Flint Eastwood
6:30pm The Studio @ Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (853-5483 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $10
Flint Eastwood is self-described as “a Spaghetti-Western cooked in the ovens of Detroit.” This outlaw-country-tinged indie-dance band is igniting a spark across the country with powerful tunes and lively performances. The foursome’s sound is a Frankensteined cohesion of parts one might think clashes conceptually; merging electronic dance beats with rugged, dirty blues, served with a slight western twang, but it all somehow comes together to make something interesting and catchy. Try to picture Quentin Tarantino directing a music video for Duran Duran... The group is made up of lead vocalist/guitarist Jax Anderson, guitarist Bryan Pope, bassist Clay Carnill and drummer Mark Hartman, all bringing their own touch of grit, dirt and sass to the table. They released their debut EP, Late Night in Bolo Ties in August of 2013 and have been winning over audiences ever since. Anderson’s stage presence is frantic, energetic and maybe a bit spastic. She entices crowd participation on almost every song and will throw you into a frenzy. Strap your spurs to your dance shoes and get ready for a crazy night at the Studio @ Waiting Room Thursday night (5/7 @6:30pm).
> Bobby Rodriguez
THU 5/7
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FRI 5/8
The Ragbirds
8pm 9th Ward @ Babeville, 341 Delaware Ave (852-2741 / BabevilleBuffalo.com) $12
The Ragbirds are modern day gypsies of well-traveled musicians that have a reputation of taking audiences to faraway lands through their music. This is, after all, why they call it “world music.” The Ann Arbor, Michigan group gives a fresh meaning to the genre as touches of reggae, Celtic folk, African, Latin, Gypsy Jazz, and Americana are all woven into contemporary rock and pop hooks. Lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Erin Zindle offers an exotic, poetic vocal quality while floating from instrument to instrument on stage – banjo, accordion, fiddle, and the mandolin – in a dazzling spell of musicianship. Guitarist T.J. Zindle and bassist Brian Crist lay down excellent phrased vocal harmonies and relaxed rhythms over the world-beat drumming of Loren Kranz and percussionist Randall Moore. This is a group of musicians that care as much about the environment they live in as much as the music they create. 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 per year, they’re certainly doing their part to stay true to their positive vibes that resonate through each song they perform. You won’t want to miss them when they come to the 9th Ward @ Babeville on Friday evening (5/8 @8pm).
> Diane Keyton
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10,000 Maniacs Album Release Party
9pm Iron Works, 49 Illinios St. (200-1893 / buffaloironworks.com) $40 VIP $50
The critically acclaimed alt/rock group from Jamestown, 10,000 Maniacs, will be performing at Iron Works on Friday (5/8 @9pm). Beginning in 1981, the band has had a long and illustrious career with musical styles that have been labeled as everything from “alternative” to “post-punk” to “college rock” to “jangly pop.” Today, 10,000 Maniacs adds British folk music to their catalog. It doesn’t matter that the group has seen it’s fair share of members come and go, they still continue to release excellent music and perform in front of passionate audiences all over. Their latest release, Twice Told Tales is a collection of English, Irish and American ballads some going back as far as medieval times. Singer Mary Ramsay’s voice is both lyrical and ethereal, a combination of trembling folk discourse and a precious patchwork of wintry melodies and wistful, patchouli-like imagery. Twice Told Tales is a title that comes from the American transcendentalist writer, Nathaniel Hawthorne. It’s significant because the transcendentalists were romantics, prototypes of folk singers of the 1960s. Come see a legendary band return to where it all began.
> Geoffrey Lionel
FRI 5/8
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SAT 5/9
Buffalo Porchfest
1pm-6pm Various Locations in the Elmwood Village (buffaloporchfest.org) free
On Saturday (5/9), Buffalo Porchfest will return to the Elmwood Village for a full day of local music. Porchfest is the ultimate community event, where homeowners and neighbors offer up their up their porches, stoops and lawns to musicians who play live music from 1pm-6pm. It’s a day that showcases the spirit and atmosphere of one of Buffalo’s most adored neighborhoods while enjoying music and the historic homes throughout the village. Organized by the Elmwood Village Association and modeled after similar events in Cleveland, Ontario and the original Porchfest, which began in 2007 in Ithaca, Buffalo Porchfest is the perfect opportunity for residents to get outside to welcome spring into the neighborhood. The ELA encourages neighbors to walk or bike around the area and explore the music and beauty of the Elmwood Village . With over 50 performing at 41 locations, Buffalo Porchfest will be a perfect way to spend your Saturday afternoon.
> Jeff Czum
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Gurf Morlix
8pm Pausa Art House, 19 Wadsworth St. (697-9069 / pausaarthouse.com) $15
Over the years, the Western New York native, Gurf Morlix has made quite a name for himself among industry songwriters and everyday listeners. He’s best known for his 11-year partnership with Americana legend Lucinda Williams, but the list of collaborators doesn’t stop there. As a producer and studio session player, his credits grace the works of Mary Gauthier, Ian McLagan, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Patty Griffin, Jim Lauderdale and many more. If Morlix was a professional athlete, he’d likely be regularly recognized as an MVP; after all, his ability to multitask on guitar, bass, drums, banjo, harmonica, dobro, pedal steel and mandolin has made him an invaluable part of many an artist’s instrumental arsenal. It’s no wonder that in 2009, the American Music Association recognized him as their coveted instrumentalist of the Year. Considering the competition of Americana/country acts, that’s an impressive honor. Even with all his collaborations, Morlix has still managed to find the time to record and release nine solo albums to his name. He just put out Eatin’ at Me, a beautifully produced work of dusty Americana tunes that may be his best collection of songs to date. The album opens with the gritty minor-key song, “Dirty Old Buffalo,” which paints a historical panorama of Buffalo with reminiscences about Morlix’s life around the city in the 70s. You really don’t want to miss this singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist when he returns to his hometown. He’ll be performing at the Pausa Art House on Saturday (5/9 @6pm).
> Jeff Czum
SAT 5/9
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SAT 5/9
Madd Loco Tattoo Presents: Blood and Ink
8pm Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (853-5483 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $10-$12
On Saturday, (5/9 @8pm) Madd Loco Tattoo presents BLOOD AND INK at the Waiting Room with Green Jelly, Super Killer Robots, Surfin Cadavers (horror surf rock), Lazy Ass Destroyer, Angry Soil and Cold Dark Train. Billed as a Mexican fiesta, the show will include wrestling, body art, murals, henna tattoos, tribal style face painting, and an appearance by the Renegade Rollergirls. Tattoo artist Mark Madden is always pushing the edge when he does an event. Now he’s teamed up with the infamous Green Jelly, a comedy-punk band led by Bill Manspeaker of Kenmore that managed to get banned and/or kicked out of dozens of local venues. For revenge they went to LA, got a Grammy nomination and sold 14 million copies of their song “Three Little Pigs.” See their return visit. “We’re bringing edgy theatrical events to Buffalo and Blood and Ink is going to set the standard fusing wrestling, live art, music, and madness!”, says Mark Madden, event founder. Festive dress is highly encouraged. Pre-sale tickets are available at www.waitingroombuffalo.com and all 3 Madd Tattoo locations for $15 each, or $20 at the door. Admission to those 18 years and older only (18+).
> AV Staff
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