Boy bands are like Furbies. At one point we may have forgotten about them, but they’re so gosh darn cute that they somehow found a comeback within the fluffy fringes of pop culture. And with comebacks come reinvention. Through an edgy and refreshing blend of in your face, poppy punk-driven anthems, high energy drum rhythms, and killer acoustic prowess, the Buffalo-based pop-punk band Faith and Fiction reworks the “boy band” label to their advantage.

After releasing their first single “Cloud Nine” in April of 2012, followed by their first EP, For Glory, the rambunctious 4 piece, whose musical style they brand as a combination of pop punk giants Brand New and All Time Low, got their first (albeit modest) taste of fame. While they garnered a growing presence of YouTube followers online and a larger fan base at shows, the real cloud nine didn’t seem too distant. ”We definitely had some momentum, but there were also a lot of things that we had to work out,” guitarist Michael Montante said. A year later and with a little more experience under their belt, the guys are determined to do things better this time around with their second EP, Kids in the Clouds, set for release this summer. “The EP we’re putting out is really going to be the base of whatever we do in the future from here on out,” Montante said. “We’re taking our time and trying to do it right.”

Shedding a tear on stage will almost always get you laid…said no member of Faith and Fiction ever. But, boy bands do have to have a sensitive side, and the group has definitely had their fair share of heartbreak. “You Stole My Sweater,” the first leak off of Kids in the Clouds, deals with this dreaded reality through angelic vocals, haunting melodies, and a hopeful outlook. “I thought it was a unique name because it’s the idea that someone took this part of you that you can’t get back,” said lead vocalist Timothy MacDonald of the track’s title.

For more on the young heartthrobs from Buffalo, check out their YouTube channel.

After a not-so-subtle amount of hint dropping, After Dark Entertainment has finally announced that Brand New will be making a triumphant return to Buffalo. Brand New is one of those quintessential bands that has somehow eluded the dangers of overexposure and now hovers at the very top of the "underground" (I use that word lightly) scene. Known for frontman Jesse Lacey's soul-crushing lyrics and an an almost ungodly live show, I don't have any doubt in my mind that this one is going to sell-out... Not to mention this will be their first show in Buffalo since they came through in 2006. You can catch them Tuesday, September 17th at our very own Town Ballroom - $28 in advance, $30 day of.

I can't speak for everyone else, but there are only so many times I can hear Mariah Carey sing "All I Want for Christmas is You" in one day. Yes, of course everyone has their guilty pleasures - I kinda like that Paul McCartney one, I guess. But the same, overplayed list of holiday songs seems to dominate every radio station and every department store. In an effort to remain jolly (or bummed out as these songs suggest, your call) this holiday season, I have compiled a short list of holiday-themed songs with some indie cred for all of the bitter music snobs here in Buffalo.

Band of Horses - "The First Song"


I can't really complain about New Years, because who can really hate the opportunity to start over with a clean slate.  Every year we celebrate New Years with a positive disposition and a new outlook on life... But Ben Gibbard has a point, I don't usually feel any different. On this gem from Transatlanticism, Gibbard lets us know that we're not the only ones feeling iffy about the new year, but that we should enjoy the opportunity to celebrate nonetheless.  Now I don't feel so bad for giving up last year's resolution on January 6th.