Monophonics
8pm Iron Works, 49 Illinois St. (200-1893 / Buffaloironworks.com) $13-$15
You could almost label the Monophonics as a psychedelic soul counterpart to the Dap-Kings, masters of all things funky and soulful. Psychedelic soul, sometimes called “Black Rock”, is a sub-genre of soul music, which mixes characteristics of soul with psychedelic rock. The genre exploded during the late 60s and continued into the 70s, playing a major role in the development of funk music. The San Francisco based group formed back in 2005, originally as instrumental band comprised of guitarist Ian McDonald, bassist Myles O’Mahony, saxophonist Alex Baky, trumpeter Ryan Scott and drummer Austin Bohlman. Now with the addition of dynamic soul vocals from keyboardist Kelly Finnigan, the result is a fantastic burst of soul and heavy funk, a throwback to the late 60s and 70s, while maintaining a present day alt-rock appeal. They have a new album, Sound of Sinning, coming out this week that will undoubtedly be loaded with the rich vintage sounds of early funk, soul, and rock. If you want to see one of the coolest funk/shows of the year, make sure you get to Iron Works at 9pm this Thursday night.
> Jeff Czum
THU 4/16
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FRI 4/17
Superhuman Happiness
9pm Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / Nietzsches.com) $5
Superhuman Happiness is an all-star band whose members are all key Brooklyn players with an impressive resume that stretches across an array of talent, including Antibalas, Phenomenal Handclap Band, TV on the Radio, Iron & Wine and Martha Wainwright. Dancing becomes highly contagious when listening to the band, and their joyful sound has been dubbed “physical cinematic dance rock,” which is exactly how it sounds. Led by multi-instrumentalist, Stuart Bogie, Superhuman Happiness has developed a unique sound that only they can pull off. Guitarists Luke O’Malley and Mathew Scheiner trade intricate picking and revving power chords as Nikhil Yerawadekar’s rigid bass lines weave and bob through the pulsing beats performed from Sam Levin’s drum kit. Dense analog sounds from Jared Samuel’s keyboards blend with Eric Biondo’s slyly subversive, yet clever vocal medolies to create a rich sound that fans have come to love. You can catch SH when they perform at Nietzsche’s this Friday night (4/17 @9pm) with Erica Wolfling and the Houston Gardwell Collective.
> Jeff Czum
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The Tragically Hip
7pm First Niagara Center, 1 Seymour H Knox III Plaza (855-4100 / Firstniagaracenter.com) $32 - $99
To say that the Tragically Hip’s upcoming concert is going to be a big concert is a vast understatement. Since they announced their Fully and Completely Tour, advertising the re-issue of their legendary album Fully Completely, The Canadian rockers have brought a good dose of hype to the City of Good Neighbors. Seeing as the dedicated album has gone Diamond since its release and spawned ground-breaking hits such as “Wheat Kings”, “Courage,” (For Hugh McLennan)” and “Fifty Mission Cap”, its safe to say that the band will have fans pleased by playing some of their most beloved songs during their set. The group has garnered a cult following since their debut in the early 1980’s (even earning the nickname of ‘The Hip’), much like the godlike statuses of bands like The Grateful Dead and Talking Heads. This upcoming performance on Saturday night (4/18 @7pm) will mark their first performance in Buffalo since their rain-stricken 2013 performance at Buffalo Harbor, so thankfully there is no need to worry about our pesky weather getting in the way of rocking out to The Hip.
> Nina Lapres
SAT 4/18
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SUN 4/19
Kyle
6pm Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (853-5483 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $15-$18
For someone to have the eccentric audacity to go by their popular first name must take quite a bit of talent and guts. Yet the LA based rapper, KYLE was able to get away with it with both attributes intact. At the ripe age of 21, this California native has risen to the top of his class with his fresh and flowing rhymes, his more hipster-esque style and his dominance over the aesthetic of advertisement through social media. He not delivers his songs on the streaming website SoundCloud, but uses social media as inspiration for his biggest tunes, such as his single “Just a Picture.” The song tells the story of a couple being torn apart by a one-sided obsession with social media websites like Instagram and Twitter. Needless to say, KYLE is working his musical magic as a pied piper, luring in music lovers of all ages through his relatable songs and carefree, hipster attitude, which many can argue is one of the most popular motifs to come out of the Rap scene in a very long time. Come join KYLE on his first time set in Buffalo at The Waiting Room on Sunday (4/19 @6pm).
> Nina Lapres
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The Traditional
6pm The Studio @ Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (853-5483 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $10-$12
If you missed The Traditional when they played back in January, you owe it to yourself to make it out to the Studio @ Waiting Room on Sunday (4/19 @6pm). They’ll be kicking off their spring tour and performing with Cedar Kites, Rescue Dawn, Contender, and Debt to Nature. They just released a new record, How To Live Without Blood, earlier this year and have been gaining a solid fan base both locally and regionally. Once you listen to tracks like “My Brother is the Sea” and “Skeletons,” you might understand what all the fuss is about. Loud powerful chords drive the music, which is accompanied by aggressive drums, heavy on the kick, with sudden dramatic moments punctuated by breaking down the music to just vocals with spare backing. Although many like to compare the band to newer pop/punk groups like The Wonder Years, Man Overboard and Real Friends, the grittiness and attitude in Anthony Musior’s vocals makes them fall closer to the early days of emo music when Taking Back Sunday and Brand New were at their prime. Show these guys some hometown support this weekend and expect a wild after party at the Old Pink on Allen afterwards. It’s sort of their tradition.
> Jeff Czum
SUN 4/19
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WED 4/22
The Used w/ Every Time I Die
7pm Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, 641 Delaware Ave (884-0095 / trsite.com) $10
Out of all the alternative rock bands to come out of the mid 2000’s Emo-Rock scene, Idaho quartet The Used have definitely shown the most longevity since their heyday, boasting a six album discography since their 2002 debut. Even though the band is very beloved by many fans, this show in particular is riding off of the promotion for their latest album Imaginary Enemy. Vocalist Bert McCraken and the band are expected to play yet another epic show with a set filled with their most popular and requested songs. Included in The Used’s concert package is the Buffalo metal-core sweethearts Every Time I Die, who have not only gained a die-hard fan base back home, but have also included their town and fans in their music videos and mentioned our town in songs like “Buffalo 666”. No matter what band audiences will be attending for on Wednesday (4/22 @6pm), this is expected to be a head thrashing, fist pumping and energy filled show that many rock fans will not forget.
> Nina Lapres
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