Tonight, Nietzsche's plays host to a tremendous array of Buffalo bands gathered in tribute to Giant of Western Civilization Lou Reed. Starting Saturday night and carrying on into Lou's birthday March 2, High Flyin' Babys, The Good, The Vores, Wooden Waves, After Hours, Dark Marbles, Girlpope, and The Irving Klaws will be exploring Lou's wildly influential career, both his seminal work with The Velvet Underground and years as a vital solo artist, and honoring the Great Man we prematurely lost to liver disease last October. It will be Buffalo's walk on the wild side, downtown adjacent in Allentown, and it can all be yours for $5 at the door. Doors open at 8 PM.

It has been nice to see Buffalo Iron Works starting to book some solid touring bands and quality local showcases as of late. The freshman venue had been running the risk of being a covers bands type place, especially on event nights over at the arena, so some good, original music will go a long way in getting people downtown. Along with the just announced Cloud Nothings show for April, tonight's bill of Wooden Waves, Returners, and Bill Nehill is another step in the right direction for the young bar. After a great showcase appearance in Spiral Scratch basement a few weeks back, which also featured Returners (and Nehill too, he does work there), Wooden Waves look to have a solid 2014 ahead, especially with the much waited LP dropping later this spring. You can catch all of these long time Mohawk acts tonight starting at 7:00pm, with a $5 cover.

Without a doubt, Spiral Scratch (291 Bryant St.) is hosting the best show of 2014 (thus far) tonight in their tiny backroom/basement hybrid concert hall. On the bill is Zealot, a Japandroids-y three piece who sprung onto the scene late last fall and were dubbed one of our top five Buffalo bands to watch in 2014. Also featured on said list is Alex Berkley, who will be returning with a full band backing, the Atlanta Falcons, for the first time in about five years. Not to be forgotten are indie rockers Returners, making their first "returning" gig in 2014. Lastly are late 90's rock revivalists Wooden Waves, who will be playing some tracks from their upcoming album titled, Wilder Dreams, set to be released sometime in late winter/early spring. Get there early because that place fills up quickly and gets uncomfortable if you have to watch from the stairs. Doors are at 6pm with a suggested donation type situation. I would suggest $5-$7. 

 
 

You know it's truly the holiday season when my mom throws on Wooden Waves' "I Don't Want To (Call It Christmastime)" post Thanksgiving cleanup. The single, recorded by Cinnamon Aluminum's Zach Acard in 2011, showcases the Buffalo indie-rockers unanimous apprehension to accept that it is the holiday season. I can identify with Wooden Waves on this one, as I don't really want to call it Christmas time either.

Those looking for a proper LP from spazzy synth rockers Wooden Waves will have to continue waiting for just a bit longer, but in the mean time, the folks over at One Percent Press will be re-releasing (the EP originally debuted in 2011) the great Endless Bummer later this month. Containing one of my favorite local tracks ("C Monster") in recent memory, the Mark Nosowicz recorded EP will be available to stream in full and download on November 19th. As for those LP news, look for a 10 track album from the seasoned group of Buffalo music vets to drop in early 2014. Listen to the Endless Bummer preview, "Planted in Mud," below.

My only visit to the Hop Inn in South Buffalo was for a Yes Yes/Well Worn Boot show this past winter. The place is a total dive, but the small, but its intimate feel only added to the bizarre, cult-like figure that is Michael Ersing of Yes Yes, and anyone who has seen the Boot knows that the closer you are to their inappropriate frontman, Plainsman, the better chance of getting hit with one of his many phallic stage pieces....

Anyway, tonight's Wooden Waves show shouldn't be quite as weird, but maybe there is something in the water at the Hop that I don't know about. The analog loving surf punk outfit who I have written about to exhaustion as being Buffalo's most underrated band, will be celebrating this first gig at the bar with two sets this evening. A new album from them is coming some time this summer, so look for new and old tunes as the band claims on the the event page to be playing everything they know.

Music kicks off tonight at the Hop (317 Hopkins Street) at 10pm and the show is free of charge, so use that extra cash for the bar. No credit cards allowed after all.

Upon listening to Sam Goodwill you get the sense that it's music that is best heard live, in a large room, with a largely participating crowd. And oh hey, what do you know, he's playing at The Vault tonight, showering the arthouse with soulful indie-rock tunes. Music whose warmth have led critics to praise as "something truly unique" (City Beat). Since his debut in 2009, Goodwill has released three impressive albums, all of which possess a fervent vitality: the evolution of a style which is expressively percussive and topped with raw vocals. Joining him will be some of Buffalo's most exciting groups up to date - Wooden Waves and The Afterbirth Tycoon. The event starts at 8PM and $5 will get you through the door.  

It's easy to forget about Wooden Waves. They don't play a ton of shows and lack a deep, recorded catalog. Despite some of the members are involved in various other Buffalo acts (Lazlo Hollyfeld, Aye Karou, A Hotel Nourishing), it's easy for Wooden Waves to be left out of the conversation for one of Buffalo's best bands, which is a shame because that's exactly where they belong. The energetic five piece is a nice blend of surf pop, noise, and post rock, with just enough analog and yelling to maintain those Dan Deacon comparisons. If you haven't had the pleasure of catching the band yet, tonight will be a nice introduction as they are tonight's guest on the WBNY Local Show with Michael Moretti.

The band is working on their follow up to their Endless Bummer EP, which is due sometime this summer through One Perfect Press. The band should take the WBNY studios with a live performance around 8:30 tonight, followed by an interview and what should be a very interesting guest DJ spot. Tune in at 7:00pm first though to catch a nice and long block of Buffalo's newest tunes.  Turn your dial to 91.3FM or listen online here.  

Last week the pro-local DIY-ers Steak & Cake Records released Sonny Baker’s record Here are those freaks you’ve been asking for. The 5-track collection is the debut effort from Baker, a local storehouse of indie talent as he currently divides his time between three other projects, that being Lazlo Hollyfeld, A Hotel Nourishing, and Wooden Waves, all of which have played a prominent part in WNY music scene in the past few years. That being said, you might want to check out our interview with the musician from yesterday here. 

Here are those freaks is Baker’s indie pop record realized, and it covers a hell of a lot of ground in 5 short tracks. While many of these songs have started out as folk demos via an acoustic guitar and tape player, they have blossomed into multi-instrumental collages of textural songwriting. Front and center is Baker’s crowded, chaotic vocals. His thoughts are sporadic as they are plentifully multi-layered. Intricate splashes of guitar and percussion bubble-up in each track, but the record never loses its froth even as each track is piecemealed into various directions, shaking-up the traditional pop song mundanity of verse and chorus.
“Cripple Fantastic” is an intriguing start to the record with it’s looped guitar fade-in and teeth-chattering snare, and Baker’s voice coats it all in its gradual complexities. It’s hard not to appreciate Baker’s signature fast-paced vocal style. The songs can get a bit labyrinthian, which could result in a difficult listening experience for those with short attention spans looking for a immediately catchy song, but if you pay close attention you’ll notice Baker’s songs are more like developing photographs in a darkroom--they slowly unfurl, and you suddenly see the images coming into focus. 

Another track brimming with detail is “Up to my Chest, Covered In Lead.” With wild guitar riffs amid organ blips, Baker’s vocals sprint a hilly landscape as convoluted instrumentals pant in their attempt to keep up. “Hallucinating, it’s a Steady Moan” gives us a moment to catch our breath, even if it’s a brief two minute cool off. Baker yawns a lo-fi drawl as he sings, “I try to find a heartbeat / Who cares any more,” even as electric guitar riffs start to infiltrate the folk-rock track.
Unlike a lot of failed pop records, Baker’s never gets boring to listen to because he is constantly shifting colors and speed in an attempt at a sonic bouquet that comes very naturally to him. There are certainly comparisons to be made, Born Ruffians and My Morning Jacket to name a few, but there is something so varied about Baker’s style that makes you wonder why he’s not in two or three more bands, if not only to offer a guitar track or two. Much like a drive from Buffalo to Toronto, Sonny Baker’s music covers a vast and densely populated landscape, as it progresses from lo-fi, humble beginnings to vast and uber-developed songs, and even when you’ve arrived at the conclusion of the record, there is still so much more to discover about it. 

There’s no better place to be tonight for local music and art than The Vault. Celebrating their 4 year anniversary, the art house venue will be displaying an abundance of work from featured artists and a tall order of local music talent including Jack Topht, Wooden Waves, Mallwalkers, The Johns, and Bourbon & Coffee. Bring a friend down to 702 Main St. tonight at 7, and partake in the fruits of what’s become one of Buffalo’s most cherished local gallery and performance spaces. The event is free! 

Mr. Boneless has a sound that's pretty hard to describe. Imagine Tom Waits singing for a discordant indie rock outfit stuffed with Murder City Devils melodies...at least that's what I heard on their "Murder Song". Then I listened to "Vetis" and my opinion changed right away to some kind of beautiful alt. country persuasion. Two points about this. 1. I am absolutely terrible at describing bands. 2. You should make your own decisions and that starts with checking out Mr. Boneless tonight at the Vault. They're playing with Sleep Close Death and Buffablog faves Wooden Waves, so you wouldn't want to miss it. Shows at 9.

04 education thru imitation by patronsofsweet

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

With all of the unncessary news info Facebook seems to be throwing at us these days, how happy was I when this afternoon, while scrolling aimlessly through my feeds, I discovered that analog turning indie rockers Wooden Waves had released an EP?  Very happy actually.  To my knowledge (and correct me if I am wrong), the only recording from the indie outfit that had been in circulation was their single "Sexy Moon" on last year's Harvestsum sample CD.  The five track EP, titled Endless Bummer, can be downloaded for free(!) at their bandcamp page.  Featuring the chugging, electro tinged surf rockers "Curse of the Wooden Waves", the aformentioned "Sexy Moon", with call and response vocals of Joey and Nikki McIntosh, and personal fav "C Monster",  Endless Bummer is the perfect introduction to argueable Buffalo's best band for anyone who has yet to catch the act live.  Speaking of live shows, after playing the Vault's 3rd anniversary party this last Friday, Wooden Waves will be playing next at the Night Lights Fall Music Festival in Sherman, New York on October 30th - September 1st.

C. Monster by WOODEN WAVES