Flogging Molly

Thursday, December 4

When you boil it down to its essence,” says FM guitarist Dennis Casey, “Flogging Molly is all about playing music that is very real and organic, and playing it with all the piss and vinegar and passion you can in each note.” While the seven-piece Irish-punk powerhouse might have outgrown their early days of singing about pirates, the Sacred Heart and the devil’s dance floor, their core music is still defiant and full of hope. After more than 15 years of making music, Flogging Molly hasn’t lost their touch. They first grabbed the attention of the world with their 2000 debut album Swagger. The infectious originality of their songs are key to the band’s longevity. They infuse punk rock with Celtic instruments – violin, mandolin and the accordion. They merge blues progressions with grinding guitars and Irish folk, the music of singer Dave King’s youth. “We’re not a traditional band,” King says. “We are influenced by traditional music and inspired by it, but without question we put our own twist on it.” It’s been a long road since 2000, but Flogging Molly is still here and pumping out music with 5 studio albums and an upcoming release for 2015. Give the band a warm welcome when they hit Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls this Thursday (12/4 @ 8pm).

- Jeff Czum

8PM Rapids Theatre, 1711 Main St. (205-8925 / RapidsTheatre.com) $27.50 - $32

Friday, December 5

Buffalo Beard Brawl: The 2014 Buffalo Beard and Moustache Championships

When it comes to facial hair, not every man has what it takes. Whether you sport a full beard, three day scruff or can only manage a wispy ‘stache, flaunting facial hair seems to be a rite of passage for most men. In ancient civilizations, beards were a sign of honor. Soldiers, Noblemen, and Kings all had magnificent beards that they proudly wore. Whether we’re talking about Abe Lincoln, or bartenders at the Old Pink on Allen, we associate facial hair with everything from nobility to just being a straight up badass. So where does this all tie together? At the 2014 Buffalo Beard & Moustache Championships at Town Ballroom. Both men and women are welcome to compete with the purchase of a ticket (all proceeds will be donated to Red Cross). Some of the categories include: Creativity, density, style and size. There is even a slot dedicated to the beard that most resembles Santa Claus (tis’ the season!) I hope you haven’t shaved off your November beards just yet. Friday (12/5 @ 7PM)

- Jeff Czum

7PM Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / TownBallroom.com) $10 - $15

Friday, December 5

The Ragbirds

A modern day troupe of well-traveled musicians, The Ragbirds have a repertoire that draws from the world map, taking audiences to faraway lands through their stage performance. This is, after all, “world music.” The Ann Arbor, Michigan band gives a fresh meaning to the genre as touches of reggae, Celtic folk, African, Latin, Gypsy Jazz, and Americana are woven into contemporary rock and pop hooks. Lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Erin Zindle adds an exotic, poetic vocal quality while floating from instrument to instrument – banjo, accordion, fiddle, mandolin, and percussion- in a dazzling spell of musicianship and talent. Guitarist T.J. Zindle and bassist Brian Crist lay down excellent phrased melodies over the world-beat rhythms of drummer Loren Kranz and percussionist Randall Moore. This is a group of musicians that care as much about the environment they live in as the music they create, and the Ragbirds make sure that their carbon footprint is kept to a minimum by “eco-touring” on a converted diesel bus that runs on recycled vegetable oil. With over 100 shows a year, they’re certainly doing their part to stay true to their positive vibe that resonates through the music. Be sure to check them out Friday (12/5 @ 8PM) at 9th Ward at Babeville.

- Jeff Czum

8PM 9th Ward @ Babeville, 341 Delaware Ave (852-2741 / BabevilleBuffalo.com) $10

Friday, December 5

Spiritual Rez

It’s always sunny when you’re listening to Spiritual Rez. It’s going be funny to see the crowd at Waiting Room (12/5 @ 7PM) dressed up in winter jackets and scarfs rocking out to the island vibes of the band, but it will also be an event you won’t want to miss. Dressed like surfer bums, the six-piece play music that sounds like it came from Jamaica when in reality, they hail from the city of Boston. With a full brass section, upstroke guitar riffs, and slow bouncing bass, the band creates reggae-funk dance music that will instantly warm up the room. Guitar solos, raspy vocals, and funk dance grooves characterized their 2010 release The Nexus. The record also dives into the psychedelic realm too, setting the stage for their recent release of Apocalypse Whenever. The bands live show is their drawing point though. They’re known for their talent and high-energy vibe, so don’t miss the warmth they’ll bring to Buffalo this weekend.

- Jeff Czum

8PM Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (852-3900 / WaitingroomBuffalo.com) $10 Ages 18+

Saturday, December 6

Dirty Smile EP Release Show

Dirty Smile was formed in Buffalo in 2011 when songwriter and rhythm guitarist Gus Walters and lead guitarist Dan Helbling were introduced to the powerful singer Megan Brown. The combination of Walters’ acoustic songwriting rhythms and Helbling’s gritty, hard-rock guitar leads, paired with Brown’s flawless voice was a perfect fit. Her ability to belt out any melody line over the sound of the band is impressive. Bassist Mike Suda later joined to add his moving bass lines and Dirty Smile was complete. The energy the band creates is refreshing and striking. The band is quickly gaining the attention of listeners both locally and nationally. Dirty Smile won the regional Hard Rock Rising 2014 competition representing Hard Rock Café Niagara Falls USA. Their ability to win over the crowd probably has to do with their blistering performances and enthusiastic loyal fan support from what is knows as the ‘Dirty Smile Army.’ The Global Hard Rock Rising competition saw Dirty Smile gain enough votes to finish in the Top 3 out of 10,000 participants. “Dirty Smile manages to kick up a fuss,” says Buffalo News music writer Jeff Miers. “Led by singer Megan Brown, the group offers a stirring set of hard rock tunes peppered with soulful infections. Brown works the crowd like a pro.” The band will be releasing their new EP, Love Songs for the Damned- Volume 1 Saturday at Ironworks (12/6 @9PM). $5 admission or $10 admission with a copy of the EP and a gift bag of merch.

- Jeff Czum

9PM Iron works, 49 Illinois St. (200-1893 / BuffaloIronWorks.com) $5 Ages 18+

Sunday, December 7

O-Town

Remember 1999? Who doesn’t? It was a time when boy bands ruled the world. It was also the year when ABC began airing one of the first reality shows on a major network, “Making the Band,” which followed the formation and rise to fame of the group O-Town. The brainchild of Svengali Lou Pearlman (former manager of the Backstreet Boys and ‘NSYNC), Making the Band offered viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a boy band, from the singers’ first audition, the signing of their first record deal and release of the their #1 single “Liquid Dreams.” Despite the success, the band broke up in 2004 to pursue individual endeavors. 10 years later, members Trevor Penick, Jacob Underwood, and Ikaika Kahoano reformed the group with a renewed passion for music and touring. Set to release their first album in 12 years, O-Town is on a path of moving forward. Whether you still have an unhealthy obsession with the boy band era, or just want to see a group perform pop music, come down to The Forvm this Sunday (12/7 @ 5PM).

- Jeff Czum

5PM The Forvm, 4224 Maple Rd. (831-3271 / theforvmbuffalo.com) $25 Advance $30 Day of Show $60 VIP Meet & Greet

Sunday, December 7

Eddie Pepitone

Comedian Eddie Pepitone has so mastered the art of dark comedy he’s been given the nickname “The Bitter Buddha.” Like a Shakespearean fool, he gambols across the stage exposing the false faces of capitalism, the devastation caused by ever-rising unemployment and the shallow celebrity culture which distracts the general population from the awful realities ahead (like I said, it’s dark comedy). Pepitone releases his twisted sense of societal anger in small poisoned darts aimed into the crowd. He provides a humorous but grotesque view of the underbelly of issues we are faced with on a daily basis. His comedy performance proves that this New Yorker is a highly accomplished comic and social commentator. Pepitone is unlike anybody else out there at the moment and as such is always worth watching. He’ll challenge and unsettle an audience before winning them back with a well-chosen one-liner. Be a part of the action as he makes his way to Buffalo’s Helium Comedy Club for one night only this Sunday (12/7 @ 7:30PM)

- Jeff Czum

7:30PM Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi St. (853-1211 / heliumcomedy.com) $15 - $22 Ages 18+