Classic Rock. You either love it or you don't. You're either the type of person who blasts Foghat's "Slow Ride" on 10 cruising down the highway, or you scoff at the preposterous nature of "taking it easy." I happen to be the former. My argument is simple: tasty licks, cat howls, groove for days, songs that you don't have to think about (unless you're an ironic hipster who has to validate these kinds of things). Dumbing it down never sounded so good.
And for you, the fans of this kind of music, there is Monster Truck. Hamilton, Ontario's answer to Led Zeppelin, the Truck entices us with the kind of seventies-throwback jams that make you wish you had picked up a guitar just a little bit sooner. Blues-soaked mountainous riffs layered with thick, belted vocals by Ontario's answer to Nugent (sans the right-wing politics and overall craziness), Jon Harvey. You may have caught the group when they opened for Guns'n'Roses at the harbor earlier this summer. If you did, there's a good chance you're already a fan of this band. If not, listen to some riffage below and make up you're own mind.
Waiting Room is hosting Canada's favorite retro sons tonight along with Handsome Jack ($17, 8pm). Handsome Jack should be a familiar name to those who follow the blog. Their heavy dose of southern-infused, blues rock via Lockport, NY, has gotten them some much deserved recognition and Super Moon was among one of my favorite records of last year.
Stop down, grab a pabst and take a slow ride back in time. And don't forget to take it easy.
Instead of, or in addition to admiring the beauty of the above silhouette, you should check out the Floridian transplants of Second Trip tonight at Nietzsche's. An EP release is always a special night for a band - what with the adrenaline and the crowd and the physical manifestation of years of hard work being distributed and all - but tonight will be better. Tonight they are bringing friends. And everyone knows its always nice to play with friends.
In addition to Second Trip - who according to Reverb Nation play a mix between stoner metal and prog rock - Super Killer Robots, Handsome Jack, and ronaldraygun are playing. This killer lineup may explain why the smoke from last night's fireworks at the harbor was heading right in the direction of Allentown; this, or the wind. Intentional or not, a transfer of energy occurred; you can decide whether or not it was on purpose but either way you should take advantage and take my word for it that there is no better place to celebrate Cinco de Julio.
Tonight Nietzsche's has a ludicrously killer WNY line-up that's going to be a cannot miss show featuring Handsome Jack, Velvet Elvis, and Merchants working the main stage and Zak Ward, Andy Vaeth, and Sonny Baker manning the front stage for a night of non stop rock. And get this, $5 gets you in the door to enjoy this festival of fine local music ($.83 a band!). You can't beat that. Come on. Handsome Jack and Merchants are certified buffaBLOG favorites, Velvet Elvis are Rochester favorites making a welcome return to the 716, and Ward, Vaeth and Baker are the icing on the cake. This can't miss show kicks off at 10, and again the cover is a measly $5. You should go to there.
If you're looking to kick back with a pint after amassing your Record Store Day booty, Sugar City is presenting a free event down at Essex St. Pub that's worth checking out. A plethora of Buffalo based bands, including Failure's Union, UVB-76, Jack Toft, Handsome Jack, Cages, A Relative Term, and more will be showcasing their music videos with a special screening. The screening will also feature music video premieres from JOHNS and Mallwalkers. The event goes from 9-11, so whether you're still reeling from the fisticuffs you got in with someone over that last Space Wolves cassette, or you've smoked enough weed to realize that you just want to drink without talking to people, make this your stop.
April 2013 marks a new chapter in the Buffalo music scene and it's long and influential history. This is the month of the Waiting Room, Buffalo's newest venue, which opened with its first show on April 1st (Polar Bear Club). Many future shows are scheduled on the horizon and us locals are hopeful that this spot will reinvigorate the Buffalo scene and take it to new heights. Tonight, we celebrate the Waiting Room's official grand opening party (even if it's not their first show) with some of Buffalo's best. You've got the Clash-worshipping Wolf Tickets, Lockport's answer to southern rock - Handsome Jack, the glossy indie-sheen of Voices, and Brit-pop influenced Made Violent, with DJ Sets by Transmission. The show is absolutely free, drinks are cheap ($2 until 7pm) and Amy's food truck will be parked right outside. What more could you ask for? Great music, great food and it starts early enough (5pm) so you won't have to worry about an all nighter messing with your work plans. The music scene is what you make it. This is a historic event. Be a part of it.
So Mohawk Place dies tonight, as we all know by now. There's been a profusion of obituaries in the local press (including this little blog) over the last few weeks. And everyone is getting sentimental, even Spicoli went a few paragraphs without being mean and sardonic. You'd think a fucking dog died or something.
Anyway, there's not really much I can say that hasn't already been said, so I'll keep this brief. The bands that are playing are some of the finest to have ever hit the notorious Mohawk stage over the years: Thermidors, Failures Union, On Beta, Semi-Tough, Roger Bryan and the Orphans, The Old Sweethearts, Johnny Nobody, Handsome Jack, Two Cow Garage, Chylde, and Girlpope. And it's been sold out for a while. I have to lock up to go get drunk at my favorite bar for the last time tonight, fellas. Let's tie ourselves to the mast and set this ship on fire.
Buffalo's Handsome Jack and the Fairweathers, under the moniker Jack Thermidor, teamed to cover Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad" just in time for Christmas morning. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Buffalo hard rockers, Chylde, will be reuniting tonight for a good cause, joined by four other local bands. Existing only three years (2008-11), Chylde quickly made a name for themselves as one of Buffalo's most exciting acts, blending sludgey, boozey riffs with gravely vocals, their music always seeming to come from another time and place.
Tonight, they are reuniting to perform a benefit for the lead singer,John “Bobo” Bobowicz’s father, John Bobowicz Sr, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a malignant and very aggressive brain tumor. Proceeds from tonight, including, at the bar and a variety of raffles from local businesses, benefit Mr. Bobowicz Sr.
Chylde will be joined by Handsome Jack, Aircraft, Ancients of Earth, and No Promises, No Regrets. It is definitely a rare opportunity to see some great bands, including the sorely missed Chylde. Chylde w/Aircraft, Handsome Jack, Ancients of Earth, No Promises, No Regrets Mohawk Place 9pm $20
The Tins are one of the most covered acts on buffaBLOG. And for good reason. They are completely and utterly fantastic. Everything they've put out gets stuck in your head and isn't that the sign of "good" music?
Tonight marks the celebration and release of the bands newest effort Life's A Gas. The album release takes place at Nietsches (9pm), along with several other Buffalo staples: Handsome Jack, Dotsun Moon and DJ Handsome Dan. This is the a-ha moment when you realize this is the best show going in town tonight and you should be there. A-HA!
If you like your rock and roll good and dirty, Handsome Jack should be right up your alley. They play the fuzzy blasts of heavy rock action that you just see enough of these days, harkening back to old school bands like the Seeds and the Sonics, and late 80s groups like Mudhoney. Tonight, they'll be headed to Duke's Bohemian Grove bar on Allen St along with Cosmic Shakedown and others. The action starts at 10, and this should be a doozy of a show.
Buffalo Killers are not from Buffalo, they're from Cincinnati (and I certainly hope they're not killers!). But check out the video for "SS Nowhere" and tell me it couldn't be a day in the life of anyone you bump into on Allen after 3AM.
The trio weaves elements of blues and soul, along with southern-leanings, and even a bit of stoner/doom, and the result is loud, moving, and indelibly bad-ass. They're currently on the road and will be stopping at DBGB's tonight (253 Allen St., 10PM) for what will be a totally bodacious evening of music - along with local vintage rock masters Handsome Jack. Both bands put on an awesome show, so don't miss it!
If I had it my way, Infringement would last two months, not two weeks. Now we are onto night nine of Infringement.
9pm RonaldRaygun @ Mohawk 2012 has been a big year for Raygun. First, former front man Steve Gordon stepped to the side to focus more on his guitar licks. Second, Gordon was replaced with riot girl songstress Ashley Kyle. The addition of Kyle’s gritty, raw vocals influenced by her classic rock idols has revamped the band’s previous indie rock leanings to a whole new direction. Now they are like if Bif Naked added a theramin. I bet you a hundred dollars their bassist wears huge sunglasses.
10pm –Handsome Jack, Sleepy Hahas, The Screaming Jeans @ DBGB’s Two veterans of buffaBLOG’s Infringement Party (Handsome Jack and Sleepy Haha’s) will team up with alt-rock quartet The Screaming Jeans. Handsome Jack’s feel good retro –blues rock will make you feel like you are time traveling back to the 70s, but only until Sleepy Hahas bring you back to speed with their modern indie rock a la Arctic Monkeys/Queens of the Stone Age.
2am – The Love Scenes @ Soundlab Electronic duo consisting of Buffalo’s indie songstress Leah Loefke and the Teller to her Penn TJ Grace. The two will be playing select songs off their recently released album Blissed Out Youth. It will be a late one, but the band’s perfect combination of dreamy vocals with upbeat electronic instrumentation will be a great way to come down while staying up on another fun-filled Infringement fueled night.
In just a few hours, we will be throwing our 2nd installment of our Broadway Market Rooftop Extravaganza as part of the 2012 Buffalo Infringement Festival. Not to toot our own horn or anything, but you would be hard to find a more unique venue for this year's festival than our rooftop party. So come spend your afternoon with us, relaxing under the (hopeful) summer sun, listening to some of Buffalo's best local acts. And if you are hungry, just walk down a couple flights to grab some of the amazing food in the market.
All week we have been introducing or reintroducing all of the acts that will be gracing the stage/roof today. If you missed any of the artist spotlights, please take a moment to check them out below.
Remember, event is rain or shine. If the weather does not cooperate with us this afternoon, we will move the party to the 2nd floor of the market. If you are wondering where to park, you can drive right up to the roof, its huge. Bring something to sit on unless you find the pavement rather comfortable. And lastly, bring a few bucks for the artists. All of them are doing this for free, but if a donation bucket is sent around, toss them a few. It would be greatly appreciated.
Party runs from 1:00pm - 7:00pm. No cover. See you then.
There is no shortage of Handsome Jack on buffaBLOG. We've been updating you on their shows and new releases since we started this thing so its only appropriate we finally get them on the bill for one of our shows! This Saturday, Handsome Jack to will take the stage on the rooftop of the Broadway Market along with some of our other favorite local bands. To add to the excitement, they will be performing an acoustic set which which will force them to reinvent their sound a bit making this show an extra special experience.
Handsome Jack is known for their southern gritty rock sound. They started as a simple blues rock garage band a few years ago and since then have successful grown and developed their sound. Clever song writing and obvious musical talent makes this band easily one of my favorite local acts to see live. Hopefully the rain will hold out for us on Saturday and we can all enjoy Handsome Jack while getting a tan on the roof (the party still happens if it rains, it just takes place on the second floor of the Broadway Market). The event starts at 1:00 pm (facebook invite).
Later this month, buffaBLOG will return to the rooftop of the Broadway Market to throw a little party. In association with the Buffalo Infringement Festival, we will be hosting our 2nd annual buffaBLOG Broadway Market Rooftop Extravaganza on Saturday, July 28th. This year, we chose some of the best that the Infringement Festival had to offer in local acts the Albrights, Handsome Jack, Merchants, Sleepy Hahas, and Victory for Poland, along with set break DJ sets from TrakBenders. Music will run from 1:00pm - 7:00pm and is free of charge. Make sure to join us all day at one of the more unique venues that Infringement has to offer. Check out a slightly shaky video (sorry!) below of a performance from Sea Snake Vs. at last year's party.
Heres the short and sweet. Handsome Jack is one of Buffalo's best rock'n'roll bands, period. Bearhunter is up there too. After listening to Goodmorning Valentine I'd put them a close third (even though they're from Cleveland). Tonight all three are playing at Mohawk Place. Drink beers, do stuff good and get down to support these fellas. Shows at 10.
Calling every Tom, Dick, and Harry: DBGB's is the place to be tonight with Jack and Johnny. Local rockers Handsome Jack and Johnny Nobody will be joined by Tell Tale Signs for what guarantees to be an energetic show. If you like your rock peppered with lots of guitar riffs and thumping drums then you sir/ma'am, will get your money's worth tonight. What a perfect way to kick off another rompin' St. Patrick's Day weekend in Buffalo.
Doors are at 8:00PM with a $5 cover.
Maybe we'll even hear an Irish traditional number or two...
Dum Dum Girls - He Gets Me High EP: This was an easy one. More than anything else this year, the He Gets Me High EP never left my car stereo (yes, in addition to vinyl, I ALSO still buy cds). The Dum Dum Girls play the kind of music I want to hear. Melancholic indie rock with pop sensibilities and just the right shade of cool. All four tracks on the EP are stunners from the glass sheen brilliance of the title track to their epic cover of the Smiths "There is a Light that Never Goes Out". The Dum Dum Girls ventured further from the tracks with this release as they headed towards a more hi-fi approach, compared to their previous album, I Will Be. Very few bands can make that leap, keep their credibility intact and still deliver the goods. Almost ten monthes after its release I'm still listening to it on the weekly.
Honorable Mention
Handsome Jack - Supermoon: I was reluctant to include a local on here. I didn't want people to think I was playing favoritism, and another writer on here already listed a local as their honorable mention (shout out Steve! That Found record is really, REALLY good too!). Fuck it. Handsome Jack's new album, Supermoon, is great and if you've heard it you wouldn't disagree with me. "Turn to Dust" is worth the price of admission alone. When I listen to that track, I'm transported and that's the sign of really good music. It's reflective, on point, and along with the rest of the album, so perfectly produced. In fact, it's one of the most natural records I've heard this year. HJ's sound has certainly matured over the last few years, but I think it's a welcome change and I hope the guys keep putting out quality records like this.
Favorite Song of 2011
"Country Line" by Cass Mccombs: Confession time. 2011 was a pretty rough year for me. A lot of personal changes, re-examining of views, and reflection. Anyone who has ever went through a breakup or lost a loved one finds that song that speaks directly to them and the lyrics take on an almost human form. "County Line" was there for me when I needed it the most. From the soft, subtle keyboards to the almost whispered vocals, "County Line" has a sense of longing and urgency that's impossible to fake. Cass Mccombs gets my vote for songwriter of our generation with this one.
Honorable Mention
"Life in Paper" by Fucked Up: David Comes to Life is arguably one of the best releases of the year. This track in particular hit me like a ton of bricks. I love how the song swells and swells and then explodes with an almost patriotic fervor. The lyrics are poignant and honest. Every time I hear the opening line "Who can I trust, all I see is an empty sky, who can I trust, what goods a God who can't hear my cries?", I can't help but be moved.
Favorite Concert of 2011
Jessica Lea Mayfield, Johnny Corndawg at Mohawk Place (8/11/11): I had zero expectations for this show. I'd never heard Johnny Corndawg and listened to Jessica only casually. I was incredibly blown away by both acts. Johnny Corndawg had a raw, old school country vibe that pulled me right in. He was eccentric and charming and wrote damn catchy songs. Likewise, my eyes never veered far from the Jessica or her band. The sound was pitch perfect. Fresh vinyl at its best. After the show, I bought both groups entire discography.
TSOL at Mohawk Place (6/08/11):TSOL are legends for anybody who follows punk rock, and they're one of my favorite bands. I had seen them twice almost ten years prior and they killed back then. But they were older now, in their forties, and we all know that retro acts tend to blow chunks live. All I can say is that the spark is still there. They played all the old stuff (as expected) as high velocity as a group of teenage kids (not expected). If you weren't there, you'll never know.
Does this come as any surprise? I mean, really? Handsome Jack has been a consistent staple of our blog and the Buffalo music scene for years now because they always deliver, live AND in the studio. Their newest release is no exception. Supermoon is a fantastic album, packed with deep southern soul, rock grit and tone for days. You can call it southern rock, you can call it riff-rock, you call it whatever you want. The fact is that Handsome Jack write extremely catchy, soulful rock'n'roll that's as unforgettable as it is groovy.
The first thing I noticed when I received the album was the artwork. The cover is a psychedelic rooster with a whole lot going on inside it(see above). Say what you will, but cover art is important. It defines the feel of the album early and sets a precedent for what to expect. I think that rooster about sums up the entire album. It is uniquely vibrant, colorful, and, well, pretty cool.
When I popped in Supermoon I had no idea what I was about to hear. Handsome Jack's sound has evolved tremendously over the years. When they first released their excellent debut album, Heatseeker, they had a much more garage-y hard rock sound, akin to Zeppelin or AC/DC. Riff-shaking madness. Their sound matured with their follow-up self-titled album and they clearly had more of a southern influence on that one. This influence continues on the new album as the organ is much more prevalent and the songs have a much slower, groove focused approach. "Mosquito Blues" is an excellent example of this. Handsome Jack is no longer barreling out of the gate. There taking their time and it shows. Awesome riffs aplenty still, the whiskey has set in a bit and the bands sound is more relaxed because of it.
A few of the tracks on the album might sound familiar. That's because they were included on HJ's excellent "Prologue" EP a year or so ago. "Country Patience" and "Take Me Back Home" are two of the best tracks on the album and it was great to see that they found a home here, re-recorded and sounding even better than the first go around.
What sets Handsome Jack apart from the thousands and thousands of bands in Buffalo is this. They construct excellent songs filled with memorable hooks and choruses, all while maintaining feel and tone. They are retro, but at the same time fresh. They pay homage to the groups that influenced them but still have enough balls to strike out on their own and do their own thing. Supermoon continues in the tradition of high quality that this band has come to represent.
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