Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
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Spiral Scratch Records Holiday Gift Guide


Editor's note: With the holiday season upon us, we reached out to area record shops to give some ideas for any record enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list. For today's post, Spiral Scratch Records owner Dave Anchovies filled us in on some of the deals his shop is offering during the holiday season. Spiral Scratch Records is located at 297 Bryant Street. The store is open on Monday - Saturday from 12pm - 8pm and Sundays from 12pm - 5pm. 

As usual, we are offering the most coveted card stock rectangle (see above) in all of WNY--the Spiral Scratch Gift Certificate (a year round thing, actually), which is good on ANYTHING in the shop or special orders of items not in the shop. Records, CDs, DVDs, clothing, turntables or stereo gear, etc.

We have tons of vintage holiday music too!  Christmas, Hanukkah, and other not so popular December celebratory vinyl from Lou Rawls, Run DMC, Firestone collections and more.   

Our Black Friday Sales continues throughout December 31st. We are offering free t-shirts or record totes with $50 purchase--or $5 cash back!  Just mention this in case we forget. This sale also includes 3 for 1 dollar bin rippers!  

Some of our favorite releases of 2013 (new and reissues) will be marked down. Titles include:

The National - Trouble Will Find Me 
The Fuzz - The Fuzz 
Destruction Unit - Deep Trip 
Radioactivity - Radioactivity 
Arcade Fire - Reflektor 
Savages - Savages
Oblivians - Desperation
Kurt Vile's Walkin' On A Pretty Daze
A$AP Rocky's Long Live A$AP 
Whatever Brains - Whatever Brains 
Daft Punk's Random Access Memories and many more.   

Don't forget your favorite local band. Chances are if they released something, we will be stocking it. Cassettes make a nice stocking stuffer. Check out the latest from JOHNS, Returners, Space Wolves or a fancy double 7" from A Relative Term.  And the big one, Mallwalkers' Shake The Rust Off LP.

Happy Holidays to all our friends. Without you, we'd never be able to stock the best music coming out. Without taking up to much space here, check our blog for top 10s and incoming items (we now carry stereo equipment, musical instruments and amplifiers, record cleaning stuff and more)! And don't forget our Holiday Customer Appreciation Party on Dec 21st--Free Drinks/Food/Live Music and WBNY Broadcasting live from the shop!  

 Thanks buffaBLOG and we hope everyone has as good of a holiday as possible.  -- CEO Anchovies and staff.


~ Post by Dave Anchovies
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Songs for Presidents' Day


Happy Presidents' Day! The under-celebrated holiday has long deserved its patriotic musical due and buffaBLOG is here to provide you with the presidential song fix you never knew you craved.

Although the A.V. Club has compiled a remarkably thorough list of songs about presidents, written by artists ranging from Stevie Wonder to Devo to Nas, buffaBLOG has found a track for each of our 43 presidents (sorry, Grover Cleveland, you don't get counted twice this time) in tribute to the men who have borne the impossible task of running our country.

Whether you love them, hate them, or know nothing about them, those elected to office have also been elected as musical muses. Give these songs a spin (maybe at your annual off-the-chain Presidents' Day party?), and thank your lucky stars and stripes you don't have to corral Congress right now.

1. George Washington (1789-1797)
"George Washington" by Brad Neely


2. John Adams (1797-1801)
"The Greatest Song Ever Written About John Adams" by Electric Needle Room


3. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)
"Thomas Jefferson" by Astronautalis


4. James Madison (1809-1817)
"The Greatest Song Ever Written About James Madison" by Electric Needle Room


5. James Monroe (1817-1825)
"James Monroe Song" by Mr. C


6. John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)
"John Quincy Adams" by Sing-A-Song of Presidents


7. Andrew Jackson (1829-1837)
"Populism, Yea, Yea!" from Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson


8. Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)
"Martin Van Buren Song" by Mr. C


9. William H. Harrison (1841)
"Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" by They Might Be Giants


10. John Tyler (1841-1845)
"The Greatest Song Ever Written About John Tyler" by Electric Needle Room


11. James K. Polk (1841-1849)
"James K. Polk" by They Might Be Giants


12. Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)
"Zachary Taylor Song" by Mr. C


13. Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)
"How Lonesome the World Is" from The Accidental President


14. Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)
"Franklin Pierce" by The Two Man Gentlemen Band


15. James Buchanan (1857-1861)
"Gay President" by Runawaybox


16. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)
"Abraham Lincoln vs. Chuck Norris" by Epic Rap Battles in History


17. Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)
"Why Andrew Johnson Sucked" by Eric Olsen


18. Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)
"Dearest Julia" by Chris Dupont (lyrics by Ulysses S. Grant)

19. Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)
"Rutherford B. Hayes" by Great Plains


20. James A. Garfield (1881)
"Mr. Garfield" by Johnny Cash


21. Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885)
"Chester Alan Arthur" from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (Leonard Bernstein)


22. Grover Cleveland (1885-1889)
"Grover Cleveland's Mustache" by Laughtech Industries


23. Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)
"Why Benjamin Harrison Sucked" by Eric Olsen


24. Grover Cleveland (1893-1897)

25. William McKinley (1897-1901)
"Like William McKinley" by Al Stewart


26. Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)
"Trust-Buster" from Histeria! Theodore Roosevelt


27. William H. Taft (1909-1913)
"Theme from Taft" from Histeria! William Howard Taft

28. Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)
"It's Wilson, That's All" Campaign Anthem


29. Warren G. Harding (1921-1923)
"Warren Harding, You're the Man for Us" by Al Jolson

30. Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)
"Keep Cool, Keep Coolidge" Campaign Anthem

31. Herbert Hoover (1929-1933)
"We'd Like to Thank You Herbert Hoover" from Annie

32. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945)
"Happy Days Are Here Again" (Roosevelt's Theme) by Ben Selvin and the Crooners


33. Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)

"Harry Truman" by Chicago


34. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)
"I Like Ike" Campaign Anthem


35. John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
"High Hopes" (for JFK) by Frank Sinatra


36. Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)
"Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation" by Tom Paxton


37. Richard M. Nixon (1969-1974)
"The Love of Richard Nixon" by Manic Street Preachers


38. Gerald R. Ford (1974-1977)
"Peace" Campaign Anthem


39. Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)
"Jimmy Carter Says 'Yes'" by Gene Marshall


40. Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)
"Reagan" by Killer Mike

41. George H. W. Bush (1989-1993)
"Hard Times"


42. Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
Bill Clinton Sings "Imagine" with Liel Kolet


43. George W. Bush (2001-2009)
"When the President Talks to God" by Bright Eyes


44. Barack Hussein Obama (2009-Present)
"Yes We Can" by will.i.am


In summary, courtesy of the Animaniacs:




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Indie Rock Holiday Songs, Vol. 3


I can't speak for everyone else, but there are only so many times I can hear some vapid Michael Buble Christmas song in one day. Yes, of course everyone has their guilty pleasures - I kinda like that Paul McCartney one, I guess. But the same, overplayed list of holiday songs seems to dominate every radio station and every department store. In an effort to remain jolly (or bummed out as these songs suggest, your call) this holiday season, I have compiled a short list of holiday-themed songs with some indie cred for all of the bitter music snobs here in Buffalo. 


Lydia - "This is Twice Now"

  

It could just be me, but I will forever associate Lydia's 2008 album, Illuminate, with the winter.  It could be the gentle piano, or even the wispy vocals, but Lydia's Leighton Antelman gives such a gentle delivery, it's hard not to picture a cold winter night when listening to this song.  Not to mention his lament over how sick he is...  the poor guy should probably bundle up and spend the night in.

 Now, Now - "Sleep Through Summer"

At one point in time, the band now known as Now, Now was known as Now, Now Every Children, and they released the critically acclaimed Cars back in 2008.  Back then, singer Cacie Dalager's voice was a little less refined (in a good way), and she sang about insomnia and how she had nightmares when she did.  What about?  It was winter, and she wouldn't see her significant other until September rolled around again.  Bummer.

 Rainer Maria - "Catastrophe"

Let's face it, the end of the world is coming.  It's like December 22nd or something.  Get a bunch of empty milk cartons and fill them with water, stock up on Spam and other processed food products, and go sit in a closet in your basement.  Rainer Maria had the right idea back in 2006 when they polished up their rough (but so endearing) emo odds-and-ends and turned into an excellent power pop band.  I guess we'll find out if a catastrophe really does bring us together or if we'll all be at each other's throats like a bad episode of The Walking Dead or something.

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Indie Rock Holiday Songs: Vol. 2


I can't speak for everyone else, but there are only so many times I can hear Britney Spears sing "My Only Wish This Year" in one day. Yes, of course everyone has their guilty pleasures - I kinda like that Paul McCartney one, I guess. But the same, overplayed list of holiday songs seems to dominate every radio station and every department store. In an effort to remain jolly (or bummed out as these songs suggest, your call) this holiday season, I have compiled a short list of holiday-themed songs with some indie cred for all of the bitter music snobs here in Buffalo.

Electric President - "Snow On Dead Neighborhoods"


The first winter-ish song on the list belongs to Electric President, and their glitchy electronica brings to mind the Postal Service.  We in Buffalo, the "city of light," could relate to the bleak picture singer Ben Cooper paints.  He sings, "Snow covers everything in sight a ghostly white, under the blanket there's no life, just blinking lights."  Honestly, I think Buffalonians have plenty of fight, but in the dead of winter when we're blanketed in seven feet of snow, one might begin to think that Cooper has a point.

Interpol - "C'mere"


 Interpol is a band that represents the epitome of cold, desensitized post-punk. That being said, the wintery setting for the music video for "C'mere" is a perfect compliment to their chilly riffs...  that is until someone lights their cabin on fire. On the bright side, even though they're burning alive, the band is dressed to the hilt, and they still look really cool.  Check out that watch on singer Paul Banks' wrist...  So classy.

Mansions - "Holidaze"


Indie-rock everyman Christopher Browder is the mastermind behind Mansions and this song celebrates the disillusion some of us have a tendency to feel around the holidays.  He sings, "Sitting by myself inside a tiny room, watching bad TV got nothing else to do."  It's a simple song, but man, for those of us who don't feel a ton of connection to their extended families, this one really hits home.  Seriously though, I'm not sure I can watch Jingle All The Way another time and feel okay about myself.


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Indie Rock Holiday Songs: Vol. 1


I can't speak for everyone else, but there are only so many times I can hear Mariah Carey sing "All I Want for Christmas is You" in one day. Yes, of course everyone has their guilty pleasures - I kinda like that Paul McCartney one, I guess. But the same, overplayed list of holiday songs seems to dominate every radio station and every department store. In an effort to remain jolly (or bummed out as these songs suggest, your call) this holiday season, I have compiled a short list of holiday-themed songs with some indie cred for all of the bitter music snobs here in Buffalo.

 Band of Horses - "The First Song"


The approaching holiday almost inevitably means spending time with those pesky people you are forced to pretend to get along with once or twice a year. Whether it's your in-laws, your parents, or your second cousin twice removed that drives you crazy, you could always take some advice from BOH singer Ben Bridwell. He plans on taking the easy way out; "With Christmas time coming, hangover approaching..."  I'll be right there with you Ben, I'd better stock up on egg nog. 

Brand New - "Oh, Holy Night"



While Brand New definitely has a knack for super-intense, quiet-loud freak outs they apparently aren't too shabby at recording Christmas songs either. Then again, we shouldn't be too surprised - frontman Jesse Lacey is known for his heart-on-your-sleeve acoustic anthems. Their version of "Oh, Holy Night" is full of big clean guitar tones, shimmery ambience, and Lacey's surprisingly pleasing baritone vocal delivery.  

 Death Cab for Cutie - "The New Year"


I can't really complain about New Years, because who can really hate the opportunity to start over with a clean slate.  Every year we celebrate New Years with a positive disposition and a new outlook on life... But Ben Gibbard has a point, I don't usually feel any different. On this gem from Transatlanticism, Gibbard lets us know that we're not the only ones feeling iffy about the new year, but that we should enjoy the opportunity to celebrate nonetheless.  Now I don't feel so bad for giving up last year's resolution on January 6th.



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Just Announced: Sufjan Stevens Holiday Concert


Earlier this month, we previewed Sufjan Stevens' upcoming 58 song holiday collection, which will be released in a number of formats on November 13. Today, Stevens has announced a tour in support of the album called the "Surfjohn Stevens Christmas Sing-A-Long: Seasonal Affective Disorder Yuletide Disaster Pageant on Ice." 

 Whatever that means, and your guess is as good as mine, the tour will be making a stop in Buffalo on December 18 at Asbury Hall. Opening for Stevens will be Sheila Saputo. 

 Ticket information has yet to be posted. Meanwhile, should you be interested, a list of other dates on this tour can be found here.  



Michael Torsell
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Tonight: Mohawk Place's XMas Bonanza


I know you might be getting sick of all the Holiday-themed things going on lately, and that's fair; there've been a lot. But it won't stop. It can't stop. And since you're going to have to either ride or die, there's three great reasons to check out the Mohawk Place XMas Bonanza tonight (47 E Mohawk St). First of all, if someone has the audacity to label their event a "Bonanza," then you better believe it's gonna be a Bonanza. Secondly, the cover is $0. Zero dollars. Free. And finally, if the line-up of bands doesn't make you do a quintuple-take, then either your eyes or your ears are probably broken. Sorry, dude. But with hectic post-punk from London vs New York (pictured), surf-and-synth by Wooden Waves, the thick indie sound of Buffalo veterans Patrons of Sweet, some jangley guitar-pop courtesy Aye Karou, and Failures' Union, whose rock and roll is as catchy as it is melodic, this is one of the best bills we've seen in a while. Things start at 7pm, and again, it's FREE, so head downtown early.


04 education thru imitation by patronsofsweet


steve gordon
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