Latest Posts

Tonight: The Hollywood Motel

December 26, 2019

Tonight at Nietzsche’s marks the debut Buffalo performance of a familiar act under a new moniker. The Hollywood Motel, fronted by Niagara Falls native turned Portland multi-media artist Billy Fortier, was formerly behind popular WNY act Seafox. This evening will be the band’s first outing – they have put together a one-off performance in Buffalo that luckily coincides with their holiday travel plans. The Hollywood Motel is rounded out by Fortier’s brother, Eric Fortier, Pete Heuer, and Deadwolf/Passed Out’s Andy Pothier. Their sound has a psych-y upbeat 70s sound with contemporary indie pop drive. The band is currently in the studio fleshing out their debut album with the Dandy Warhols. Also joining The Hollywood Motel are locals Canetis, who are fresh off the release of their new album Putting Time Together, and psych-pop trio VR Sunset. Doors are at 8pm with a $5 cover. In the meantime check out  the[...]

Preview: Koko Neetz EP Release

November 22, 2019

Head on out to Nietzsche’s tonight for a night to get lost in your thoughts. Buffalo’s residential existential pop star Koko Neetz is bringing the party favors and atmospheric scenery out to play in celebration of his EP release  i.t.t.i.p.  Neetz, the moniker for Buffalo-based musician Andrew Kothen, has been a staple of the local music scene these past couple years, mostly known for his efforts in dreambeaches. Sound wise, Neetz’ aura is reflective, perceptive, present. Guitar is light and complimentary, leaving you plenty of room for Neetz’ sweet, if not Socratic, lyrics. Joinng Neetz’ latest journey into the void will be heave, VR Sunset, and Humble Braggers doing a stripped down minimalist set. Doors start at 9pm. $10 gets you in along with a copy of the i.t.t.i.p. EP. Take a sneak peak below:

Tonight: Aweful Kanawful

September 13, 2019

With lineups so consistently solid that it’s hard to tell who the intended headliner is, Nietzsche’s has been the place to be on recent Friday nights. This weekend, that trend continues with local acts Ex-Pat, Aircraft, and VR Sunset, along with a special visit from Rochester’s Aweful Kanawful. Here’s what to expect from each, in two sentences or less. Ex-Pat’s lo-fi synth pop is so soothing, it might as well be a blood pressure medication. Upon hearing the reverberating, ethereal guitar, keys, and falsetto, your breathing will slow to the beat of the music, your sneakers will melt into the floor, and you’ll float into a blissful waking dream – trust me, I’ve been there. Aircraft is perfect for trying to surf on Lake Erie (good luck). Springy, yet sinuous guitars, deeply layered harmonies, and beach-y drums build a kaleidoscope of psychedelic surf-rock that’s so fun and consuming, it’s honestly[...]

Tonight: VR Sunset

May 24, 2019

Local synth-pop group VR Sunset will be headlining a stacked local bill tonight at Nietzsche’s. VR Sunset is the brainchild of Reggie Clark, known for his past contributions  with Lesionread and Planet Three. In January they released their debut album Artifact which drips with new-wave psychedelia. Standout tracks include “Tame The Beast,” “Clear Views,” and “Tidal Wave.” With plenty of fuzz and de-tuned synths it’s surely a must listen for fans of Tame Impala, The Flaming Lips, and Neon Indian. Also on the bill tonight are alt-rockers Nylon Otters, indie stalwarts Hundred Plus Club, shoegaze outfit Chevron Bloom, and bummer punks Talking In My Sleep. With such a diverse lineup, there’s surely something for everyone. $7, Doors at 9pm. Artifact by VR Sunset Photo by Zach Anderson Written by John Smigielski

Lesionread at Mohawk Place (3/2/19)

March 5, 2019

Audio-visual manipulator Shawn E. Lewis resurrected his Lesionread project for a night of mind-warping mayhem at Mohawk Place, having shifted his artistic focus to his on-going production/percussion duties for Space Cubs. Kicking off his set with “2019,” a frantic, stream-of-consciousness spoken word released as a video back in January, Lewis swan-dove deep into his psyche while simultaneously excoriating the corrupt institutions of the powers that be. Featuring a crazy light show, video projections, crowd participation, dancing red people, and a cameo appearance by Lesionread alumnus Reggie Clark on bass, Lewis didn’t blur the lines between performance art and live music; rather, he erased those distinctions entirely, creating a truly outrageous, interactive experience that has to be seen to be believed. Lesionread was supported that evening by Dogs in Stereo (lo-fi rock and roll), The Gennies (“Blues for recovering punks”), Reggie Clark’s VR Sunset (psychedelic yacht rock), and VHS Era (dreamy synth-pop). VHS Era[...]

Tonight: Lesionread

March 2, 2019

Lesionread, aka Shawn Lewis aka Sean Louis, has been busy these last few years as a member of Space Cubs giving the Buffalo music scene a swift kick up the backside, but he’s doing a special solo show tonight at Mohawk Place and word on the street is that it’s going to be thoroughly bonkers. The provocative and always entertaining  Lesionread will be joined tonight by neo blues outfit The Gennies, new synth pop act VHS Era (aka blog alum Jeannette Chin), lo-fi vibe rockers Dogs In Stereo, and indie electronica act VR Sunset (aka Reggie Clark), whose debut was our Album of the Week a few weeks back. Doors are at 8pm and cover is $7.

VR Sunset – Artifact

February 4, 2019

Planet Three alum and Lesionread co-conspirator Reggie Clark has an electronic solo project under the name VR Sunset and his debut album Artifact is fluffy slice of psychedelic chillwave yacht rock heaven. Produced by Deadwolf’s Cody Morse and featuring tasteful drums from Deadwolf/Passed Out/M.A.G.S. polymath Tyler Mendola, and pretty much everything else from Reggie, Artifact is all in on it’s quest for exquisite ear candy sensations that channel a lot of tasty influences and inspirations including but not limited to Toro Y Moi, Neon Indian, Tame Impala, Flaming Lips, The Human League, The Beach Boys and Pink Floyd, and my ears loved all of it. Concise and to the damn point, Artifact wraps you up in a big fuzzed out hug from the start on “I’m Your Density,” a light bit of tongue in cheek electrofunk that grooves on a perfectly ethereal beat, some Crispin Glover weirdness, and an impossibly elastic synth line before “Clear[...]

VR Sunset Drops “I’m Your Density”

January 10, 2019

Electronic artist VR Sunset aka Reggie Clark, formerly of Planet Three and Lesionread, just released “I’m Your Density,” the debut single for his forthcoming  solo album Artifact that is pure, uncut ear candy and a showcase for some really talented people operating in the Buffalo scene. On the music end you’ve got contributions from local psychedelic sound gurus Tyler Mendola on drums (who was on fire at that M.A.G.S. homecoming show before New Years) and co-producer Cody Morse from Deadwolf, while the ethereal video features direction from Jeanette Chwan and editing by Space Cub’s Shawn Lewis (aka Lesionread) and Reggie channeling Alan Palomo, Crispin Clover, Top Gun, and that dude from The Kingsmen movies. Check it out.