of accompaniment, this NYC duo uses the instrument as a centerpiece to weave convoluted sonic textures. Sometimes minimal and straight-forward, then at turns glitchy and dark, Hot Date delve into some seriously thought-provoking, and often startling, sonic terrain. Performances by Wild Gone Girls, Kyle Butler, and Buffalo’s under-recognized anti-classical cellist T.J. Borden (with Ravi Padmanahba) round out a night of audio/visual noise and exploration. Bring a hot date, but bring one of those orange ladies that don’t seem to have many brain guts; see how well THAT goes.

Tonight: Jack Topht and JeffRepeater

May 2, 2014

Sometimes at the end of the day, when all is said and done, nothing makes more sense than to grovel down a slice of pizza with a bottle of beer. If you agree with this sentiment, consider tonight a little holiday. Two of Buffalo’s prime musical entertainers, Jack Topht and JeffRepeater, will be performing at the joint tailored to this golden pairing, Crust Pizzeria on Allen Street.  Repeater has been showering crowds with the city’s finest electronic music for some time while Jack Topht has established himself as Allentown’s veteran rap-star, coining prophetic mantras that have spread far and wide (“Doin’ Beers”). Beats, pizza, beer, and rhymes. Napkin dispenser nearby. Doin’ toppings and fluorescent lights. But seriously, you can bet the formula is bound to transform Crust Pizzeria into the Headquarters of Vibe. So head down this evening, choose your own toppings, and soak in some music conjured by two[...]

Tonight: Ani DiFranco

May 2, 2014

Ani DiFranco has built up quite the history in my heart, and I’m sure many others. One of my first CDs was a mix made by my cousin. Although I have this underlying feeling that listening to Ani’s music at the youthful age of 11 years old may have prematurely added to both my romantic vulnerability and jadedness, she played a significant part in the development of my poetic state of mind, my endless search for meaning and truth and the drive to become who I want to be. Perhaps many people can agree with that statement, or maybe they have reasons otherwise. Regardless, Ani DiFranco lovers from the Queen City share her Buffalonian heritage. Seeing a concert of hers in Buffalo, particularly Babeville – a 19th century Gothic-revival church she saved, rehabed, and turned into a venue hall – is a special moment, in and of itself. The “little[...]

Tonight: Sonny Baker

April 29, 2014

Speaking of Sonny Baker, the singer/songwriter will be playing an electric set over at Buffalo Iron Works this evening for the happy hour crowd. A member of Lazlo Hollyfeld, Wooden Waves, A Hotel Nourishing, and Alex Berkeley & the Atlanta Falcons, the long time Buffalo stalwart has been a staple in the local scene for what seems to be much longer than his age would allow. Expect some cuts from his various solo EPs, including his most recent, Mangled in the Front, while you down some Iron Works poutine. Baker hits the stage tonight at 6pm. No cover. Photo Credit – Jeannette Chin

Tonight: Keir Neuringer

April 28, 2014

Keir Neuringer is what you could call a jack-of-all-trades. He doesn’t limit his mind to one form of artistic expression. Instead, it blends together and crosses over into one experimental golden nugget. Initially Neuringer focused on developing a idiosyncratic relationship with the saxophone that can be heard in his latest LP, Ceremonies Out Of The Air. Neuringer also champions the organ and other electronics, mixing these elements into sonic reflections about our world’s history (see clip below) that demand the listener let go of their preconceived notions about what music is and how it should work. His background in merging visual art with sound brings another dimension of the creative spirit to the table. Don’t go into the performance expecting anything but hearing a new way of approaching music itself. Tonight Neuringer will be playing at Hallwall’s Contemporary Art Center at 8:00 p.m. $10 does the trick.