Latest Posts

The Slums Debut New Song “Craw”

May 18, 2015

Something about the word “craw” reminds me of The Slums – it’s almost as if I can envision them using the word regularly in conversation. Regardless, I think we’ll all be seeing the word “craw” around more often now. Fresh off their show with PILE this Sunday, The Slums have pumped out another half-hardcore, half-garage rock anthem. These dudes have been buzzin’ around town for just about a year now – articles and blogs are mentioning The Slums at every turn. If you’re late to hop on the bandwagon, imagine the dirtiest, sludgiest rock song from the 1950s with a whirling dervish for a front man… I hope that’s an apt enough description. “Craw,” the lead single off the band’s upcoming summer album, is available for your streaming pleasure below. Enjoy.

Tonight: Pile

May 17, 2015

Man, am I upset I have to miss this show. Tonight, the Boston four piece, Pile, will be bringing its live show to the Mohawk Place. The band is fresh off of its new album, You’re Better Than This, and with an extreme amount of buzz surrounding the group these days, is set to take off in popularity. With an absolutely mind numbing combination of post-hardcore sounding vocals, infectious riffs, and pummeling drums, Pile’s live show will have ears buzzing and your feet moving. Pile is not the only reason to check this show out though, as the locals on this bill are not to be missed. Opening the show will be newly formed act, Rosy, featuring members of Newish Star.  Following Rosy will be local post-harcore infused indie act, The Slums, and finally, taking the stage right before Pile will be one of my personal favorite local acts, JOHNS: a[...]

Just Announced: Pile

March 31, 2015

This afternoon it was announced that Boston-based heavy indie rockers / 2015 tour warriors, Pile, will be taking the stage at Mohawk Place on Sunday, May 17th. The band has literally been all over the country in 2015, playing for four months straight in support of the highly praised album You’re Better Than This. After listening to the album over and over again this afternoon, I would best describe it as meeting in the middle venn diagram between Cursive, Pissed Jeans, and Attic Abasement. The bill will definitely be the best line-up on Buffalo that night. Support for Pile comes from spooky locals, JOHNS, who are still high on their very successful release show for Grift Marks as well as buzzing heavy-hitters, the Slums. No word on doors, but I imagine it would be on the early side and well worth your money.

The Slums Drop New Track, “Plain Pine Box”

March 13, 2015

This Friday the 13th is shaping up to be a pretty lucky day for punk / hardcore fans. Following news of JOHNS’ fresh music video, we’re graced with another golden nugget in the form of a spankin’ new track from Buffalo post-hardcore quarter, The Slums. The track, titled “Plain Pine Box,” capitalizes on that nervous, raw energy that the band has earned their keep with; guitars-a-blaring, chunky bass blasts, and vocalist Steven Floyd’s signature panther-esque growl. Harnessing the grit effectively is no easy feat, but The Slums’ consideration for both tone and tension is evident in this one; the combination makes for an uneasiness that satisfies. Keep ’em coming, boys. With the band now going into “writing hibernation mode,” we’ll have to wait a little while for more of that Slumsy goodness.” We’ll have plenty more to feast on come summertime.” cites the latest post on the band’s Facebook page. “Plain[...]

Tonight: Made Violent

March 6, 2015

Though the trio’s local appearances have been somewhat sparse, Made Violent is finally bringing their signature refined slack-rock sound to the Studio at Waiting Room tonight. The group’s recent self-titled EP release has been nothing short of well received, and is yet more tangible proof that these guys have carved themselves a comfortable spot in the upper echelon of bands on the rise. In addition to successfully managing to bust out of the Buffalo scene, they’ve already broken the U.S. seal in terms of touring, all while garnering attention from major music publications like NME. They have the essence of early Cage the Elephant paired with all the best Brit-pop big wigs like the Kooks and Arctic Monkeys. You can tell MV’s music is built for a live setting and a large crowd. The EP is chock full of raw, punchy grunge tunes that leave me amped for the prospects[...]

Tonight: M.A.G.S. EP Release

February 20, 2015

M.A.G.S., better known as wunderkind Elliott Douglas’ solo project, will be releasing its highly-anticipated debut EP tonight. Chasing the positive reception from a two-song demo released late last year, Douglas has been hard at work on Cellophane, a six song EP full of garage rock with an indie-pop tinge (think Cloud Nothings or Tokyo Police Club’s earlier days). Cellophane comes to us via Admirable Traits Records. As if that weren’t enough, support tonight comes from The Slums (featuring Douglas’ ex-Malones bandmate, Steven Floyd), Kharlos (ex-Merchants and a current Space Wolf), and everyone’s favorite lake-pop band, Bryan Johnson & Family. A copy of Cellophane will be included with admission, which is $10. Doors are at 8:00, see you at Mohawk Place.

Tonight: The Traditional CD Release

January 24, 2015

In case you missed our Album of the Week nod, tonight is your best chance to figure out what The Traditional is all about. On second thought, The Traditional actually is that hard to figure out – it’s passionate, simple emo music in the same vein as Bayside or Taking Back Sunday. Tonight’s show celebrates the release of the foursome’s debut full length, How To Live Without Blood. It also celebrates years of self-booked tours, relentless promotion, and a record deal. Supporting The Tradish tonight are Tresspassers, Alleys, The Slums, and Younger Then (whose name was inspired from an older Traditional song). Tickets are $10, we’ll see you at the Studio at the Waiting Room at 6:00.

Tonight: buffaBLOG Holiday Party

December 20, 2014

Less than a week until Christmas and what better way to spend the evening with friends than to head down to Duke’s for our 4th annual holiday party. The place is always well decorated, bound to get even the biggest Scrooge into the festive spirit. If you missed any of our artist spotlights during the week, take a minute to brush up. The Slums Pleistocene Newish Star Radarada Plus, pizza loving DJ, Yung Zza, will be keeping the party going in between sets and all night long. Music kicks off at 10pm. $5, 21+

The Slums

December 16, 2014

In the spirit of keeping things fresh, this year’s holiday party will play host to a band formed just this year. Though not a baby band by any stretch of the definition, Buffalo post-punk revivalists The Slums have only been around a few months, already having generated some noteworthy buzz around our fair city. The band’s four members are no strangers to the local music scene either, having come from a variety of different musical backgrounds including the likes of The Malones, Scales,  A Boy and His Machine, and Strangers. The amalgamation makes for a pretty satisfying blend of both hook and grit–a Thermals-esque urgency meets a hardcore fierceness that, at times, conjures influence from fellow Buffalo boys Every Time I Die. Rock. And. Roll. The Slums’ well-rounded three track EP (recorded by Paul Besch of Quiet Country Audio) is available for free download on their bandcamp page; check it[...]

Tonight: Single Mothers

December 3, 2014

After quitting the band for a few years to do some gold prospecting (no, I’m not kidding), singer Drew Thomson has rejoined Single Mothers to come back with a vengeance. Let’s just say the London, Ontario punks are going to make Buffalo a filthier place tonight. Their songs are full of straightforward dirty guitars and half-grunted, half-Hold Steady vocals. A few words to describe these dudes: brash, dirty, self-loathing, and loud. Tonight’s support comes from some of WNY’s sleaziest sounding bands, including The Slums, Cal Dripken, and Rochester’s DRUSE… Sleazy in a good way of course. The show is at 6:30 at The Studio at the Waiting Room. $10, all ages.

Just Announced: buffaBLOG Holiday Party

November 24, 2014

And just like that, the holidays have arrived. After the pummeling South Buffalo and the south towns took from #snowvember last week, and the unfortunate flooding that comes from 80 inches of snow getting hit with 60 degree weather, people could use a little pick me up around here, and for some, the holiday season could not have come at a better time So, as things start to get back to normal in the Buffalo area,  we are happy to announce the latest edition of our buffaBLOG Holiday Party. This time around, our eclectic cast of WNY acts will include Radarada, Newish Star, Pleistocene, The Slums, and DJ Pizza Pizza, all ready to help ring in the holiday spirit on Allen Street. The party will go down at our holiday home base of Duke’s on Saturday, December 20th. Music will kick off at 10pm and run all night long. Cover[...]

Tonight: The Slums

September 14, 2014

Buffalo’s newest buzz act, The Slums, will be making its live debut tonight, in Frizzy’s back room of all places. The four piece, which features members of past Buffalo acts including The Malones, Scales, and The Boy and The Machine, dropped its debut, 3-track EP on bandcamp late this week. Highlighted by the stellar opening track, “The Devil,” the EP sounds like the Strokes if they went in a much more aggressive direction. Music kicks off this evening at 9pm. The Sleepy Hahas, who are in the process of recording their follow up LP to Dull Days, will also be playing. Entry is free of charge.

The Slums Release Highly Anticipated EP

September 12, 2014

Is it an EP if it’s three songs? A question that often keeps me up late at night. Anyways, we have been anticipating the release from Buffalo-based four-piece, The Slums, since we caught wind of their formation earlier this year. Comprised of past members of The Malones, Scales, Strangers, The Boy and His Machine, and recorded with Paul Besch at Quiet Country Audio, the debut already commanded respect long before the release of any material. On surface level, it seems as though The Slums pick right up where The Malones left things with the first track on the EP, “The Devil,” which could have easily been track seven on the band’s widely popular 2013 release. Where The Slums really start to make it’s identity is with the second and third tracks, “Hot Skins” and “Sore Eyes,” which introduce lead singer Steven Floyd’s growling manic and throatily desperate vocals, a sound[...]