The Hamiltones: supergroup on the rise? No idea, but the surf-rock outfit, made up of John Toohill of JOHNS and Chris Scamurra and Nick Reynolds of Space Wolves, played a head-bopping set two Saturdays ago at the Jungle Gym that, luckily, was recorded for posterity. It's surf with a punk twist: a little louder, a little more aggressive, with more of an edge. They obviously know their surf, enough to blaze through classics like "Church Key" and the theme from Batman with ease. Check out "Church Key" below and see what you think.

(Full disclosure: no clue who the guy in the picture is, but that's the album cover The Hamiltones posted on Bandcamp.)

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

19) Victory for Poland - "Save Yourself From Me"
V4P might be the youngest band on the top 20, but "Save Yourself From Me" shows an astounding amount of songwriting skill from a group of high school age musicians. Featuring a slew of horns, fiddles, and a guest appearance from Brimstone Blondes frontman Matthew Danger Lippman, "Save Yourself From Me" is saturated with all sorts of genres, including psych rock, ska, and even some folk, all with a "can't-quite-put-your-finger-on-it" flavor of  "that could only be from the UK." We buffaBLOGGERS have been mourning the loss of many of our favorite high school aged bands this year but luckily, Victory for Poland is still around. - NAS



18) Strange Acres - "Faith"
Strange Acres’ crawling “Faith” was arguably the most gripping track off of the band’s impressive debut self titled full length. A Harvest Sum super group of sorts, Strange Acres (featuring former members of Sleeping Kings of Iona and current members of Orphans) began as the score to an imaginary film, but the band eventually evolved beyond their original “cinematica” concept. The album's first track, “Faith,” accentuates the sultry songstress Molly Grace’s, chillingly dreary delivery as well as highlights her personal struggle with religion. Fans of chilled out electro (Fever Ray, Portishead), will dig this. - MJM



17) Andy Vaeth  - "Never Make a Sound"
As a member of Johnny Nobody, the Old Sweethearts, On Beta, and the Backpeddlers, Andy Vaeth has been entrenched in the Buffalo music scene for over a decade. For someone involved in so many projects, it was a welcome surprise when he released his solo EP, Sad Synthetic Sounds, via Steak & Cake Records. Vaeth, whose voice has long been one of Buffalo's secret weapons, sounds as fragile as ever on the gorgeous, alt-country tinged "Never Make a Sound." The track is a bare bones tune featuring the singer and his trusty acoustic guitar. Little touches like the layered vocals during the chorus, subtle electronic melody, and the digital drum beat remind you that this is a Steak & Cake release after all, but Vaeth, as always, manages to convey emotions through three and a half minutes better than almost anyone in Buffalo. - MPM



16) Cross Stitch - "Worst Dancer in the Room"
I have a confession. I get a lot of music sent to me via the internet and as a “music journalist” I would be bankrupt if I bought every digital release I liked. I am the guy that types “0” in the pay what you want option on bandcamp. Now that I got that off my chest, I enjoyed Cross Stitch’s debut six-song EP, The Early Years (Drug Party Tapes), so much that I bought it. Cross Stitch is an all-girl feminist punk band that sounds like a punkier Marnie Stern in a basement with Sleater-Kinney undertones. “Worst Dancer in the Room,” is the fifth track on their EP, a slow-to-start crescendo-ing diddy about the fear of being alone. - MJM



15) Space Wolves - "Too Short"
You would think that the lo-fi surf rock that comes from Space Wolves would be happy-go-lucky or at the very least, irreverent. Sometimes it is – some of their best songs are about buying cigarettes on the Res or driving out of state. That’s not quite the case with “Too Short”… not even close actually. After a burst of pipeline guitar, Nick Reynolds and Chris Scamurra launch into an intelligent, albeit self-deprecating song about being, well, just not quite good enough. “Too Short” is about that little voice in all of us that reminds us of all the insecurities  we secretly hope no one else notices.But at the end of the day, this is why buffaBLOG loves Space Wolves so much - we can count on them for both genuine emotion or a song about buying cheap cigarettes. Now that’s a balance I can relate to. - NAS



14) Mallwalkers - "Going Downtown"
If I were to make a video compilation of memories from summer 2013, Mallwalkers’ “Going Downtown” would be the soundtrack provided my memories were summed up in roughly three minutes. For those unaware, Mallwalkers is a super-group of sorts, featuring a few Buffalo’s major players in the rock and roll scene (Biff, Dan Carosa, Stephen Floyd, Tony Flaminio). They could best be described as an 11-piece punchy funk-punk band, complete with a horn section and interpretive dancer. “Going Downtown,” was the first single off the band’s August release, Shake Off The Rust, where singers Carosa and Jaime Rowitsch sing of gathering the masses in downtown Buffalo like punk rock pied pipers. - MJM



13) Lancer - "Elephant in the Corner"
Rarely does an album make me want to cuff my arm around my buddy’s neck and scream lyrics from a band, let alone a local band, in their face. Lancer’s Don is Rich EP is full of such moments, with “Elephant in the Corner” being the most outstanding on an already very strong EP. Lead singer Victor Castillo gravely vocals and delivery of “Elephant in the Corner's” chorus make me excited to see how this band will grow in 2014. Lancer does not make songs, they make pop-punk anthems. - MJM
 

12) Camp Counselors - "Charyou"
Haunting. OK, I got that word out of the way mostly because its the easiest/laziest description one could give to "Charyou," the standout track from Huntress, Cemeteries mastermind Kyle J. Reigle's side project Camp Counselors. "Charyou" leads off with an unnerving, throbbing beat that gives way to Reigle's airy vocals. Out of nowhere, (well specifically the 2:05 mark) "Charyou" transforms into a cut of atmospheric witchhouse. The sense of dread that Reigle loves to deliver lingers over the entire tune, never allowing you to get too comfortable. Fans of The xx, Atoms for Peace, Timber Timbre, and modern Radiohead, this is for you. - MPM



11) Applennium - "Island"
Applennium might be one of Buffalo’s most understated and underrated bands. If you think this is a point worth arguing, you should first listen to the dreamy groove of “Island.” Singer Stacey Stoll’s hushed delivery is flawless, reminiscent of Still Corners or even Karen O if she took a Xanax or something. On top of this, they’ve filled the background of “Island” with distant vocals that range from a haunting moan to a “tribal” howl. I can really appreciate when a band takes the time to fill out the background of a song. So, yes, this song isn’t quite a face-melting barnburner, but it is the perfect song to put on when you want to chill out and melt into your bed. - NAS




Check out songs 10 - 1 here.

Buffalo gets to experience the latest from Tight Entertainment tonight, a high quality, three-band lineup at Nietzche's starring dream pop all-stars SW/MM/NG. SW/MM/NG has been quite the buzz band lately - they recently signed with Old Flame Records, who placed one of their bands, garage rockers Shark?, on the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto V.  

In other words, fellow buffaBLOGGER (and current Iowan) Michael "Tight" Moretti has put together a really solid lineup, including buffaBLOG mainstays Space Wolves and Bryan Johnson & Family. Trust us when we say it will be a night full of blissed-out surf and swooning psychedelic jams. Besides, I think there's just enough warmth left in that Buffalo wind to let us hang on to summer for one more night. The show starts at 10:00pm tonight and it's only $5.

Over the last year, Space Wolves put together an astounding collection of pitch-perfect guitar driven pop rock. Long haired crusaders of the short and sweet, Nick Reynolds (guitar, choir boy vocals, near encyclopedic knowledge of Japanese surf rock and the specifics of various literary forms) and Chris Scammura (drums, vaguely ginger) just released their fourth cassette, Space Wolves IV, which is also freely available on their bandcamp. IV is a continuation of their work to date, a burst of catchy melodies and clever lyrics as much a call back to the early 60's as to the C86 bands of the mid '80s.

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.

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.

Check Potty Mouth out at pottymouth.bandcamp.com

You may remember that Buffalo lo-fi buzz duo Space Wolves was a guest on the WBNY Local Show with Michael Moretti back in January. Well, things didn't go exactly as planned that evening. Singer/guitarist Nick Reynold's bass string broke within minutes of their live performance, so being the great guy he is, Mike invited them back tonight for Round 2. Since their last appearance in the studio, the surf rock pair have been keeping busy playing live throughout the city, and their latest effort, Space Wolves III, is their strongest release yet.

Reynolds, along with drummer Chris Scamurra, will hit the studio around 8:30pm for a live performance (hold tight guitar string!), followed by an interview and some guest DJ duties. Anyone who was at our last birthday party knows that the pair have a great collection of music between them. As always, tonight's show kicks off at 7:00pm with a nice, long block of the area's freshest tunes. Listen live online here or tune your radio to 91.3FM and you are good to go.

Space Wolves, Space Wolves, Space Wolves.  What is it about Space Wolves these days?  It might have something to do that they're one of Buffalo's most prolific bands (not to mention the plethora of side projects they have under their belts).  It might have something to do with their irresistible lo-fi surf rock too.  Or the fact that they are a swirling enigma of mystery and free beer in the Buffalo music scene.  Anyways, for whatever reason, Space Wolves has become buffaBLOG's darling band - and here's my review of their third album in the span of a year(!) - Space Wolves III.

So if you live under a rock or something, let me explain Space Wolves to you.  Space Wolves is a two-piece, surf-pop, lo-fi band that can only be accurately described by a myriad of hyphenated words.  These are two dudes who dress in all white and don't cut their hair and sing into an old telephone/microphone hybrid.  Their guitarist is also their bassist at the same time, playing a guitar covered in white duct tape that has been modified to have one bass string.  I think that should clear things up for you.

I don't smoke, but "Senecas" is so good it makes me want to.  Talk about peer pressure...  "I know a place where they never charge you tax, where cigarettes - they charge $3 a pack."  It's so straightforward it hurts.  When singer/guitarist/bassist/mastermind Nick Reynolds sings the hooky "Senecas, Senecas" in what I can only assume is the 40-second song's chorus, it reminds me of what makes these guys so fun.  They just tear the genre to shreds, quickly and painlessly.  Oh and when I say quickly I mean it.  One of the songs is seven seconds long and is still somehow an ear worm.

"The Burn" is (IMHO) probably one of the best songs Space Wolves has ever written.  It's a stop-and-start one-two-punch full of riffy goodness that just never really stops being energetic and fun.  "The Burn" is followed by "Too Short," where Space Wolves shows a bit of vulnerability (but not before unleashing some killer surf riffs of course).  Reynolds asks, "Am I content in my ineptitude?"  He might claim that he thinks he's too short to kiss the tall girls or too plain to kiss the pretty girls, but I'll tell you what, he's not inept at writing retro surf songs.  SW is definitely blessed in that department. 

Another thing I love about Space Wolves is the astounding amount of variety they're able to squeeze out of the surf genre.  Some songs are short ("Your [Live In] Girlfriend"), some are a little bit slower ("Sleeping Pills and Beer"), some have more traditional tremolo-picked surf riffs ("Pony Dress"), and some sound more garage-rock than anything else ("The Interstate").  But even as far as Space Wolves attempt to stray from the beaten path (A surf-rock path, I should mention, that they beat almost entirely themselves), the entire album sounds cohesive and fresh.  In fact, all three of their albums sound cohesive and fresh...  And they've all come out only months apart from each other.

Speaking of "The Interstate," Space Wolves channeled their inner Strokes and wrote some pretty godly garage rock.  But in addition to that, for the first time (I think), Reynolds and drummer Chris Scamurra use some extra instrumentation in the form of some chimes.  It's a small addition but again, this is one of those instances where Space Wolves succeed at injecting something unique into their music without getting too "weird."  And then again, I usually like how straightforward their music is...  Take "Pony Dress."  It's a simple riff repeated forwards and backwards, but Reynolds does a really cool guitar harmony in the second verse.  It's these little things that end up turning Space Wolves songs from retro-pop songs into harmony-laden surf genius.

I say it every time, but this definitely won't be the last you hear from the Space Wolves crew.  Who's got the release date for Space Wolves IV?

2013 has been a tough year on our poor Buffalo venues, but tonight we can help christen a new (albeit temporary) DIY haven.  The Flesh Temple is the new Funeral Home, and tonight will feature an insane lineup fronted by an intense set from Weekend Nachos.  Supporting acts are just brutal all around, including sets from Homewrecker, Mallwalkers, Deadchurch, Resist Control, and a new Buffalo supergroup - Bad People, featuring members of Brown Sugar, Space Wolves, and White Guilt.

The Flesh Temple is located at 1245 Niagara St.  We're not sure how much the show is, but it can't be too much, so get there at 6 and enjoy a night of music at a new venue. 

It's going to get weird tonight... Actually, would it really be a show at the Vault if things didn't get a little strange? I'm talking the "guitar-heroics-shit" of local legend Jack Toft in his Jack Toft Blues Explosion project. I'm talking the crazy two-piece surf-rock of buffaBLOG favorites Space Wolves. And I'm talking about the out of town punks who are also playing the show including Rochester's Big Brain and the Drug Cartel and Oklahoma City's Brother Gruesome. 

I would like to quote Jack Toft to provide more information about the show: 

"all times are approximate, so try and just be there at 9 and start doin beer with me and shootin the breeze and then the evening will just progress swimmingly from there. BIG BRAIN & the DRUG CARTEL and BROTHER GRUESOME are rad and i am hecka siked to see them and then do a hundred beers with them." - Jack Toft

In other words, doors are at 9:00.  We're not sure how much the show actually costs, but how could you pass this one up?

For many bands, SXSW is a cross country excursion. The annual indie-thon takes over Austin every year, soaking up bands across the country like a sponge. The destination is a perfect excuse to tour, with acts making stops in cities along the way to drum up support. Impose Magazine, based out of Brooklyn, put together the "Imposition Tour" to do just that, with stops along the rust belt taking them through Buffalo, then on to Chicago and Memphis. Buffalo is rarely considered "on the way" to anywhere (especially a sports championship), so it's a testament to the reach of SXSW that it's ripples can be felt this far north. The Funeral Home has long been a staple of Buffalo's underground scene. With Mohawk Place biting the dust, venues like this become a necessary refuge for our music scene to hang it's hat. Tonight's show is a collaborative effort, with Brooklyn bands So So Glows, Big Ups and Flagland being joined by Buffalo bands  Space Wolves and Sonorous Gale. The show has an earlier start, with doors at 6:30 and a $7 cover.