Latest Posts

The Demos – “Streetlight Glow”

July 21, 2022

Our Rochester neighbors in The Demos just released a new single, “Streetlight Glow,” that shows off their penchant for writing hooky indie-garage riffs. With its synth-laced choruses; smart pop sheen; and angular indie rock guitar stabs, “Glow” reminds us of The Strokes; Cold War Kids; or even their fellow Rochesterians in Joywave. About the song, The Demos say: “Youthful love under the glow of a streetlight. Streetlight Glow is a song about your first love and the feeling that no matter what happens, everything thing will be alright as long as you are with them.” You can also find “Streetlight Glow” on Spotify. thedemosmusic · Streetlight Glow

The Demos – “Private Eye”

June 9, 2021

Rochester-natives The Demos are no strangers to buffaBLOG. Their brand of sunny, energetic garage rock is infectious and fun, including their latest offering “Private Eye.” With slacker-esque (but engaging) vocals, squiggly synth leads, and jangly stabs of guitar, you can certainly hear a bit of current-era The Strokes influence on this tune. “Eye” is perfectly produced too – it feels like every little space in this song is jam packed with something interesting to the ears. We think “Private Eye” has unbeatable, upbeat summer energy that’s perfect for these pre-summer heatwave days. Check it out via Soundcloud below, or swing by Spotify to stream it there. thedemosmusic · Private Eye

Younger Then at Mr. Goodbar (4/27/19)

April 30, 2019

Buffalo’s Younger Then ended a five-year hot streak with their final show at Mr. Goodbar on Friday, April 27th. Channeling their love of outsized alternative rock––U2, Arkells, Cage The Elephant, Kings of Leon, The Strokes, among others––the band combined richly-textured riffs with propulsive grooves, soaring vocals, and hooks as massive as the Grand Canyon. Playing to a packed house, the band pulled no punches, tearing through their greatest hits and fan favorites from their full-length album, “Bad Life” (Standby Records), and their self-titled debut EP. Though it was certainly bittersweet to commemorate the end of a talented group, the members of Younger Then––singer Zack Dupuis, guitarists Michael Wirth and Austin Dorr, drummer Jeremy Shields, and bassist Matt Dudek––are already planning their next moves, with a series of new projects in the works. Supporting acts included rust-belt rockers The Eaves and Rochester’s power-pop purveyors The Demos. The Eaves The Demos Younger Then

Tonight: The Demos

April 5, 2019

Spring is upon us (kind of), and there is no better way to both celebrate the warmer weather (sometimes) and clear your sinuses than to come out Nietzsche’s. This is a show you definitely do not want to miss. Even if dancing isn’t your thing, you will have fun you will have at this show. The Tins are sure to sonically bring the house down with their new-wave rock that features tight grooves, tasteful electronic percussion, nostalgic vocal effects, and truly amazing guitar shredding. Also on the bill is Rochester-grown The Demos, who will certainly have you dancing right out of your shoes with their upbeat, indie pop beats and catchy hooks that you’ll be humming for days. The Leones are also joining in on the festivities, and they’ll have you feeling melancholic with their dreamy guitar parts and distant psychedelic vocals. Don’t fret about feeling somber though, because they[...]

M.A.G.S. at Nietzsche’s (12/22/18)

December 27, 2018

Elliott Douglas, the multi-talented musical force behind M.A.G.S. came home for the holidays for a headlining slot at Buffalo’s Nietzsche’s on December 22nd. Having recently relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his artistic muse, this rare opportunity for M.A.G.S. to play the Queen City was met with a rapturous response, as friends, peers, and fans came out of the woodwork in support of Douglas. A gifted singer-songwriter and a serious multi-instrumentalist, Douglas was joined by his brother Christian on bass and Deadwolf’s Tyler Mendola on drums for a raucous evening of impactful indie-punk classics, including a selection of brand-new songs. Supporting acts that evening included Feverbox, playing in support of their new Political Theater EP, Rochester’s The Demos, keeping the spirit of The Strokes alive and well, and powder-keg punks SMUG, setting the stage for a night of playful mayhem. SMUG The Demos Feverbox M.A.G.S.

Tonight: M.A.G.S.

December 22, 2018

Nietzsche’s is where it’s at tonight when it hosts an exceptional lineup featuring a home for the holidays performance from former Buffalo  but now Los Angeles based guitar hero and  blog favorite M.A.G.S., aka Elliott Douglas. Always hard to pin down when he was kicking around the city, M.A.G.S. hit listeners with surf punk, soul, and emo rock all, frequently at the same time, with a crack band including Deadwolf’s Tyler Mendola on drums backing up his soaring musical ambitions that’s also reconvening for the evening. Opening the show will be the wonderful fellas of Feverbox also home for the holiday weekend and fresh off the release of their righteous Political Theater EP, the always excellent power pop of The Demos, in town from Rochester with tunes from their fine If You Only Knew EP, and high flying local punks SMUG. Doors are at 9pm and tickets are $10.

The Demos Release Video For “If You Only Knew”

August 7, 2018

Rochester power pop band The Demos have released a self directed video for “If You Only Knew” off their upcoming EP of the same name and it’s as ludicrously irresistible as the single itself. What’s up with this band, dropping such an insanely good video in the post video age for a song as exquisitely crafted as “If You Only Knew,” with Jason Milton’s Thomas Mars channeling vocals, sweet riffs, ear pleasing production values. and that chorus with the band swooping in “Wall Of Sound” style like a modern day, bittersweet Electric Light Orchestra? Then they do a music video for it that’s smart, funny, beautifully shot, and exceptionally edited for maximum wit and charm? I mean, that Super 8 bit over the bridge that calls to mind Talking Heads videos with an early 90’s psychedelic Flaming Lips aesthetic is above and beyond the call of duty, especially when elegantly yet[...]

Tonight: Humble Braggers

December 9, 2017

Armed with some new tunes, synth pop heroes Humble Braggers headline an insanely stacked, can’t miss show tonight at Nietzsche’s that features some of the region’s best bands.  It’s a red hot Buffalo/Rochester showcase, with our friends KOPPS and The Demos representing for the 585, with KOPPS rocking their ever satisfying trashy electropop and The Demos bringing the glam power pop. Local garage rockers Ugly Sun are also thrown in their for good measure and will be sure to provide some righteously melted faces. Cover is $8 and doors open at 9pm. I Know Better, I’m No Better by Humble Braggers

The Demos – Paramount Clouds EP

April 4, 2016

Making music is not an effortless endeavor. But Rochester’s The Demos sure make it seem that way. Their polished blend of indie powerpop is unabashedly catchy and clean, and the music just seems to flow from them. It’s been a hot minute since we’ve heard a collection of tracks from this outfit (their last release was 2011’s LP Lovely), but the band is still slinging hooks. Their new EP Paramount Clouds builds on the same indie rock foundation as their 2011 effort, refining the formula and smoothing the edges of their craft. The EP starts as you may expect, a pronounced drumbeat drives a backdrop of synth strings on “I Don’t Mind.” Bass drops in soon after that, but not before vocalist Jason Milton lays a smooth croon down. By the time the chorus hits, you’re left fumbling for the year—the whole package conjures early 2000’s indie rock a la[...]

Hawker M. James – Long Playing Lo-Fidelity

February 15, 2016

The bedroom recording is catnip, nay, manna for music bloggers, but Long Playing Lo-Fidelity by Rochester wunderkind multi-instrumentalist Hawker M. James hits so many sweet spots, it’s almost ridiculous. A brilliantly curated four track recording that successfully summons the gorgeous ear candy sounds of The Flaming Lips 1999-2006, I’m From Barcelona, Mercury Rev and Brian Wilson, it’s another tremendous record from our neighbors to the east, and our Album Of The Week. Right off the bat it has to be noted that the mix by Al Carlson at Gary’s Electric is beyond superb. Everything on the album has a scale and sense of space to it, helping HMJ’s home recordings operate in the sonic sandboxes of Phil Spector, Brian Wilson, Steve Drozd and Dave Friddman. The sense of density that permeates  Long Playing Lo-Fidelity makes it feel timeless yet immediate and showcases the talent and ambition that’s been part of Longwave and done production work for (blog favorites)[...]

Hawker M. James Debuts “Pleasure Part”

August 7, 2015

After rejoining the Demos following a short absence, the ever busy Rochester musician Mike James (Longwave, Mikey Jukebox, the Mercies) has released a new track today under his Hawker M. James moniker, the first single from his upcoming solo LP. Titled “Pleasure Part,” the song was produced by electronic musician Joel Ford (Ford & Lopatin) and finds Jame’ merging fragile, Elliott Smith-esque vocals with tense and atmospheric synths. The track also features contributions from James’ Demos band mate Jason Milton. Hawker M. James is set to drop on October 17th as part of the annual Cassette Store Day event. In the mean time, listen to “Pleasure Part” below.

Tonight: Rochester Invasion

July 25, 2015

As part of Infringement Festival, buffaBLOG has put together a sort of “Rochester Invasion” if you will. We are bringing a bunch of our favorite Rochester bands to Buffalo tonight for a night of music and co-mingling. We’ve curated a genre-spanning selection of some of Rochester’s finest, including: electro-synth masters KOPPS; the powerpoppers in The Demos; surf-tinged garage from Buffalo Sex Change (PS, nice name guys); dreamy 60s-poppers Howlo; all rounded out by Hannah Weidner and the Doorway Talkers. Nietzsche’s is the place to be tonight. The show starts at 9:00pm and is VERY reasonably priced at $5. We Buffalonians will bring the wings to snack on if you Rochester-bros will bring some Kodak film on which to capture our debaucherous night. Ah, unity. See you there.

Tonight: The Demos

June 4, 2015

If a crowded Canalside isn’t your scene tonight, then stick to Allen St for a weekend pre-game bill made up of a trio of WNY rock acts. With a Genesee Live session on the way, in addition to a new EP set to drop sometime this summer, now is as good of a time as any to catch Rochester power pop act, The Demos, as the band is set to visit Nietzsche’s later on this evening. The band has been making a habit of visiting Buffalo lately, but with some new material under its belt ready to be road tested, you might as well start digging through your couch for $3 in change now to cover tonight’s door. Joining The Demos this evening will be The Soft Love and The Naturalists, two acts that will be a part of Quiet Country Audio’s Herd Fest showcase in a couple weeks at[...]

The Demos

Preview: The Demos

May 11, 2015

If you’re feelin’ dog-tired from Porchfest this past weekend (or maybe you had a really rowdy Mother’s Day?), keep that show-going momentum up! Our Rochester neighbors from The Demos are bringing their tuneful indie pop to Mohawk Place tonight. Their harmony-laden tunes are sweet and sunny but offer enough kick to really dig into you and get you moving. It’s a cohesive mix between Kevin Devine and The Strokes with a hint of The Beach Boys. Definitely worth checking out if you haven’t heard! Dead Flowers from Dallas are slated to headline (picture The Black Keys with a little more twangy Southern blues influence) along with Old Best Friend out of Brooklyn, whose tender indie rock sound is fairly similar to Wild Sweet Orange. Buffalo’s own 90’s influenced alt-punk act Wolf are kicking the whole show off, so get there early to check them out. It’s bound to be the[...]

Tonight: Brimstone Blondes w/ The Demos

December 22, 2014

Are you sick of shopping malls yet?  I’ll bet you’re not sick of  abandoned Asian food markets and rock and roll! And if you’re saying to yourself “But I am sick of rock and roll…,” then why are you even reading this? I digress. Brimstone Blondes will be kicking off their “Red White & Blonde” Christmas tour tonight with a Chanukah bonanza at Ocean Garden Oriental Foods (1233 Niagara St.). If you didn’t catch them at their release party at Iron Works a few months back, now is your chance to catch their signature blend of charismatic post-punk for yourself. If you did make the release party, you probably know enough not to miss out. You know what they say: go Blonde or go home! (They don’t actually say that.) Two other bands share the bill with The Blondes tonight– Rochester’s power pop pros The Demos will be bringing it along with[...]