They're XXX, dancing under technicolor lights, and eccentrically electronic. They are KOPPS and they'll be performing at our holiday party this Saturday, Dec. 15. The first time I heard of KOPPS, I was impressed. Not only was it a video of them performing one of my favorite Eurodance songs live, but they gave Alice DeeJay's "Better Off Alone" the justice it deserved in a way that left me desiring to jump through the computer screen, transporting myself back through Time and Space to be on The Bug Jar's dancefloor in Rochester. Luckily for you, if you watch and feel the same all you'll need is patience until Saturday at Duke's Bohemian Grove Bar.   

KOPPS, self-proclaimed to be "CrazySexyCreepy," definitely has a seductively unusual sound. It draws you in with its moments of experimentation, dance and soaring vocals.  My favorite tune "Mourning Sex (feat. Joywave)" is strange and entrancing, with chopped vocals, heavy percussion and perfectly timed peaks and breaks. Their current EP Fuck Jams has sexy panting and well orchestrated electronic instrumentals provided by writers of the album Patricia Petrone, Kyle O'Hara, and Daniel Armbruster.

Also if sexual innuendos (or blatant references) are your jam, you'll enjoy their websites. A disclaimer on their Bandcamp page for their EP reads, "for erections lasting longer than 4 hours, please seek immediate medical attention."

Here's the whole EP, give em' a listen.

It would appear that Duke's is the place to be for Holiday Concerts this year. Once again, Brandon Schlia's pay what you want label Steak and Cake Records will be hosting a Holiday Fundraiser Show to benefit the "Let The Band Play On" campaign, providing music instruments to local schools in need. After some Elmwood Village party poopers put the nix on Steak and Cake's Bidwell Indie 5000, it's refreshingly ironic to see that the "scummy party kids" in Bidwell Park are doing more for the community than the crotchety naysayers who shut them down. Help them fight the good fight by plopping your $5 down and treat yourself to an eclectic lineup of performers. Signo Vinces headlines the night, a delectable synth pop collaboration between Brandon and Leah Loefke of Love Scenes. Also on the bill are free form poetry outfit Bourbon & Coffee, art doin' hop hop virtuoso Jack Toft, bouncy electronic duo UVB-76, and a DJ set from Sound Shaman. It's Friday night and the mood is right, show starts at 10pm.

For more about the "Let The Band Play On" campaign, visit their website.

Halloween is finally here and the fine people at Steak & Cake Records have given us all a little treat (as in trick or treat.  Anyone?) in the form of the latest installment of their sampler series. For their third sampler, the label has included tracks from newly formed electro dance outfit Signo Vinces, Justin John Smith of Aircraft, Bryan Johnson & Friends (not to be confused with Bryan Johnson & Family), FYFE, and because no sampler released on Halloween would be complete without some kind of spooky tune, the Rackmastas guys have included their own take on the theme to the classic holiday flick Halloween.  The entire sampler is available for stream and the always nice name-your-price download over at the label's bandcamp page.

In other Steak & Cake news, the label has just announced the 2nd Annual Steak & Cake Holiday Fundraiser for Friday, December 7th at 10pm.  Moving from Mohawk Place to Duke's for this year's show, all proceeds from the showcase will once again go towards the Buffalo Public Schools Foundation's "Let The Band Play On Campaign."  The full lineup is still forthcoming.

Well tonight is the night.  After months of planning, the buffaBLOG Holiday Party is set to go down tonight at Nietzsche's.  We have been posting artist spotlights all week on our stacked lineup, which includes Roger Bryan & the Orphans, The Wakos, Bryan Johnson & Family, Wooden Waves, and our house DJ, Mario Bee of the Queen City Cartel.  Keeping with the festive spirit, each band will be playing at least one holiday tune, mostly covers, but you may see an original thrown in their for good measure.  And remember to dress in the spirit of the holidays.  It is a holiday party after all.  Please join us tonight at Nietzsche's for what is sure to be an evening full of great local music.  Doors for tonight's show open at 9:00pm with a cover of $5.  Mario Bee will be getting things started a bit after 9:30, with our first main stage act, Wooden Waves, starting at 10:00pm sharp.

Roger Bryan & the Orphans - Tell You by buffablog

Ghosts by wiseandkindoldsouls

Curse of the Wooden Wave by WOODEN WAVES

Our final buffaBLOG Holiday Party Artist Spotlight focuses on tomorrow night's headliner:  Roger Bryan & the Orphans.  Carrying the torch for Buffalo's great local label Harvestsum Records, Bryan and company take  the best parts of The Replacements, Uncle Tupelo, and  Ryan Adams to create a sound that is both a throw back to the great college rock of the 80's and 90's and the current Americana & Roots genres.  The band has been playing all year, both locally and on the road, in support of their latest record, the summer released 37.  Tonight's set will sure to be full of cuts from 37 in addition to some newer material that Orphans' guitarist Erik Roesser told me will be soon released on a follow up EP.  Come see Roger Bryan & the Orphans finish off a great night of live and local music, tomorrow night at Nietzsche's

Full disclosure, I've been collaborating with this band on one of their upcoming albums, so before you accuse me of taking masturbatory journalism to new heights, try to understand that I'm going to be as objective as possible.

The Wakos are the greatest band in the world (shit). Although the group has only one official release under their belt, 2007's East of Eden, anyone who has seen them live knows they have an extensive catalog of songs. First forming in 2005, the band became one of the staples of the Buffalo live music scene, performing regularly in classic drunk dumps like Merlin's, McGarret's and Broadway Joe's.  Then, through a variety of circumstances, things began to drop off a bit.  Shows became fewer and far between, members cycled in and out, and for a while it seemed like the future was uncertain.  It was during this time that new ideas began to surface. Their studio began filling up with a plethora of synths, samplers, and eager musicians looking to collaborate on something different.  Armed with new toys and open minds, they began recording like madmen, amassing a new catalog of songs that both depart from and reinforce their original sound. The group is now poised to release three albums this coming year: the moody, electronically tinged abbababba, the beachy concept album Paulo Julia, and the somewhat politically minded Out of the Fold.  Their set at the buffaBLOG Holiday Party will feature selections from all three.

While the songs lend themselves to a variety of accompaniment, the standout element has always been the harmonies. Kevin Crowley's light falsetto falls somewhere in between Paul Simon and early Sting, and Chris Young's mid range harmonies bring an eerie depth to the mix, making them one of the more unique vocal pairings out there. Joining them for the live show will be Ryan Campbell (Rhubarb), Adam Schmidt (Little Mountain Band) original bass player Jay Schulz, and yours truly(I'm from this band!). Come see the greatest band in the world get their groove back.

Ghosts by wiseandkindoldsouls

Bryan Johnson & Family - Deck Party by buffablog