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Must See Shows (3/5/25-3/11/25)

March 4, 2025

Saturday, March 8th @ 8pm Chores @ The Cave Rochester indie outfit Chores plays Buffalo this Saturday in support of their new cassette, Tender as a Wound. For those who follow the blog closely, you’ll remember Chores as they were our Album of the Week back in December 2024. Grunge-y locals Stress Dolls will share the stage and are the only representative from Buffalo on this one, with Syracuse indie-pop act Paper Rabbit making the 11 exit trip down the 90 for this goodwill exchange. The three bands will be trading off gigs between The Cave, the Bug Jar in Rochester on March 21st, and ending the run with a show at Syracuse’s famed Funk’n Waffles on April 4th. So if you like what you see, you can do this two more times. $10 for this one and it’s a steal.   Tender As A Wound by Chores   Sunday,[...]

Stress Dolls – “Alone”

February 1, 2022

The transparency that Buffalo punk artist Stress Dolls possesses is as evident in her music as it is on social media. The last words in her Spotify bio read, “Currently I’m back in the studio with Marc working on a new release that I hope to get out sometime in 2021…” And boy did she deliver. With the single “Alone,” released January 7th (accompanied by a stunning music video just three days later), Chelsea O’Donnell shows off her near decade of experience by screaming both authenticity and relatability with straightforward lyrics like “I’d rather be alone,” showcasing that sometimes our complex thoughts are best relayed in simple terms. It’s done through the simple-yet-effective use of jangly guitar rock and synth lead flourishes, highlighted of course by O’Donnell’s one-of-a-kind vocal prowess. You can find all the different ways to enjoy “Alone” (as well as her newest EP, FORWARD) via this link.[...]

Tonight: Avi Buffalo

October 25, 2018

Indie musician Avi Buffalo is performing tonight at Mohawk Place! Having beginnings as a  solo project by frontman Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg, Avi Buffalo at its core is still Zahner-Isenberg. However, the project evolves into a full-fledged band for live performances and some studio recordings. Avi Buffalo has released a self-titled album, and At Best Cuckold through Sub Pop Records. Both LPs were dutifully worked over, progressing with each year that passed to complete them. At Best Cuckold has proven to be a great development of the band’s sound and genre, leaving audiences waiting to see what the next album brings. Joining tonight’s lineup are Highland Park duo Haunted Summer, and Buffalo’s very own Stress Dolls, and Parade Chic. Mohawk Place opens its doors at 7pm. Tickets are available for $10. Written by Samantha Schweitzer

Tonight: Herd Fest Day 1

June 15, 2017

buffaBLOG is proud to launch the first day of events for this year’s Herd Fest. A lot of planning and curating went into crafting these shows and we are psyched to gather some of the most buzzed about local and regional acts for your viewing/listening pleasure. We encourage you to seek out bands you are not familiar with, and bounce around from venue to venue to get a real feel for what Western New York’s music scene is like in 2017. Mohawk Place opens it doors at 7pm for a night that will please any music fan. Set to open are up-and-coming indie rock act Hundred Plus Club, scene staples dreambeaches, Ithaca buzzing emcee Sammus, and the unveiling of the new project God Save the Queen, a collaboration between DJ Mario Bee and Mic Excel. $7 cover. NIetzsche’s also has a stacked line-up. Starting off the night will be whiskey folk act[...]

Stress Dolls Drops After the Party

May 16, 2017

Stress Dolls and Steak & Cake Records have teamed up on two tender, confessing gentle electronic tunes. These songs were written by  Chelsea O’Donnell of Stress Dolls  and punched up and arranged by label owner/producer Brandon Schlia. The first track on After the Party, “Bruises,” lights up the room with a like a light shining through flesh. The drums pop and bounces from the speakers with delay proving to be the most utilized effect. When the chorus comes in, O’Donnell’s unique vocals spill a message desperate with indecision. “Your bruises…” is ooh-ed delicately atop a failing synth note. Following “Bruises” is “Alaska 2.0,” a sub-two minute ticker that promises to keep your mind locked in space. The sound crawls, but the atmospheric synths are enthralling. This is the second incarnation of “Alaska,” previously released with an indie rock flavor on O’Donnell’s retired moniker Wolf. The new rendition of “Alaska 2.0”[...]

Tonight: We Are Scientists

November 28, 2016

Brooklyn-based indie rockers, We Are Scientists, are slated to play Buffalo’s Studio at Waiting Room this evening for an undoubtably great kick off to a post-Thanksgiving work week. The band, which has been going strong for 15+ years, found their big break with 2006’s With Love and Squander. We Are Scientists post-punk/indie pop styling with a comedic edge is incredibly catchy and engaging and not to be missed. If you are a fan of The Wombats, The Futureheads, or even The Tins for a local spin, then this show is for you.  Doors at 7pm with a $15 cover. Arrive early to catch sets from local openers Stress Dolls and Feverbox.

Stress Dolls Release Debut Single

August 23, 2016

Stress Dolls is the new reincarnation of Buffalo band Wolf which sought a name change and new members. Lead singer Chelsea O’Donnell still fronts the group with her Ben Walsh-like yowl. The new band brandishes a fresh sound with dreamy guitar leads, solid drums and bass, and a traditional alternative/pop mix in the band’s debut single “Pills.” Stress Dolls echo groups like Tigers Jaw and Polar Bear Club. Kudos to Stress Dolls for writing a song about pills that focuses on their healing tendencies rather than their fun. The smart lyrics point out that atop medical troubles still sits your everyday crushing defeats and self-degradation that must be overcame. “But with those pills,” sings O’Donnell, “he’s found his way…” Put on your leather jackets, wear your hearts on your sleeves, and prepare for a straightforward powerhouse with a unique vocal twist. Listen to “Pills” below or purchase it here.