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See You There!

Artvoice's weekly round-up of featured events, including our editor's picks for the week: Canadian pop-rock quintent, Mother Mother, who performs at Mohawk Place on Tuesday, July 26.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out our new and improved events calendar on-line for complete event listings, a location guide to find your way about the city, restaurant reviews, and more.

Mother Mother

Tuesday, July 26

In an ordinary world as such, an artist can’t help but find a platform to unleash those flaring quirks too often suppressed in daily life. Luckil y for Canadian pop-rock quintet Mother Mother, the energy surrounding their profession allows for a constant state of theatrics, making insanity completely possible. In their newest music video for “In the Stand,” front man Ryan Guldemond admits he’s “kind of insane.” Playing the role of a gated misanthrope trapped in a room with two vampy psychiatrists (female vocalists Molly Guldemond and Jasmin Park), Guldemond’s token sarcasm and imagination run wild—”Let’s talk about space, well it’s a beautiful place, but it’s so damn cold just for the human race”—lyrically sending listeners to the stars and back. “We’ve basically zapped the earth from all its mystery, so we’re looking to discover new things to bend our minds,” said Guldemond. Since their signing with Last Gang Records (MSTRKRFT, Metric, Crystal Castles) in 2006, the boy-girl band has taken its original rootsy sound and coated it with synthesizers, vocal harmonies and catchy hooks. Their third album Eureka is gaining much media attention, recently featured on VH1 and MTV’s The Seven. But before wondering if their new sound is too commercial for the indie-rock fan, Guldemond explains that not much has changed. “The bones of the music are all coming from the same place. Same personality, different outfits.” Embrace the eccentricity on Tuesday (July 26), as Mother Mother pops into Mohawk Place with the Ruby Spirit to put on an all-around entertaining show. —emilie hagen

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (465-2368 / themohawkplace.com). $10.

Friday, July 22

Torche

It’s fair to say that Miami quartet Torche is heavier than hell, but putting them into that old “metal band” box just doesn’t begin to get the heart of their power. The razor sharp, searing guitars and propulsive rhythms are a crucial element to Torche’s sound but are merely a few pieces of the band’s kaleidoscopic heavy rock sound that masterfully incorporates elements of doom, psychedelic, prog, post-hardcore, mathrock, and shoegaze. When guitarist/vocalist Steve Brooks’ acclaimed band Floor broke up in 2004, Torche was born to carry on in the same vein. In the passing years, Torche has issued a clutch of standout records including 2008’s LP Meanderthal (Hydra Head), an epic 2009 split Chapter Ahead Being Fake (Daymare Records) shared with like-minded shape-shifting Japanese doom merchants Boris, and last year’s sharp, buzzing pop-sludge standout Songs For Singles. The band’s greatest mark thus far might perhaps have been left as a live unit, gaining a deserved reputation as an impassioned and potent live in concert act. Torche’s current tour mates for their 2011 summer run across America are Big Business, last seen in these parts on a memorable show a couple years back with sludge/stoner rock pioneers the Melvins. On Friday (July 22) what is already forecasted to be one of the hottest July nights Buffalo has ever seen (literally) this bill of bands are only likely to make it hotter (figuratively) at Mohawk Place. —donny kutzbach

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

Friday, July 22

The Screaming Jeans & The Tins

Two promising young Buffalo bands, the Screaming Jeans and the Tins, have received a good amount of blog coverage over the past year, and the accolades are sure to keep coming. Now is the time to find out what all the fuss is about this Friday (July 22) at Mr. Goodbar. The Screaming Jeans have an amazing chemistry on stage, combined with highly listenable, alt-rock tinged tunes like “Hello Hello” and “She Wants it All.” Think of a grungier sounding Kings of Leon, a similarity you can’t help but notice in the dynamic, echoing voice of guitarist/vocalist Scott Nykiel. Three-man band the Tins are chock full of clever hooks and ditties, compliments of dual keyboardist Mike Santillo, guitarist Adam Putzer, and drummer Dave Muntner. The band is currently working on their first full-length studio album with acclaimed producer Joe Blaney, and probably would have completed it by now if it weren’t for, you know, money. With the help of fundraising project Kickstarter, the Tins are looking to put together some bread to finish their album and release it into the world for the masses to enjoy. Both bands play two sets each, so you should have plenty of time to get down to Goodbar and hear what these guys have to offer. —jon wheelock

11pm. Mr Goodbar. 1110 Elmwood Ave. (882-4000) $3.

Saturday, July 23

Mark Winsick CD Release Show

Guitarist, singer, songwriter, and 2010 Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee Mark Winsick will release his latest album Turnin Wheel this Saturday (July 23) at the Sportsmen’s Tavern. The 12-track album features original blues cuts from Winsick, as well as his own renditions of songs like “Ramblin On My Mind” by classic blues musican Robert Johnson, and “I’ve Been Working” by the one and only Van Morrison. The stand out track though is Winsick’s title track “Turnin Wheel,” which acts as a synopsis of the rest of the album with clean cutting guitar solos, smooth organ sounds, melodic brass, and smart lyrics. Despite the impeccable production on Turnin Wheel, Mark admits that when it comes to his brand of jamming blues, it’s all about the live performance. “There’s no substitute for a band rockin’ out live. When I perform, I always give it everything I’ve got,” the guitarist says on his website. Help Winsick and his band rock out this weekend at the Sportsmen’s Tavern. —cory perla

8:30pm. Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst Street (874-7734 / sportsmenstavern.com). $10.

Saturday, July 23

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra - The MUsic of Led Zeppelin

If you go up to the Falls this Saturday, you may begin to wonder these questions: Since when did Jimmy Page pick up the violin—why is John Paul Jones playing the upright bass—why isn’t Robert Plant screaming vocals—where is Led Zeppelin? There won’t be any members of Led Zeppelin hanging around, but the internationally recognized Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing their music for free at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Falls. Ever wonder how “Immigrant Song” would feel if played by a symphony? I sure have. Come join the BPO as they perform The Song Remains the Same - The Music of Led Zeppelin for the 2011 Hard Rock at the Falls Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series. The Vincent James Explosion, Caitlin & the Jamie Moses Band, and Six String Circus open the show. —michael koh

6pm. Old Falls St., adjacent to the Hard Rock Cafe, 333 Prospect St., Niagara Falls (282-0007 / hardrock.com). Free.

Wednesday, July 27

Follies

For its annual fundraising event, Buffalo United Artists will feature some of Buffalo’s most prominent musical theater personalities in a concert performance of the Stephen Sondheim/James Goldman musical, Follies on Wednesday (July 27). Kerrykate Abel, Kelli Bocock-Natale, Lou Colaiacovo, Lisa Ludwig, Debbie Pappas, and Marc Sacco, will take to the BUA stage for one performance only. Follies is having a big year. A production at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC this summer will transfer to Broadway next month with most of the cast, including Bernadette Peters, involved. The show tells the story of a reunion of past performers from a Ziegfeld Follies type show that was produced on Broadway between the world wars. 25 years later, and Mr. Weismann, the impresario, has arranged one last gathering on the eve of his old theater’s demolition. The action focuses on two former Follies girls in particular, Sally Durant Plummer and Phyllis Rogers Stone, both of whom feel trapped in troubled marriages. As the play proceeds the audience realizes that the theater and the characters, too, are haunted by the ghosts of their younger selves, and the consequences of their youthful decisions. The score is one of the most glorious that Sondheim has ever written—which explains its enduring popularity in concert performances. A champagne reception will follow the performance. —anthony chase

7:30pm. BUA Theater, 119 Chippewa St. (886-9239 / buffalobua.org). $35.

Thursday, July 28

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

Bring back the mothership! George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic will be landing from their tour in South America to funk your ears off here for Thursday at the Square at Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (along with 15 of the band members), George Clinton has been the forefather of funk, the inspiration for rap, and the stylist of his own hair. He is also considered to be one of the most sampled musicians to date. Not only is Clinton a musician, he has been in films and TV shows, and has made guest appearances on music videos as well as video games. Clinton is also a lyricist and a music producer. He has produced albums with the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Freaky Styley, as well as band member Bootsy Collins’ album, Sweat Band. We want the funk, George Clinton. We need the funk. “Bring the Funk” but “Not Just Knee Deep” in it, waist deep, shoulder-deep, drowning in funk with funky moves, funky music, funky beats, I’ll even take funky smells... It’s going to be a funkadelic, funktastic, funkxperience. —michael koh

6pm. Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf. (buffaloplace.com/thursday-at-the-square). Free.

Thursday, July 28

Infringement Festival Opening Ceremonies

Infringement Festival 2011 is upon us, which means that marginalized artists of every shape, size and genre will come out of the woodwork to showcase the off-beat, unexpected, unheard-of art that has made this festival a focal point of the summer since 2005. For 11 days, Allentown and the surrounding area becomes ground-zero for musicians, poets, dance troupes, media artists, theatre groups, street performers, and anyone else that falls between the cracks of conventionality to put themselves, and their art, on display. This year’s festival lineup boasts 1200 performances in 52 venues across Buffalo, with group events running the gamut from the College Street Block Party, Broadway Market Extravaganza, Squeaky Wheel Film Fest, and Bike-In Movie Night at the Elmwood Co-op. The mayhem starts Thursday (July 28), as unofficial BIF headquarters, Nietzsche’s hosts the opening ceremonies in Olympic-style fashion with a jam-packed night featuring performances by MC Vendetta, Pam Swarts, Ginger James, Scantron, Harold Black and the Entire Planet, DJ Medison, the Zombettes, Reverend Soapbox and the Rabble Rousers, and many more on both the front and back stages from 7pm until deep into the night. It’s festivals like this that prove Buffalo is a hotbed for under-the-radar art, and that there’s no shortage of artists who are willing to push the envelope to experiment, be controversial, and above all, make art on their own terms. —jon wheelock

7pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / nietzsches.com) Pay what you can.