Our birthday has arrived. Well, technically its tomorrow, but we are close enough. This evening at Duke's, we will celebrate four years of the blog with a great cast of bands from over the WNY area. If you missed any of the spotlights on the acts playing tonight, make a moment to brush up below.

After tonight, Head North is, ironically, going to be heading south on an East Coast tour... (I should probably make a joke that includes the word "West.") But tonight they celebrate with an official tour kickoff featuring the likes of The Traditional, Real People, Figurehead, Lancer, and Maritime Law. Needless to say, this lineup is pretty stacked.

Doors open at 6:00pm tonight. If you can grab them from a band before the show (I know they would appreciate that), they're only $10. At the door, tickets are $13.

With one of the worst winters of most of our lifetimes still going strong and spiteful, we can at least put our cold weather woes aside and celebrate a birthday party, more specifically, our birthday party. On Saturday, March 29th, we will ring in year 4 of buffaBLOG's existence with a great night of WNY music at our home base of Duke's. For this showcase, we have brought together a more than formidable bill of Mr. Boneless, Harmonica Lewinski (Rochester), Alex Berkley & the Atlanta Falcons, and Real People, in addition to Chauncey Tails as our house DJ. Check out samples from all of the acts below to get a taste of the night's music. Music, as always, will kick off at 10pm sharp, with a cover of $5. It should stop snowing by then, right?

For those of us who have a worry free life, a perfect relationship, and a stellar group of friends who have never wronged you, my suggestion would be to look the other way...  But fans of loud, angry, emotion-packed music should definitely not miss this one - Balance and Composure will be hitting the Waiting Room tonight in all their alternative glory. Between the angry, sneering vocals and unreasonably huge guitar-driven choruses, listening to them is kind of like getting punched in the face while simultaneously punching someone else in the face... In other words, tonight is sure to be one of the sweatiest (in a good way) nights the venue has seen thus far.

Joining B&C are local favs Cedar Kites and Real People. Hit them up for tickets if you can - it's $12 with doors at 6:30pm. Don't miss the openers - I promise they are just as angry and sweaty as the headliner.

Real People took to the streets of Buffalo to film a new video for "Downpour" off of their recently released EP, Ceilings. We featured Ceilings a few weeks ago as our Album of the Week - "Downpour" was the first song released and for good reason...  Follow along with the band's brand of brash indie punk as they play in some poor dude's closet. The aforementioned dude's soul gets crushed by thieves and ladies alike. I know that feel. Check out the video below.

It's that time of year again. The Adam Mickiewicz Polish Library and Dramatic Circle, otherwise known as the Polish Library (612 Fillmore Ave.), will be hosting the fourth Annual Buffalo Decency Rally, showcasing the best in local punk rock, hardcore and indie, on two separate floors. The absolute cream of the crop in terms of creativity, power, heart, and attitude will be on display and I am way psyched. If the past few years are any indication, this will be one memorable and wild night. Plus it's cheap ($5) so you have no reason not to go.

Heres a list of the bands and the set times. Get there at 5:30 sharp to catch all the acts.

SPERM..............................6:00 (Up)

REAL PEOPLE.....................6:30 (Down)

CROSS STITCH...............7:00 (Up)

CAGES...............................7:30 (Down)

V.O.C.................................8:00 (Up)

ACHILLEA...........................8:30 (Down)

RESIST CONTROL................9:00 (Up)

MALLWALKERS....................9:30 (Down)

UTAH JAZZ..........................10:00 (Up)

JOHNS.................................10:30 (Down)

ABLE DANGER......................11:00 (Up)

MAYDAY!.............................11:30 (Down)

DREAM JOURNAL....................12:00 (Up)

SUN BLACK SMOKE...............12:30 (Down)

FLOOD DRINKER...................1:00 (Up)

ANCIENTS OF EARTH.............1:30 (Down)

I had the unique privilege of being in one of the bands that supported Real People at their EP release show last Saturday. The lineup was, in my opinion, one of the best I've ever had the pleasure of being a part of...  Besides the incredible amount of sheer Buffalo talent in the room (there was an astonishing number of other bands in attendance, including representatives from The Malones, Nelson-Type, and plenty other bands), an interesting phenomenon occurred - all four bands sold the same amount of tickets, and most of them were sold the day of. There was no hierarchy or fight for who played first, second, third, and whatever else. The show just was what it was, and everyone enjoyed a solid crowd. Most people stayed for the entire show.

That's the thing about bands in this genre, specifically in this case, like Real People...  This show on Saturday wasn't one you'd expect to see with the full stage treatment. Every now and then, a few of us get a lucky break and catch a great opening slot at the Tralf or something. But Real People is a prime example of a band meant to be seen in basements. No one had to sell tickets to that show - people were going to come out to support it no matter what.

I've always admired Real People's rawness, but their new EP, Ceilings, got the full GCR/Jay Zubricky treatment. For anyone familiar with their catalog, you'll be relieved to know that singer Landon Sworts keeps his half-madman shriek and drummer Roy Draves still pounds his drums like no other, but all the rough edges of their earlier recordings have been smoothed. This is Real People as no one has ever seen them before. These guys have been around for a while - it's refreshing to hear them from a new perspective.

Album opener "Someone" could be one of the best songs Thursday never wrote... I love Real People's rhythm section; every hit and every note always seems so "deliberate." What I mean by that is, most of the time, RP is a chaotic sounding band... But the drums and bass in their songs always feel so straightforward in the best way. It leaves room for the spiraling, twangy guitar lines and Sworts' relentless howl. "Everything I Touch" is no exception - the band launches into a slow build-up mid song that proves they are more than just a snotty, melodic-punk band.

Speaking of snotty, "I Have Better Memories With My Friends" is a true highlight. Sworts sings, "We can call it a tie, you said you got what you wanted... So did I." That's just the thing about his vocals - Sworts pretty much just sings whatever he wants whenever he wants. Sometimes it reminds me of Moneen and sometimes it reminds me of La Dispute, but in reality, Real People are in a category of their own. The songs are passionate and unique. You really do have to hand it to Real People - they are a great fit in the emo/punk scene, but there really is no one else writing songs in the same way.

Last on the record is the fantastic "Downpour," which (if I'm not mistaken), Real People closed with at their CD release. It's not only a fitting end to the EP, but after the song was over at the show, it seemed like the crowd was giving the band a hard time for wanting to get off stage. These songs left them wanting more. But as for Real People... they got up on stage, they played what they wanted to, said what they had to say, and then that was it. I would have loved to see more myself, but I think that's the great thing about Real People. I have seen a hundred of their peers come and go...  But they exist because they want to.

If you're a fan of melodic indie rock, there is a good chance you've already heard of Real People, Buffalo's answer to Saves the Day or Lifetime. If not, tonight is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted. It's the group's debut EP release show and if the track below is any indication, Ceilings is going to be one helluva release.

Along with Real People tonight's party showcases some of the cities best indie acts including Lancer, Brother Keep and Del Paxton. Waiting Room is the place (6pm, $8).

Gather 'round the Glitterbox tonight (7pm, $5) for some premo emo and indie punk music.

Reverse the Curse is out of Cleveland and are touring their album Existent. They're doing a hit and run in Buffalo tonight, so if you drink- I mean, blink, you might miss 'em.

Real People are soon to be releasing their new EP Ceilings (Nov 2nd). Riding on the adrenaline and anxiety that comes with such a monumental occasion, they are sure to be in rare form.

Mapmaker will be playing as well, keeping things shakin'.

Del Paxton is still in mourning over how shitty last summer was, and too aren't happy with how terrible Autumn is turning out either. Join them in their grief and kill some demons.

In the wake of the apocalypse of another Buffalo venue (sorry Waiting Room), we're left with just a few stalwarts. Okay, I'm exaggerating a little (the Waiting Room will be back after this weekend), but that's fine... It makes our choice easier when deciding what to do tonight. Failures' Union will be playing their glorious blend of late-90s alt-rock in an intimate set at Broadway Joe's. Supporting FU is the fantastic Tin Armor from Ohio and the dark indie-punk of Real People.  The show is $6 and it starts at 6:30.

Real People is the latest Buffalo band to get the full GCR treatment and "Downpour" is the first single released from their upcoming EP, titled Ceilings. Full of riffy guitars, passionate scream-singing, and Real People's patented brand of melodic punk, "Downpour" is reminiscent of Thursday, The Kinison, or even Moneen. Chalk up another win for Jay Zubricky (Pentimento, The Traditional, Cedar Kites) - now we have another great EP to look forward to this fall. Check out the new song below.

Summer is for lovers. It's also for tasty pop punk jams. Something about the warm air and uber melodic lickage. They just go together. Don't question. Just accept.

Tonight, Gainesville, Florida's Dikembe will join two of Buffalo's more popular melodic punk/indie acts, I Can See Mountains and Real People, at Mother Mary's, located at 427 Hoyt St. This is an old-fashioned house show so be respectful of the neighbors and the house, and please get there on time. Set times are firm. The show starts at 7 and is $6-$8. It's Saturday, the sun is shining, and the volume will be cranked to 11. Life is good.

Tonight, the Vault will be hosting an eclectic and noisy array of bands sure to add a mild dose (don't want too much now) of chaos to the early part of your week. And really, what part of your week wants more for chaos than the early part of the week?

Parasol hails from Boston. Their most recent 7", Scoot Over, is a giddy and loud burst of infectious energy.

Formed in the dark recesses of the Jungle Gym, Pang's music is a mix of rage and chaos. Not much is known of Pang, as not much is on the internet. However, I found some footage that seems to indicate that the band is comprised of the people who recently wrapped my television in saran wrap and garbage during a house party. Don't worry, my TV is fine.

Finally, Buffalo's Real People will be performing a set of gravelly rock.

Parasol w/Pang and Real People
The Vault
702 Main Street
$6.00

The great thing about Buffalo is that you can consistently go and see great music for under $10. Tonight, head down to The Glitterbox (359 Parkdale) to see an array of  local and Brooklyn bands.

Starting at 7pm, the show features Real People, the math rock of A Hotel Nourishing, the hard and fast stylings of Human Touch, the newly formed Total Overcomers, and Brooklyn's Jawbreakeresque The Marine Electric. This promises to be an exciting show, so be sure to get there on time.

Music starts at 7:00pm and there is a $6 cover charge.