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bear hands, justin a, made violent, preview, the demos, the waiting room — 0 comments

Tonight: Bear Hands

Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college located in Middletown, Connecticut. As well as being one of the only baccalaureate colleges in the United States that prioritizes undergraduate disciplines in arts and sciences, Wesleyan has also churned out some of the best indie ‘buzz’ bands of the 2000’s, such as Boy Crisis, Amazing Baby, MGMT and Bear Hands. Buffalo’s alternative radio station WLKK 107.7 and After Dark Entertainment brings the latter to Buffalo tonight ($5, 6pm) for the latest installment of their ‘You Saw Them First Series.’

The Brooklyn based band will be playing a fresh set from their new album, Distraction (released February 18th), the sophomore follow up to their 2010 debut, Burning Bush Supper Club. This time around, Bear Hands decided to do things a little differently, setting up camp in guitarist Ted Feldman’s parent’s house. They recorded the basic tracks in a week, with Feldman taking the helm from the producers chair. I spoke with vocalist Dylan Rau about this decision via phone interview. “It was great, we all trust Ted, he has a huge wealth of knowledge about music. It definitely felt relaxed, we didn’t feel like we were on ‘the clock’. We think it was a great move.” Rau said. This is not to say that Bear Hands will never use an outside producer again,“It would definitely be exciting to work with certain producers in the future.” Rau added.

Distraction’s second single “Agora” is all about being agoraphobic, a feeling that Rau understands, “I’ve never been diagnosed with Agoraphobia or anything, I don’t know if I actually have it or not, it’s all tied up with a couple other mental health issues I have, but I certainly empathize with it, and I think I understand the feeling.” Distraction maybe a more polished effort with a focus on song structure, however don’t expected a muted show tonight. Bear Hands who are known for their vivacious, energetic live performances will in every term of the word be “bringing it”, agoraphobic tenadacies and all. Also on the bill tonight will be Buffalo’s Made Violent, Rochester’s The Demos, and Inlite who are from Buffalo as well.

~ Photo by Mark Loper

after dark entertainment, Alternative Buffalo, bear hands, michael — 5 comments

Just Announced: Bear Hands

In between copying/pasting music.com headlines to social media and feeding Buffalo some of the best up-and-coming underground bands like 311, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Sublime, Alternative 107.7 announced today the debut of their new concert series titled "You Saw Them First." Teaming up with After Dark Entertainment, the partnership announced this morning their first booking in the series, bringing Brooklyn buzz band Bear Hands back to Buffalo after a year and a half absence (so technically you will see them a second time if you were at the Mohawk show summer 2012). The show is set for Friday, February 21st at the Waiting Room, and tickets can be purchased at the After Dark HQ (630 Elmwood Ave) from 11am-5:30pm, Monday-Friday. In the meantime, enjoy some ~~Lorde~~ Bear Hands.

bear hands, listen up, listener's digest, michael, new music — 0 comments

Listener's Digest: Bear Hands - "Giants"

After my first listen to Bear Hands’ latest single, “Giants,” my first reaction is what has gotten into them? The first twenty seconds of the track sounds like an 80s atmospheric instrumental and then explodes into an amped up synthy verse with the identifiable yet creepy standout phrase “you’re loving me whether you want to not.” Released by Cantora records in the end of October, “Giants,” is the least like the band’s previous modus operandi, but the band continues to deliver an indie jam with the usual a gift for verbiage. Come back to Buffalo again Bear Hands, this time don’t play on a Tuesday night.

bear hands, gza, killer mike, sknapp, town ballroom — 0 comments

Tonight: GZA w/Killer Mike and Bear Hands

Named as one of The Source's top 50 lyricists of all time, legendary Wu-Tang member GZA aka The Genius comes to the Town Ballroom tonight to perform his 1995 classic album Liquid Swords in its entirety. Any Hip hop fan in Western New York won't want to miss this performance of one of the genre's greatest recordings. In what can almost be considered a second headliner, Atlanta rapper Killer Mike will also be performing tonight following the release of his critically claimed album R.A.P Music. Produced by Brooklyn rapper EL-P, the album perfectly pairs the soulful southern rhymes of Killer Mike with the post-apocalyptic industrial beats of the New York producer. Tonight is sure to be another classic hip hop celebration at the ballroom in a year that has seen artists like A$AP Rocky and Odd Future rock the downtown venue. Interestingly enough, Brooklyn indie rock band, Bear Hands open up tonight's show with their post-punk sound. The band proved to be an exciting live act when they opened a legendary show for Passion Pit at the Rapids Theatre back in March of 2010. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8. Tickets are $25 and available at the door.

bear hands, Buffalo NY, gza, james, just announced, killer mike, liquid swords, sweet valley, town ballroom, wavves, wu tang clan — 1 comments

Just Announced: GZA 64 Squares Tour

Appearing live at the Town Ballroom on Friday September 14th will be genius Wu-Tang member GZA with the 64 Squares Tour. It was just announced that Buffalo will be the first date of this anticipated tour that not only includes the legendary GZA but several other multifarious talents. These include Atlanta rapper KILLER MIKE who released one of 2012's best Hip-Hop albums R.A.P. Music, Brooklyn electro melody rockers BEAR HANDS, and Nathan Williams' (frontman of Wavves) new project with his brother Kynan called SWEET VALLEY. Of particular note Sweet Valley is about to release their first EP called Stay Calm, set to come out on Fool's Gold Records August 7th. It's being described at an instrumental beat tape, take a listen to one of the tracks below titled "Suzuka 9 Hours."

GZA is fresh off of his reissue of his Sophomore album Liquid Swords, one of the most classic Hip-Hop albums of all time. It is rumored that he will be performing with a live band that will include Wavves/Sweet Valley's Nathan Williams on guitar. Ticket prices and dates of sale to the public have not been announced yet.

Sweet Valley - Suzuka 9 Hours by foolsgoldrecs

bear hands, michael, mohawk place, nelson-type — 0 comments

Tonight: Bear Hands

Brooklyn’s former buzz babies, Bear Hands, will be bringing their beachy excellence to Mohawk Place tonight. These post-punkers/indie rockers have been around for close to five years, opening for the likes of Vampire Weekend, We Were Promised Jetpacks, and MGMT. Fans of The Drums, Q and Not U, or Wild Beasts should definitely head on out. Also on the bill is Brooklyn’s Fort Lean and buffaBLOG faves Nelson-Type and Streamside. Doors opens at 7pm and tickets are $13.