Latest Posts

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

November 4, 2025

Thursday, November 6th @ 7pm On the Cinder @ Mohawk Place   Buffalo-based punk rock trio On the Cinder joins the re-opening month of programming at beloved, recently re-launched live music staple Mohawk Place. The venue is running on all cylinders after a successful back-to-back Halloween weekend so expect much more programming notes from our side.   On the Cinder has been a project since 2013, formed by three college roommates who have remained friends and collaborators for over twelve years. They operated out of a cherished local DIY spot called The Flower House and hosted/shared the stage with countless touring punk acts throughout the 2010s. Thursday night’s show is no different with the band sharing the stage with Sacramento pop-punkers Addalemon who are in the midst of an east coast tour.   Local support is coming via local indiemos West Ferry and Niagara Falls skate-punks Working Class Stiffs. 7pm[...]

Must See Shows (5/7/25-5/13/25)

May 6, 2025

Wednesday, May 7th @ 7pm M.A.G.S. @ Rec Room   Arguably one of the biggest Buffalo musical exports in the past decade, M.A.G.S., returns to his home turf on Wednesday for mid week rager on Chippewa. M.A.G.S. is the moniker for multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Elliott Douglas, who has nurturing the project since 2014 and has achieved numerous accolades under the flag. Pre-pandemic, Douglas relocated to the West Coast, where M.A.G.S. really took off, sparking numerous sold out shows, multiple national tours, and even catching the attention of Polyvinyl Records, who invited Douglas to cover one of American Football’s classics on their 25th anniversary tribute album.   If you’re a longtime reader of the blog, we’ve been covering Douglas’ evolution as an artist, going back to the days of DIY shows with the Malones or even short-lived projects like Marie Antionette. Regardless of the banner, Douglas has consistently pumped out high quality, heart-on-your-sleeve[...]

Must See Shows (12.11.24-12.17.24)

December 10, 2024

Wednesday, December 11th @ 6pm Disintegration @ Area 54/Amy’s Place Amy’s Place / Area 54 have a mid-week jam-packed show featuring, but not limited to, Cleveland post-punkers Disintegration.  The band is the meeting of some the minds behind Pleasure Leftists, Profligate, and Cloud Nothings. Touring in support of the band’s latest album Shiver in a Weak Light, released just this past October, fans of The Faint, Radio 4, or Handsome Furs would like this one. This bill is jam-packed for real though. It’s not often you have a five band midweek bill. Not to be overshadowed and joining the lineup is hardcore Florida punk band Armor, Philadelphia deathrockers Academy Order and local sets from the spooky Black and White Cat / Black and White Cake and Buffalo hardcore act Exhibition. $15 bucks gets you in. Don’t forget your snow brush because that’s all Alexa is talking about this morning. Shiver[...]

West Ferry Releases New EP, ‘Out Of Reach’

August 24, 2022

Buffalo’s West Ferry are back with another EP, the five-song Out of Reach. Out Of Touch finds the band further fleshing out their emo-punk sound. Vocally, the band brings to mind the sneering delivery of Conor Oberst in his Desaparecidos days, dripping with just enough sauce to keep things angsty. Musically, the band explores the spectrum of punk, ranging from the fleeting emo-tinged opener of “Everyone/Everytime;” the Pinkerton-era Weezer flavor of the title-track; all the way to the more straightforward punk of “Picked Apart.” You can find Out of Reach on Bandcamp (below), Spotify, and Apple Music. Out of Reach by west ferry

West Ferry Releases New s/t EP

February 26, 2020

Emo rockers West Ferry just dropped a concise self-titled EP last Friday. Clocking in at just over six minutes, it’s a quick yet impactful listen. Each of the songs has a distinct character; angst. While each had an anthemic quality, the standout was “Forever Home.” The group really seems to have settled on a sound, and the DIY energy is still present in their recording. If not already on your radar, a must listen especially for fans of Cursive, Tiny Moving Parts and early Brand New. Check out the EP below, you’ll have time. West Ferry by west ferry Written by John Smigielski

Tonight: Boy Jr.

February 1, 2020

Rochester based artful garage-pop act Boy Jr. headlines a deeply interesting indie bill tonight at Nietzsche’s. The brainchild of songwriter Erica Allen-Lubman treads the boundaries between angsty garage rock and full on glam pop. Lubman is also a captivating persona, and will definitely draw you into her performance. She’s really found her sound, which has definitely been refined through the years, and her last few singles “It’s Enough” and “Anyway” are definitely worth a listen. Also on the bill are indie stalwarts Hundred Plus Club. With enveloping textures reminiscent of Interpol or The Last Shadow Puppets, HPC makes instantly infectious and memorable music. Definitely bring your dancing shoes. Rounding out the bill are lo-fi rockers Dogs in Stereo and local sad boys west ferry. This looks to be another promising bill, and will definitely help you shake off the winter blues. 9pm Doors, $7 cover, 21+ unless accompanied by a[...]

Tonight: Wild Once

August 24, 2019

Tonight, make your way on down to Nietzsche’s for what’s sure to be an amazing night full of talented performers. For starters, Wild Once will be making their return to the stage in Buffalo following a short run of out-of-town dates in support of their latest release, Perennials. Also performing tonight is the elusive, yet ever intriguing Brent Martone of Head North fame. It has been quite a while since we have seen him performing, but surely that means that he’s got a few tricks up has sleeve, and perhaps a few new tracks to follow suit. Supporting these acts on stage tonight are atmospheric rockers, Previous Love as well as your friendly neighborhood kids, West Ferry. Doors are at 9pm, cover is $7. We’ll see you there. Perennials by Wild Once Written by Mike Rakiecki

Tonight: Super American

December 28, 2018

Genre-defying (but poppy af) duo Super American are wrapping up 2018 with a great show at a great venue. Their latest album Tequila Sunrise is a fun amalgamation of pop, indie, emo, and the 1990s, finding catharsis through the songwriting lens of giants like Third Eye Blind, Oasis, and Blink 182. Joining them tonight are the fellow pop punk/emo greats in Post Prom and West Ferry. Tonight’s show is at Lockhouse Distillery & Bar, in Buffalo’s beautiful cobblestone district. Doors are at 8:30 with a $10 cover. A friendly reminder that Lockhouse Distillery & Bar is a 21+ venue. Tequila Sunrise by Super American

West Ferry – Bit

November 26, 2018

Sure, the four-song Bit may have come out in July… But what really matters is that West Ferry is back, and they’re ready to hit the ground running now. This emoish/pop-punkish quartet is touting a fresh new lineup and a batch of songs that were recorded by Paul Besch at Quiet Country Audio. There’s certainly a drunk, sad-boy rock approach here (their terms, not ours), but there’s also a surfy, 00’s garage-rock tinge to their songs. It’s an interesting juxtaposition – one that’s certainly worth 15 minutes of your time. “Weed Rage” encapsulates the prototypical twenty-something rage, in this case, induced by a weed coma. Despite the marijuana haze, it’s a surprisingly upbeat guitar-driven number about almost getting in a fight, but bailing at just the right time. Title-track “Bit” is also an EP highlight; again, West Ferry utilizes bright, major chords, complimentary lead guitar riffs, and some bass solo theatrics to get[...]