Jeff Mangum

Wednesday, January 9

Within American creative life, The Recluse is a prominent figure. This particular, elusive species creates its magnum opus and disappears almost completely from the public eye only to periodically tease the world with more glimpses of its genius—from writer J.D. Salinger locking up his hotly desired manuscripts in a vault and swallowing the key, to filmmaker Terrence Malick releasing a handful of the 20th century’s most highly acclaimed and polarizing films with mum being his word to the media. We love a good myth. These people are the Paul Bunyans of the modern age. This brings us to one Jeff Mangum, the songwriter who helped give the world Neutral Milk Hotel’s indie rock cornerstone In the Aeroplane Over the Sea in February of 1998, then vanished altogether from the spotlight afterward. Mangum’s face was plastered on the milk carton hearts of music lovers everywhere, beckoning “Have You Seen This Man?” I can remember the first time I heard the music of Aeroplane. It was during a spontaneous summer road trip to Kentucky years ago and “Holland, 1945” came blaring through the car speakers somewhere on the highway, all ragged and sentimental and glorious. The memories of that song and the mix cd on which it was placed are something I haven’t forgotten nearly a decade later. Jeff Mangum will come out from behind the curtain to perform at Asbury Hall this Wednesday (Jan 9) with opening acts Tall Firs and Briars Of North America. Like some rarely seen comet passing by Earth, who knows if you’ll ever catch Jeff Mangum live again in your lifetime. Don’t miss it.

- peter vullo

7pm Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave. (852-3835 / babevillebuffalo.com) $35

Thursday - Saturday, January 3 - 5

Rich Vos

You may recognize the comedy of Rich Vos from his frequent appearances on the Opie & Anthony radio show or from Comedy Central’s Tough Crwod with Colin Quinn, but the 55 year-old stand-up comic is quickly becoming known for another reason. A brief video of Vos on Youtube, which has gained over 2 million views, shows the comedian picking on a “racist heckler.” “They’re all upset about the white guy talking about black people, loosen up” the comedian says. Vos usually does a good job of loosening up his usually diverse crowd, as he talks about his background growing up in the “all black neighborhood” of Plainfield, New Jersey. Vos is a true new Jerseytie as he stands on stage smoking a cigarette in his black leather jacket. “Living in New Jersey my whole life I’ve had to defend the honor of this great state many times,” Vos said as he inducted Abott and Costello into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2011. “I’ve always had the best comeback to these negative statements. It’s spawned sex symbols like Danny Aiello and Big Pussy and it’s the host to great vacation spots like Elizabeth and Camden.” After over two decades of comedy, Vos continues to spawn haters and lovers alike with his aggressive and sarcastic style of comedy. Vos will perform his stand up act live at Helium comedy club, Thursday (Jan 3) through Saturday (Jan 5).

- h. timpson

8pm Thursday through Saturday, 10:30pm Friday and Saturday, Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi St. (853-1211 / heliumcomedy.com) $13 general admission, $18 reserved seating

Friday, January 4

Culture @ Sample

Allentown has always been the place to go for alternative entertainment in Buffalo. With a handful of venues, all one must do is cross the street for a new flavor of art or music. Sample is becoming one of those venues, as the restaurant and bar now hosts a monthly event called Culture. The event, which launched in August, brings together some important samples of Buffalo culture: food, music, art, and drinking. Each instillation features a different set of local DJs, a different set of local artists, and new visual aspects from photography to lighting. This Friday (Jan 4) will feature music from DJs Bflo Lydia, Owski, and Trakbenders, featuring Dave Goldstein, who also hosts the event. Expect some visual delights courtesy of Nitronic and Lauren Culligan, photography by Michael “Nico” Nostro (photography pictured above), and art by this month’s featured artists Marcus Wise and Ryan Mis, as curated by Christian Laing and Culligan. Look out for more instillations of Culture @ Sample in the future for some fresh local art.

- cory perla

11pm Sample, 242 Allen St. (883-1675 / samplerestaurantbuffalo.com) free, 21+

Saturday, January 5

Buffalo.com presents The Albrights, Voices, Steel Keys & Brass, and Coterie of Stern

2012 was an important year for this list of local bands. As the rock scene in Buffalo continues to expand, 2013 should be just as successful. Last year was a break out year for pop rock four-piece the Albrights. The band ran with the success of their highly impressive 2011 Buzz Records debut, Ask, Tell, releasing a hilarious music video for their single “You Don’t Love Me,” headlining a slew of local shows, and opening for a handful of national acts including their year ending performance with Everclear and Eve 6 at the Hard Rock Café. Punk wave rockers Voices return in 2013 with their dynamic synth-infused rock tracks while Steel Keys & Brass push from the opposite direction with their mix of jazz, folk, rock, and blues. SKB ramped up their live show last year performing regular gigs at Hardware, Mohawk Place, Babeville, and the Tralf, filling rooms with their intricate mix of piano, horns, percuission and guitar. Rounding out this bill is Buffalo alt-rock four-piece Coterie of Stern. Formed in 2009, the band may not be a household name yet but their grungy mix of pop-rock guitar riffs and indie-rock vocals have gained them a following since the release of their self-titled 2011 debut record. Buffalo.com certainly put together an eclectic line-up for their show at Duke’s this Saturday (Jan 5), so stop by and support your local rock band.

- cory perla

9pm Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar, 253 Allen St. (240-9359 / dukesbohemiangrovebar.com) $7

Saturday, January 5

The 10th Annual Syd Barrett Show

The general perception of Pink Floyd is one of high school keg parties, classic rock radio formats, and a sense that nobody understands you. However, as wonderful as albums such as Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall are, there exists an almost secret history to the band. It is a history that is encompassed by the mad genius of Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd’s original founder, vocalist, and principle songwriter. Forming the band in 1965, Barrett quickly transformed Pink Floyd from a generic British blues combo into mind expanding psychedelic pioneers and by 1967 the band were the soundtrack to various ‘happenings’ throughout swinging London. While their live sets saw them as cosmic outlaws exploring the limits of sight and sound, their 1967 debut album, Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, was a landmark of British psychedelia. Sadly, following Piper’s release, Barrett’s deteriorating mental health and rampant use of psychedelics took its toll on both him and the band. His unpredictability briefly forced him to the background of the group, barely appearing on Pink Floyd’s second album, A Saucerful Of Secrets before being quietly ejected altogether from the band he had formed. Although he was deemed by many as a mere “acid casualty,” he still recorded two solo records, The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, at the turn of the decade. Sadly, little was heard from Barrett after 1970, leaving only three records and a smattering of bootleg material as his musical legacy. However, many fans never forgot him and a devoted cult formed around his work by the mid 1970s which has since spanned many generations of record nerds and purveyors of the esoteric. 10 years ago, the Irving Klaws founder/infamous Old Pink DJ and Barrett freak David Gutierrez put together the first Syd Barrett Birthday Tribute Show at the Mohawk Place. Featuring various Buffalo musicians and bands formed just for the occasion, the birthday shows are a lovingly crafted recreation of Barrett’s genius. At 10 years, Gutierrez’s tribute is the longest running of its kind and upon learning of its existence on YouTube, Barrett’s teenage girlfriend contacted him to express her gratitude and encouragement. With Mohawk Place closing, it is uncertain that the tribute will continue after this year. However, with feedback such as that, there is no reason not to.

- william nehill

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

Sunday, January 6

Snapcase

Just like a certain famous Green Bay quarterback, Snapcase is coming out of retirement once again to the delight of their fans. It’s been less than four months since their last show at the Buffalo Outer Harbor, but that’s not slowing down the demand to see these guys. Fans from all over the country flocked to see them play at their last outing, so it’s no surprise how big of a deal it is whenever the band decides to plug in. Snapcase initially announced one show that is taking place this Friday (Jan 4) at Mohawk Place with openers Young Suns and Chae Hawk, but that quickly sold out. Because of the overwhelming demand, a second show was announced for Sunday (Jan 6) at the Mohawk Place as well. The concert venue, which is closing its doors in a couple of weeks, is getting a proper send-off from one of the biggest bands to come out of Buffalo. It is very fitting as Snapcase thrives at a venue like Mohawk Place. In an interview with Artvoice before the September show, lead singer Daryl Taberski said, “I always liked playing smaller clubs, where it was over-sold, really dark and sweaty. Places where it was too hot, too crowded, and too loud.” It seems like we have a recipe for another historic Snapcase show and I’m sure the band will not disappoint their devout fans who are going to pack the venue both nights.

- jeremiah shea

7pm Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (465-2368 / themohawkplace.com) $20 advance

Thursday, January 10 - Sunday, January 13

Testify: Alternative Views on Society

This Thursday (Jan 10) the Burchfield Penney Art Center will launch the first chapter of a new series of events called Testify: Alternative Views on Society, a four-day seasonal art series that will feature film screenings, musical performances, book signings and discussions from a collection of local figures. The series, dedicated to the memory of the recently passed underground comic artist Spain Rodriguez, will begin Thursday at 6pm with a talk from artists Tamara L. McMillian and Jacqueline Tarry titled Reclaiming Our CommUNITY, followed on Friday by a screening of the film El Che at 4pm; a demonstration by local autism services organization, Arts Work from 4:30pm to 6pm; a happy hour event featuring the music of Joe Rozler and John Bacon from 5:30pm to 7pm; a talk from Burchfield Penney executive director Tony Bannon at 5:30pm; and a performance by multi-media artist Ralph Gibson at 8pm ($5 for members, $10 for non members). Saturday will feature lectures by the likes of Artvoice’s own Geoff Kelly, and Hallwalls’ Ed Cardoni, a performance by poets Steve McCaffery and Michael Basinski, a screening of three short films, a performance by artist and poet Ed Sanders ($5 for members, $10 for non members), and more. Sunday, the final day of Testify, will feature an additional discussion with artist Jacqueline Tarry, and a lecture titled Persistence of Vision by UB visual arts professor John Jennings. For more information on Testify visit burchfieldpenney.org/events/festivals.

- cory perla

Various times. Burchfield Penney Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Ave. (878-6011 / burchfieldpenney.org) All programs free to Burchfield members except where noted. $10 suggested donation for non-members per event.