Tonight, Caspa returns to Town Ballroom for round two. Last year I was blown away by the show, you can read my full review here. An originating DJ and producer of dubstep, Caspa is OG. Reading through the article and thinking about how phenomenal the show was, I have no doubt in my mind that his performance will be incredible once again. His remix of deadmau5 and Kaskade's "I Remember" still gets me all wildly emotional; it's a classic that I'll never stop listening to. Caspa and the other DJs opening the show are bound to bring a spectacle.

Opening the night will be duo Claw and Richie August, otherwise known as HULK, in addition to local performances from the ever talented Notixx and also DJ Stuntman.  

friday 3/8
8p
$20 adv. All Ages
TOWN BALLROOM
681 main st. Buffalo, NY
Heavy hitter CASPA touches down tomorrow night at the Town Ballroom. In support includes the American Dubstep duo of HULK, along with NOTIXX and STUNTMAN. Note: Ballroom's addy on the flyer/poster is incorrect (not that any of you would get lost).


saturday 3/9

The Drum Machine Report is a weekly rundown on buffaBLOG of events and parties that feature dance and electronic music here in the 716. From time to time we present news and notes from the local scene. Buffalo is a diverse city with many different music tastes. For those looking to dance and party, this is for you.

After all the hype that RUSKO got on his return to Buffalo, I’ll be the first to cry foul, party foul that is. The show was extremely energetic, and Christopher’s song selection was great! But Dude was probably too fucked up to perform. Not to be too much of a dick about it, but when you come that close to dumping the decks and the entire rig, and then follow that up with blatant promotion of drug use into the mic, you’re probably not in the right state of mind to perform. Alas the majority of spunion rookies were oblivious to these snafus. Admittedly, I am no saint, but as a performer in the arts, I have developed a certain respect for completion of prior responsibilities, which Rusko did, just very sloppily. In my opinion CASPA put on a much better show. On a lighter note, the opening performers, local DJs SWAGGLEROCK and MEDISON were apparently on-point to guests who arrived early to the Ballroom on Tuesday. Respect to them.

This weekend will slither down the dark end of Buffalo’s spectrum. Here’s where to look:

friday 2/17

LOKI DNB PRESENTS: SUBSONIK

10p-4a

21+

DBGB’S

253 allen st. Buffalo, NY

Though Buffalo has had a string of bad luck lately it seems when it comes to DnB artists getting here from out of town, Loki has secured for tomorrow, SUBSONIK from Tulsa, OK. Mark Subsonik is among the American DnB elite. His productions are meticulously composed and often the focus is in the melody; an uncommon face of the genre. Also on the bill will be THE MICK, MIXMASTER BATES, DROP D, BETA, and of course LOKI.

saturday 2/18

‡ DARK DISCO II: HEARTBROKEN ‡

10p-2a

$2/18+

THE VAULT

702 main st. Buffalo, NY

Few people may realize that Valentine’s Day, as sappy and lovey-dovey that it is, is actually is one of the peak break-up times of the year (according to statistics taken from Facebook relationship status updates). Boo-fucking hoo. What’s more is that the statistics dramatically increase through March dubbing that period of time “Spring Break” or “Spring Cleaning.” Ouch. Broken hearts bleed red. And when blood dries it can appear black. This, the second installment of DARK DISCO by TOATS ORIG is going to be fantastically depressing. Celebrating the pain and passion that comes with that desperate feeling we call, love. But mostly the pain. That emptiness we all know from the loss of love. Sometimes that feeling is exaggerated to a longing for death. That feeling should be reconsidered, to be a reunion with the source of life. Buffalo is city of light and a city of dark. I implore you to explore both. Performing on this night will be DJs SWAGGLE ROCK, BONES, and MARIO BEE.

EVOLve

930p-4a

$5/18+

BIG BAD WOLF

252 delaware ave. Buffalo, NY

Techno will be the focus here at the second installment of this EVOLve party at BBW on Delaware. RYLL returns from Toronto for another tag set with Buffalo house DJ PAUL KEUNZI. Also on the bill will be DISKOMASTER from Syracuse along with GENE LINET, MEDISON, SOMOS & VIGNERI, and NATE HOWELL.

sunday 2/19

9p-2a

www.waxmuseumradio.com or live at:

DBGB’S 253 allen st. Buffalo, NY 21+

It bears mentioning that SPOOKY BUSINESS will be the feature DJs on this week’s Silk. Also performing live will be STEVEN CAMP, BIGSKI, VAMPYRE EYES, and MEDISON

No matter what your feelings may be on the idea of LOVE, my advice is just to never let the feelings of desperation take you past the point of no return. Or you’ll end up like the Phantom of the Opera, all burned and scorned. How's that for keeping with this weeks theme? Much love.

“Who out there is ready for Caspaaa?” local DJ and impromptu MC Mario Bee’s voice echoed throughout the high vaulted ceilings of Town Ballroom. The crowd cheered as local Buffalo DJ, Stuntman, continued his dubstep-infused set. From the stage, the view was a sea of bodies, each one dancing in their own unique way.

MNM Presents proudly brought Caspa, a legendary DJ from the United Kingdom to Town Ballroom on February 4. Regardless of musical preferences or the conflicting on-going argument of mainstream dubstep and it’s “coolness” factor, this DJ deserves a very credible amount of recognition. Caspa, Gary McCann, helped form and brought to existence the genre that was dominating the underground music scene, dubstep. He is an originator and an incredibly powerful force in EDM. Not only is he world-renowned and runs three record labels, he also puts out remixes of extremely well-known artists that can blow your mind.

The show opened with DJ Stuntman followed by Rochester’s own DJ Bones Jones then a second set from Stuntman with Mario Bee on the mic. DJ Friction, a well-known UK drum n’ bass artist, was scheduled to open for Caspa but underwent difficulties with his visa.

“I love this job and would never take it for granted,” read an email from Friction to Buffalo promoter Mike Marshall, sincerely apologizing for the mishap.

My introduction to this music scene was through two close friends of mine a few years back. The minute I heard the familiar ringing and muffled sounds of someone trying to weasel out of paying someone, I flashed back to memories of when Caspa’s remix of a TC track was one of many songs in the soundtrack to my daily life. A well-known hit of his, there was an insatiable need for the drop as the muttering continued over the speakers, and then everyone yelled in the quite ominous tone “where’s my money?” I grinned when I saw the friends who brought me into this world were dancing wildly right beside me. The moment was perfect.


Caspa’s stage presence was boss-like as he continued through his immaculate set. If this were a bacchanalia, Caspa would have been Dionysus for the crazed dancers. Little multi-colored orbs of light blinked from various fingertips and formed visual masterpieces. Plastic cups with water were crushed and thrown when the energy was on high and refreshing droplets would splash down.

Walking down the ramp heading into the lobby, my ears perked up and I stopped. My two girlfriends starred at me, curiously, wondering what I was doing. When I finally recognized Jesse Mills smooth vocals from “Fighting Fire” by Breakage, I told them I would meet them shortly and ran back inside. The emotionally potent female vocals of strength against all odds in the form of love ran through and gave me chills.

Lost in the sound, Caspa then transitioned into his remix of Deadmau5 and Kaskade’s track “I Remember”. Spell bound and without thinking, I took the short amount of steps from the upper tier to the main floor. This original tune was what opened the gateway for me into this world of music. It was one of the two friends whom introduced me to Caspa’s music; I can recollect the conversation being told repeatedly over the phone to look it up because I would love it. He was right. It is a heartbreaking and beautifully produced track that always brings about an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia. After all this time, it still has a deep sentimental impact.

Alone but surrounded by people on the floor, I closed my eyes to leave the world behind. As if Caspa knew the emotional journey I was on, he brought in his original track “Back for the First Time”. My eyes began to water as I absorbed the symphonic elements and heard the vocals that Mr. Hudson released on his own edit of the track that I became so familiar with. “Love never dies” were the life-saving vocals I believed with the entirety of my heart. The three track segment took the already incredible skillful performance, and took it to an intense emotional level. To a level that not many DJs have the ability to do.

Caspa did what every phenomenal DJ has learned to perfect; he brought a different individual experience for everyone that attended. His track selection was impeccable and his presence was strong. After introducing myself backstage, he was curious as to what I thought of the show. “Amazing, it was absolutely amazing,” I replied.

I'm unbelievably proud and grateful to say that I did not enter the EDM scene to the sounds of Skrillex. Thanks to Kyle and Brian from local DJ duo HXLY, the first two dubstep tracks I ever heard were AC Slater's "Calm Down" and the Caspa remix of Rusko's "Cockney Thug". The accented vocals and repetitive expletives drove me wild.

Buffalo is being graced with Caspa's presence tonight. He was one of the O.G. producers when dubstep was a new emerging genre.

Be there tonight, or prepare to be forever sorry for yourself if you don't.
Town Ballroom.
Caspa along with DJ Friction.
Not to mention our very own DJ Stuntman is the special guest.

These three tunes are classic.