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Must See Shows (11.13.24-11.19.24)

November 12, 2024

Wednesday, November 13th @ 7:30pm Say Anything @ RiverWorks Mid-aughts pop-punk royals Say Anything are in town mid-week to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album Is a Real Boy on Wednesday. Is a Real Boy holds a place in the heart of many millennials, as the album was almost anthemic with themes of defying the norm and embracing oneself. The band will be playing the album in its entirety, which will surely be accompanied by a chorus of hundreds of die hard fans. Hopefully, the band has time for their latest album …Is Committed, as it is a promising evolution on the band’s signature edgy delivery. Angel Du$t and Social Animals will be sharing the bill, so get there early as you won’t want to miss this. Tickets are $46.28. SAY ANYTHING · Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too Saturday, November 16th @ 7pm Harvest Sum 20th Anniversary[...]

Roger Bryan and the Orphans

October 8, 2024

For the past 16 years, Roger Bryan and the Orphans have been foraging a path merging classic american songwriting with both grace and recklessness. Over the fourse of four albums, multiple EPs, and singles, they have created a catolog of ragged glory that continues to grow and evolve while managing to keep a heart stil stitched on it’s well worn sleeve. – RBATO Days Or Nights/That’s Life! by Roger Bryan and The Orphans

Roger Bryan and The Orphans – Days Or Nights​/​That​’​s Life!

September 25, 2024

It wouldn’t be a stretch to call Buffalo-based act Roger Bryan and the Orphans “elder statesmen” – for the last 16+ years, Bryan & co. have been crafting ragged, heartstring-healing Americana. Their latest album, Days Or Nights/That’s Life! (DONTL), is a 10-song continuation of their ever-growing catalogue. Expect songs that sound rusty (in a Rust Belt sort of way), soaked with harmonica, vintage organ tones, and crispy Telecaster-esque crunch that you might expect from someplace where the music tends to be a little more twangy. DONTL kicks off with the rambling “Remind Me,” which immediately highlights the aforementioned instrumental suite that makes Bryan’s compositions so heartwarming. Screaming harmonica soars overtop an open chord jangle, falling into a pocket of alt-country emotion that feels hopeful, lovelorn, and lightly restless. Bryan’s hushed but impassioned vocals are an obvious pull here, and while this is certainly more Wilco-coded than late-90s pop rock, I do[...]

Roger Bryan and the Orphans – Keep You in Mind

September 3, 2019

Veteran americana indie rock outfit Roger Bryan and the Orphans recently released their new record Keep You in Mind. The quartet’s first release since 2017’s 9er EP, Keep You in Mind is quite simply a gorgeous record that further cements Bryan’s status as one of the most talented songwriters in Buffalo’s music scene. Bryan’s deep vocals have an extraordinary ability to feel brooding, exuberant, wistful, or contemplative as each song progresses. The title track, which kicks off the album does a nice job of setting the tone, with an upbeat sound and a thoroughly catchy hook. I must also make special note of the standout lead guitar work on this record by Bryan’s fellow Harvestsum alum David Calos. Another fabulous track is the blistering “Faster Than Forward” which almost begs to be played with the windows down. “Roll It” shows a slower side of the band, with mournful pedal steel underscoring[...]

Roger Bryan and The Orphans Release New Single

August 9, 2019

Local indie mainstays, Roger Bryan and The Orphans are back with the announcement of their new album. Their first single, “Nowhere, Underground,” from their forthcoming LP, Keep You In Mind, kicks off with a quick four bar build before a shiny slide guitar, or possible pedal-steel, blossoms out. Lead singer/strummer, Roger Bryan’s deep vocals lock in with the back beat rhythm and complement the guitar playing quite well. Think The Fray mixed with The National.Taking on themes of self-dependence, Bryan uses the lyrics, “Gunning for the crown, Patiently, nowhere to be found, nowhere underground, No where is the reason you have a soul to breathe,” to introduce a character who has shrugged off the modern trappings of society. “Feed off the moon, and sing into your lips,” lyrics describing a hopelessly romantic scene, proves the optimism held in life’s simple pleasures. Taking a cue from the debut single, the rest[...]

Roger Bryan and the Orphans – 9er

August 18, 2017

Buffalo indie rock veterans Roger Bryan and the Orphans are back with a sparkly new EP of material ideally timed for wrapping up the summer season, looking ahead to fall, and giving it all a fuzzy folk rock kiss. 9er is a tight and thoroughly refreshing burst of Midwestern/Rust Belt sonic and emotional earnestness that recalls the stomping, charged up vintage 90’s Wilco sound I’ve frankly kind of been missing these last few years. “Man Of Time” is a series of musical sweet spots hit: plaintive vocals and guitar strumming give way to bittersweet harmonies and potent yet understated riffs that verge on anthemic. Wistful and beguiling, “Nowhere Else” is a psychedelic country rock gem that keeps lifting itself higher with it’s casually intricate vocal harmonies and modestly triumphant guitar rock heroism, while lead single “Whylife” is all searching Gen X angst and soaring guitars before crashing you back to earth. 9er is a[...]

Roger Bryan and the Orphans Drop New Single “WhyLife”

March 1, 2017

Buffalo americana act, Roger Byran and the Orphans, are back with their first new recording since 2014. Coming back from their break, the band just dropped a super catchy new track, titled “WhyLife.” While there’s no drastic changes sonically from their past releases, they remind us that they are still capable of writing an insanely catchy song. Bouncy and driving, the track is a perfect example of what Roger Bryan and the Orphans are all about. According to the band’s bandcamp, this version of “Whylife” is different compared to what will appear on an upcoming release, presumably out later this year. If you’re into alternative / americana acts like Ryan Adams or The Replacements, do yourself a favor and check out the track below.

Tonight: Difficult Night

December 11, 2015

If you read this blog with any frequency, by now you probably know Difficult Night. The outfit’s brand of twinkly slackrock, when met with the open-book rhetorical accuracy of songwriter Shane Meyer, makes for a unique musical product about as unassuming as it comes. A balance is met, and it is met well. Difficult Night will be bringing their tunes to the stage of Nietzsche’s tonight after somewhat of a quiet year for the quartet. Buffalo roots rock vets Roger Bryan and the Orphans, post-punk locals The Patterns, and the vibraphone uniqueness of duo Welks Mice are all gracing the stacked Friday bill as well. Doors open at 9pm with a $5 cover.

Harvest Sum

June 19, 2015

For the second year in a row, Nietzsche’s will be the site for a Harvest Sum reunion as the widely influential collective of musicians and friends will come together for the label’s Herd Fest showcase. Since forming in 2004, HS has featured some of Buffalo’s finest bands, including the Old Sweethearts, Besnyo, Sleeping Kings of Iona, Roger Bryan & the Orphans, and more. As groups have called it quits, band members have come and gone, and children have arrived, HS shows have started become a rare occurrence. The temporary closing of Mohawk Place, the surrogate home to most of the bands’ members, certainly didn’t help either. But once or twice a year, a handful of the acts get together and remind you how special each of them still are to the city. For this year’s showcase, the label will feature performances from Roger Bryan, Applennium, Bearhunter, Strange Acres, and Jonny Nobody,[...]

Tonight: Centro-matic

December 14, 2014

After 17 impressive years of relentless touring and songwriting, alt-country kings, Centro-matic, will be bringing their craft to Buffalo for the last time tonight as part of their 2014 Farewell Tour. “This time feels as good a note as ever to go out on and I feel safe in saying that Mark, Matt, Scott, and I would like for this tour and for these shows to be a celebration of our work and time together,” notes singer/songwriter Will Johnson on Centro-matic’s website. This particular gathering of friends (as the prolific Johnson suggests the shows on this tour should be) will take place at the Sportsmen’s Tavern (326 Amherst St.) with local support provided by long-time Buffalo favorites Roger Bryan and the Orphans. As aforementioned, this is last call for Centro-matic, I repeat: last call. Don’t miss out on this. Show starts at 7pm, tickets are $15 at the door, 21+.

Tonight: Roger Bryan & the Orphans

October 18, 2014

The weekend has landed. That means, if you haven’t already, finding something to do that will wipe clean your pent up nine-to-five weekday stress. Well, if you’re reading this, you’ve come to the right place. Tonight, the second-floor stage of Elmwood watering hole Mr. Goodbar will host a variety of talent to satisfy your Saturday. Tonight’s bill includes local alt-country heroes Roger Bryan & the Orphans, the Niagara Falls natives in No Wounded Soldiers (think Arctic Monkeys meets Generationals), and the rhythmic explorations of experimental electronic artist Ay Fast, otherwise known as Adrian Bertalone. Pop-punkers The Revenge Therapists will be opening the show and kicking things off. If you caught RB&tO’s set at Harvest Sum’s showcase at Herdfest earlier this year, then you know their live set is not one to miss. Their organized blend of alt-country and rootsy college rock permeates down to the core for a feel-good sound[...]

Harvest Sum Releases 10th Anniversary Compliation

June 23, 2014

This past Saturday at Nietzsche’s, long time local label, Harvest Sum, celebrated ten years of music in Buffalo. In conjunction with the anniversary party, which was put on as part of our weekend long Herd Fest, the label released a compilation of previously unreleased, new, and rare tracks from Harvest Sum’s past and present. Featuring cuts from Wooden Waves, Roger Bryan & the Orphans, Fourem, Applennium (who, BTW, may have had the best performance of Saturday night), and more, the 8-track comp is a great way to familiarize yourself with one of Buffalo’s best music treasures, which hopefully will still be running strong in another ten years. You can download the entire compilation over at Harvest Sum’s facebook page. While it’s downloading, check out the stunner of a closing track, “I Hope You’re Well, Brother” from Fourem, below.

Harvest Sum

June 19, 2014

Back in 2006, I really didn’t know much at all about Buffalo’s local music scene. I just graduated from college and returned home to figure out my next move. While working part time at UB, my boss turned me on to this band he liked from this local label. He told me a guy he went to high school with played guitar in it and I should check it out. Said it had some poppy Wilco vibes going on. He burned me a copy of the Old Sweethearts’ Arms of the Town and I was hooked. I didn’t know there was local music that could affect me like those bigger bands that stopped in our city once in a blue moon, if we are lucky. I wanted to find more acts like this. I started visiting Mohawk Place on a semi-regular basis. Being from Amherst, I never went into the[...]