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Tonight: Newish Star

September 24, 2015

After a summer long slew of free shows that featured the likes of Governess, Dreambeaches, Sonny Baker, Kharlos, and more, Queen City Cartel’s bi-monthly showcase in the back room of Hardware is coming to an end (just for the season, though, so don’t be sad). For the final bill of the summer series, QCC welcomes the sharp pop/punk West Side trio, Newish Star. Since debuting in the spring of 2013, the three piece has already amassed a deep catalog, one that included two new releases this year alone, of clever, over-before-you-know-it nuggets. If you missed Newish Star’s nearly washed out set at the once again soaked Music Is Art festival a couple weeks back, tonight’s gig should be considerably more dry. Opening for NS will be the raucous, lo-fi punk pair Space is Haunted. Like all QCC showcases this summer, tonight’s finale is free of charge. Music begins at 10pm.[...]

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: M.A.G.S. w/ the Soft Love

July 30, 2015

While Elliot Douglas has been part of the Buffalo music scene for quite awhile, but it wasn’t till his formation with Adam Lilley and Andy Wesner as M.A.G.S. that it seemed as if everything came into place. The trio finds itself in a middle ground between garage rock and post-punk but with hooks to rival any major pop act. This is a band that can be absolutely blistering live while still delivering sugary sweet singles. Tonight, the band continues to ride the wave of momentum its been on since the release of the Cellophane EP earlier this year. Joining them will be the Soft Love, the much-buzzed new kids on the block who’s debut single “ALL OF IT” introduced the world to their particular gritty and aggressive blues rock sound. The band has gained a glowing reputation for its live shows at local clubs and this year’s Herd Fest. This stellar[...]

Tonight: Queen City Cartel’s Summer Melt

August 16, 2014

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Buffalo DJ enclave, Queen City Cartel. The group used to control the coolest dance parties and DJ most events throughout the majority of the scene. There was a time that if there was a legit DJ spinning at a Buffalo party, there was a 96% chance that DJ was a QCC member. With that being said, Queen City Cartel ventured beyond it’s DJing safety zone to throw a pretty notable party at DBGB’s tonight complete with live music acts. Featured on the bill are three bands that if you read the blog regularly, you know we are fans of. First on the bill is SMART HOUSE, a band that seldom plays, but every time they do, the crowd digs them. Like REALLY digs them. Fronted by Alek Ogadzhanov, the band is the perfect mix between JOYWAVE and Metronomy. Following SMART HOUSE is Humble Braggers, a[...]

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.

Today and Tonight: Red, White & Igloo – Queen City Cartel Boombox 003

July 4, 2014

America. Political stances aside, the Fourth of July is the one day a year where mostly everyone will bust out their patriotic attire, fire up the grills and shoot off those fireworks they scored from Pennsylvania (or trek downtown to watch regulated ones). For a while, my family and I had the same tradition each year. We would camp at Southwick Beach, which was just outside of Syracuse. I have the fondest memories as a child of chasing fireflies, spending time with my grandparents, the smell of the campfire and the exciting but almost terrifying feeling of holding a sparkler and running wild. My “Uncle Kenny” (we weren’t blood related) would gather the family, head to the beach and we would walk a decently far way down, where the campsites ended and there was hardly anyone in sight. My entire family and I, under the starlight ,with the sound of the[...]