Category: Buffalo

Deftones And Incubus Rock Darien Lake

On Sunday, August 2, Darien Lake Performing Arts Center was once again host to another great summer tour. The show was the co-headlining tour with the Deftones and Incubus. With a late start time, concert goers had plenty of time to enjoy the nice day and it’s safe to assume many of those people spent it inside the theme park.

Shortly after 5 p.m., the parking lot to the theme park was a sea of cars and the concert parking was already getting filled. The time for doors was delayed for a short period of time while the stage crew scrambled to get the production all set for the show. Once the doors opened, the opening band called The Bots took the stage. It’s not often that a “band” consists of just two members but that’s what The Bots are. The duo is formed by brothers Mikaiah Lei and Anaiah Lei who are from Los Angeles. These youngsters didn’t care if the seats were filled inside or not because they absolutely rocked it. Their “garage punk” style is one that will most likely take them on many more tours in the near future.

After a short stage tear-down the Deftones were next to take the stage. It was a mystery before the show who would close the night out because it could have easily been either the Deftones or Incubus. Opening their set with “Diamond Eyes,” off their 2010 release Diamond Eyes, the Deftones set the vibe for the rest of the show. There’s not many bands that have a distinct sound like the Deftones do. From the slow, chunky, low toned riffs of Stephen Carpenter to the melodic vocals and screams of Chino Moreno, it’s easy to identify the Deftones.

The band mixed up their set throughout the night playing songs off of seven different albums. It was a great mix of music jumping around from their oldest to their “newest” material. The reason for newest being in quotations is that the Deftones have a new album coming out in September. As of right now, there’s not album title but the rest of the album is completed. New material off this upcoming album was not played at all but that didn’t come as a surprise, as Chino made it clear recently that fans wouldn’t be hearing anything new on this tour. The crowd was certainly mixed with fans of both the Deftones and Incubus, but the Deftones were welcomed by everyone. From the girl in the front row screaming, “Chino, I love you”, to the back of the seats where a group held up a flag with the album White Pony, the Deftones got everyone’s support.

After a set that seemed to end too soon for Deftones fans, Incubus shortly came on afterwards. The band wasted no time at all and started the set off with hit after hit. Opening with “Wish You Were Here,” then going into “Anna Molly” and “Circles,” Incubus was running on all cylinders the entire night. The stage was backed with a giant curved LED screen with one on top of the stage as well. To go along with the screens, Incubus had an outstanding light show that set a great vibe for their set. Like the Deftones, Incubus also chose to vary up their setlist with songs throughout their music catalog. Fans got to hear songs from A Crow Left of the Murder…, Morning View, Trust Fall (Side A), Light Grenades, Make Yourself and others as well. The band sounded spot on and singer Brandon Boyd led the band through a solid 17 song setlist. The show was ended with a three song encore featuring “Dig,” “Drive” and “A Crow Left of the Murder” which featured a special Beatles closing.

The Deftones/Incubus tour runs until the end of August. Click here to check out the list of those dates. Note that the last show with the Deftones and Incubus together is on August 30th, at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, CA.

Deftones Setlist: Diamond Eyes, My Own Summer (Shove It), Lhabia, Beware, Bloody Cape, Sextape, You’ve Seen the Butcher, Rocket Skates, Tempest, Swerve City, Knife Prty, Digital Bath, Change (In the House of Flies), Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away), Headup, Birthmark, Engine No. 9

Incubus Setlist: Wish You Were Here, Anna Molly, Circles, Absolution Calling, Are You In?, Vitamin, Trust Fall, In the Company of Wolves, Nice to Know You, Here in My Room, Sick Sad Little World, Pardon Me, Make Out Party, Megalomaniac, Dig, Drive, A Crow Left of the Murder

August 12, 2015
Aqueous Announces Change in Drummers

Aqueous will be changing drummers after this week.

The band’s current drummer, Ryan Nogle, will be leaving due to health issues. He will be replaced by Tom Vayo, who the band calls an “INCREDIBLE musician/multi instrumentalist.”

Here’s the official announcement the band posted on their Facebook page:

Today, we bring you some important news from camp AQ-
Ryan Nogle will perform his last gig as Aqueous’ drummer this week at Peach Music Festival (strangely enough, the same location that he began his career with us one year ago)- Ryan has a medical condition that is preventing him from continuing on with the band any further; He’s got severe carpel tunnel and nerve damage in both arms, and for the sake of him being able to play drums AT ALL later in life, it will require him to step down from his position as AQ’s drummer.
We’ve been aware of this issue since February of this year, and have in turn been auditioning drummers with the help of Ryan and our previous drummer Nick to find EXACTLY the right fit for our sound; We are very in tune with the fact that our friendships offstage directly dictate the quality of our music, and have searched high and low for someone who not only has the chops, but also fits within our cannon of friendliness, drive, and creative vision that we care so deeply about- I’m happy to report that we’ve all come to agree that Buffalo’s own Tom Vayo will replace Ryan as Aqueous’ long term drummer. Tom is an INCREDIBLE musician/multi instrumentalist, and shares our same drive, passion, and commitment to putting on the best shows possible every night, and to writing the best music we can for you guys- He was a natural choice after auditioning many different drummers, and we are thrilled and excited to have him join our family!
That being said, it’s important that we take a moment and appreciate how much Ryan (and his family) have done for Aqueous both offstage and onstage for YEARS. Although Ryan has only been performing as a full-time member for one year, he is behind ALL of our studio and live releases, has repaired and or built half the equipment we’ve used since our inception, been our live audio engineer for many shows, and has been a close friend and supporter of the band for nearly a decade. Even though the scenario is tough, we here at AQ headquarters all feel incredibly grateful that our friendships are stronger than ever and that we can all move forward with each others’ help- Our new drummer Tom has been spending time with us on the road and at shows, and is working directly with Ryan in multiple facets to come in strongly as he steps up to the huge task of filling Ryan’s shoes. We’re all confident that he’s the man for the job, and we look very forward to the exciting future ahead.
We appreciate everyone’s sympathy and understanding with this situation; it was absolutely beyond any of our control, but we feel poised to welcome in the next chapter of our already exciting story. We wish to truly thank Ryan for his dedication and his incredible talent, and to thank you good folks for sticking with us through the obstacles over the years- We really, really do appreciate it. Here’s some words from Ryan himself:
“It’s hard for me to comprehend that a year has already passed since I joined Aqueous. All the shows and people I’ve met; it’s almost like a blur. August 15th we’ll be playing at Peach MusicFest in Scranton. Right back where I started from one year ago. It was a spectacular experience. My second show since officially joining the band. What I had longed for, and worked toward for so long had finally come to fruition. I was touring with a band playing drums. Not just any band though. The band that I wanted desperately to be a part of since the first time I mixed sound for them at a dumpy little theatre back in 2007. My patience had paid off. The transition was easy. These guys were already my best friends. There was no awkward “get to know you” phase. Just four friends on a stage making some heavy duty music. I’ve jammed with these guys in various formats over the years but nothing compared to actually being part of this well-oiled machine. As time passed and more shows were performed, it just kept getting better. The music expanded and became more adventurous. Chances were being taken. It was phenomenal. Now we fast forward to a year later. Heading back to Scranton for another go round. It’s hard to imagine that this will in fact be my final performance with Aqueous. Leaving this band is the last thing I ever thought I’d be doing. This past year has been one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling years of my life. I’ve met the most incredible people on the road and have played some of the coolest gigs I could have ever imagined. I have friends all over the country now that I would always look forward to seeing at shows. That aspect is one of the most difficult parts to come to terms with. Those we meet in our lives help define who we are as humans and help shape and create these experiences. Interacting with all of you who I have met on the road have contributed to some of my favorite memories. I thank every single person who I’ve met on this journey for your kindness and support. I have experienced so much love from this community. I also thank Mike, Dave, Evan, and Josh for giving me the opportunity to be thrown into this unique life and truly “live the dream.” Without you guys, I would have just been some chump making noise in his basement. I appreciate everything that life has given me and bare no negative feelings about how things have played out. I loved every moment of this experience and those memories will last a lifetime.
Thank you for those memories.” Ryan J. Nogle
Much love everyone, see you out there-
Mike, Dave, Evan, Ryan, and Tom

Ryan will definitely be missed. Here’s a video of him rocking out “Don’t Do It” last week in Buffalo:

And another of one of his great solos at Buffalo Ironworks last year:

August 10, 2015
Keller Williams Announces Fall Tour and New Trio

Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Keller Williams is gearing up for another tour, now celebrating his 20th year creating music. His fall tour will start at the end of August and will feature the brand new Keller Williams Trio with friends Bob Wasserman and Rodney Holmes.

When not playing with the trio, Keller will be performing with some of his side projects including Keller and the Keels, Keller Williams’ Grateful Gospel, and funk project Keller Williams with More Than a Little. His bands will be making stops at festivals such as Lockn’ Festival, Luna Light and Magnolia Fest, among others. As if that wasn’t enough, Keller will also be solo headlining clubs along the way.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, Keller will host an all-star lineup of bluegrass friends for “Thanksforgrassgiving” on Nov. 27 and 28. Joining him will be Travis Book and Chris Pandolfi (The Infamous Stringdusters), Larry Keel, Jason Carter (Del McCoury Band) and Jay Starling (Love Cannon). Catch this bluegrass extravaganza at The National in Richmond, Virginia on the 27th and the 9:30 Club in D.C. on the 28th.

Fans in Buffalo can see the Keller Williams Trio on Sept. 26 at The Tralf. For tickets, tour dates and other information, visit Keller’s website.

August 5, 2015
STS9 Making Two New York Stops on 2015 Fall Tour

STS9 has announced its 2015 Fall Tour, and highlighting the 22-show trek are two stops in New York. On October 25, the jamtronica act will headline the Town Ballroom in Buffalo before weaving its way through the Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland before landing back in the Empire State for a November 5 show at the Best Buy Theater.

STS9 Fall Tour 2015:

October 22 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
October 23 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater
October 24 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
October 25 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
October 28 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
October 29 – Columbus, OH – LC Pavilion
October 30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
October 31 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
November 01 – Live Oak, FL – Suwannee Hulaween
November 05 – New York, NY – Best Buy Theater
November 06 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
November 07 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
November 08 – Richmond, VA – The National
November 11 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore
November 12 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
November 13 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre
November 14 – Nashville, TN – War Memorial Auditorium
November 15 – Columbia, SC – Music Farm
November 18 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City Music Hall
November 19 – New Orleans, LA – Joy Theater
November 20 – Austin, TX – Austin Music Hall
November 21 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues

July 28, 2015
The Little Venue That Could: Why Broadway Joe’s Deserves More Respect

It’s hard to come across a band from the Western New York area who hasn’t played a show at Broadway Joe’s Bar and Grille. At the same time, it’s hard to attend a show in the Western New York area without hearing at least one person talking the venue down. “It’s too small”, “It’s poorly run”, “It’s shit”, are the usual complaints I overhear from various show goers. But I respectfully disagree with just about every bit of criticism I’ve ever heard about the place. That’s why I’m appointing myself the public defender of Broadway Joe’s in the Buffalo, New York metal scene’s courtroom.

With venues shutting down left and right in this area, both national and local metal acts in and around Buffalo are left with very few options. But for many years now, Broadway Joe’s has been there to host the shows that no one else will. Hundreds, probably thousands of metal acts by now have graced their stage and had successful shows. Over the last ten years, I’ve personally performed there in multiple bands as a drummer, guitarist and vocalist. Never once, have I had an issue with the staff or the venue itself. Sure, the room capacity is only 300, but if no other promoters are biting and the other venues in the area are either already booked or nonexistent, then why the hell wouldn’t you just appreciate what you can get and move on?

In recent years, I’ve seen both Soilwork and Shadows Fall play that room and realized that I prefer seeing bands of that caliber in a more intimate setting anyway. How many times have you gone to a show to see your favorite bigger band and had to deal with overpriced drinks, guard rails, huge crowds, a distant stage and constricting set times? At Bways, the drinks are cold and reasonably priced, the service is friendly, the headliners never get ordered off stage (unless they’re being big dicks), and the stage (your favorite band) is right in your face.

Furthermore, shouldn’t the band members who come and go from the venue be the only critics with any merit? It’s kind of interesting how most of the people I hear trash talking this room aren’t in bands, nor do they have any experience working in, with or for bands (at least none that I’m aware of). I’m not saying I know the life story of every last show goer in this area, but I definitely keep track of who I see in bands and who I see working the rooms they play in. If you think you can put on a better show for a band coming through the area, then where’s your venue? Where’s your offer?

Now, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to play in a bigger room in front of a bigger audience, but when the going gets tough, deal with it and make the best of the situation. Would you rather the shows not happen at all? Just this past Sunday night, I saw Psycroptic, Arkaik, Ovid’s Withering and The Kennedy Veil at Bways. Before that night, I had little to no experience with any of those bands. But it looked like a reputable tour with sick bands and I wanted to check it out. Evidently, the tour as a whole had been doing pretty poorly and their Buffalo date was nearly cancelled.

But the folks at Broadway Joe’s kept their promise and gave them a room to play in. The attendance was a little disappointing but those who were there had a great time and I got into some great new music. I wish more people in the scene paid more attention to bulletin boards in bars, or wherever fliers are typically found and of course, social media. Sure, people work, have kids, are married, and naturally, there are usually multiple shows booked each night in this town, especially on weekends. But I know there are more of you out there who just aren’t making the effort for whatever the reason may be. I’ve been plugging reasons to attend shows in this area on this site for months now, and I’m nowhere near done.

I suppose the last point I’m going to make about Broadway Joe’s is this: If you have no experience with bands or running a place of business, don’t badmouth this room. These are great people doing great things, and I’ve never really heard too many bands complain. Most bands that play Bways are just happy they still got to play a fucking show, which is one of the most important parts of being in a band. People like Bryan Parker (owner), Joe Tonaus (promotions), Frank Short (go-to sound aficionado), the bartenders, bar-backs, etc. are helping ensure that we still have a scene to support.

Now I’m going to post a few more clips. Here are some tunes from bigger acts who have played Bways in recent years. WARNING: The footage below displays band members and show goers having a good time in a smaller venue. “Live show elitists” are urged not to expose themselves to this level of fun.

This article was originally posted on The Metal on 7/21/15.

July 23, 2015
Imagine Dragons, So Much More Than Just Smoke & Mirrors

After catapulting in 2012 to the spotlight with their Night Visions album, it seemed like a daunting task to follow-up their first extremely successful album. How did Imagine Dragons tackle that task? They did so by making an album for themselves. Writing while touring, these guys were able to put down feelings and emotions that translated to their second album Smoke and Mirrors.

My anticipation grew, as the date of the show slowly came upon me. I was anxious to see if these guys were as good live as I predicted. The songs on the new album lent themselves to epic live show spectacles.

As the show began, an extremely talented young lady, Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, took the stage with her band. Halsey, as they are known, rocked the stage with their Indie pop sound. I was absolutely captivated by her vocals. She’s an amazing artist and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how absolutely stunning this young lady was as well. She could be a model. The hair, oh my gosh her hair was epic. It was the most beautiful shade of blue/green I’ve ever seen. Wish I could pull that off. I’m digressing, sorry. Halsey’s eclectic musical influences from Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G, Slick Rick, as well as The Cure, Nirvana, and Alanis Morissette permeated her sound giving it an edge of sophistication and funk. From the moment she took the stage, she owned the audience.

Next up was Metric. This Canadian rock band has been around for quite a while amassing a strong following since 1998. With a heavy synth and punk sound, this band is more familiar to you than you probably realize. With several EPs and albums over the years, opening for acts such as The Rolling Stones, and their extensive credits for scores with Grey’s Anatomy, 90210, One Tree Hill, FIFA 10, NBA 2K10, Zombieland, Entourage Vampire Diaries, Rock Band 3, and so many more it’s almost unfathomable to think you haven’t heard their music. Commanding the stage their unique blend of music and instrumentation entertained this group and primed them for the main event.

As I returned to my spot to photograph the next set, the stage was set in a blanket of darkness and a cloth now covered the entire stage like a mask. Speaking with attendees while we waited for the Imagine Dragons set to begin, I learned the dedication and sheer love these fans have for this group. Traveling long distances and sitting outside since the wee hours of the morning to get a railing position on the floor, it was only a matter of moments before their perseverance would pay off. With posters in hand they were ready to sing along with every song (I’m sure they knew every lyric to each one) with hopes to possibly get a pick thrown their way or perhaps a touch of the hand of a member of the band they loved so very much. As the music began, the lighting shone through the curtain highlighting the silhouettes of each band member. With the score beginning, sheer adrenaline was pumping through the crowd like static electricity, it was impossible not to feel the tingle. As the curtain fell, out to the edge of the stage ran Dan Reynolds singing their newest single, “Shots”. Positioned just right, I was right there waiting for him as the fans went crazy and the energy levels exploded through the roof. I knew it. This band was a ‘live band’. You know, one of those bands that you have to see live to appreciate ever aspect of their talent. Always loved their music, but I wanted to feel the music.

The first thing I noticed as the show began was Reynolds ability to connect with the crowd. He felt the music through his entire body and extended it outward toward the audience. He spoke with the group as if they were just having a conversation sharing his newly acquired bling that his daughter had just made him, and commenting on issues affecting everyone in light of the recent tragedies in Charleston. These fans weren’t nameless faces to him. They were friends; they had been through it all with him. At one point and time he called out to the crowd as we celebrated “beard man”. But what really got me, was his recognition of fan Jacob Ziegler. Who is Jacob Ziegler? Well he’s a young man who loves Imagine Dragons and follows them on all social media aspects. He retweets, he shares, he comments, and Reynolds recognized that. He yells out to him, recognizing him in the crowd, saying “I see you Jacob Ziegler” he tells the arena full of people that he sees his tweets and comments and appreciates the love he shares. I was floored by this act of kindness. Jacob was beside himself happy. By the end of the night Reynolds made sure to give him a hug. Now to me, that’s a star. A star always shines bright.

As connected as he was with the crowd, he was the same with band mates Wayne Sermon, Daniel Platzman, and Ben McKee. You could tell the rapport they share was fun and loving as they teased amongst themselves. As he sang through his setlist, that consisted of both hits from Night Visions and the new Smoke & Mirrors, I heard the songs differently this time. Ones that didn’t stand now did. Ones that I loved, I loved even more. And let’s talk about the light show. That in itself was a spectacular show. Coupled together with the amazing sounds of Imagine Dragons, this show became one of my top five favorite shows of all time.

As Imagine Dragons travels for this tour, I strongly urge you to take the opportunity to see this event. You will definitely be happy you did.

SetList:
Shots, Trouble, It’s Time, Forever Young (Alphaville cover), Smoke and Mirrors, Polaroid, I’m So Sorry, Gold, Bleeding Out/Warriors, Demons, Hopeless Opus, On Top of the World, Friction, I Bet My Life, Radioactive, The Fall

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July 19, 2015
Def Leppard, Styx and Tesla Pack Darien Lake

There is no better time of year than right now. Summertime is always the time where bands take advantage of the warm beautiful weather and hit the road. This summer, classic rock legends Def Leppard are hitting the road with their friends Styx and Tesla. On Sunday, July 12, the trio rolled into the Buffalo area with a show at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Shows at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center usually draw people to the adjoined theme park before the show. Throughout the day while walking around the park, Def Leppard shirts could be spotted everywhere. Seeing all of the fans in the park was an early sign that it was going to be a packed house. Hundreds of people were waiting for the gates to open at 6 p.m. so they could be the first ones in. Before Tesla took the stage at 7 p.m., fans were lining up to get food, beer from concessions and shirts from the merchandise booth.

When the house music stopped shortly before 7 p.m., a look around the amphitheater proved that fans were there to see every band of the night and not just headliner Def Leppard. Tesla took the stage with a loud applause from the crowd and started the show with “Edison’s Medicine (Man Out of Time).” The crowd seemed to enjoy every second of Tesla’s set. The excitement really came out of the crowd when guitarist Frank Hannon played the opening chords of “Signs” and then continued with another classic of theirs, “Love Song.” Opening bands don’t normally fill an entire amphitheater because most people use it as extra time to mingle and get their beer. That wasn’t the case on Sunday night for Tesla. Lead singer, Jeff Keith, was spot on the entire night hitting notes from songs written over 20 years ago. The closing song of the set, “Modern Day Cowboy” capped off a high energy set that left fans definitely wanting more from them. After Tesla had finished their set, there was chatter all around the seats about how awesome the band had sounded and how amazed they were.

Styx was next up for the night and fans were definitely warmed up and ready. From the start of the set, fans joined the members of Styx by singing along to every song of the night. Opening the set with “The Grand Illusion,” Styx had an entire night planned with only their best songs. Changing backgrounds with each song to coincide with its album or theme, Styx kept the crowd on its feet. Styx looked like they were having more fun playing on stage together than anyone else in the crowd. The band’s energy and enthusiasm was through the roof and out of the amphitheater. While the rest of the band took a short break, singer and keyboard player Lawrence Gowan kept the crowd entertained with covers of “Rocket Man,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” The band came back out after and played “Come Sail Away” before walking off stage one more time prior to the encore. Some fans thought the band was finished and started leaving their seats to the concessions. Shortly after though, the fans came scurrying back as they heard the applause of the crowd as Styx played “Rockin’ the Paradise” and “Renegade.” Guitarist, Tommy Shaw and the rest of Styx were spot on the entire evening and left the crowd eager to see Def Leppard.

As the lights dimmed and a giant Def Leppard banner was dropped down in front of the stage, fans knew it was only a matter of time before the finale began. The show opened up with “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)” and the giant banner getting sucked up into a vacuum instead of falling to the bottom of the stage. Def Leppard wasted no time after that, going immediately into songs “Animal,” “Let It Go” and “Foolin’.” Whenever the house lights lit up the crowd, anyone could see it was a packed house. There wasn’t an empty inside seat visible and fans filled the lawn all the way to the back. Lead singer, Joe Elliott, sounded great all night long as well as the rest of the band. Vivian Campbell, who’s been battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma on and off, showed no signs of slowing down. Both Campbell and Phil Collen were spot on with their guitar parts while frequently going out on the catwalk into the crowd together. The production for Def Leppard was done perfectly and synced with each song; whether it was neon signs or a wall of TVs. The set included “Two Steps Behind,” which Joe Elliott did solo with an acoustic guitar. Rick Allen and Rick Savage kept the band tight on the drums and bass. The band ended the night with “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph” which features a history timeline of photos on a giant LED screen behind them.

This massive tour has already had a few stops in New York and is due for 2 more later this month in Wantagh and Saratoga Springs. Check out the rest of the tour dates here.

For the event schedule for Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, click here.

July 17, 2015
Buffalove Music Festival Shines a Bright Light on Upstate Bands

If you were looking for a festival with continuous high energy bands, then Buffalove was it. We were greeted with sunny skies on Thursday afternoon, and a buzz in the air from everyone who couldn’t stop talking about what was to come of that first night. Everyone knew it was going to start with a bang, and they couldn’t have been more accurate.

Buffalo’s own Imperial Brown kicked things off on the Pavilion stage, setting a tone that would carry throughout the weekend. With a sold base of funk, reggae, soul and jam, Imperial Brown got the feet moving, and everyone’s excitement could be focused on one thing: dancing.

As Buffalovers made their way across the field to the main stage, you could feel everyone’s energy level soaring. Hometown heroes Aqueous took the stage at 8pm as the sun was setting and it was go time. They eased into their set, building intensity as the hour went on. We could all tell it was just a tease of what was to come. One by one, Dopapod took the stage, with a seamless changeover that left us continuously dancing for hours. Like Aqueous, they eased into their set, but definitely took things up a notch. Aqueous’ Mike Gantzer was the first to step on stage for the birth of Aquapod. And with a blink of an eye, members of both Aqueous and Dopapod were all on stage, getting into one of the strongest starts any festival could ever hope for. If you were a fan of both of these bands before, then this was the penultimate moment. Trading solos with the biggest of smiles, it just kept going. Even when the rain started to fall, the set from top to bottom was any fans dream. The intensity, the happiness of both bands, and the wide-eyes and looks of amazement from the crowd really started Buffalove off right. From there, it just kept going.

For those whose legs could still hold their bodies up after four and a half straight hours of Aqueous and Dopapod, the late night Woods Stage sets kept the intensity going. A beautiful little stage, set on the hill and covered with trees, was the scene of several sets that would leave people dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Sonder and Spacejunk were first up in the woods, with a segue set that rang through the property. Sonder with their jamtronic, groovy set, then Space Junk with a DJ set that got even the weariest of festival goers back on their feet. The Woods Stage would be the scene of serious talent and body-moving sets. Even with the rain continuing on and off all night, the vibe was nothing short of magical.

Friday morning, we were met with cool weather and constant chatter of what we had all witnessed the night before. The question kept being asked, “How can you top that first night?” But yet again, Buffalove delivered. Imperial Brown started it off again on the Pavilion Stage as the crowds began to wake up, stretch their bodies and get some food. Like every band, their dance-worthy set definitely pulled us out of the fog and back into the light.

Friday afternoon hit, and from there it was on again. Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan, led by current Kung Fu keyboardist Beau Sasser, took the Main Stage and came out swinging with their amped-up, soul crushing version of the Grateful Dead’s “New Speedway Boogie.” Mary Corso’s voice was enough to give anyone the chills, as they cruised through a powerful set. Guitarists Danny Mayer and Justin Henricks had some solos that could leave anyone’s jaw on the floor and drummer Kevin Urvalek was cruising by the time they closed with a cover of “Whipping Post.”

Slip Madigan continued the party, with a rhythmic, groove-oriented set on the Pavillion Stage. Then it was time for Funktional Flow to begin their first of three sets over the next 24 hours.

Flow took Main Stage for a 5pm set that only left fans craving more. Their tight, jam-based songs got the excitement level up once again. With covers like “Atlantic City” by Bruce Springsteen and Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4,” it was very apparent that they can span the genres. Then before you knew it, Albany-based Formula 5 took the Pavilion Stage. For these guys, it was a pre-cursor to their late night segue set with Funktional Flow at the Woods Stage.

Headlining the evening was Kung Fu and Particle, both bringing the hammer down on Saturday evening. Kung Fu, brought the jam-funk to the Main Stage, giving fans a different taste of what they could accomplish with a slightly modified lineup. Sasser soared, with solos that layered and layered, and meshed so well with their new sound. Kung Fu fans were shocked at what the band had become: a funk-heavy jam band. Then it was time for Particle to take the party to the next level. As the disco ball beamed, they played a set that was clearly meant to leave people exhausted from dancing.

Late night Friday was a beast of its own. Funktional Flow came out heavy on the Woods Stage. And if you weren’t keeping an eye on the stage at all times, you wouldn’t have even noticed that one by one, Formula 5 took over. If you had caught their earlier set, this one was completely different in attack. We could all tell they just wanted to get out there and jam as hard as they could. James Woods’ intricate and heavy bass lines and Joe Davis’ cruising guitar licks were almost too much to handle. Before you knew it, Funktional Flow had taken the Woods Stage over yet again. This time, it was one for the books. With a closer like Umphrey’s McGee “All In Time”, we were dancing just as hard as with Kung Fu and Particle, if not harder. The woods were lit up and the buzz around these two bands was heavy. Buffalovers had been treated to one of the most seamless sets of the weekend and all in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Closing out the morning was Buffalo-based Skyepilot, led by powerhouse lead singer Skye Del Re. If you still had the energy, this band kept the party going until the wee hours of 5am. The sun was coming up, and the groove was still ringing through the woods.

With a full weekend of high-energy bands, we were still left with Saturday. From top to bottom, the last day of Buffalove was filled with talent. Even though Skyepilot had just packed up on the Woods Stage, they opened Saturday on the Main Stage. Their strong, fast-paced versions of songs like “Sugaree” was enough to get even the weariest back on their feet for the final day. Buffalove contest winner The Goods hit the Pavilion Stage, with a very apparent reason why they were the winners. With a slightly different flare than the rest of the acts, they added that international/world groove.

The Main Stage on Saturday was filled to the brim with talent, as Blue Rootz and Whiskey Reverb both gave noteworthy sets. Next, it was time for Funktional Flow to give their final of three sets. With a setlist that included heavy originals and crowd-favorite covers like Warren Zevon’s “Lawyers, Guns and Money” and to close it all out, Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.” Funktional Flow definitely earned their three sets, and stood on par with the headliners.

To close out the Pavilion Stage and Main Stage, Albany favorites Mister F tag teamed sets with Pink Talking Fish. Mister F did a stripped down set to start, with Andrew Chamberlaine playing a banjitar (banjo/guitar combo) for the first set. If you ran across the mud-filled lawn, you could witness the greatness of Pink Talking Fish, with their full, accurate versions of Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads and Phish. With their first set over, Mister F took the Pavilion Stage. The crowd filtered in fast, and before you knew it, hundreds of people were crowded around for Mister F’s final set. The energy coming off them was undeniable, and anyone who wasn’t a fan before, was now. Even with drummer Matt Pickering sick as a dog, they blasted through their set. With almost all originals, they included one cover that got everyone’s feet moving a little faster, Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat.”

Sit-in master Scott Hannay of Mister F wasn’t done there. After finishing packing up, he decided to hang out the rest of the night and see what else he could dive into. Pink Talking Fish topped their first set with versions of Phish’s “Possum” and “Tweezer” that had the crowd in full fun mode. Scott Hannay jumped on for “Crosseyed and Painless”, swapping keyboards back and forth with keyboardist Richard James. It was a spectacle, to say the least.

Late night Saturday drove it all home. Grateful Dead tribute band Workingman’s Dead took the Woods Stage around midnight, giving everyone that comfortable, familiar set of Dead music that left everyone with a smile. High energy, fast tempo Grateful Dead is exactly what we needed after all that was Buffalove. If you weren’t completely out of steam, heavy-hitters After Funk closed out the whole festival in the woods with their horns blaring. Scott Hannay managed to sneak in for another sit-in, adding to the already sonic boom that is After Funk. For those resting at their campsites, there was no way you couldn’t perk up hearing this band wail through the night.

Buffalove came through. Co-founder of Buffalive Productions and Founder of Buffalove Cody Conway clearly had one goal in mind: keep the energy as high as possible. Every single band had heads turning and jaws on the ground. There was never a lull, never a band that just played to fill space. Every minute was dance-worthy. If you missed out this year, we can highly recommend you don’t make that mistake next year. Without any problems or unruly attendees, this festival made its mark at North Fork Music Park in Warsaw, NY. The amount of talent coming out of Upstate New York is only paving the road for more incredible shows. Buffalove, you certainly were lovely.

June 28, 2015
Chris Cornell to Play Buffalo, NYC, Boston This October

Rock musician Chris Cornell, best known for being the lead vocalist and songwriter of Seattle grunge band Soundgarden, will perform across North America in his recently announced acoustic fall tour, including several stops in the northeast. On Oct. 11, Chris Cornell will take stage at the University of Buffalo Center of the Arts in Buffalo, two days after an Oct. 9 performance at Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario.

About a week later, Cornell is scheduled to play at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on Oct. 18 and the Shubert Theatre in Boston on Oct. 21.

The 50-year-old singer has recently announced the release of an acoustic album titled Higher Truth, to be released on Sept. 18. The fall performances will have an intimate, acoustic setting, featuring music off of Cornell’s upcoming album.

Cornell is widely considered to have one of the best voices in rock music, with a four-octave range. In 2011, Rolling Stone selected Cornell as the #9 Best Lead Singer of All Time, while he was named the #12 Greatest Voice in Music by MTV in 2005.

June 27, 2015
Hearing Aide: Imagine Dragons ‘Smoke & Mirrors’

Imagine Dragons has released their newest album, Smoke & Mirrors. With the huge success of their first studio album Night Visions in 2012, selling more than 2 million copies to date, Imagine Dragons took the world by storm and by doing so set the bar pretty high for themselves when it came to following up with their second studio album. They had fallen into the proverbial trap of having such a huge success right out of the gate, that anything following was bound to be held to a higher standard.

Imagine Dragons Smoke & Mirrors

So with this dilemma, how did this Grammy Award winning band follow up their first hit album? They did it like they should, with an album written for themselves. After all, isn’t that what music is about? Personal messages paired with instrumentals to express themselves.

Writing continuously while on the road touring , the band compiled and recorded demos and as the Night Visions Tour ended, they purchased a house in Las Vegas, converted it into a studio, and for the next 8 months put together a story of sorts from experiences on the road that were laden with a roller coaster of personal emotions. After all, the whirlwind of life on the road from local venues to sold out arenas, had to take a toll on them emotionally. What better way to share than through song?

Hailed as one of rock n roll’s greatest newcomers in the 2013, their new found popularity and accolades brimmed over the top as America welcomed them with open arms. As new artists trying to achieve success, was the photo in their mind exactly what they pictured once achieved, or was it writ with unbeknownst angst they would encounter throughout the tour and along the way? I believe it may have been some of the latter. As I listened to the new album the creative differences between the two albums were not as apparent as other seemed to say. I still saw the same vocals and rhythmic distinctions still shining through.

I love Imagine Dragons, and I believe it’s their unique sound and truthful lyrics that caught my attention initially and holds it still today. It’s not their commercial success that makes them stand out. They are not mainstream music, they are not mainstream artists, and their unique style and sound is representative of who they are and how their creative process. Yes, their sound has been compared to a mix of The Killers, U2, Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, and Arcade Fire; taking bits and pieces from each band when making that generalization – influences have that kind of effect on you. You tend to find yourself creating similar sounds because, well you like them in the first place. They have been criticized for using every technical instrumentation trick known to mankind in their new music, and my reply to that is, ‘so what?’ That’s why it exists: to use it. Artists are known for creating something from their souls. It doesn’t have to be what you would want it to be. If that was the case, it would be your creation. So the fact that they use any or all technical tricks doesn’t lessen their musical creations to me in the least. I feel it has an energy to it. Although the lyrics on this album brim with a deep dark almost undaunting edge, the pulsating rhythms and melodic vocals give it an upbeat sound that over plays the underlying message.

Working along side Alex Da Kid on this album, his reputation for bringing out the creative sides of artists like Eminem and Christina Aguilera, demonstrates the perfect example why he’s a perfect match with Imagine Dragons on each of their studio albums.

As I listened to this album I had to do so a few times before I could collect my thoughts to develop a constructive opinion. In true Imagine Dragons style you have the strong percussions and amazing vocals and harmonies with a mix of synthesizer in there throughout the album, but with this particular album you got something else. You get variety in sounds that represent their travels with the first album. What the audience had become accustomed to (vocal/harmonies/percussion/synth) from Imagine Dragons was there in songs such as “Shots” and “The Fall”, but you also got a hint of some R&B with “Friction”, mixed with a flair of the Middle Eastern sounds in there as well. In “Hopeless Opus” you’ll see a flavor of Asian sounds intermixed with a bit of rapping, guitar solo, synth. Heck you pretty much get a bit of everything in that song. Same goes for “Summer”. The beauty though is how well they were all mixed together seamlessly. In fact in most of the songs you’ll see a variety of sounds and tempos within the songs that without the expert help in mixing could have been a disaster. This is where the expertise of Alex Da Kid played a huge part.

I have to say my favorite tracks were “I Bet My Life” and “Trouble” demonstrating their folky sounds mixed with a huge helping of underlying percussion. Just love their take on this sound. Running close second would be “It Comes Back To You” and “Dream” where I can definitely see influences from Coldplay and U2 in this song. It was the upbeat tempo and lyrics in this song that hooked me; “…all the things you had lost will find their way to you… am I a shadow you drew.” I can definitely see a commercial success with this release.

Criticized by others on this album, I definitely can see a darker side in their lyrics though with an underlying message perhaps of life on the road wasn’t all they expected, but I can’t understand the criticism. Music is an expression of life and everyone’s message is different. Give me a break negative Nellies. In both “Gold” and “Polaroid”, focus should be on the mixing of sounds, not the lyrics. “Gold” was another example of expert mixing. “Polaroid” to me was a little disappointing but only because as a photographer I had hoped this track would be as upbeat a message that the tempo held. But hey, everyone sees something different in a photo hence the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words”, and the message was something totally different. But still, it was a good song. No one is going to like every song on an album; you can’t expect every album to be Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band.

The title track “Smoke and Mirrors” and “I’m So Sorry” give the listener a true rock and roll feel to the songs. These will be great live songs with the guitar and percussion in them.

After listening to the whole album several times, I came one conclusion: it’s a great album. Was it what the public anticipated from them? Perhaps not. Was it the mix of techno sounds with anthem rock and pop beats they are known for? Yep. With so many negative reviews and plays on words with the title, I find Smoke & Mirrors nothing but honest and forthwith. I can see the growth within the band, and the influences of experiences of the last few years in their lyrics. It’s the honesty on this album though that makes it the perfect second album. As far as commercial success, I believe those that loved Imagine Dragons will agree with me that this was a great album. It may not be a mainstream as some expected, but when it came to making an album that is true to themselves, this definitely met their expectations. This is one of those albums I think that when you listen to it initially you may not get it right away, so listen a few more times. Read the lyrics and see the messages. Then go back and listen to the music once again, and you will see that this really was a great album and will play out even more so as a great live performance.

As they roll into town this week to the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, they will be joined by Metric and Halsey. Show starts at 7pm and tickets can be purchased through Live Nation. Hope to see you there.

Key Tracks: Shots, I Bet My Life, Dream

June 23, 2015