It's Halloween night, baby! Tonight at 8:30, Nietzsche's is a portal to hell, so if you feel like you deserve some eternal damnation with a side of inebriation, (or vice versa) you should stop by (with 5 dollars. Gotta pay for your pain!) You may or may not be surprised at some of the contorted faces that appear in Nietzsche's corner of the inferno.

Well Worn Boot, for example. While it's not a huge surprise that these hell-raisers have found their place in the fiery pit, one has to be curious as to exactly what crimes against humanity became their downfall. They will likely be found in the fourth circle of gluttony, and at that rate who wouldn't? Maybe Baby Buckingham robbed too many trick 'r treaters of their candy. Maybe Plainsman had a good time that went too far. Billy Klubb is practically undead, so I assume he just visits the guys on weekends. Can the Horse be guilty of sin? Does this make them Hell's house band?

Aircraft lives in the first circle of poets and philosophers. Lesser bands have committed suicide after hearing the aural strains of Aircraft's haunting and heavy sounds. This alone shouldn't be the cause for the band's struggle in limbo, so these nice fellas must be hiding some dark secrets.

We can only assume that The Merchants' place in Hell can be attributed to the burn wounds left on their victims from the scorching guitar that is a primary weapon in much of their music. Mild mannered gentlemen, you'll find them surrounded by red in the lust circle. It's Halloween, so of course you want to get laid, right? Well, not if you want to survive... (see: horror films with teenagers.)

Not only does Mr. Boneless round out to be an awesomely Halloweenie name, but their music is also freaky and spastic. Along with Folkfaces and Pants and the Family, you'll hear them crying out from the Eight Circle, which encompasses more sins than you can count with all your digits. 

Who wouldn't want a peek into Hell, on Halloween of all nights?

Halloween is just three days away, and with that in mind, we here at buffaBLOG proudly present some of our favorite spooky songs to celebrate the most darkly whimsical time of the year.

Ministry - "Everyday is Halloween"
Before they went the industrial metal route, Ministry were more of a synthpop act. They were still fairly scary, however, as seen with this infamous ode to the goth lifestyle, which proudly proclaims "I dress this way/to keep em at bay/'cause Halloween is everyday." A motto for the ages if there ever was one.

Bauhaus - "Bela Lugosi's Dead"
Bauhaus' first single was quite possibly their masterpiece, as the world was introduced to Daniel Ash and Peter Murphy through this immortal 9-minute single, which is both atmospheric and fairly terrifying at the same time. An immortal goth song, and an immortal post-punk song.

Rolling Stones - "Midnight Rambler"
The Stones always scared the pants off of the establishment, but with this ultra-creepy ode to the Boston Strangler, even those who were on board were likely frightened just a little bit. The centerpiece of 1969's Let It Bleed, and arguably the darkest song in the band's discography.

Suicide - "Frankie Teardrop"
Consider this a companion to "Bela Lugosi's Dead," except it's considerably scarier. Another lengthy post-punk number from the late 70s, this one runs for over 10 minutes, and becomes increasingly terrifying as it gains more and more steam. Even if you only hear this song once, you'll never forget it.

Depeche Mode - "Black Celebration"
Because what is October 31st other than well...a black celebration? 

Alice Cooper - "Welcome To My Nightmare"
We couldn't have a Halloween list without the Coop, now could we? Alice Cooper is practically the human embodiment of Halloween, and that was never more true than with 1975's concept LP Welcome To My Nightmare. The title track sets the mood perfectly for his most theatrical album, and one of his best

Iron Maiden - "Bring Your Daughter...To The Slaughter"
This song was awarded a Razzie for Worst Original Song back in 1990 (it was in one of the Nightmare On Elm Street sequels, and I'm too lazy to look up which one). Probably for being so cheesy. But I say a little cheese does you good now and then. Plus, the chorus is pretty undeniable. Even when Maiden were being silly, they still rocked pretty hard.

Green Jelly - "Three Little Pigs"
Local Band Who Made It Big Alert. Halloween often takes things that are beloved to children, and warps them to fit the theme, so this demented telling of a classic children's story fits the bill just fine.

Bloodrock - "D.O.A."
Bloodrock have been somewhat forgotten by recent generations, but their most famous song remains one of the scariest things ever put to music. The lyrics describe an awful plane crash, as the narrator desperately yearns for death that won't come. Maybe don't play this one around the kids.

The Cramps - "TV Set"
Just about any Cramps song would have fit on this list - they were pretty much Halloween: The Band. Still, this ode to a serial killer who threatens to "cut your head off and put in my TV set" is quite possibly the spookiest thing they ever recorded.

Peter Gabriel - "Intruder"
During his time in Genesis, Peter Gabriel dressed up in elaborate, and often ridiculous, outfits. But when he went solo, shit became decidedly real, as evidenced by this creepy number sung from the point view of a stalker. Narrowly the scariest song on an album full of them, "Family Snapshot" tells the story of a kid who considers shooting the president, then settles for his parents, while "I Don't Remember" is a harrowing portrait of amnesia. That whole album scares the crap out of me, but this is a bit more brutal than he others. (Note: Since Peter Gabriel is not on Spotify yet, I've included Primus' version. Don't worry, it's good.)

Lou Reed - "Metal Machine Music 1-4"
RIP  Lou. We honor your legacy with the most controversial - and perhaps the most distinctive - work of your career. A solid hour of guitar feedback, if you can handle this, you can handle just about any of the frights that Halloween has to offer.

Tonight, prepare for a multi-media extravaganza as 464 Gallery, Black Rock Kitchen & Bar, Casey's Tavern, & Rohall's Corner team up to bring you a lively evening. Coined as the Amherst Street Seance, hosted by Magic Hat Brewing Company, the souls will first be called to 464 Gallery at 6 p.m for Monster 3.0, featuring a two-floor art exhibit with multiple local artists, a themed art installation, and DJ sets by 222 Oceans, Armageddon Party, Cloud 11, and DJ Spruke. Installation artist Keith Harrington (also known as Projex) will be projecting a piece from Christina Laing and live indoor painting by Thomas Webb. And if you were dying to have a tarot card reading, oral reading, or the like, Sage Psychic readings will be available for $10. They're having a costume contest too, so be sure to dress fly and you might receive $100 gift certificate!

Further on in the night the real seance will begin at Black Rock Kitchen, ignited by the 12/8 Path Band, who will begin playing at 10:30 p.m. and roam down the street toward Rohall's Corner, blitz through Casey's Tavern, and ramble on back to 464 Gallery and BRK for a final set! This is sure to be a free-flowing event for those wanderers out there who enjoy a little breathing room. OH, and no cover, too! Shazam.

Is it just me or is Halloween really stressful? Not only do you have to figure out what you're going to be, but you have to design that costume, or bounce all over the place purchasing elements for it, and then put it together. The thing I find most stressful though is determining which parties or shows or "events" I'm going to attend. Most weekends, I am not struck with this problem. Most weekends I am at home watching movies. Halloween, however, (or the weekend precluding it, or following it), happen to be the most show-tastic, party raging nights of the year.

Luckily this year my mind was made up fairly early. At least in regards to Friday night (tonight). Nietzsche's and the Irving Klaws, who are known for their wild themed-Halloween shindigs, are holding a Haunted Hullabaloo A Go Go Halloween Love In. What this means for the laymen person is a giant 60's themed party with performances by 60's throwback jammers The Tell Tale Signs, Rock'n'Roll creeps, the Irving Klaws and burlesque troupe, Hells Harlots Burlesque. There will be cash prizes for best costumes and additional surprises throughout the night.

Tomorrow you have a lot more choices, but if you're wise, tonight you will end up at Nietzsche's. Doors at 10pm.

Haven't made plans for Halloween yet? Still wondering what you're going to dress up as and what you're going to do this evening?

Well if you're still without a costume and have a penchant for dancing to some of the finest glam tracks of all time, then all you need to do is paint a lightning bolt across your face and get down to The Pink this evening.

From 11PM on, Shaken Stylus will be spinning glammed-out vinyl selections and leading a Halloween dance-fest that only The Pink can provide.

Even if you have one or multiple parties to attend, you can rest assured that The Pink will be there for you in your time of need when the Rubbermaid tote runs out of apples to bob for and the spiked apple cider fountains run dry.

It's The Pink, so it's a 21+ party... but I feel you probably knew that already.

Have a fun and responsible Halloween everyone, see you in November!

Dark Disco III
Friday, October 19th
Soundlab - 110 Pearl Street
Kicking off the witching season tonight be be DARK DISCO III presented by Toats Orig along with Only Comrades, a new Buffalo underground clothing company.  This will double as their launch party.  Dark Disco is themed around the dead and the cool.  The past two Dark Disco parties were held at the Vault, but now it has moved to Soundlab where the atmosphere will probably get even stranger.  Toats Orig would like to encourage everyone to dress in black and funeral attire because this is serious fun.  Musical performances include Miosi, Mario Bee, and Esbie aka Buzz Trillington.  Admission is free before 10pm and $3 after.                                            


Monster 2.0
Friday, October 19th
464 Gallery - 464 Amherst Street
Our list of Halloween events continues with tonight's MONSTER 2.0 over at 464 Gallery on Amherst St.  This is the second consecutive year that the gallery will be hosting this live mixed media art event.  Along with the many local art installations, live art and projections will be taking place.  Check out awesome visuals from Keith Harrington and VJ Deliria.  Music will be provided by Projex, Trakbenders, Lulu, and Drapes. There will be some FREE libations, and the Amy's Place Food Truck will be parked right out front.  Suggested donation is $5.00.  Costumes are encouraged.  Festivities begin at 6pm, and the installations will run through the 31st.                                              


Prom of the Dead: My Coney Island Baby
Saturday, October 20th
Dnipro Ukrainian Center - 562 Genessee Street
In my completely biased opinion: The Best Halloween Party in Buffalo!  Prom of the Dead began 2 years ago and is the annual fundraiser for Torn Space Theatre.  TST provides audiences with the best underground and visceral theatre performances here in our city.  Prom was, to many, a high-school nightmare, and what better way to increase the fear by adding blood thirsty zombies into the mix?!  Come dressed as whatever the hell you want.  This year's theme is "My Coney Island Baby," paying homage to the freakish sideshows that lined the boardwalk of the historic American amusement park, some of whom will be showing up to perform freaky feats of amazement   Also on tap this year will be several more beer stations featuring Coney Island Craft Lagers from Schmaltz Brewing Company.  Musical performances include Dr. Know, Handsome Dan and Rev. Johnny Drama, Money$nake, Projext, and UVB-76.  As always, there will be everyone's favorite prom photos, which your parents will cherish forever.  Drinks are free for the first hour from 9-10pm, so be sure to get there early and watch this party come to life.                                   


Vote Zombies
Saturday, October 27th
Hamlin House - 432 Franklin Street
This friends only party at the historic Hamlin House went through a drastic makeover two years ago when they brought in MNM Presents to help make the event a public happening.  This party has become very popular because of the acts they've brought in, and the fact that there is free booze with the cost of admission certainly doesn't hurt.  This year will feature a live set from Rochester livetronica darlings The Manhattan Project, along with DJ sets from Cutler and Papi Chulo.  There will be a highly contested costume contest, and some snack food will be provided at some point during the evening as well.  Festivities being at 8pm, and beware the ghosts.                              



Myths and Legends
Saturday, October 27th
Nickey City CO-OP - 208 North Street
How about a Halloween Party for a cause?  The Allen Town based CO-OP's annual party returns for another year of live music, craft brew, and even a fire performer.  While the full bill of music acts has yet to be finalized(past acts have included the Tins and Free Henry!), the one confirmed act that peaks our interest is the debut performance of Steak & Cake Records' latest act, the electro dance outfit Signo Vinces.  Party begins at 9:00pm.  $5 with costume, $7 without.  All proceeds will help support the NASCO Institute.   

Halloween Party
Saturday, October 27th 
The Vault - 702 Main Street
Located in the heart of the Theatre District, the off beat art and performance gallery has put together a great lineup of Rust Belt acts to help get you in a spooky spirit.  From the British Psych Invasion tribal rockers Aircraft to Pittsburgh's laid back rockers The Milkman's Union to the guitar/drum duo A Hotel Nourishing, wearing a ridiculous costume has never sounded so good.  Doors open at 9:00pm.  $4 with costume, $5 without.                                       





Monsters Ball
Wednesday, October 31st
Duke's Bohemian Grove Bar - 253 Allen Street
On Halloween night, get wild over at the Bohemian Grove with their annual MONSTER'S Ball.  This raucous Halloween party will feature a costume contest with top prize being $500!  Runners-up will receive Bills tickets and gift cards.  There will be plenty of dancing with sets from Looney Tunes, Drop D, Owski, Bearskinrug, Swagglerock, and Loki.  The night begins at 8pm, 21 and over with a cover at the door.        

I'm running on no sleep right now. Seriously, none. Which is curious because I went to bed early enough. I just couldn't fall asleep...and it's been this way for the past few weeks. I guess it's just that time of year.

Does anybody else get Halloween fatigue? It seems like every year there's more and more house parties, haunted houses, shows and special events like Prom of the Dead and Hallowasted and the Witches Ball. These things used to be limited to Friday and Saturday nights but I found they've taken over my Sundays... and my Mondays too. And Halloween is on a Wednesday this year. EEK.

Truth be told, this is a problem year-round for the regular show-goer. If you're like me, there's about 20 shows in any given week that you want to attend, but due to time, financial constraints, and work, you just can't go to 'em all. So you wind up making calendars...lots of them, to best maximize your time. I am a nerd.

Halloween is almost too much though. The party never seems to end and sometimes you just need to take a step back and learn to say "when."  I haven't gotten there yet. I love Halloween, but I'm going to be thankful when it's over.

Today is Halloween and that means "Monster Mash," inappropriate costumes, freak outs, and a customary Halloween list of whatever. This list is of "scary" music videos to get you in the mood... the mood for what I don't know, and I don't want to know because I am washing my hands of this. Any psychotic breaks/episodes/sprees this list might induce are entirely on you. You've been warned.


Pink Floyd:  "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" 
This actually qualifies as "scary" straight up because Roger's psychotic shriek still shivers my timbers 20+ years after the first time it seriously freaked me the ____ out. Here in the Floyd's legendary "Live at Pompeii" he shrieks for 25 seconds, I don't know how long he shrieks on the version that appears on Ummagumma, the version that freaked me out during sixth period at ___'s house.



David Bowie and Frank Black:  "Scary Monsters & Super Creeps" 
This is the music blog trifecta: Bowie, Black Francis, and the word "scary" is in the song title.



Radiohead:  "There, There" 
I'd like to say this is included because it's trippy and weird, but mostly it's because our man Thom Yorke catches a bad one at the end, and for a music blog with standards, there's nothing scarier than a world without Radiohead.



Meatloaf:  "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" 
Nuff said. This epic awfulness, this shameless ode to trite pablum, will haunt you for days. I could have  linked to the Loaf's recent immoral annihilation of "America The Beautiful," but that would have been wrong.



Justin Bieber with Selena Gomez:  "One Less Lonely Girl" 
If this doesn't make your blood run cold, Jebus help you because everything that is wrong with the world can be traced back to this unholy union of abject YouTube rubbish and the frankly alarming premature sexualization of our nation's little girls. I don't care if Selena Gomez is 20, looking at her makes me feel wrong, indecent, and unclean; and just embedding this link made my eyes bleed. Two of the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are already riding, folks.

Halloween is finally here and the fine people at Steak & Cake Records have given us all a little treat (as in trick or treat.  Anyone?) in the form of the latest installment of their sampler series. For their third sampler, the label has included tracks from newly formed electro dance outfit Signo Vinces, Justin John Smith of Aircraft, Bryan Johnson & Friends (not to be confused with Bryan Johnson & Family), FYFE, and because no sampler released on Halloween would be complete without some kind of spooky tune, the Rackmastas guys have included their own take on the theme to the classic holiday flick Halloween.  The entire sampler is available for stream and the always nice name-your-price download over at the label's bandcamp page.

In other Steak & Cake news, the label has just announced the 2nd Annual Steak & Cake Holiday Fundraiser for Friday, December 7th at 10pm.  Moving from Mohawk Place to Duke's for this year's show, all proceeds from the showcase will once again go towards the Buffalo Public Schools Foundation's "Let The Band Play On Campaign."  The full lineup is still forthcoming.

Halloween is in the air, and whether it's on the mind already or not, death is beginning to decorate our daily lives. A celebration of the Day of the Dead brings about a feeling of energetic darkness. Although a few years old, this official video for Ital Tek's "Babel" emanates an eerie beauty and a sound that fits with the season.

Brighton based Alan Myson, monikered iTAL tEK, released "Babel" on Midnight Colour in the summer of 2010. The first time I heard the track a couple years ago was also the first time I saw the music video; little did I know I was in for a hypnotizing experience. Mastering melodic electronica, the chopped undefined vocals and minimal sounds can take a car ride home in the dark and transform it into perhaps an onset of a beautiful nightmare, and the psychedelic glowing body paint of the dancer reminds me of a tribal demon. Not only is the production and composition of this video impeccable, but her stunning dancing and aura makes it hard to peel your eyes from the screen.

If there were ever a band more suitable to play a haunted house I couldn't name one. The Misfits ARE Halloween. The scares. The laughs. The thrills. Hell, they even have not one but TWO songs with Halloween in the title! Their ghoulish appearance is exasperated only by their love of lyrical morbidity. Now 30+ years strong the Misfits show no signs of slowing down and tonight they make a pit stop in Buffalo at one of the most popular (and best) haunted houses in the area:  the House of Horrors/Haunted Catacombs.

This is a good opportunity for you to check out an incredible band and also get some cheap thrills in. The show is $25 but you can get a $40 package deal that also includes the haunted houses as well. This is Hell and Heart of the Matter are playing too. I mean you're already there anyway so why not?

And for the naysayers who say the Misfits aren't the Misfits without Danzig:  Go see them on their new tour. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Saturdays schedule starts at 7pm with local progressive rock band Peanut Brittle Satellite. They always put on a great live show and now they are tighter than ever after recording their album Planet Girth earlier this year. Following PBS is local rock band Ramforinkus, one of buffaBLOG's favorite live acts. Full of powerful vocals and stellar trombone playing, Ramforinkus is an unforgettable act.  Next up, local band Cinnamon Aluminum. They have been working hard at their second album, We Ate The Wrong Crab Spirit, and will be highly eager to share their new sounds with the crowd. Followed by new local band Effective Resolution. I recently caught their show at Nietzsche's and had an awesome time dancing.  Rounding up the night will be the ska band B-Side Bastards and then at midnight SLYKUMU.  On the Sly (and founders of Slyboots school) will be performing with the Saakumu Dance Troupe of Ghana, West Africa-- make sure you stick around for this dance party!

Sunday night is just as fun filled and spectacular as Saturday.  Jam band Universe Shark will get the night moving with some funk filled tunes.  Followed by Marmot Ointment at 8 pm.... I wish I had more info to tell you about this band but when I looked it up all I found was actually ointment. Then we have the infamous Anal Pudding, a band whose name makes me think they should probably use some ointment. Despite their name, this band does not stink at all and are actually one I would not miss seeing play. At 10:30 pm, Lazlo Hollyfield takes the stage.  One of Buffalo's most successful bands to still be performing, they have been around since 2003.  You may have seen some of the members perform as Logo City but this is one of your few recent chances to see the band perform live. Finally to end the 2 day event, Free Henry! takes the stage at the stroke of midnight (when real Halloween actually starts).  If you haven't seen these guys perform yet then you seriously have been missing out.




SATURDAY- OCTOBER 29th
(times may change)
7:00pm - Peanut Brittle Satellite
8:00pm - Ramforinkus
9:00pm - CInnamon Aluminum
10:00pm - Effective Resolution
11:00pm - B-Side Bastards
12:00am - SLYKUMU (On the Sly with the Saakumu Dance Troupe of Ghana, West Africa)


SUNDAY- OCTOBER 30th
7:00pm - Universe Shark
8:00pm - Marmot Ointment
9:30pm - Anal Pudding
10:30pm - Lazlo Hollyfeld
12:00am(at the stroke of Halloween) - Free Henry!

Halloween is among us again, and where else should you be on this spooky weekend this Nieztsche's? The Allentown hot spot kicks off its annual Halloween must sees with the 6th edition of the Festival of Blood. F.O.B. veterans Anal Pudding will be headlining this fake blood soaked, monstrous costume laden fun fest, but will have some help from friends. Local faves Lazlo Holyfield and Funktional Flow will play parts during tonight musical massacre, and Brooklyn extreme jazz fusion monsters the Suite Unraveling, will playing the front of the house in between sets. This will no doubt be a frightful, macabre night of mayhem, and with the Suite Unraveling playing where guests enter, the mood will be set for utterly wild time. This is always one of Nietzsche's best parties, and is def a must visit when you're all dressed up for the scary weekend. Festivities start around 10 pm, and will cost $5 bucks to get in. Costumes encouraged, and the bloodier and more monstrous, the better.