Antics, Dali's Ghost, The Tins & Brad Gower

Saturday, January 8

Buffalo has always been a community of creative individuals. Sometimes these individuals stick around to entertain and inspire us for years and sometimes we have to let them go. On Saturday (Jan 8) three talented Buffalo natives will return to their hometown to perform at Nietzche’s, with a new band and a new sound. Antics is an indie rock band based in Brooklyn, but made up of former Buffalonians Grant Shulte, Matt Schaefer, and Jason Desiderio, who relocated to NYC this past summer. Bassist Shulte, formerly of Artvoice BOOM winners Photos of Wagons, along with his close friends Schaefer, Desiderio, and new found singer/guitarist Adam Weiss and drummer Ian Carrollo have worked hard since to develop the sound that has become Antics, a sound that Shulte describes as “thoughtful melodic rock,” with themes that concentrate on the experiences we all share, and connecting the emotions that we all feel. Songs like ”Wooden Ships” and “Head Rush,” from their first set of recordings, titled Everything, transcend the typical indie rock label. The tracks are massively appealing, combining jam band elements and the universality of bands like Radiohead, U2, or Deerhunter with tight and precise arrangements. Antics debuted in Brooklyn earlier this week, but will head to Buffalo for the first time this weekend to play along with Dali’s Ghost, the Tins and former Photos of Wagons frontman Brad Gower. Head to everythingantics.com to stream or download full quality versions of Antics’ songs. —cory perla

9:30pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / www.nietzsches.com). $5.

Wednesday, January 12

Sick Of It All

There are a lot of imitators in the hardcore punk scene, but Brooklyn hardcore band Sick Of It All is an originator. Formed in New York City in 1986, Sick Of It All have unleashed nine full length albums over their 24 year history, including 2010’s Based On A True Story, the group’s first record in four years. After the completion of Based On A True Story, recorded in Copenhagen, Denmark, a region more famously known for darker metal-based music, bassist Craig Ahead said of the album’s inherent metallic heaviness: “It’s an album that is pure Sick Of It All and will stand up against any of our previous work and I believe raises the bar to a new standard.” A bold statement, considering Sick Of It All helped set the standard for heavy punk rock music, but True Story’s blistering vocals and burning chords certainly pick up where the street-tough grittiness of 2006’s Death To Tyrants left off. And considering the title of the album, tracks like “Death or Jail,” a dark and rumbling punk track that ponders the everyday decisions of kids living on the street, and asks the question “what evil took them away? Allowing only two choices,” takes on an even more sincere sentiment. Sick Of It All rumble into Mohawk Place on Wednesday (Jan 12) with West Coast hardcore band Alpha & Omega, thrash punkers Outbreak, and Buffalo flavored hardcore band Rhinoceros. —cory perla

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (465-2368 / www.themohawkplace.com). $15.

Thursday, January 6

Syd Barrett Tribute

Fans of the late Syd Barrett will gather at Mohawk Place on Thursday (tonight!) to pay tribute to the legendary and mysterious rock star. Barrett, one of the founding members of Pink Floyd, wrote songs for Pink Floyd albums such as the Piper at the Gates of Dawn and A Saucerful of Secrets. He had two solo albums after leaving Pink Floyd in 1968, a move attributed to Barrett’s mental issues. Barrett once visited Abbey Road Studios while Pink Floyd was recording and none of his old mates recognized him. He had shaved his head and eyebrows and had grown a gut. He lived out the rest of his days in his boyhood home in Cambridge, England. The members of Pink Floyd greatly missed their friend and referenced him in their work, most notably the album Wish You Were Here, written for Barrett. So head down to Mohawk Place to hear local musicians like Anal Pudding, Covered in Crystals, the Vegetable Men, and more pay their respects to this rock legend on his birthday, by playing his songs, as they have for the last eight years. —justin sondel

9pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (465-2368 / www.themohawkplace.com). Free.

Friday, January 7

Grüvology

Grüvology: the study of the art of groove. Grüvology: a five piece jazz band formed in Buffalo in 2006, comprised of a group of classically trained musicians. Both of these definitions are accurate, but the deeper truth is that Grüvology, the band, is highly trained in grüvology, the science. Made up of pianist Walter Kemp, bassist Efferin Fuse, alto sax player Andre Killian, drummer Tim Webb, and guitarist Bernard Kunz, these five artists can jam in most any genre, ranging from gospel, to jazz and R&B. Songs like “Fly On” from their 2009 album, Unbridled, showcase the bands technical skill with busy rhythms and soaring sax solos, while tracks like “Gospel Samba” and “Fun For All” demonstrate the bands cooler, mellow grooving abilities. On their own, members of the group have opened for such legendary acts as B.B. King and jammed with jazz greats like Sabu Adeyola and funk specialists like Rick James bassist Jerry Livingston. Together they combine to form a tight, improvising jazz machine. Grüvology will perform live at the Albright Knox Art Gallery on Friday (Jan 7) as part of the M&T First Fridays at the Gallery series. —cory perla

8pm. Albright Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave. (882-8700 / www.albrightknox.org). Free.

Saturday, January 8

Greg Klyma Turns 40

Well, lordy lordy. For a fellow who left town some years ago for the itinerant life of a solo folk singer, Cheektowaga-born Greg Klyma certainly spends a lot of time in his native neck of the woods. So it’s no surprise that he should choose to mark his 40th birthday party here. It’ll be quite a party at the Sportsmen’s Tavern on Saturday (Jan 8). Folk rocker Tom Stahl will open the show, and Klyma will be joined by Maria Sebastian, Joe Crookston of Ithaca, and Samantha Farrell of Boston. Backing up the birthday boy will be a passel of regular band mates from Boston: Tom Bianchi, Jeff Gaynor, and Chris DeSanty. No gifts necessary. Ask him to play “Two Degrees in Buffalo” from his last CD, Rust Belt Vagabond. That’ll be present enough. —geoff kelly

7pm. Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St. (874-7734 / www.sportsmenstavern.com). $10.

Saturday, January 8

The History of Burlesque featuring Eye Candy

On Saturday (Jan 8) Eye Candy burlesque troupe will be performing at the Riviera Theatre, where they have performed on a regular basis this past year. This performance however will be dedicated to “The History of Burlesque.” The American form of burlesque grew from 19th century music hall entertainments and vaudeville. In the early 20th century American burlesque re-emerged as a populist blend of satire, performance art, and striptease. Burlesque gained popularity throughout the 1930’s to 1950’s and was revived in the early 1990’s. Eye Candy will pay tribute to famous burlesque performers such as Tempest Storm, Sally Rand, Dixie Evans, and more. Movie clips from the 1930s to 1950s will be shown and a live dancer will impersonate each performer in between the clips. Eye Candy will also perform their burlesque routines to classic burlesque music, including a performance on the pole, which is very gymnastics-oriented. Chelsea Green, the owner of Pole Play Dance Studio on Hertel Avenue started the troupe about four years ago. Most of the women in the troupe are professionals who have master’s degrees in different fields. Call it a history lesson, call it appreciation for the art of burlesque, call it whatever you want, just make sure that you’re there. —jill greenberg

9pm. Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda (692-2413 / rivieratheatre.org). $10.

Tuesday, January 11

Merge 3.0

Now entering into their third year of business, the owners of Merge (Sarah and Eliza Schneider) are making a few small adjustments based on all the things that they have learned about their strengths, space, and location. On Tuesday (Jan 11) Merge will re-open after a short holiday break that included some renovations and most importantly menu changes. Chef Kate Elliott (winner of Buffalo’s Nickel City Chef competition, former head chef and owner of Juniper) has created an updated lunch menu especially for Merge. If you missed the chance to taste Elliott’s creations at Juniper, now is your chance. Louder, stronger, faster, more progressive entertainment will take place from 10pm-12am during the new Merge Lounge hours Thursday through Saturday. And they will, of course, continue to offer a mélange of dishes, including vegetarian and vegan options, as well as some fresh new changes. The Merge Café will be open 11:30am-4pm Tuesday through Saturday. To the delight of the lunch, café, and business crowd, faster counter service and a variety of healthy and delicious grab n’ go options will be available. Check the Merge events calendar for entertainment during dinner. The bar will be stocked with organic wines, micro-brews, $2 PBR tall boys, and sake cocktails. —jill greenberg

5pm. Merge Restaurant, 439 Delaware Ave. (842-0600 / mergebuffalo.com).