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Today: Record Store Day

Today is the ninth annual  Record Store Day, a holiday created in 2007 to celebrate Mom and Pop record stores and the stagnant vinyl industry. In the past nine years, much has changed in the music industry, and vinyl is HOT again (thanks millenials). Over 700 independent retailers across the world celebrating selling/collecting music by numerous rarities and one-offs being released today, including new releases from David Bowie, J. Dilla, and Regina Spektor to name a few. To get a hold of the whole list of new releases, check out Record Store Day’s website. Here’s what is going on locally. Record Theatre (1800 Main St): Ever want to meet Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Mary Ramsey (10,000 Maniacs), and get a signed copy Cassandra Kublinski’s latest CD all in one location with a Community Beer Works beer in hand? Well, good news for you. Get to Record Theatre’s 1800 Main Street location[...]

Tonight: Newish Star, Difficult Night, and more

Unfortunately, New Jersey’s Brick Mower could not make it to this wonderful showcase at one of our favorite local record stores, Spiral Scratch… But there is some good news. On the bright side, tonight’s show is now free! Newish Star and Difficult Night, acts that both contain was distinct, yet different 90s influences, round out tonight’s impressive local bill, with a debut performance from Technochronic and an opening set by Space is Haunted. Doors are at 6:00pm tonight and music will start promptly at 7:00pm.

Tonight: Ghost Dads

Get your dancing shoes ready for some weirdly awesome punk rock. Tonight at 6pm, a smattering of bands will take the stage at Spiral Scratch Records, ranging from surf-jam to hardcore, in support of Pennsylvania’s Ghost Dads. Hailing from Kutztown, Ghost Dads bring the funk to punk music, most recently in their newest EP, Next to the Water Heater. Dream Journal plays out exactly as their name suggests, with stream-of-consciousness lyrical imagery alongside a backdrop of punk-infused power chords. Taking a bit of a sidestep from the rest, Aaron & the Burrs are an instrumental surf rock revival band with a jazzy flair. These guys groove hard, so expect plenty of dance-friendly extended guitar jams. Kharlos (feat. members of Merchants and Space Wolves) will also be playing their first show tonight, so be sure to give them plenty of love as well. $5 at the door, beer and vegan cookies included.

Tonight: Fat Creeps

This evening, Spiral Scratch will be home to an explosion of garage rock and good vibes. The ever-charming Fat Creeps (Boston) will be headlining, with supporting acts The Lentils (Vermont), as well as Buffalo groups Space Wolves and JOHNS. Space Wolves will be opening the set promptly at 7pm. The tour is in support of Fat Creep’s new album, Must Be Nice, an array of indie infused gritty surf rock. From Space Wolves’ short, peppy rock to JOHNS’ darker neo-new wave, these bands come from the same musical family, but all are all diverse enough to put together a really interesting show. $6 at the tour for the touring bands. Photo Credit – Joe Difazio

Today: Tony Flaminio/Spiral Scratch Sidewalk Sale

If I were hired to be a music supervisor for an HBO series dramatizing life in Western NY, the first person I would contact is Tony Flaminio. The second would probably be Nick Reynolds (Space Wolves, Aaron and the Burrs, Bad People). The third would probably be… I could go on forever, but that’s besides the point. Tony Flaminio is a longtime staple in Buffalo’s music scene, with a well respected resume which includes first and foremost Failures’ Union, as well as supporting roles in Malllwalkers and Returners.  If you have not taken the time to digest his incredibly earnest songwriting style. then make your way down to Spiral Scratch this afternoon. Word on the Facebook is that it started fifteen minutes ago (12:00pm ET) and goes til 6:30pm, but I’m sure Flaminio will go on later this afternoon as there are supporting acts. Get there by 4:30pm to be safe.

Herd Fest: Day 2

Day 2 of Herd Fest began with back-to-back punk shows at record stores Black Dots and Spiral Scratch. Black Dots owner Josh Smith swooped in with his band Vanilla Sex after Ranch’s cancellation, which was meant to be in order to catch the captivating Kat Delfosse on lead vocals. Once the Black Dots show wrapped up, most of the crowd wandered over to Spiral Scratch. White Whale closed out the show with the lights out and the volume cranked up. Brimstone Blondes survived a year of college to kick off the buffaBLOG stage at Duke’s with their rowdy pop. Strange Acres played a packed room at Nietzsche’s thanks to their loyal Mohawk Place crew. In between sets, the Only Comrades DJs at Hardware provided a green room-type atmosphere to unwind and grab a classy drink. Check out some of our favorite shots from Day 2 below and for a full gallery,[...]

Tonight: Malportado Kids

Bilingual tropical punk band, Malportado Kids, will bring their brash island flavor to Spiral Scratch’s backroom this evening. This Rhode Island duo is comprised of members of Downtown Boys, and could be best described as Caribbean, DIY Casiokids. Also on the bill are West Side basement super-group, Hot Tip, and the debut performance from Jamie & the Debt, the new project Mallwalkers and Sexist member Jamie Rowitsch. Music kicks off at 6:30pm. Bring $3 to cover the touring band. Photo Credit – Michael Andrade

Today: Record Store Day

As you prepare to roam Buffalo in pursuit of a tangible music medium to take home and cherish forever, you may first want to plan out your optimal Record Store Day experience, which should obviously involve live music. Both Spiral Scratch and Black Dots Records will be hosting such entertainment, and they are well within walking distance of each other. Spiral Scratch has been an important stop during Record Store Day for years. They’re offering great deals to music lovers, and have put together quite a solid line-up of bands which can be seen here. Customers who spend over 50 bucks are being offered a limited edition Spiral Scratch tote bag. The music starts at 12PM and the show is free, but it is recommendable to tip the acts. Black Dots is new on the scene, but has already kicked up quite a buzz. Black Dots also offers a tote[...]

Tonight: Et al.

Baltimore’s Et al. will be touring through Spiral Scratch today, bringing their new-wavey guitar-driven pop along with them. In case you missed the Queen City Lottery Showcase, two of the bands have “made it” and are acting as support tonight. Nail School, featuring members of Space Wolves, Merchants, and JOHNS, and NELJÄ (who suggest they might be your favorite of the night) will be playing, as well as Deutscher Girls, who will probably be in drag. The show starts at 6:00pm and will feature free cookies, free beer, and plenty of sick vinyls to flip through while you enjoy some live music. A mere $5 will get you this fantastic experience.  

Tonight: Banquets and Placeholder

Tonight, Buffalo has a Black Numbers showcase to offer. Banquets will be coming through to visit (one of) our favorite local record stores alongside the equally emo, but ever-so-slightly grungier Placeholder. I’m positive I’m going to say the word “emo” several more times throughout this post, but hey, I’m not complaining. Its going to be a great show. Local support tonight comes from the dudes in Lancer (with a guest member from Brother Keep), as well as old-school emo support from Alleys (who have a similar connection to Buffalo emo-kingpins Figurehead). This one is an early one – $10 gets you into a show that ends by eight so you have time to party hard afterwards.