NYS Music 20​14

Category: Western NY

  • Sully Erna at Riviera Theatre

    On December 4, 2014, Riveria Theatre was treated to a spectacular and moving performance by vocalist/songwriter, Sully Erna, best known for his role as Godsmack’s frontman. Sully played to a nearly sold out crowd and was accompanied by lead guitarist Tim Therault, bassist Chris Lester and drummer David Stefanelli.
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    Erna delivered a powerful performance with tracks such as, “Departed” and a rendition of “No Excuses” by Alice In Chains. And later in the set, Sully discussed his personal views on music. He talked about how the best music comes from the worst pain and dedicated his song, “Hollow” an original Godsmack song, to all the great musicians who had died at a young age or were considered legends. His memorial included homages to John Lennon, Dimebag Darrell, Jim Morrison, Sid Vicious, Randy Rhodes, Johnny Cash, Kurt Cobain, and of course, Layne Staley.

    Afterwards, Sully played his song, “My Light” which was a tribute to his daughter. A large backdrop screen streamed images of her growing up. Then, after that riveting and emotional display of love and affection, he dedicated a song called “Until Then” to the soldiers who have fought and are still fighting for our country. By this time, the Riveria was giving off a somber vibe, and a man several seats down from me took off his hat and put it over his heart. You could see the tears in his eyes as he sang along with Sully.

    Later on, Sully discussed his views on music again for about ten minutes. He commented that music is nothing but sound waves played in different orders and how the simple plucks of a chord can trigger the deepest of emotions within the listener.

    The show ended with Sully singing “Dream On” and getting the audience involved. Most of the crowd rushed to the stage to help him close out the night. All in all, he put on an amazing performance and will always be welcome back to Buffalo with open arms.

  • The Buffalo Metal Scene Unites for Local Family Benefit Show

    This Saturday afternoon at Broadway Joes, in Buffalo. Ten amazing local metal bands will play under one roof to raise money for the Hulin family of Tonawanda, NY. Brian “Butch” Hulin is a longtime supporter of Buffalo’s local music scene and has been going through some severe financial hardships over the last few years, due to ever accumulating hospital bills. His two children, Peighton (5) and Lincoln (2) both suffer from a rare form of Cerebral Palsy called Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia. The family has been in and out of hospitals, combating their illness as best they can. But with the holiday season now upon us, the musicians and promoters Brian has supported since their beginnings, have decided to collectively return the favor.
     
    On Saturday December 13 at 3pm, local promoters, Jeff Wacker and Nick Sallee, along with reputable local artists, Amputecht, Aspired Infliction, The Creator The Architect, Hubris, I’m From the Government and I’m Here to Help, It’s a Dinosaur!, Lily Among Thorns, Mutter (Rammstein cover band from Rochester, NY), Murder City Outlaws and Throne of Wilderness will join forces to raise money for Brian’s children, so that they can be spoiled rotten this Christmas, as they rightfully deserve.
     
    $10 donations will be collected at the door, prior to entry, and in addition to hours of great music, lots of rare underground band merchandise will be available for purchase, as many out-of-town acts have graciously donated shirts, hoodies, CDs, beanies, etc. to help raise money for the Hulins’ cause.
     
    Also, if you plan on attending and you’re unfamiliar with this venue, please park across the street at either the Metro lot or Aldi’s, if you cannot find a spot on a side street nearby. Do not park next to the venue at the donut shop, because you will be towed by the owner.
     
    Come down and support great bands and a great family!
     
     
     
    Broadway Joes- 3051 Main St. Buffalo NY 14214

  • Aqueous Announce Winter Tour 2014-15

    Aqueous Winter Tour 2015Buffalo’s Aqueous have played 100+ shows for two straight years now up and down the east coast and throughout the mid west. That trend will continue this winter as the band continues to reinforce their fan base throughout the mid and eastern US. Upstate denizens will get several chances to see the fast rising groove rock band. Besides the previously announced Dec 18 show at The Hollow in Albany and NYE at Buffalo Iron Work’s – AQ will hit Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs Feb 7 (w/ legendary jam band Max Creek)and Jamestown on Valentines day. More NY dates are rumored to be in the works.

    More info on all shows can be found on the band’s website. Check out the full list of 2014-15 tour dates below. Ticket’s for Aqueous’s NYE show are available here for 10$ pre-sale.

    Aqueous Winter Tour
    Dec 18 – The Hollow // Albany, NY
    Dec 19 – The Wheelhouse // Narragansett, NH#
    Dec 20 – Strange Brew Pub // Norwich, CT#
    Dec 31 – Iron Works // Buffalo, NY*
    Jan 22 – Cosmic Charlies // Lexington, KY
    Jan 23 – Cosmo’s // Covington, KY
    Jan 24 – Scarlet & Grey Cafe // Columbus, OH
    Jan 29 – The 8×10 // Baltimore, MD
    Jan 30 – Martins // Roanoke, VA
    Jan 31 – The Broadberry // Richmond, VA&
    Feb 3 – New Mountain Theatre // Asheville, NC
    Feb 4 – Blind Tiger // Greensboro, NC
    Feb 5 – Hot Spot // Waynesboro, VA
    Feb 6 – Ardmore Music Hall // Philadelphia, PA+
    Feb 7 –  Putnam Den – Saratoga Springs, NY%
    Feb 11 – Casa Nueva // Athens, OH
    Feb 12 – Grog Shop // Cleveland, OH
    Feb 13 – Jimmies Ladder 11 // Dayton, OH
    Feb 14 – Shawbucks // Jamestown, NY
    Feb 19 – TBD
    Feb 21 – 123 Pleasant Street // Morgantown, WV^
    Feb 25 – TBD
    Feb 26 – Spot Underground // Providence, RI^
    Feb 27 – The Stone Church // Newmarket, NH^
    Feb 28 – TBD
    Mar 6 – Tonic Room // Chicago, IL
    %w/ Max Creek  ^w/ Pigeons Playing Ping Pong +w/ Pink Talking Fish  #w/ Mister F &w/ People’s Blues of Richmond *w/ Funktional Flow

  • Tropidelic and Funktional Flow with Special Guest Mike Gantzer

    The biggest party night of the year turned out to be a special night at Nietzche’s on Wednesday, November 26. Opening the show was Tropidelic from Cleveland, Ohio. The group brought a big sound and packed every inch of the stage with some very solid musicians. The night however, belonged to local Funk Jammers Funktional Flow.

    The night was supposed to be a farewell to former guitarist Michael Szczepanik; Unfortunately, Szczepanik failed to show, but you wouldn’t have known it as the group didn’t miss a beat. Matthew Lester joined on stage, playing keyboard and really making up where a void may have been felt. The highlight of the night had to be when Aqueous‘ Mike Gantzer joined the threesome to close out the night. It was one of the finer moments in Flow history and the band looked to have been hitting their stride with great enthusiasm and vigor. It’s Setting up to be one New Year’s Eve that people will be talking about as Funktional Flow and Aqueous will be ringing in the New Year together in their next collaboration at Buffalo Iron Works.

    Tropidelic

    Funktional Flow w/ Matthew Lester and Mike Gantzer

  • Buffalo Iron Works and Spun Out Fire Productions Team up for an Unique Event Twice a Month

    1382183_653174894801037_870740667159515649_nSometimes winter can be very grueling in the country, especially throughout the Western New York area. One thing that tends to take the sting out of a very doom and gloomy time of year, is music fans coming together and taking their minds off the weather. Buffalo Iron Works and Spun Out Fire Productions are trying to accomplish that with a new set of events that will take place twice a month on Wednesday nights.

    Spun Out Fire Productions is no stranger to the music scene as they can be seen every summer at music festivals. They have been part of the Great Blue Heron Music Festival as well as Night Lights Music Festival in the Western NY area,as well as many festivals throughout the country. The outfit produces some great visuals through fire dancing and light dancing through various props and equipment keeping a lot of people entertained throughout the night. Adding this to a music venue seems like the perfect marriage and will make things very interesting on Wednesday nights for this ongoing event. The new event being called, Spun Out-Jam Out parties, will team up Spun Out Fire Productions with some live music, bands and/or DJ’s. The event will bring people of all ages a safe place to dance and share ideas with each other.

    The first SO-JO party will take place on Wednesday, December 10 at 5pm. There is a $6.00 donation at the door for the artists and if you bring a prop your donation will cut in half.

    December 10 2014:
    5pm-7pm happy hours 2 hrs of specials on FOOD N DRINK
    530-7 – The Fortunate Hobos
    7-730 – SPUN OUT-JAM OUT FLOWSHOP
    730-9 – Dead Alliance of Buffalo
    9-915 – SPUN OUT-JAM OUT FLOWSHOP
    915-1015 – DJ Chucks
    1030-1230 – DJ Ƨtonez
    1230-1am – closing SPUN OUT-JAM OUT FLOWSHOP

  • Sportsmens Tavern Welcomes Floodwood to Buffalo Saturday December 6

    Upstate bluegrass rockers Floodwood will be making a stop in Buffalo on Saturday December 6 with an intimate show at the Sportsmen’s Tavern.

    The band has been playing throughout the country at some of the biggest festivals as well as the Buffalo area in more than a few occasions. The band includes two musicians who in their normal work day consist of being pivotal roles with progressive rockers and Upstate’s moe. Al Schnier (guitar) and Vinnie Amico (drums) are no stranger to the area and since forming moe. in Buffalo so many years ago always love to give it their all when back in town. Floodwood, while is very far from what moe. puts onstage still brings the same energy to the stage. As good as Schnier and Amico are, the band has some extraordinary talent in Nick Piccininni (fiddle), Jason Barady (mandolin) and Zachary  Fleitz (bass).

    Floodwood Jams at MVCC
    Floodwood Jams at MVCC

    The show will also be pretty special as special guests John and Mary of 10,000 Maniacs. This will definitly be a show you will want to see and checkout. Tickets can be purchased through the venues website. Show starts at 9pm with tickets $17 in advance and $20 day of show.

  • Josh Ritter and The Beast Within

    “I’m singing for the love of it, have mercy on the man who sings to be adored.”

    In an industry inundated with flash, flare and over the top shock-inducing antics, Josh Ritter employs nothing by way of tactic.  In fact, there is nothing exceptional to note of the author-singer-songwriter from Moscow, Idaho.  No fancy foot pedals, no blinding light displays, no revealing bootie shorts.  Nope, just an every-guy and his acoustic guitar.

    What begs consideration however is the depth of his musical catalog and the urgency with which he performs to his loyal following of folk/Americana aficionados.  As a performer, Josh exhibits a boyish charm; an ease and accessibility granted through wide eyes and a cheek-straining smile.  He seems almost smitten to play the songs that he himself has penned.  Like somewhere in the silence of his own head he is begging the question, “Is this really happening?”.  This humility and enthusiasm proves infectious to his audience, and those who packed into Water Street Music Hall on a frigid Friday night in November were no exception.

    Josh Ritter’s current tour, based distantly on the heels of his 2013 LP A Beast in it’s Tracks, is a minimalist presentation and a treat for fans of all things acoustic.  No frills here.  Just he and longtime collaborator Zachariah Hickman on string accompaniment, along with a smattering of original folk music that dates back 15 years.  The audience listened in delight as the duo opened with “Monster Ballad”, “Bonfire” and the foot-stompin’ “Me and Jiggs” from the 2000 LP The Golden Age of Radio.  The set chugged along for over two hours, highlighted by classics such as “Curse The Rose”, “Cumberland” and the painfully revealing yet aptly titled “Hopeful”, a song from his current album that chronicles his divorce from musician Dawn Landes in 2011.  The encore was short and sweet, comprising of the “So the World Runs Away” B-Side “Galahad” and the all-time Ritter classic “Kathleen” from 2003’s Hello Starling LP.

    As the show drew to a close, Josh and Zach pulled back on the strumming and gave the audience it’s long overdue vocal solo:

    “I’ll have you back by break of day. I’m going your way anyway. If you’d like to come along. I’ll be yours for a song.”

    Josh Ritter came to Rochester for more than a song.  In fact, he came for 25 of them.  Throughout the performance he illustrated his prolific range:  brilliant songwriting, enthusiastic musicianship, All-American charm and just enough vulnerability to make it all real.  The Beast that is Josh Ritter is a force to be reckoned with.

  • Dark Star Orchestra kicks off the Tour in Buffalo to a Sold Out Crowd

    The hype was surrounding Town Ballroom on November 12 as Dark Star Orchestra was set to open up the tour in Buffalo, NY. Fans from all over the state drove in to get their Grateful Dead fix and with DSO giving them the closest experience a band could. DSO is known for playing an entire show from what the original Dead played and seemed to pick the perfect show for this night.

    Reaching deep into the catalog, the group chose a show from August 18, 1970 which took place in San Francisco. “Truckin’” opened things up and why wouldn’t it have, with Buffalo being cemented in the lyrics since the beginning; it was the perfect song to be played in any show in Buffalo. There were a lot of great classics as well as some songs that were not in every show, making the show an all around delight, especially with an all acoustic second set. If DSO comes to your area make sure to dust off your tie dyes and make it out, it will take you back to a simpler time and place and lets you leave your troubles at the door.

    Dark Star Orchestra buffaloSet One: Truckin’,  Dire Wolf, Friend Of The Devil, Dark Hollow, Ripple > Brokedown Palace, Operator, Rosalie McFall, New Speedway Boogie, Cold Jordan > Swing Low Sweet Chariot
    Set Two: Dancing In The Street, Next Time You See Me, Mama Tried, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > Sugar Magnolia, Attics Of My Life, It’s A Man’s World, > Not Fade Away, Casey Jones > Uncle John’s Band

    Filler: Alligator > Death Don’t Have No Mercy > New Orleans

    * Show originally played by The Grateful Dead on 8/18/1970 San Francisco, CA

  • Just In Time for Christmas – Announcment of Garth Brooks’ Return to New York State

    The highly anticipated announcement of where and when Garth Brooks will return in Upstate New York has finally been announced. Four shows will be help March 6 and 7, 2015 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo. Together with his wife, Trisha Yearwood, Garth will perform a 6pm and 10:30pm each day.

    garth brooksFans have eagerly been awaiting this announcement since his press conference on July 9, 2014. Rather than announcing all cities at once, Garth has kept his fans on the edge of their seats with announcements of each city one at a time. His absence certainly is apparent as his shows have been selling out in each city so far.

    Tickets go on sale this week, December 5th at 10am. The total price of $66.25 will include taxes, facility fees and service charge. Garth prides himself and promised his fans to keep it affordable so that everyone could come to the shows. What a perfect Christmas gift! His shows do not disappoint.

    Update: Due to the amazing response to Garth Brooks’ return to Buffalo, New York, two more dates have been added to accommodate fans. Tickets will now be available for Thursday March 5 at 7:30pm and Sunday March 8 at 8pm. Please make sure once you have purchased your tickets to take note of special instructions to make your experience the best possible for all.

  • Photo Gallery: DrFameus, Sonder and Space Junk at Buffalo Iron Works

    Buffalive Productions and Buffalo Iron Works put together quite an evening with some rising talent as well as one big name in the livetronica music scene. Allen Aucoin from The Disco Biscuits closed out a great night of music with his solo project pseudonym DrFameus.

    DrFameus just manned with a computer and his kit, drummed out beat after beat with ease.  It was also a very special night for local band, Sonder, as they released their newest CD, Cymatics. Opening the show was local product Space Junk who continues to spread their space rock in the area.