He said it on his 2004 studio album, A Long Hot Summer, and we'll say it again: "Ain't nothin' like hip hop music. That's why we choose it. The world just can't refuse it." Let that be the chant that ignites warm weather memories amongst your comrades and sends feel-good vibrations through your entire body, as legendary hip hop revolutionary Masta Ace takes you back to the hypnotic beats and classic street corner music of the underground NYC scene of the early 1990s tonight at Duke's.

Brooklyn born and bred, the NYC-based MC got his start in the business as a member of the acclaimed '80s hip hop collective the Juice Crew, whose roster boasts underground hip hop sensations Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Craig G, and Biz Markie. In 1990, his debut album, Take a Look Around, produced two sizzling standout singles, the cooly confident and rock sampled "Music Man" and the cheeky and playfully constructed "Me & The Biz." From there, Masta Ace went on to produce his 1995 release, Sittin' on Chrome, which was met by tremendous commercial success as it made its way to the Top 20 list on Billboard's R&B/hip hop album chart. Emerging from the 1990s as an influential scene stealer, the emcee directed all of his momentum into his 2001 lyrical masterwork, arguably one of his most widely celebrated projects, Disposable Arts, which is most notable for its inventive storyline album concept. Finally, 2012 saw the release of MA DOOM: Son of Yvonne, an album through which he intimately speaks to his mother after her passing.

The 46-year-old Brooklyn emcee is currently on a Canadian tour, and according to Duke's entertainment director JJ Alfieri, the favorite local Buffalo bar is his only US stop. "The tours (old school hip hop artists) do now and the performances they do now especially at clubs like Duke's really revolve around reconnecting with their fans," JJ said, who remembers lively and typical summer strolls down Hertel Avenue and hearing the Masta Ace cult hit "Born to Roll" blasting from cars with their tops rolled back. "We're lucky to get these guys in here." But with such an impressive discography under his belt, who's to say there's really a "Finally" on the timeline of such an accomplished hip hop veteran and man on the move? There's not really. With a constant itch to create, Masta Ace's hustle is unstoppable, and last night he stopped by the recording studio at Nickel City Records in Downtown Buffalo, the brainchild of sought-out, college-aged producer Jamie Catania and director of music Jake Sabers, to produce a special track with some young bucks from the underground, Natural Ingredients. In-studio guests included Prime Example, Koolie High, and Charlie the Butcher (all pictured above with Masta Ace, right.) A passing of the torch so to speak? Quite possibly. Masta Ace will be joined tonight by fellow eMC crew members Wordsworth, Stricklin, hip hop group Natural Ingredients, DJ LoPro and Charlie the Butcher. The show starts at 10 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door. See you there.

Photo by J.K. Media  

I like Pile. Their disaffected, slightly aloof brand of alternative rock is reminscent of a day and age when "alternative" actually meant something. Think Fugazi, the Icarus Line, and maybe a splash of the psychedelic stoner wash that has come to define QOTSA. Forget linear music altogether while you're at it. Straight lines won't get you to where you're going. Pile will.

If you like Boston's favorite sons chances are you'll probably like Fat History Month too, and their jazzed out, "herky jerky melodies". The band shares the same record label and hometown as Pile, as well as sharing the stage with them tonight at Duke's (9pm, $5). Also on the bill are Buffalo's number one garbage rock act JOHNS and Buffalo's best version of the Gin Blossoms, Failures Union. Between the bands you can enjoy DJ sets by Dano, Malik Saint, the Plastic Shaman, and Johnny Drama.

It's rare that you get a bill that kills top to bottom. Be sure you support real music that's actually trying to accomplish something artistically. Go to this show.

If anyone caught my Picking Up the Slack for MTV post and liked what you heard, I come the bearer of good news. Brighton based producer and DJ Alan Myson, otherwise known as iTAL tEK will be performing tonight at Duke's Bohemian Grove Bar.

Under Planet Mu Records and his self-established label Atom River, iTAL tEK is on tour for his third album Nebula Dance. He inhabits a unique segment of the music world. Beautifully melodic with soothing and hypnotizing basslines, iTAL tEK paints a futuristic scene - an apparition of dying stars and glowing auroras. His production is a galactic trip. It's as if Tycho's album Dive comes out of the ocean, off the beach and sent at hyperspeed to the moon's far side.

Buffalo has been getting its fair share of good hip-hop lately and tonight is continuing in that trend. Blueprint, aka Printmatic, is an incredibly talented emcee and producer who's been around awhile now, touring and releasing critically acclaimed albums for buzz label, Rhymesayers Entertainment. The Columbus-based rapper will be at Duke's tonight ($8, 9pm), along Mad Dukez and Fresh Kils. This show's got my vote for hip-hop standout of the year. Be there to catch it.

The Pixies are a group you should know about if you follow our blog. They are essentially "the" band; the cornerstone for indie-rock, alternative and everything cool in underground music. They were one of Nirvana's biggest influences, both lyrically and sonically. They're also one of my favorite bands.

If you've never gotten a chance to see the Pixies live, you're in the majority. The band was broken up for much the 90's and early 2000's. Despite reuniting in 2004, they have only visited WNY a small handful of times.

Fortunately, Buffalo has the next best thing. Crackity Jones, a most excellent Pixies tribute band, will be performing tonight at DBGB's along with Deathbells and the Screaming Jeans (9pm, $3). Expect to hear a diverse mix of b-sides as well as Pixies favorites, including the classics "Where is my Mind," "Velouria," and "Debaser" (at least I hope). The Pixies are awesome and should be celebrated. I'm glad that Crackity Jones is up to the task.

DBGB’s will be hosting the essential Friday night gig this evening with Albany natives Sirsy and local favorites The Tins and Bearhunter. The soulful indie-rock duo Sirsy, is the project of singer/drummer Melanie Krahmer and guitarist Rich Libutti who have built a reputation as tour warriors, playing as many as 200 shows a year. While the twosome march to their own beat, they have a sound that appeals to a wide range of rock music palates, citing numerous influences, such as The Beatles, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Black Keys. Check out their Facebook page for more links to Sirsy’s websites and media. With three very talented bands on one bill tonight there should be no excuse for having the end-of-summer blues just yet. The show starts at 10.

Tonight there is a not-to-be-missed triple bill over at DBGB’s featuring a double dose of local talent with The Mordaunt Sisters and Love Scenes, and Boston, psych-rock four-piece Dirty Dishes. As you know, we’ve been gushing about Love Scenes and Mordaunt Sisters here at the blog as much as possible, with Love Scene’s latest release Blissed-Out Youth being featured as our Album of the Week back at the beginning of July and The Mordaunt Sisters, who are consistently popping up on our radar, playing many gigs, not to mention being featured at the #3 spot on 2011’s Top Buffalo Bands list. As for Dirty Dishes, it is a rare experience to hear a psych-rock branded group that can stretch itself to such diverse corners of songwriting. Firstly, there are the vulnerable, 90’s style guitar riffs on display at the start of tracks like “Break” and “Bloom” that are paired so uniquely well with lead singer Jenny Tuite’s tip-toeing, breathless vocals as she ushers us so painlessly in. “Gaze” also starts very much like this, and suddenly the listener is tossed into coerced, seamless drum rhythms and feedback that send a shot of adrenaline along with the icy tag: “We are fading fast.” Within the structure of their songwriting, they tow the same line as alternative 90s gods The Smashing Pumpkins or My Bloody Valentine. This is definitely a show to get excited for, so clear your schedule tonight and get a move-on to Duke’s. The show starts at 10.

On this Monday morning, I can guaranteeeee, that you should infringe a time or two... or even threeeeee... because Monday evening, oh Monday evening you will surely beeee, listening to music at Mohawk or DBGBeeeeeeees!

We're several days in, now, and already there have been successful performances in abundance around downtown.  What's in store for today?  Read on to find out:

Listen to your inner movie buff and start the day at Filigrees (on the corner of Elmwood and Forest) with their Monday Film Fun event.  Three movies will be screened and the event goes from 12:30-5:30PM.  Red Green Totem, Decency in Kind, and Thin Red Line are the the films to look forward to this afternoon.

Crane Library (Elmwood Avenue) is playing host to a myriad of unique events today and, had I not been scheduled to work today, would probably be my destination of choice (I go out to see music quite a bit... gotta change it up sometimes, oui?).  There will be Celtic Storytelling from 1:00-2:00PM featuring stories of healing and repose shared in the Bardic style and accompanied by the soothing sounds of a Celtic harp.
Take a break, grab a bite to eat, and head right back to Crane Library at 4:00PM for the performance of Incident at Deer Lick, a satirical piece dealing with the three M's (murder, mystery, and marriage, of course).  Franklin LaVoie will be performing as Buffalo's former editor of the Courier Express... Mark Twain.
The final event of the day at Crane Library, "Symphony #3", starts at 7:00PM this evening.  'Tis a puppet show featuring a man and his dog who attmept to rediscover and reconnect with society after living in solitude... in a hand-dug hole underneath a highway billboard.  All set to the music of Aaron Coplands' "Symphony #3".

Nietzsche's will be holding the aptly titled Best Monday Ever today.  The event goes from 6:00-10:00PM and features 30 minute sets from the following bands (in order of appearance): Jamey Kern, Autoverse, Chacko P. Coltrane, Frigid Giant, Lloyd MacHardy, Blue Lazer, and Lazy Ass Destroyer.  Nietzsche's is the de facto epicenter of Infringement Festival and always promises to have killer shows throughout.

My personal pick for music event of the night however is a "choose your own adventure" of sorts... it will be a fairly easy choice for most.  Do you prefer rock music (in the vein of indie/alt)? THEN CHOOSE PATH A!  Tend to lean towards electronic music stylings?  THEN CHOOSE PATH B!

Path A leads you to Mohawk Place from 8:00-11:00PM for sets by various alt and indie rockers Mob From Atlantis, The Merchants, and The Screaming Jeans.

Path B takes you to DBGB's at 10:00PM and keeps you there until question mark PM/AM (who knows?) for Monday Mixdown with Drop D, Nobez, and DJ Soma.  Plus, bonus for those who show up early, DBGB's will be hosting the Monday Funday Open Mic Night from 7:00-10:00PM.

Enjoy your day, Infringe away!

Are you lewd? Does your lewdness have no bounds? Well, there is a place on Allen that not only accepts this lewdicious(?) behavior but celebrates it! DBGB's, homebase to the ever-popular Shaken Stylus nights (stick around afterwards for some fresh vinyl), will be hosting another one of their party-riffic punk nights complete with three rad locals and a Canadian-brewed rager ($5, 10pm). You got Pink Tiger, Buffalo's answer to the NY Dolls meets Motorhead, RonaldRaygun with new lineup (also featuring buffaBLOG's Steve Gordon), Lewd Dewdz- a straight out blast in a can and Hamilton, Ontario's Born Wrong. Loud. Party. Rage. DBGB's.

Can you believe it has been two whole years since Staples turned in to what might be the most happening place(do people still say happening?) on Allen? 253 Allen has served as my favorite place for fun and questionable debauchery for the last two years, from Queen City Cartel and Frosty Tone shows, countless acts rolling in and even the best cover from start to finish of Weezer's Blue Album that Buffalo has ever witnessed. So, to celebrate their birthday, Duke's has got a present for you. Join Duke's this evening for a complimentary grand buffet and help welcome the new residency of the Night Owls. The Night Owls are Duke's new resident DJ crew consisting of BearSkinRug, Dante Velour, Drop D, Medison, Owski, Sunglasses Mike.  Come on down and celebrate, eat for free and drink to your hearts desire.  Things will be kicking off around 7pm. Be there!

It's that time of year again. Buffalo's 55th annual Allentown Art Festival (Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm) kicks into high gear this weekend and buffaBLOG is going to be on the scene, bouncing between vendors, parties and bars, soaking in the creative atmosphere. I'm sure most of you have been down to the festival before and already know what to expect. For those who haven't, picture a sea of people and art everywhere. Artists will have booths set up on either side of the street where you can purchase art work or just do some heavy browsing. There's food, games and, of course, music. You're bound to see plentiful amounts of drunks, and about 3,000 Golden Retrievers so the people/animal watching will be in full effect as well. Here's a list of some things you might want to check out if you're in the Allentown area. (side note: Many of these artists don't have transferrable soundfiles. Go to the included websites to hear some of their music).


SATURDAY

THE STEAM DONKEY's - DBGB's. Americana lover's unite. For over ten years, the Steam Donkeys have been coloring the rust belt's palette with a fine mix of roots-flavored ballads and lullabies. This afternoon, I suggest you escape the heat and slide into DBGB's, where the Donkey's will be playing a mid-day set. 2pm is the time.

QUEEN CITY CARTEL HOSTS FRICTION - DBGB's. If your thing is electronic music, look no further than DBGB's. The ever popular Queen City Cartel will be hosting one of their Friction dance parties and it looks to be a banger. Derf, Medison, Potent-J and more will be blasting an eclectic mix of Dubstep, D'n'B, House and more. Anybody who knows anything about the EDM scene in Buffalo know's that these nights pop. Party starts at 10pm.

SCOTT CELANI BAND and MORE - Nietzsches. Perhaps the singer-songwriter thing is more your speed. Nietzsches will be the spot if this is the case. At 3:45, Scott Celani and his band hit stage followed by Rick Smith (6:45pm) and Jen Whitemore (8:45pm) and Alasanne Sarr (11:45pm). Probably more of a relaxed atmosphere than DBGB's, it will nevertheless be a great time.


SUNDAY

NEVILLE FRANCIS - DBGB's. Reggae is one of the most underappreciated genre's of music today. It has such a rich history and I feel like it often gets passed by or dismissed. Lately though, Buffalo has seen an upswing in the Reggae scene. Legendary producer Lee "Scratch" Perry recently made his way into town re-charging our collective batteries and wanting more. One man who know's ALL about reggae (He's been doing it here in Buffalo for 15+ years is Neville Francis. I remember seeing Neville (with Riddim Posse?) way back in the late nineties and was floored by his depth of understanding and appreciation for the music. If you want to see what reggae is all about, head to DBGB's around 2pm where Neville will be playing. Chances are you'll gain a newfound respect for the music.

NIETZSCHE's ALLENTOWN MUSIC FEST. All day long Allen's most popular venue will be featuring all different kinds of bands and artists. At 2pm, you have Josh Gage and the Moves. At 4pm, you have Corrections. The ever-popular and long-running McCarthyizm will go onstage at 5pm followed by Shaky Stage (6pm), Randle and the Late Nite Scandals (7pm) and Erie Lackawanna Railroad Band (8pm). Hunker down here and drink yourself silly as you witness the best these parts have to offer.