Latest Posts

Still Diggin’: Spiral Scratch Records

April 17, 2015

Spiral Scratch Records is the kind of place that’s becoming increasingly hard to find in these times of big-box department stores and strip malls – a shop with character. The Bryant Street record shop is Buffalo’s only independent record store, and definitely one of the quaintest record joints around. Its entire retail space could fit probably fit into your living room, or a single studio apartment, so the place feels crowded with just a half a dozen patrons. But that’s also its charm – the personal, individualized feel of the place, and the chance to interact with hip people who probably share your tastes in music. While the store boasts a good collection of new and used vinyl records – along with various clothes, CDs, books, magazines, stickers and the like – they specialize mainly in punk, indie-rock, and various underground and cult acts. On a typical day you can[...]

buffaBLOG Record Store Day 2015 Preview (WNY Edition)

April 15, 2015

What began as an effort to save independent record stores has evolved into an almost full-fledged international holiday for music lovers, and 2015’s year’s Record Store Day this Saturday promises to be the biggest yet at our local record shops. Seldom does commerce and art and bonafide happening intersect so beautifully as on Record Store Day, and in shops all over Western New York music fans will converge in search of deals, new and esoteric special releases, and the bonhomie one finds when lovers of vinyl come together to celebrate something they hold special. Is it too much to call Record Store Day an almost religious observance? Certainly, but with the shared reverence, goodwill, joyful expectation, hand shaking and good tidings, it’s not far off. To help you get your good feels on this Saturday, here’s our annual guide to Record Store Day in WNY 2015. Of course many of[...]

Still Diggin’: Shopping Local

April 14, 2015

I remember beginning to buy and collect vinyl about four years ago. Sure, since then, my taste has changed vastly, but the reasoning for buying is still the same. There’s just something weird about owning a record, something that I can’t easily put into words, and it’s something that definitely seems to confuse a lot of people. For me, records have always been sort of a ritual for me in a way. Having to pull one off the shelf, open it up, and read the liner notes after dropping the needle is what draws me in. Simply put, it’s the involvement that listening to vinyl requires that makes it special, the involvement that that other formats lack. That involvement has drawn me in and turned record shopping into a real money sink, but a money sink that I love and has made music a truly special aspect of my life.[...]

Tonight: (New England) Patriots

November 8, 2014

Spiral Scratch’s basement may feature the tonight’s best bill with Boston’s (New England) Patriots performing. The four piece plays an eclectic form of punk,  with songs that range from raucous 3 minute put-up or shut-ups to avant garde experimental noise. Along for the ride with the Pats will be PA power pop group, Glamour Girls. Local support comes from basements regulars, punk super-group Hot Tip, West Side surf kings Aaron & the Burrs, and the unknown Worse. Doors are at 5pm. Bring $5 for the touring bands and a little extra to grab a record or two. P.S. While this bill is great, this did seem like a missed opportunity to pair the Pats with Utah Jazz and Alex Berkley & the Atlanta Falcons. P.S.S. This show is also a celebration of Spiral Scratch’s 5 year anniversary. In a time where record stores have become a dying breed, the shop[...]

Tonight: Pleasure Leftists

September 11, 2014

Rust Belt post-punk rockers Pleasure Leftists return to the Queen City with their insurgent sounds for what’s sure to be a special show at Spiral Scratch Records. Cleveland’s music scene has been blowing up recently (i.e. that packed Cloud Nothings show at the Iron Works in April), and Pleasure Leftists seem poised to continue that explosion thanks to their wonderfully propulsive and dark new wave guitar rock and the powerful, Patti Smith-esque vocals of Hayley Morris. Locals surfrockers Aaron & The Burrs, post-punkers Softlines, and Worse, who are making their live debut, will all be providing opening support. Show starts at 7pm, $7.

Tonight: Nudes

July 21, 2014

If you’ve ever been to a show in the basement of Spiral Scratch Records, then you know that it can get ear-splittingly loud down there. Which is perfect for a band like Seattle’s Nudes, who sound like they’re living inside a tornado anyway. They’re at Spiral Scratch tonight, supported by locals White Whale and Sleeptalker. If you’ve ever been naked and covered in venomous spiders, then you kind of already have a grasp on what Nudes is bringing to the table. It’s pulverizing and dark: these guys do not wish you well. Probably a blast to catch, though. White Whale’s no slouch, either, though they substitute Nudes’ darkness with rage and angst. Still grinders, but they wouldn’t be out of place on a bill with Sonic Youth at points, either. While everyone brings the anger, Sleeptalker’s going to bring the weird (and I’m not just saying that because one of[...]

Tonight: Herd Fest Day 2

June 21, 2014

Day 1 of our inaugural Herd Fest is in the books, and if you happened to miss last night, or just wanted more, then you are in luck. Day 2 is bigger, and depending on your tastes, maybe even better. If you missed any of our spotlights on today/tonight’s showcases, lets once again get you up to speed: Black Dots Spiral Scratch Records Harvest Sum @ Nietzsche’s buffaBLOG @ Duke’s Only Comrades @ Allen Street Hardware Music kicks off earlier today at our first of two bonus record shop showcases. Black Dots will begin at 4pm, while Spiral Scratch gets things going at 6pm, then head back to Allen for another long night of music. All showcases today are $5. If you already bought a pre-sale bracelet, then you are all good.

Spiral Scratch Records

June 18, 2014

There’s something pretty special going on at Spiral Scratch Records this Saturday, June 21st. The independent record shop is hosting an afternoon showcase for our inaugural Herd Fest this weeks, so you might want to step outside your normal Allentown routine and check this bill out.  Headlining the afternoon showcase is Bill Nehill and The Poison Arrows along with White Whale, Dream Journal and Fleshy Mounds.  While Nehill and crew have a very early 90s singer-song-writer vibe (feels kind of like Counting Crows or the Wallflowers with some Rust Belt grind) the other three bands are much more high-energy, creating a wonderfully balanced and eclectic experience for concert-goers. Dream Journal is a punk, hard-core band with intelligent lyrics and a velocity to their tunes that makes it nearly impossible to stand still, while Fleshy Mounds kick up the volume and the violence, you can’t really decide if you wanna punch someone, or dance with them listening to their tunes but whatever[...]

Just Announced: Herd Fest

April 14, 2014

Spring has arrived in Buffalo, and just like that, things are on the up.  With summer in the city nearly here, we are happy to announce our next big party plans. Rather than do another stand alone showcase, we decided to be a bit more ambitious this time around.  On June 20th and 21st, the first weekend of summer, we are proud to present Herd Fest. What is Herd Fest? Well, think of it as our own version of CMJ/SXSW. Nine showcases over a two day period in Allentown (and slightly beyond). And for this party, we invited a few of the blog’s closest friends around to be a part of the festivities by hosting their own showcases and personally selecting some of their favorite Buffalo acts to play. While final lineups and schedules won’t be released until May, here is a taste of what Herd Fest will be offering:[...]