Merchandise

Monday, October 13

Tampa, Florida band, Merchandise, is not a punk band. The closest the band ever came to punk rock was their 2009 self titled CD-R, which was still more Dinosaur Jr. than Against Me!. But Tampa has been a haven for punk and hardcore, so when Merchandise formed in 2008—with members from bands with names like Cult Ritual and Nazi Dust—they were naturally lumped in with the scene through their ideals alone. Though their roots are in punk, the band has revised and reinvented themselves so many times that any hint of hardcore that may have existed is buried under layers of jangling guitar tones, wind chimes, and the reverberated, lipsticked vocals of frontman Carson Cox. On their 2012 record, Children of Desire, the band delivered a form of Smiths-esque mopey post-punk that caught the attention of major national indie-rock magazines. In 2013 they refined that sound on Totale Nite, which in turn piqued the interest of major record labels. This year the band broke into the indie collective consciousness when they signed to 4AD, label to bands like Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Bon Iver, Deerhunter, Iron & Wine, and the National. The band may not add much diversity to the 4AD line-up but the relationship seems like a perfect match, and was consummated when Merchandise released their latest record, this year’s After the End. With this collection of highly produced, moderate-rock tunes the band continues their evolution into full-on 1980s arena rock band, which they have somehow managed to turn into a positive selling point. This sort of “be-it-before-you-are-it” mentality might actually land them in some arenas in the future. For now, the band is still touring the club circuit and you can catch them this Monday (Oct 13) at Buffalo Iron Works with support from Copenhagen—based dissonant rock band Lower.

- cory perla

7pm Buffalo Iron Works, 49 Illinois St. (200-1893 / buffaloironworks.com) $12 advance, $14 day of show

Friday, October 10

Old Chestnut Film Society Presents: Three on a Match

Celebrating its 32nd anniversary this year, the Old Chestnut Film Society began at a time when VCRs were still a luxury item. Founder Grant Golden has always run the series with 16mm prints from his personal library, including short subjects matched to each feature. This year’s program salutes classic stars Joan Blondell and Ginger Rogers, both of whom were equally adept at comedy and drama. The opening film this Friday (Oct 10) is the pre-Code gem Three on a Match (1932), starring Ann Dvorak (Scarface) as a gal who hits the skids when she leaves her husband for a flashy gangster. It was a Warner Brothers production, so the supporting cast is packed with familiar faces and not-yet-stars: Blondell, Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Warren William, Edward Arnold, Glenda Farrell, and an 11-year-old Jack Webb as a schoolboy. Blondell will also be showcased in Stand-in (1937, back with Bogart), There’s Always a Woman (1938) and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945). Sans Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers appears in her Oscar-winning Kitty Foyle (1940), starring in Billy Wilder’s debut The Major and the Minor (1942), and in Vivacious Lady (1938) and Tom Dick and Harry (1941). Films are shown on the first Friday of each month. Bring your own snacks!

- m. faust

7:30pm Community Room, Phillip Sheridan School, 3200 Elmwood Ave. (836-4757) Series ticket $32, individual tickets $6

Saturday, October 11

Authority Zero

There’s something about Authority Zero’s versatility that coalesces with their raw talent to lure you in to fandom like a house made out of candy. In their trajectory, we’ve heard the hardcore-punk influence of Bad Religion, the skate-punk influence of Pennywise and the reggae/ska influence of Sublime. Their fifth studio album, The Tipping Point, doesn’t miss a beat. Prior to its release, vocalist Jason DeVore, conceptualized the album as that moment when the scales tip, unity is abandoned, and moving forward amidst the chaos is the only option. The uniqueness of each track makes the album chaotic while driving its momentum, bouncing quickly from West Coast influenced tracks like, “No Other Place” to mellow, punk sounds on songs like “Undivided.” They wade in reggae waters with “Struggle,” flip-flopping between smooth and choppy vocals and catchy rhymes and rhythms. They slow down in “Today We Heard The News,” venturing into an Incubus-circa-early-2000s harmony. Authority Zero have been around for two decades. They could easily get complacent and stale but their attention-grabbing energy and solid use of reggae and West Coast skate-punk influences keeps us wanting more. Authority Zero will play at The Studio at the Waiting Room at 6pm on Saturday (Oct 11).

- kellie powell

6pm The Studio at the Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (852-3900 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $13 advance, $15 day of show

Saturday, October 11

Rival Sons

It takes skill to compose music that taps into every aspect of classic rock, while still brimming with originality. The Rival Sons, despite their impeccable retro-rock credentials, are tenaciously establishing themselves as virtuosos for the modern age, creating some of the most intense, intelligent and intricate modern rock music. With a writing style that thrives on spontaneity, the California boys channel their own brand of sun-kissed, blues-rock. Spending their early days playing shows and festivals in Europe, they soon became known for a wild improvisational show. Their commitment to deliver the attitude and excitement of a live performance to their studio albums exemplifies the bands’ raw talent and an indisputable affinity for old-school rock and roll. Marked by their gusty grooves, coupled with guitarist, Scott Holiday’s boundless, pulverizing riffs and Jay Buchanan’s soaring vocals, their output is tangible. Their soul, funk and blues influences plunge proudly to the fore on their fifth studio album, Great Western Valkyrie. Driven by Zep-saluting riffs, the familiar hooks are essentially stripped down and rehashed in a modernized way. They’re carrying the torch of their rock forefathers and incinerating their competition along the way. The Rival Sons will play at the Town Ballroom on Saturday (Oct 11) presented by 103.3 the Edge.

- kellie powell

7pm Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / townballroom.com) $20 advance, $24 day of show

Saturday, October 11

Aer

Boston duo Aer evokes an airy and carefree attitude through songs about debauchery. David von Mering and Carter Schultz met as members of a young rap league in Massachusetts and began making music together in 2010. Their first EP was released via social media in 2011, and they have gained a strong online following since, boasting over 100,000 Facebook likes and 61,000 Twitter followers. What began as a basement jam session has turned into the establishment of a solid band with an innovative sound. Since Aer’s inception, they have released two albums: The Bright Side, which leapt to No. 1 on iTunes’ top album charts in 2012, and their eponymous second album Aer, released in 2014. Their sophomore attempt is darker than the first, but both contain tracks that perfectly blend reggae, rap, pop, and indie rock to create a unique synthesis. Their music is apathetic without taking itself too seriously. They plan to perform in 13 cities down the East Coast alongside Njomza and Dizzy Wright as part of their House Party Tour. Fans of Macklemore will welcome Aer’s unusual brand of rap. They’ve grown a lot since 2010, playing SXSW and other big festivals across the country and abroad. They’ve shared stages with the likes of Iggy Izalea, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and Slightly Stoopid. Come hear what they have to offer at the Waiting Room on Saturday (Oct 11).

- joy resor

7pm The Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave. (893-2900 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $18 advance, $20 day of show

Wednesday, October 15

Investigative Post Luncheon: Reforming Buffalo Public Schools

Three speakers, in a format similar to TED Talks, will discuss the challenges confronting Buffalo public schools and how to address them on Wednesday (Oct 15) at Osteria 166 (170 Franklin St). The event, hosted by Investigative Post and moderated by Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney will include speakers Donald Ogilvie, superintendent of Buffalo schools; Efrain Martinez, superintendent of the Charter School for Applied Technologies; and Steven Polowitz, an attorney and school reform advocate. Ogilvie will discuss what he’s seen during his brief tenure as superintendent and outline the steps that need to be taken to resolve problems. Martinez will discuss strategies that have proved successful in improving student achievement in schools comprised of low-income minority students. His school was recently featured in The Buffalo News for having the highest graduation of any school in the city. Finally, Polowitz will discuss the institutionalized obstacles to implementing meaningful reform in city schools. Admission includes lunch and Investigative Post membership.

- av staff

Noon Osteria 166, 170 Franklin St. (investigativepost.org/events) $25

Friday, October 17

Audien

An emerging force in the realm of big room electro-house, 22-year-old Nate Rathbun, better known as Audien, has made his name known not from American EDM meccas like Denver or Vegas, but from little, old Mystic, Connecticut. Audien caught the attention of a few underground trance labels after releasing his first single, “Rise & Shine” in 2009 at the age of only 17. Since then he’s released singles on labels like Anjunabeats, Trice Records, Zouk Recordings, and Spinnin’ Records and has made a living dropping EDM beats in clubs around the country. It should be a good time when Audien comes to Buffalo’s newest club, Lift Nightclub on Friday (Oct 17) with support from Jesse Aaron, but the real reason to check out this show might be the new club itself. Lift is born from the ashes of a few local nightclubs including Rendezvous and Lux. It is essentially club Rendezvous—the club located on the ground floor of the Statler Hotel—relocated to the second floor of 257 Franklin Street, the building that is currently home to Skybar on the top floor and D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Pub on the ground floor. Hopefully Lift will provide some exceptional sound in an intimate space; something the local electronic music scene sorely lacks. Take this opportunity to get your first look at Lift Nightclub and decide for yourself when Audien lifts off on Friday.

- cory perla

10pm Lift Nightclub, 257 Franklin St. (liftbuffalo.com) $23 advance