Showing posts with label black dots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label black dots. Show all posts
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Tonight: Bearchild, Cross Stitch, Brimstone Blondes, and Creation Xtinction


If you haven’t been to Black Dots record shop, I just have one question for you...what have you been doing with your life? Located at 223 Lafayette Avenue (on the corner of Lafayette and Grant Street) the basement record shop has all of your obscure and hard to find punk rock records and even a few oldie goldies (Engelbert Humperdinck anyone?) as well those cassettes you’ve been searching for. On top of the wide selection of cassettes and vinyls, Black Dots also puts on shows from time to time, and tonight is one of those times. 

 Tonight Black Dots will be hosting four Buffalo bands. On the bill this evening will be the love me tender indie rockers Bearchild, the Buffalonian babes of Cross Stitch will be making a rare appearance, as well as the bouncy garage rockers of Brimstone Blondes, and the acoustic punk outfit Creation Xtinction will round out the bill. That’s right a show in a record shop, what could be better? Maybe a gold plated toilet, but lets be honest, it’s just not in the cards, so in the meantime why not settle for a show at Black Dots. 

 Black Dots 
223 Lafayette Avenue 
Doors at 6pm 
Music at 7pm 
$6




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Tonight: Black Dots' Valentimes Day Love Fest


Local punk-centric record store Black Dots will be having its own version of a Valentine's Day celebration,  offering "a romantic evening for all you young lovers, or dump your significant other and come stag!" 

 Playing this fine evening will be Space Wolves. In case you are looking to dump your significant other at the show, the ever catchy lo-fi Buffalo pop duo might even play their song "Break Up" off the newest cassette tape IV. Newer Buffalo punk band, Sperm, will be having a tour kick off and will be releasing its second cassette tape tonight. Some of Sperm's songs remind me of older Pissed Jeans, with a guitar tone reminiscent of the Dead Kennedys at times. Rounding out the show will be local straight edge noise project Methnic Cleansing, along with Newish Star(r). Newish Star(r) will be playing its first show, so I am not to sure what to expect, but it will feature members from the local bands Big Suze and Dream Journal.

 Black Dots
223 Lafayette St
7:00 pm
$6



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Enter The Queen City Music Lottery, Form A New Band


Trying to start a band but don't know any other musicians? Or maybe you are sick of your current band mates and want a fresh start? Well, Sugar City & Peterwalkee Records have you covered. Behold, the first ever Queen City Music Lottery, giving musicians a chance to throw their name in the ring and form a completely new and original band. Musicians of all skill set are encouraged to sign up and be flexible as band mates are not chosen by instrument, meaning bands may have multiple drums sets, or all keyboards, etc. You get the idea.

I think this is a really fun idea. The randomness of assembling the bands and the creativity of making the new project work will be something to look forward to. Not mention, the chance for musicians of different scenes and genres to potentially form something fresh will be a nice jolt to the local wave of bands. There are two lottery opportunities to sign up for the lottery. The first is this Saturday at Black Dots (223 Lafayette Ave) at 2pm. The second is the same time over at Spiral Scratch (291 Bryant Ave) on Saturday, Feb 8th. All of the details can be found at the lottery's event page. Good luck!





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buffaBLOG's Best of 2013: Guest Post - Josh Smith


Editor's note: For our best of 2013 coverage, we once again reach out to some friends of the blog to get an idea of what made the year in music so great for them.  For today's installment in the guest series, Josh Smith, owner of local record shop Black Dots and member of punk band Bad People, submitted his best of list. Bad People recently released their latest EP Mean Talkin' and will kick off their tour tomorrow night at the Jungle Gym.

Being surrounded by music for 60+ hours a week is a mixed blessing. I spend a lot of time sifting through garbage new releases—a mountain of plastic and wax that will litter the Earth long after my death and yours—just to find a few things worth holding onto. 

But every year, there are a handful of releases I find myself returning to over and over again, worthy of the material used to create the physical form. I thought of six shining examples, all released in the year of our Lord 2013, that you should go out of your way to track down. 

MILK MUSIC - Cruise Your Illusion LP (self-released)
I was underwhelmed by the first MILK MUSIC record—just didn’t get the hype. It’s no question that the riffs are there, but the record sounds like a really long fart to me. 

I'm far from a production snob but their second outing was an obvious step up in terms of recording. It’s crisp, and the addition of a second guitarist has really upped their overall power. It’s probably my most-listened-to record this year. I spun it constantly when I first started setting up to open Black Dots, and, for that reason alone, it will remind me of last summer for the rest of my days. 

The record weaves in and out of somber, melodic hooks into really upbeat hits in true ‘90s-college-rock fashion. Yeah, I’ll throw in the obligatory DINOSAUR JR comparison, but there’s a lot more going on. This is a fully realized vision of a full-length record. 

TENEMENT - Freak Cast In Iron b/w Books On Hell And Sermons On T.V. (Cowabunga), Puke & Destroy 2 ‎ comp (Snuffy Smiles) and split with SCREAMING FEMALES (Recess)
For years, the Midwest’s best-kept secret released record after record, crafting a sound that’s really hard to pin down, with heavy nods to Midwestern pop-rock, the SST back catalogue, and maybe even a touch of the blues, some real soul. 

The term “pop-punk” could never do TENEMENT justice, although it is pop, and it’s undeniably punk. But these guys are hardcore outsiders, just as likely to spin a Charles Mingus record as they are to jam on DIE KRUEZEN riffs during a mid-set tuning session. 

With their most recent full-length offering in 2012, the band showcased their widest array of influence—from country to garage and everywhere in between. Somehow, it all works, and every subsequent release has continued down the path of reinventing their sound. 

This band is a real powerhouse—true style all the way through. We were only graced with a series of small-vinyl singles and splits this year, but the next 12 months promises at least their third full-length on Don Giovani Records. Here’s hoping for more!

RIVAL MOB - Mob Justice (Revelation) 
This gets my vote for best ‘core record to come out in recent memory. With the heart and soul of New York hardcore’s golden age (nods to bands like BREAKDOWN and WARZONE), RIVAL MOB presents the listener with a modern take on a classic hardcore style. 

I’m a fan of just about anything singer Brendan Radigan touches. Time and time again, he proves himself to be one of the most versatile voices in punk today. There are his SABBATH-inspired croons in MAGIC CIRLCE (another recent release everyone should search out) and the NWOBHM hooks in his previous band, BATTLE RUINS. And now, he spends most of his time devoted to the MOB—some serious, hard-nosed, meat-and-potatoes ‘core. 

SPACE WOLVES - IV CS (Ut Records)
Far and away, this is my favorite cassette-only release of the year. SPACE WOLVES is the brainchild of Buffalo punk rock Svengali Nicholas Reynolds. I feel like the rest of the country— nay, world—is missing the mark, as you have to meet the man behind the music to truly appreciate SPACE WOLVES’ unique brand of retro-pop.

Resting well beyond the bounds of social graces, there’s something genius in making the hipster kids bop around to depraved songs about police homicide and crack cocaine. While this is a sub-sect of modern punk I normally hate—a bunch of horn-rimmed gasbags doo-wopping over their grandparents’ 1950s garage riffs—SPACE WOLVES proves to be the exception to the rule. It’s cute but not too cute, ya know. 

With four releases in the span of 12 months, each tape surpasses the previous one. If “less is more,” just think of how much more MORE could be, right? If this stays a Buffalo-only anomaly, you should thank your lucky stars you were there to see it firsthand, but I’m hoping the coming year sees the WOLVES step outside of the underground musical bubble that is the Queen’s City.

UNA BÉSTIA INCONTROLABLE - Observant Com El Mon Es Destrueix LP (La Vida Es Un Mus)
This band is the most recent in a long line of Barcelona hardcore bands that take the DISCHARGE blueprint, force it to its knees, and stomp on its guts. Like predecessors INVASION, DESTINO FINAL, and GLAM, la BESTIA creates a truly menacing and demented soundtrack to criminal insanity. 

The DIY scene has seen an explosion of glue-huffing, raw punx over the past two or three years, but nary a one of them can write anthemic hardcore with the power and precision of UBI. These are distorted nightmares sonically forcing their way into your drug-addled brain, never to escape.

PLEASURE LEFTISTS - Elephant Man b/w Not Over 7” (Katorga Works)
In a sea of post-punk/new-wave/goth-y clone acts, this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Their previous work, a 12” EP on Fandeath Records, was, for the longest time, overlooked by most of the punk universe. 

I scored a copy a couple years back and was shocked that I hadn’t heard anyone talking about this band. The melodies are haunting, the vocals sound like a ghoulish version of that fruit from RUSH, and the rhythms and tempos beckon for the listener to just “dance, dance, DANCE!” 

The fact that they’re made up of members of one of my favorite Cleveland hardcore bands (9 SHOCK TERROR) is icing on the cake, and it’s a damn good cake, too! This is a two-song single on Katorga Works that serves as a teaser/demo to their most recent 12”, but I kinda like these cuts better than the later versions. These freakers live a mere three hours southwest of Buffalo, so there’s little excuse to miss a live showing in the coming year.


~ Post by Josh Smith
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buffaBLOG's Record Store Day Black Friday Preview



Let's face it, America is totally jumping the shark with this whole Black Friday thing. It's gotten entirely out of hand so badly that Thanksgiving has become meaningless for far too many Americans, for both the bargain hungry consumer and the poor souls who have to serve them instead of being with their families. It really is disgusting. There is however a wonderful silver lining to the blight of Black Friday, and that's the Record Store Day sequel that lands yet more goodness in our local independent record shops for our joyful consumption. 

 Once again a tremendous bevy of artists are offering special artifacts and goodies for sale only at record stores to support these vital music outlets and the communities of music fans they serve. It's capitalist consumerism you can feel good about, and frankly if you value the physical article that is vinyl (and to a less extent CD) it's another smorgasborg of music fan enjoyment. Here's a brief look at what's going to available Friday and where you can get in on the fun after elbowing your fellow man in the head for a discounted HD TV.
Black Friday Special Releases Of Note:

 Band of Horses, Live At The Ryman, 7" vinyl
Charles Bradley ft The Budos Band and the Bullets, "Changes," 7' vinyl. Super 
Daptacular goodness from everybody's friends at Daptone Records.
Civil Wars, Between The Bars, 7' vinyl. A posthumous release from this late and lamented band.
The Clash, their whole catalog on CD. Available until January 14, 2014.
The Doors, Curated By Record Store Day, LP vinyl. Rarities and mono mixes picked by record store owners. Sounds boffo.
Bob Dylan, Side Tracks, LP vinyl. A mother-lode of never before released tracks on 3 LPs. There might be some Bob Dylan fans jostling for this one. Watch out.
Elvis Costello & The Roots, Wise Up: Thought Remixes and Reworks, CD. A companion to their excellent Wise Up Ghost (reviewed here) from two of the biggest musicheads ever.
The Flaming Lips, Peace Sword, LP and CD. The physical release of their Peace Sword EP Ender's Game companion pieace (reviewed here) featuring a new song and more super awesome handmade vinyl. I'm gonna get my ass out of bed and snag this early.
Foals, CCTV Sessions, LP vinyl. 
The Grateful Dead, Family Dog At The Great Highway, LP vinyl. Live acoustic Dead from 1970.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience, "Fire/Foxy Lady," 7' vinyl.
John Denver & The Muppets, A Christmas Together, 12" picture disc. Nuff said.
Nas, Halftime, 12' vinyl. 
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, Live At KRCW, Vinyl LP.
Nirvana, In Utero 2013 Mix. LP vinyl.
Roy Orbison, The Monument Vinyl Box, 4 vinyl LPs. 3 of his biggest albums plus an album of unreleased tracks.
Puscifer, Puscifer's 8 Ball Bail Bonds--The Berger Barns Live in Phoenix, LP vinyl.
Queens Of The Stone Age, ... Like Clockwork (Black On Black), LP vinyl. Limited edition apparently.
Silversun Pickups, "Let It Decay/Working Title," 10' vinyl.
Skaters, "Deadbolt," 7" vinyl. Lead single from their upcoming debut.
Sly & The Family Stone, "Sexy Situation/Mother Is A Hippy," 7" vinyl.
Tegan & Sara, "Guilty As Charged/Running On Empty," 7' vinyl.
Josh Tilman (aka Father John Misty), The History Of Caves (soundtrack), LP
Truth And Soul Records Presents The Soul Fire Boxed Set, 7' vinyl boxed set.
U2, "Ordinary Love," 7' single. Their contribution to the Idris Elba Nelson Mandela biopic Long Walk To Freedom, and quite possibly one of the band's last 7' singles if you believe the hype (I kind of do).
Uncle Tupelo, "I Wanna Be Your Dog/Commotion," 7' vinyl. UT + Stooges and Credence covers = yeah.
Various Artists, A Musical Tribute To The Songs Of Shel Silverstein. Vinyl LP.
Zabriskie Point soundtrack, Vinyl LP. A vinyl pressing of the legendary soundtrack to the legendary Michelangelo Antonioni film featuring Pink Floyd and The Grateful Dead.
The complete list of goodies available Black Friday can be found here.
And once again a bunch of local stores will be participating, almost forming a dragnet of musical joy to cover Western New York:

 Black Dots
223 Lafayette Ave (at Grant St), Buffalo
M&B Record Exchange
207 Delaware St, Tonawanda
Music Matters
527 Cayuga Dr, Niagara Falls
Record Theatre
1800 Main Street (at Lafayette Ave), Buffalo
3500 Main Street (in University Plaza), Amherst
Spiral Scratch Records
291 Bryant St, Buffalo
Big sale going on in addition to the Black Friday releases thru Saturday when WBNY broadcasts from the shop in honor of Small Business Saturday.


The south towns are apparently out of luck (another reason not to live there). Happy Thanksgiving, and happy record shopping.

 To get you in the mood to love your fellow man Black Friday, here's the beginning of the end of U2. Sorry ladies, no footage of Idris Elba.

Cliff Parks
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Tonight!: Black Dots Birfday Celebrashion


Black Dots [Grant and Lafayette], the record store of MA-transplanted skuzzball Josh Smith, will be hosting a punk show of the modern age! Josh Smithereens [second urinating photo from the right] is 27-years-old today, and apparently in the ranks of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain. Come out tonight to see him survive the musician's curse of the 27th year.

On the roster is Buffalo's Thaals ["garage freak-out"] and hardcore band Sperm. From beyond, there's Californian band Condition and Sorexcuse from Syracuse.

Music is scheduled at a prompt 7PM and it's $5 to get in. If you want pizza and beers, you best contribute extra.




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Tonight: Big Ups, Aaron & the Burrs, and Space Wolves


You can continue the grand tradition of getting hammered in a basement with free beer and free cookies this evening at independent record store Black Dots, but only if you want to deal with the hassle of three great bands sharing the same space with you.

Big Ups are on tour from Brooklyn, NY and should be ready to punk your beautiful faces off after thoroughly inspecting their van for any Williamsburg hipsters hiding in their seat cushions.

Local surf rock homies Aaron & the Burrs and Space Wolves are also expected to be in attendance, but as I am taking Space Wolves at their word and literally expecting a pack of wolves from the distant edge of our galaxy to play this show, we can't assume anything. I don't know what the nearest spacefaring analog to a beat-to-shit tour van is, but it's probably not making the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs.

Doors are at 6pm and that gives you a solid two hours to stock up on fantastic records to boast about in front of your dearest friends. The suggested donation is a piddly $5, so feel free to help Big Ups fill their gas tank as much or as little as you want. If you're mathematically inclined, you may even decide to make a game of it, calculating exactly how much they'd need to only get so far from here that their van hits empty at the precise moment they pass by a decrepit farmhouse, in the middle of nowhere, full of bloodthirsty cannibal rapists.

It's almost Halloween, after all.




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Potty Mouth...On The Boyfriend Couch

Editors note: Every month, we will be sharing posts from local zine 'Buffalo's Okay,' a monthly publication from Black Dots Record Store owner Josh Smith. This interview with Potty Mouth originally appeared in the zine's first issue in October of 2013. New issues may be picked up, free of charge, at Black Dots (223 Lafayette Avenue).

 Fast-rising poster children for the Western Mass lady-punk scene, POTTY MOUTH graced Buffalo with a special live performance last August alongside locals SPACE WOLVES and CROSS STITCH at the Glitterbox.  If you’ve yet to hear their signature style of dark-yet-peppy, saccharine-sweet indie pop, take a moment and track down the records.  Their new LP, titled Hell Bent, just dropped on Ye Olde Flame Records.

Buffalo everyman and local idiot Sketchy Nick invited the girls to join him for a brief, sit-down interview for the inaugural edition of "On the boyfriend couch. . . "  I was there, too.

Sketchy Nick 
First of all, what’s everyone name and what do you play in your band? 

Ally
I’m Ally, I play bass.
Victoria
I’m Victoria, I play drums.
Phoebe
I’m Phoebe, I play lead guitar
Abby
I’m Abby, I play rhythm guitar and lead vocals.

Sketchy Nick
I assume you've made a ton of friends on the road, but I don't even want to hear about that. What people or entities are at the top of your “Enemies List?”

Abby
Our enemies list? But what if they read this and they come after us? Is this collectively?
Ally
Like half the people in Ann Arbor last night... No, all the bands we played with were great. It wasn't the bands. It was a guy who snuck a picture of us when we were sitting on the couch and didn't tell us. 

Sketchy Nick 
So some creepster from Ann Arbor...

Phoebe  
There’s this one guy in my town that I don't like.  He wont leave me alone.  He's really scary. His name's Jimmy, and he's notorious around there.

Sketchy Nick
He's on your enemies list, so what are you doing to get him?

Phoebe
I'm running away very fast in the other direction. 

Sketchy Nick
So if you end up on Potty Mouth's enemies list, you don't really have anything to worry about. Does anyone else have a very personal enemy? You guys are just very lovable and loving?

Ally
No! 

Sketchy Nick
Then how do you not have enemies?!

Ally
We've had a lot of fun on this tour, but there are aspects about people that really annoy me.
Abby
Maybe anyone who comments on Brooklyn Vegan. Not the website, just the people who comment on the website.
Ally:
The ones that say they hope we get into a car accident and die.
Abby
Or rate how they would have sex with us based on the alcohol that they would need to consume beforehand.
Phoebe
Yeah, I require a bottle of Jack, by the way.

Sketchy Nick
Wow!  You require a lethal amount of alcohol? That's horrible! So moving on from enemies, your new record is delayed. Who is to blame?

Ally
None of us. I think it was ultimately probably a marketing decision. The labels decided that a lot of people release records in August, and then you have Labor Day weekend when no one's doing anything. I think early Fall, September seemed like the prime time because...
Josh
Back to school!
Ally
Exactly, back to school. It’s allowing them to send in promo CDs to radio stations and whatever. I think if we had done it this week in August, it would have been more of a rush. The UK label hasn't even put the record into production yet. Phoebe is sill doing the art. 

Sketchy Nick
So the European label is partially to blame?

Ally
No, no don't twist that!

Sketchy Nick
Okay.  You want an untwistable question? What physical ailments or mental disorders do you possess, collectively or individually?

Abby
I'm allergic to a lot of things.  Peanuts, nuts, coconut, lentils, feathers, cats...

Sketchy Nick
Do you hate and resent the things that you're allergic to?

Abby
No. I mean, I've always lived without them so I don't care.

Sketchy Nick
That's it, just a few allergies?  Potty Mouth is a very healthy band.  You mentioned Ann Arbor as being your least favorite city to play in...

Ally
No.

Sketchy Nick
No?  What is your least favorite city to play in?

Phoebe
I think we just had weird shows. I don't know, I think the Ann Arbor show was good last night.  Oh, I know!  What's that city...
Ally
Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 
Phoebe
Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Sorry!

Sketchy NickBecause the bands were bad?

Ally
All of them were sick.
Victoria
No, that was Tennessee. 
Phoebe
Also, we played on a stage, and I don't like playing on stages, that always makes the shows bad.

Sketchy Nick
Okay, so what is your least favorite band that you've played with.  Who's really terrible performance-wise or just writes crap or really couldn't handle their liquor or couldn't play their instruments?  Who's garbage?

Ally
That band from Detroit. 
Abby
I like their music, though.
Phoebe
Yeah, but they were like puking on stage on purpose... The Sunbirds.

Sketchy Nick 
Potty Mouth hates the Sunbirds!  Not to put you on the spot or anything, but isn't Buffalo great?

Phoebe
Well, yeah, the last time we played Buffalo, it was awesome. 
*Potty Mouth laughs*
Josh
What the fuck?!

Sketchy Nick 
Potty Mouth hates us!  Do all of the members of Potty Mouth hate Buffalo?

Ally
No, we love Buffalo. My aunt lived here her whole life. She's dead now, but I have very fond memories of coming to Buffalo, such as the time my dad walked around my aunt's neighborhood wearing a Giants windbreaker, and he got rocks thrown at him by people who said, “Fuck off.  The Bills rule!” People literally threw fucking rocks at him.

Sketchy Nick
And you're telling this story because it’s an example of fond memories of Buffalo.

Ally
I just couldn’t believe it. It was like Christmas time, and my dad came back to my aunt's house and was like, “I just got rocks thrown at me.”

Sketchy Nick
Seriously, fuck the Giants. Your last record was put out by three different labels. Can you rank them in order of competence and prestige? 

Phoebe
Pass!
Ally
Yeah, pass.

Sketchy Nick
Potty Mouth, why aren't you more hateful, or at least more willing to express your hatred? 

Abby
All of our hate comes out in the van, and then we're good to go.
Josh
In the van, that's the only place where it's safe. 
Phoebe
I don't know, I think sometimes we're hateful.
Ally
I don't know, I think being negative in general just brings us down.  I mean, if we spent all of our time saying everything we hated, I don't think we would have as much fun.  We turn everything into a big joke if we can.

Sketchy Nick
So Potty Mouth is a novelty band.

Phoebe
It's a novelty. We love novelties.
Ally 
Yeah, like Spenser’s Gifts and Sam Goody. 

Sketchy Nick
So, you talk a little bit about hate in the van.  Top five ways to murder someone, least to most satisfying?  

Abby
How about you answer that one?  Because that seems to be kind of like your thing. 

Sketchy Nick
Murder?

Phoebe
You're the one with that knife tied to your belt.
Abby
Yeah, and you were all like, “no body, no murder” in the basement.

 Sketchy Nick
Oh, those are the rules of murder! No body, no murder. Don't have any accomplices.  Never tell anyone.  Don't try to eliminate the evidence;  add more evidence.  Those are just good, solid rules for getting away with murder.  So you find murder very unsatisfying, alright. [Editor's Note: Jesus fucking christ Nick]

Abby
Is this, like, some Nardwuar shit right now? That's what I want to know.
Phoebe
What does that mean, Abby?
Abby
Do none of you know who Nardwuar is?  You're actually like a recreation of him. [Editor's Note: She's got you there]
Josh 
He doesn't ask about murder!
Abby 
Where are my Green Day records? 

Sketchy Nick 
Nardwuar is overwhelmingly positive and I'm full of nothing but malice.  You guys all learned your instruments together, right?

Phoebe
No.
Abby
Lies. Who told you that?

Sketchy Nick 
The Internet.

Abby
Oh, well you were misinformed.
Phoebe
You tell him Abby!
Ally
Basically, Victoria has been playing drums for a really long time, since she was a baby. I was in two bands before Potty Mouth, so I had been playing for a couple years. Phoebe and Abby kind of started playing guitar around Potty Mouth but what you probably read on the Internet was that we all felt really encouraged and supported when we got together. 
Josh
Is that the last question? 

Sketchy Nick
That's all I necessarily want to ask if you're not going to answer the tough questions. 

Ally
We're good girls...  


~ Post by Josh Smith
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Tonight: Busman's Holiday


Busman's Holiday is one of my favorite bands. They have this charm that just won me over. However, I am certainly not the only they won over. Upon hearing Busman's Holiday, Markus Dravs, producer of Arcade Fires The Suburbs, asked if he could record their next release. 

 In this day in age, it is hard to say anything is original, but I am going to say just that. Despite being just two brothers from Indiana, Busman's Holiday has a barbershop quartet feel along with indie influences. Recently, they had a cover of the song "Mr. Blue" by the Fleetwoods on a very interesting episode of Radiolab. 

 Opening the show at Black Dots ($6, 6pm) is Cadaver Country, the solo project of Pine Fever's Jacob Verghese. It has a folky and bluegrass feel to it but also incorporates casio parts. This sounds like it would be awkward but it works surprisingly well.

 


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Today/Tonight: Cassette Store Day/Space Wolves Tape Release Show



I have seen and purchased things from cassette tape distros in my life, but I am fairly certain that a cassette tape store has never existed. Regardless of this point, an unaffiliated Record Store Day spin off called Cassette Store Day is happening today at over 100 shops worldwide. In Buffalo, head down to Buffalo's newest record store, Black Dot Records(223 Lafayette) starting at 12pm. 

 The day ends with a free performance by Space Wolves at 8pm. This is also a cassette tape release event for the band, titled IV (their fourth cassette release). For those of you not hip to this new technology, you can hear Space Wolves on this thing called the internet.


~ Video by Sadie

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Tonight: Black Dots Acoustic Showcase

Rollicking punk kids! Lend me your ear. Occasionally, the mood just needs to get turned down from shouting profanities to sweet, lovely pillow talk. Majoring in the business of punk albums, Black Dots will be hosting an acoustic show featuring the soft vocals of Jax Deluca, an audience's BFF ACLU Benefit, ghostly and celebrated electronic/folk band Eskimeaux, the rust belt Americana of Nick Gordon, and Gordon alongside John Toohill for an acoustic set as JOHNS.

 I could tell you more, but I'm sure you can read the poster. Music starts at 8PM!

Here's a little taste of things to come:
 

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Potty Mouth: Don't Call Them Riot Grrrlz


The sheer percentage of guys to girls in the music world is staggering. What we indie kids need is some bad bitches to tell everyone what's what, and thanks to Northampton, MA's Potty Mouth, we girls have someone to look up to. Blending sounds of the late '80s and early '90s with post-punk and suck-my-vag music types, Potty Mouth marches forth with distorted and surfy guitars, a bored to yelping vocal team, and a skippy drum kit. This outfit is comprised of Abby [lead vocals and rhythm guitar], Ally [bass], Phoebe [lead guitar], and Victoria [drums]. Now listening to their recent releases, I am saddened to have missed them at The Glitterbox, especially after being updated by Josh Smith, the owner of Black Dots Records of their show. The poster looked like this.

Joining Potty Mouth were Buffalonian bands like fellow post-punk female group, Cross Stitch, and stoopid beach rock boy band Space Wolves. Just kidding, Space Wolves -- my femininity seized the best of me. You guys are great. Never met you, but I'm sure you're just as nice as you sound.

Closing statement: Potty Mouth is filthily tasteful and tastefully filthy.

Check Potty Mouth out at pottymouth.bandcamp.com
For Cross Stitch: crossstitch.bandcamp.com
And for Space Wolves: space-wolves.bandcamp.com





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Today: Black Dots Grand Opening


Today is a good day. Buffalo is getting a new record store called Black Dots, specializing in new and used punk, hardcore, metal, and indie music, operated by Massachusetts transplant Josh Smith, who previously owned a punk oriented shop back home. Today is their first official day of business, and, in addition to a massive selection of vinyls (see here), they are offering beer, snacks, and some friendly smiles. What more do you need?

 Go check them out in the basement of 223 Lafayette Avenue (across from Sweetness 7). They're open every day from 12-8, but let's help to make their opening day special. In the meantime, you can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@blackdotsbuffalo).




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Coming Soon: Black Dots....Buffalo's Newest Record Boutique.


Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 29th. That is the day that Black Dots, Buffalo's newest record boutique, is set to have their grand opening. A week or two ago, I had heard rumblings of a cool new shop that specialized in classic vinyl releases and re-issues of hardcore, punk, metal and indie records. Upon visiting their facebook page, I was pleased to discover an assortment of albums by bands as varied as Chaos UK, Motorhead, T Rex, Bon Iver, and Touche Amore. It seems as if Black Dots has a bit of something for everyone and if you love hard music as much as I do, you may have just found a new home. The shop is located in the basement of 223 Lafayette Ave. on Buffalo's West Side and is open 12pm-8pm every day. Support your local record shop by stopping by for the grand opening, and buying something! This is one place worthy of our support.



jon krol







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