Hypothetical: It's the biggest drinking night of the year, and you want to get smashed, but you also want to bombard your aural senses with stimulating rock n' roll of the most powerful nature. While I'm sure there are plenty of fine establishments looking to rock your body into Turkey Day, Nietzsche's boasts a line-up to be feared. Handsome Jack, Johnny Nobody, Bobo, and The Merchants will rock the hangover right out of you and leave you salivating for that turkey dinner. You won't even be able hear your family screaming at each other, so thank the talented musicians above. The show starts at 10, and it's a measly 5 bucks.

The 2013 edition of Thursday at Canalside kicks off in epic fashion tonight when Brooklyn via Minneapolis' The Hold Steady make their long awaited return to the Queen City, along with Ottawa's Hollerado. The Hold Steady, who formed in 2004, are true veterans of the indie rock scene; their powerful post punk garage rock sound is hefty yet mesmerizing, while their lyrical and earnest everymanism transcends the labels and barriers of "indie" and "mainstream in favor of community and providing a shared experience for everybody. They haven't been seen in these parts in a long time (4 years?) so anticipation is especially high, especially after they recorded a wonderful drinking song for the end credits of a Game of Thrones episode a few months back, plus with all of the pissing and moaning over this year's lineup this is kind of a "put up or shut up" show for local progressive music fans. You can't complain about lineups when you don't show up when they put on an epic indie rock night like this. This is it.

Hollerado meanwhile made a big splash in Buffalo last year with a couple of noteworthy performances, opening for Arkells at the Town Ballroom and headlining at the Mohawk; their sing along harmonies and rowdy power pop an instant hit with local music fans, and with this being their biggest local show to date, expect a warm and joyful set. Local favorites Johnny Nobody will be getting things started at 5 PM in grand fashion with their blue collar garage rock. This show promises to be a humdinger, and with such a solid ticket you should definitely try to be there for all of it.

As always, Thursday at Canalside is free. And so it begins. Enjoy.

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.

(But don't actually, maybe!)

Juno Award nominated Indie rockers, Hollerado, make their way to Mohawk Place tonight for a set of energetic, catchy guitar driven pop. The Ottawa, Ontario based band released their debut LP, Record in a Bag, in 2009 as a free download and was re-released by Toronto label, Arts and Crafts, in 2010. The album featured the single "Americanarama" which gained media attention for its music video starring comedian Dave  Foley from the sketch comedy group, The Kids in the Hall, who will also be performing tonight. The comedian is frequently featured on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and will deliver a stand up set to open tonight's show. Also opening are Hamilton, Ontario's indie rock band ,Young Rival, who just recently released their second album, Stay Young, in October and have a classic indie sound that will be sure to fit the venue. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door and can be purchased at the Town Ballroom box office as well as all Ticketmaster locations.

Buffalo's triple guitar attack roots rockers Roger Bryan & the Orphans return to Mohawk Place tonight to celebrate the release of their latest collection of music, the four track Start to Stop EP.  The EP is currently streaming on their bandcamp page and will be available to purchase starting on Tuesday, October 16th.  Opening for the Orphans tonight will be the garage rock trio Johnny Nobody and the Talking Heads meets Broken Social Scene sounding Aye Karou.  Music begins at 9pm tonight with a cover of $7.

If you're looking to get your face melted off tonight, the Mohawk is the place for you because they've got a triple bill guaranteed to do the trick featuring Cosmic Shakedown, Bearhunter, and Johnny Nobody. There's a little something for everybody: Cosmic Shakedown brings the gritty psychedelic blues, Bearhunter is straight up garage rock, Johnny Nobody is fun 90's alternative, and all are known for getting their shred on. The cover is unknown but almost certainly reasonable, and the show starts at 9:30 PM.