Lagwagon

Wednesday, November 26

Santa Barbara’s pride and joy, Lagwagon have been a staple of punk rock since 1988. The band’s catchy brand of punk is an infectious blend of pop and hardcore with lyrics that tackle everything from personal politics to the good ol’ So-Cal skate scene. Lagwagon caught the attention of Fat Mike of NOFX, who signed them to his label, Fat Wreck Chords. In 1992, the band released its first album, Duh, which is still one of the label’s most commercially successful albums. Major labels began to show great interest in Lagwagon, but the group refused to leave Fat Wreck Chords, and remains with the label to this day. “I felt we weren’t as easily accessible as some of the other bands, like Rancid and Green Day.” Vocalist Joey Cape says. “I saw so many deals go bad for bands that were really happy and creative. They signed a deal, and their record didn’t even hit the market the way the label wanted it to, and the band was stuck. When there was a glimpse of that for Lagwagon, I was totally against it.”

Over the years, the band has gone on hiatus several times but is now back in full swing. Though most of the band members are pushing 40, their shows still contain the high energy and attitude that all classic punk shows have. They also feature what has to be the tallest guitar player in rock with Chris Flippin looking to be about 7ft. tall. Don’t believe me? See for yourself at Town Ballroom Wednesday (11/26) night.

- Jeff Czum

Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St., Buffalo, NY (townballroom.com/(716) 852-3900)

Friday, November 28

Pepper

Temperatures in Honolulu are hot–so is the band Pepper. The Hawaii based band, will soon experience Buffalo’s very not tropical weather this Friday at Rapids Theater (11/28 @ 7pm).

Comprised of bassist/vocalist Bret Bollinger, guitarist/vocalist Kaleo Wassman and drummer Yesod Williams, the trio mixes their rock flare along with the mellow reggae island rhythm roots to create a truly diverse sound. Key to the Pepper sound is the velvet vocals of singer Bret Bollinger and the tasty, understated guitar playing by Kaleo. As you would expect from an island band the engine driving the sound is panoply of reggae and ska with a healthy spicing of rock and punk. You can almost feel the sand between your toes and the sun on your back when Pepper takes the stage. After six album releases, the band consistently pleases audiences all over the world. Their 2013 self-titled release still appeals to old school Pepper fans and invites new fans to jump on board. Songs like “Deep Country” and “ It Was You,” bring out the summer/reggae/rock feel that define the band. Grab a Corona at the bar, forget the snow and cold and let Pepper make you feel as if you ‘found your beach.’

- Jeff Czum

Rapids Theater, 1711 Main St., Niagara Falls, NY (rapidstheatre.com/(716) 205-8925)

Friday, November 28

New Politics

New Politics have a standing policy of just saying “F*ck it.” The phrase isn’t about apathy, it’s about doing what feels right and making the sort of music they wanted to make. After signing with RCA in 2010, the Denmark alternative rock trio decided to relocate to Brooklyn to further their music career. It Worked. The band released the hit single “Yeah Yeah Yeah,” in 2010, and embarked on tour for nearly two years with bands 30 Seconds To Mars and Neon Trees. They appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Fuel TV’s The Daily Habit, earning them some staying power Stateside. Doing what felt right to the band evolved into great success, and they have two full-length albums to back it up. New Politics are set to kick it off at Town Ballroom this Friday (11/28 @ 6:30pm) along with Los Angeles rock band, Bad Suns and Cleveland rockers, SomeKindaWonderful.

- Jeff Czum

Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St., Buffalo, NY (townballroom.com/(716) 852-3900)

Saturday, November 29

Dave Constantino Band

For years guitarists from beginners to virtuosos have flocked to watch Dave Constantino bend steel strings to his will, turning musical imagination to reality. In the 80s, Constantino and his former band Talas opened arena shows for Van Halen on their World Invasion tour (dubbed the “Party Till You Die” tour by the band). He also packed the room for a long stint of steady Sunday nights with The Tweeds at the old Mickey Rats on Main St. Dave Costantino has several recordings to his credit and has played with so many great musicians he’s as seasoned as a vintage motorcycle jacket from the 1950s.

The Sportsmens is hosting a CD release party for the Dave Costantino Band’s new release “Touch” on Saturday, November 29 @ 9:30. Dave will have several guitar star guests that night including the fabulous George Puleo (Gamalon), Jony James and Myron Sharvon.

Opening the show with a solo set is another great guitarist, Jamie Holka. If guitar is your thing, then this is your night!

- Jamie Moses

Sportsmen Tavern 326 Amherst St. (sportsmenstavern.net/(716)874-7734)

Saturday, November 29

World's Largest Disco

Celebrating the decade of 1970s disco never grows old. The World’s Largest Disco is a fabulous annual event that takes the city of Buffalo back in time to the days where The Village People, Donna Summer and John Travolta ruled the world. The Buffalo Convention Center was the birthplace of the WLD in 1979. That event, which featured performances by Gloria Gaynor and the Trammps attracted a crowd of 13,000 and was certified by Guinness World Records as “the largest disco event of all time.” In 1995 the event was resurrected to its current form as a charity event with the blessings from its original promoter. Today, it’s an annual event on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, disco enthusiasts from all over mark the date on the calendar a year in advance. Past celebrity appearances have been everyone from David Cassidy to the Fonz himself, Henry Winkler (Ayyy). This year, The World’s Largest Disco will announce a notable celebrity appearance the day of the show. Expect to see a lot of crazy 70s fashion, wigs galore and plenty of platform shoes. Don’t miss your chance to relive your glory days and contribute to a great charity, as all proceeds are donated to Camp Good Days. The event is SOLD OUT but there’s still time to get you properly dressed! Benefits: Camp Good Days

- Jeff Czum

Buffalo Convention Center, 153 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY (buffaloconvention.com/(716) 855-5555)

Tuesday, December 2

The Word Alive

Over the course of two full-length albums and an EP, The Word Alive have risen to become one of the modern heavy music elite. They’ve toured with everybody from Killswitch Engage to A Day To Remember, and have been a part of the Van’s Warped Tour multiple times. The band will be supporting their release of Real (Fearless Records) Tuesday (12/2) at the Waiting Room. Real is a shock-awe barrage of blazing guitars, metal blast beats drumming, and perhaps most crucially, fierce razor-sharp vocal hooks. As more bands continue to experiment with the fusion of electronic music in metal-core, The Word Alive set themselves apart from the pack with a more nuanced example of how these two styles can complement one another, proving that things don’t always need to be pushed to extremes to be exciting. The album is skillfully written and recorded creating an anthem-like heavy rock vibe fans can sing along to. The members of the band are more technically talented than almost any other band in the metal-core genre. After listening to Real, you won’t have any doubts.

- Jeff Czum

Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY (waitingroombuffalo.com/(716) 853-5483)

Wednesday, December 3

Peelander-Z

Although they’ll tell you they’re all from the Z area on the planet Peelander, the Japanese-action comic-punk band may be one of the weirdest bands you’ll ever see (I mean that in a good way). The group was Originally formed in 1998 by Peelander-Yellow, Peelander-Red, and Peelander-Blue after meeting together in New York City. With elaborate costumes that could have come off the set of a Power Rangers movie, Peelander-Z offers an experience you shouldn’t miss. Describing the style of the band is a unique endeavor because Peelander-Z is not an ordinary punk band. Sure, they have songs like “Taco Taco Taco” that fit the DIY punk rock ethos, but when Peelander-Z performs, it is as much interactive experience as it is a concert. The band, designated by their colors, utilize the crowd to the fullest in back-and-forth chants, pulling audience members onstage, jumping out into the crowd and even rolling up and playing human bowling with the band members. While maintaining an incredibly fun rapport, their music is driving and ferocious. Fan favorite songs like “S.T.E.A.K.” and “So Many Mike,” both contain insane amounts of fast tempo-energy that you could expect from legendary punk bands such as The Dead Kennedys and Minor Threat. Peelander-Z is unique, wacky and fun. Catch them and their crazy antics next Wednesday (12/3 @8PM) at Mohawk Place.

- Jeff Czum

Mohawk Place 47 E Mohawk St. (buffalosmohawkplace.com/(716)312-9279) $8