7th Annual Every Time I Die Christmas Show

Friday, December 16

I can’t help it, whenever I think about Every Time I Die I think about Christmas. Not because their music is particularly holiday spirited (“Roman Holiday” is more about ritual sacrifice than ritual pine tree decoration) or because they are some kind of polite and gentle Christian group (“Jesus Christ I am forever making the same mistakes!,” sings front man Keith Buckley on “The Sweet Life,”) but because every year since Hot Damn! dropped, the Buffalo hardcore legends have brought the carnage back home for an annual Christmas show. Last year the five-piece played three straight shows to packed crowds at Mohawk Place, this year they’ll throw one huge holiday rager at Club Infinity on Friday (Dec 16). These guys have to embrace Christmas, I mean; as far as the rest of the world is concerned Buffalo might as well be the North Pole. But I doubt the little drummer boy can nail that sweltering punk beat on “Buffalo 666,” like drummer Ryan Leger does, and I know for a fact Santa can’t slay as hard as Jordan Buckley. Saint Nick certainly has nothing on Andy Williams’ beard either. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, hopefully this got you into a ho ho hardcore mood and ETID’s seventh annual Christmas show will definitely keep that holiday spirit going. Texas In July and the Donner Party open the show. —cory perla

6pm. Club Infinity. 8166 Main St., Williamsville (565-0110 / infinityconcerts.com). $18 advance, $20 day of show.

Friday, December 16

Squeaky Wheel's 11th Annual Dys((fun))ctional Holiday Party

This Friday (Dec 16) Squeaky Wheel will be celebrating the season with their 11th annual Dys((FUN))ctional Holiday Party. Known for their media-art frenzy and fun, Squeaky Wheel’s holiday party is no ordinary affair. Expect a dysfunctional family function vibe that revels in all the different holidays of this particular season. The party will feature a short screening of festive videos and films, plenty of lap time and photo opportunities with a mysterious (and maybe slightly frightening) Santa Claus (performance by Holly Johnson & Brian Milbrand), a sound, flicker film, and storytelling performance by Space Mummy 5000 (Kevin Cain & Jim Horbett), jolly karaoke, a gift basket auction, and more. Food will be available from The Whole Hog food truck. Local vendors will provide quirky and finely crafted gift items such as LouderSpace’s knits and textiles; Erin Makes Stuff’s hand-knit items and monsters; Jar of Dreams’ jewelry and recycled record bowls; and the Western New York Book Arts Center’s limited edition screen printed posters and paper goods. Don’t miss this chance to support a local arts organization, immerse yourself in holiday-themed performances, and pick up some last minute gifts. —jill greenberg

7pm. Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St. (884-7172 / squeaky.org). $5 members and students, $7 non-members.

Friday, December 16

Son of the Sun, Kingsley Flood & The Evil Things

If you’re a veteran of the local scene you probably know who Son of the Sun and Kingsley Flood are. Though Kingsley Flood are from Boston, fans of this band—who frequently play in Buffalo—probably saw the six-piece featured on a nationwide level in a recent article on AOL’s Spinner music website, which called their brand of indie rock “salt-of-the-earth type of music that doesn’t strive for authenticity—it claims it.” Pretty strong words, but if you’ve heard their latest single, “Mannequin Man,” then you’ve most likely recognized that authenticity. As for Son of the Sun, members Joseph Stocker, Zak Ward, Jeremy Franklin, Steve Matthews, and Brandon Delmont, have steadily built up a following in New York State since their formation in 2007, and in 2010 released their first full-length record, The Happy Loss. This year they released a follow-up EP titled Almost Not There, which is full of Kinks-like vocal melodies, raw Black Rebel Motorcycle Club inspired guitar riffs, and twisting, Radiohead-esque melodies. Rounding out this impressive line-up, which will appear at the Mohawk Place on Friday (Dec 16), is the Evil Things. This six-piece Americana band, still in their first year together, might not be as well known on the local scene as Son of the Sun, but their sound is as mature as any band in Buffalo right now. That sound is one that filters deep-rooted folk through western tinged melodies. If you’re looking for some inspiring local music this weekend, Mohawk Place is the place to get it. —cory perla

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (465-2368 / themohawkplace.com). $5.

Friday, December 16

Buffablog Holiday Party

We all know Christmas is the time for goodwill and peace on earth or whatever, but let’s face it, there’s not too much joy to spread around when you’re stuck at one of those lame-o holiday parties that rear their ugly, insufferable heads year after year. If you’re starving for a Christmas party that won’t have you contemplating bashing your face in as “Christmas Shoes” plays in the background, look no further than the BuffaBLOG Holiday Party this Friday (Dec 16) at Nietzsche’s. If you haven’t had a chance to check out buffaBLOG’s deal, they’re a local music blog providing much-welcomed coverage (and an awesome radio feature) of Buffalo’s abundant music scene since their inception in March 2010. That said, they know how to put together a lineup worthy of a kickass Christmas party. The evening’s offerings include performances on both the front and back stages from innovative electro-rock outfit Wooden Waves, improv-aficionados WAKOS, and surfer-pop trio Bryan Johnson and Family. DJ Mario Bee of the Queen City Cartel will be act as honorary house DJ, spinning in between sets and post-party. Capping off the festivities are headliners Roger Bryan and the Orphans with their homespun Americana and straight-up, energetic hard-rock. All acts will be playing a mix of covers and originals, along with some holiday tunes in true Christmas spirit. Don’t put yourself through another year of office parties with no booze and crappy secret santa gifts, head to Nietzsche’s. —jon wheelock

10pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / nietzsches.com). $5. 21+.

Saturday, December 17

David Bromberg

With a long history as a session man, as well as a highly prolific solo career, David Bromberg is one of the most versatile guitarists around. He’s been making music for over 40 years, and in that time has worked with several prominent artists. He worked with Bob Dylan during his country period, playing on albums such as New Morning, Self Portrait, and Dylan. He’s also worked with Link Wray, the Eagles, Ringo Starr, Willie Nelson, and Carly Simon. His breakout solo performance came at the Isle of Wight festival in 1970, where his skilled playing would lead to a record deal with Columbia. He would record four albums for the label, which included his biggest, the blues parody “Suffer To Sing The Blues.” It also included “The Holdup,” a collaboration with George Harrison. After doing a lot of work in the 1970s, Bromberg temporarily lost his passion for music. Luckily, after receiving the encouragement of friends like Byrds guitarist Chris Hillman, and bluegrass legend Herb Pedersen, he would get back in the game, and in 2007, release one of his most critically acclaimed LPs, Try Me One More Time. Bromberg is about to release the follow-up, Use Me, which features such musicians as Keb Mo, Widespread Panic, and Vince Gill. Bromberg will be promoting his new album with a performance at Buffalo State’s Rockwell Hall this Saturday (Dec 17). With a heavy back catalog to choose from, as well as a strong new LP, this promises to be a fantastic show by a musician with an extremely accomplished career. —john hugar

8pm. Rockwell Hall Performing Arts Center at Buffalo State College, 1300 Elmwood Ave. (878-3005 / buffalostate.edu/pac). $27-$35.

Saturday, December 17

The Headstones

If you were a kid in the 1990s, the Headstones was the band your parents wouldn’t let you listen to. They spit on fans at their live shows, encouraged drug use, and wrote inappropriate lyrics with a humor your folks just didn’t get. The four Canadian rockers were hard rock in every sense and were adored by the rebellious teens huddled around the school’s smoking tree. If you can testify as having been one of these teenagers, you’ll be able to relive your grunge phase for one night, when the Headstones reunite for a show at the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls. The band, which began in 1987, found much success in Canada and the US, frequently selling out shows at mid-size venues and putting out five albums during the ten year span between 1993 and their breakup in 2003. And while we know every rocker has a soft side, lead singer Hugh Rush Dillon has truly shown his since the band’s breakup, taking several acting roles in film and television, which, most surprisingly, includes several appearances on the teen drama television series Degrassi: the Next Generation (quite a changeup from throwing lit cigarettes into a crowd). The Headstones is scheduled to play only six shows on this tour, other stops include Edmonton, Toronto, London, Guelph and Peterborough. Take advantage of Buffalo’s proximity to the border, and come get inappropriate with the Headstones on Saturday (Dec 17). —emilie hagen

6:30pm. Rapids Theatre, 1711 Main St., Niagara Falls. (205-8925 / rapidstheatre.com). $35 advance, $40 day of show.

Saturday, December 17

Ximena Sarinana

For a relatively new (and exotic) name in music, Mexican singer-songwriter Ximena Sariñana already has a lot to show to international audiences. Her debut album Mediocre defies its name, having landed Sariñana two nominations in the 2009 Latin Grammy Awards, and her self-titled follow-up has received glowing praise for its candor and original songwriting. She’s collaborated and toured extensively with established acts such as Jason Mraz, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez from progressive rock group the Mars Volta, and Sara Bareilles. Though she is commonly classified as “pop,” don’t be fooled into believing that her music is commercially aural pop. With a pleasant, lilting vocal style and lyrics that artfully combine the serious with lighthearted humor, Sariñana is an artist to look out for. See her perform in the intimate atmosphere of Babeville’s Ninth Ward on Saturday (Dec 17). Graffiti6 opens the show. —max soeun kim

7pm. Babeville’s Ninth Ward, 341 Delaware Ave. (852-3835 / babevillebuffalo.com). $12 advance, $15 day of show.

Thursday, December 22

The Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project is the latest live electronic group to join the ranks of bands like Lotus, Conspirator, and Biodisel. This duo of drummer Shawn Drogan and synthesist Charlie Lindner formed in 2010 in Rochester. Heavily influenced by house, dub, drum n bass, and techno, the group has morphed these typically DJ oriented genres to fit their live band sound. This year the band released their second EP, Atomic Bomb Party Vol. 2, gaining positive reviews regionally. But this band isn’t afraid to admit that they’re into this music for the live effect it has on people. “The studio can add a whole new dimension to the songs and kind of bring them to life in a way you’ve never heard them before,” said Drogen in an interview with Rochester’s Metromix magazine, just after the release of their EP in April. “We write our songs for a live atmosphere though, so when you go in the studio, it changes a little bit in the way you have to approach it.” Catch this duo live and in their element this Thursday (Dec 22) at DBGBs with special guests Armageddon Party. —cory perla

9:30pm. Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar, 253 Allen St. (240-9359 / dukesbohemiangrovebar.com). $5 advance, $7 day of show. 21+.