In the pantheon of american punk rock history, several names loom large. Social Distortion, the Dead Kennedy's, Minor Threat and the Ramones were all responsible for imprinting their DNA on the movement, setting a spark and forever changing the course of rock'n'roll. However, perhaps no act delivered that spirit with more ferocity and conviction than Black Flag. The brainchild of guitarist Greg Ginn, Black Flag was a beast; a pure, hypercharged, HONEST, machine. Throughout all of the lineups, including several noteworthy singers, Black Flag retained their sharp edge, whether they were diving headfirst into primal punk (the early years), or slowed down sludgy stoner riffs (the later years). Come the end of the eighties, it was time to put the beast to bed, leaving us thirty-something's desperately wishing we got to see the group that changed so many of our lives.

Fast forward to 2013. Two versions of the group have hit the road (Greg Ginn with Ron Reyes as Black Flag, and FLAG with Keith Morris, Dez Cadena and Chuck Dukowski) and one of them, FLAG, is playing Buffalo tonight. For many of us, this is a dream come true. Reviews of the shows have been overwhelmingly positive and based on the footage I've seen, absolutely bonkers. As a longtime fan and believer in the palpable energy FLAG creates, this is one show you'd be crazy to miss. Town Ballroom's the place. $32 is the price. The show has a few local openers including Area Denial, Johnny Revolting, Old Ghosts and White Whale. About to have a nervous breakdown...

Awhile back, I posted about Old Ghosts. The O.G boys represent some of the best hardcore Buffalo has to offer and I want everybody to know about them, partly because they're so good and also because hardcore doesn't seem to exist like this anymore; 90's influenced, Integrity-loving, chugga chuggin', heart-on your sleeve, passion exemplified. Hard to the core.

Anyways, the boy's just posted both of their albums, (their 7" Drowning and the 12" LP Caskets) online and you can get them here. Just wanted to let you know.

In a day and age where hardcore has been co-opted, remixed, and revised for mass consumer consumption, it's refreshing for us true fans to witness the real deal. Sheer Terror is the real deal. Since the mid-eighties, the NYC-based band has been changing the game with their unique blend of hardcore, punk and hardcore-influenced metal, fronted by the enigmatic Paul Bearer. After breaking up in 1998, the band reunited in 2004 briefly then got back together in 2010. Tonight, Buffalonians are privileged to witness the madness that has made Sheer Terror a staple of the scene for nearly three decades as they storm Mohawk Place for what is sure to be one of the hardcore contenders of the year (6pm, $15). The same people who brought Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags and Skarhead are bringing this show (Props to Black and Blue Productions for all the memories in recent years!) Joining the bill is Wisdom in Chains, my personal favorite hardcore band of the last decade, who have released some of the most inspiring hardcore releases in recent memory, with Everything You Know and the recently released Missing Links. Also playing is Troy, NY's Brick by Brick, and Buffalo's own Old Ghosts and One Way Terror. Sure to be a heavy hitter, lace up those boots, grab a beer and prepare. It's dance hard or die on a Saturday night.