AV Editors Pick

Monday October 6 & Tuesday October 7

Baltimore Round Robin

The colloquial term “round robin” has evolved to refer to things that operate in a rotational manner, such as tournaments, chain letters, and—it seems— rock concerts. The traveling road show known as the Baltimore Round Robin is formatted like this: The bands set up simultaneouslyaround the room with the audience in the center; each band does one song per round; there is no headliner or opening act, no breaks or encores, no front or back row. This crazy caravan is curated by experimental- pop showman Dan Deacon, and is comprised of some of the best Baltimore has to offer to the indie freak music scene. The event is divided into two shows played over two nights: Starting on Monday, with “Eyes Night,” the tour presents the more folk/acoustic/improv-type acts and features Beach House, Jana Hunter, Wzt Hearts, Nautical Almanac, Lexie Mountain Boys, Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez, Ed Schrader, Teeth Mountain, Santa Dads, and Creepers. “Feet Night” is devoted to dance/ punk/hardcore with Deacon, the Death Set, Videohippos, Adventure, Future Islands, Double Dagger, Blood Baby, Height, Lizz King, Nuclear Power Pants, Smart Growth, and DJ Dog Dick.

—k. o’day 7pm.

7pm. Tralf, 622 Main St. (852-2860 / www.tralfmusichall.com) $8-$10 or $15/both nights

Thursday, October 2

Oh My God!

For close to a decade, Chicago’s Oh My God! has been creating some of the most shizophrenic music the underground has heard. Landing somewhere between power-pop and prog-rock, the band simultanteously evokes bands as different as Weezer and Yes. With their whirling organ grinds and frenetic, freakish rhythms, the band proves they can create intricate textures without sacrificing the song or its hook. Their recordings and performances have earned endless acclaim, and with the long-awaited album The Fools Want Noise, they are sure to garner greater attention. Last year, Oh My God! was scheduled to perform at Mohawk Place when, two days prior, they were struck in a headon collision and forced to cancel the remainder of the tour. Now fully recovered, the band is touring relentlessly and already has a new recording in the works. Opening are Bearhunter and Red Tag Rummage Sale.

—eric boucher.

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (855-3931 / www.mohawkplace.com). $8

Thursday, October 2

God Made Me Funky, Among Criminals

God Made Me Funky is a nu-funk troupe from Toronto, nominated for a Juno award (Canadian Grammy) for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year. This band plays rolling funk from the great funk era and also blends in hip hop and other styles. One of their songs, “Won More Time”, was featured in the film American Pie—Beta House, where GMMF played onscreen as the house band at one of the frat parties. An energetic band capable of covering Aerosmith if it suits them, these folks give it all they’ve got. Supporting GMMF is the band Among Criminals, the reggae-Latin-rock trio that returns to Buffalo for their second visit. This summer the band played at Cozumel for the Great Buffalo Scavenger Hunt afterparty, and added their hoppin’ fun to the evening. Their music serves up populist lyrics in a danceable mix, and they drop in a Wailers or Police tune to mix it up.

—dave grundy

10pm. Merlin’s, 727 Elmwood Ave. (886-9270 / www.merlinsbuffalo.com). $3

Saturday, October 4

Joe Buck Yourself

After legally changing his name due to his striking resemblance to Jon Voight’s character in Midnight Cowboy, Joe Buck made a name for himself as guitarist of Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers and bassist for Hank III’s band. Although both acts contain fiery frontmen, Joe Buck, with his vicious snarl and menacing moves, was always difficult to upstage, and soon enough he began a one man band under the moniker of Joe Buck Yourself. Like contemporaries Scott Biram and Bob Log III, Buck is a maelstrom of fury and chaos. Equal parts Hank Williams and Black Flag, the music is self-described as “Punk Rock Hellbilly Music” and is indeed not for the faint of heart. Local metal act Liquid Violence opens the show. Please note this is an early show and will be done by 10pm, followed by Ivory Mirrors CD Release Show, with special guests the Found and the Viva Noir.

—eric boucher

7pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (855-3931 / www.mohawkplace.com). $7

Saturday, October 4

Bobby Collins

If it’s true that laughter is the best medicine, then tell everyone you know to throw away their prescriptions and head over to UB to see Bobby Collins. This won’t be his first visit to these parts, given that he is a graduate of the venerable institution known as UB, but it’s been awhile since Bobby’s been to town. He’s been busy: From starring in his own Showtime specials and being Rosie O’Donnell’s predecessor as host of VH1’s “Stand-Up Spotlight” to opening for names such as Cher, Dolly Parton, Julio Iglesias, and Tony Bennett, Collins always delivers. He was nominated for a CableACE award as well as the American Comedy Awards’ “Stand-Up Comic of the Year.” His first CD, On The Inside, showcased his wide range of observational material, and his second, Out of Bounds, earned him a Grammy nomination. Collins has also appeared in five feature films and numerous television shows. Joining Bobby onstage this weekend in a rare local appearance will be his old friend, comedian “Airborne” Eddy, known to millions around the country as “Maxwell Truth,” the beatnik host of television’s “Off Beat Cinema.”

—eddy dobosiewicz

8pm. UB Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall. $29.50 (student discount available). Contact 866.651.2906 or by visiting www.lowbrowtickets.com

Sunday, October 5

Cheryl Gobbetti Hoffman Memorial

On August 1, former Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra flutist Cheryl Gobbetti Hoffmann passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was just 54, but had forged a distinguished career: in addition to 19 years with the BPO, she served on UB’s music faculty, was first flutist with the Slee Sinfonietta, and led Plosion, UB’s flute ensemble. She was internationally celebrated as a soloist. This Sunday, she will be celebrated again by ber colleagues and admirers, in a special memorial concert. Among the musicians on the program are long-time BPO concertmaster Charles Haupt on violin, who will perform alongside violist Jesse Levine and renowned violinist Elmar Oliveira. The list of performers is long—flutists Sabatino Scirri and Catherine Boll, pianist Kateria Domenici, oboist Cheryl Bishkoff among them—as befits a woman so loved and admired. The performance will end with the recordings of Gobbetti Hoffman’s own music and words. A reception will follow.

—geoff kelly

1pm. Slee Hall, UB North Campus (645-2921 / slee.buffalo.edu).

Tuesday, October 7

Jennifer Batten

Guitar goddess Jennifer Batten will be at Broadway Joe’s this Tuesday. Come and watch in awe as Batten performs uncanny guitar solos that will leave the most experienced Guitar Hero enthusiasts’ jaw-dropped. Batten, who has toured with Michael Jackson (several times) and Jeff Beck, among others, has been around the world shredding for millions of people. When Jackson played the half-time show for Super Bowl XXVII he once again selected her as his guitarist. Over one and a half billion people viewed that performance. Batten has a lot of versatility too, as is evident in the fact that she was simultaneously in six different bands at one point with styles ranging from rock to funk to metal fusion. If you are a guitar enthusiast or just love face-melting solos you should do yourself a favor and head to Broadway Joe’s on Tuesday.

—justin sondel

7pm. Broadway Joe’s, 3051 Main St. (837-3650 / www.bjoes.com)

Sunday, October 7

The Revival Tour

So, here’s the plan: Four guys with real punk rock hearts (and punk roots) who have a way with acoustic guitars (and roots music) get together, share a stage, play songs and do it up like an old-tyme hootenanny. Calling it The Revival Tour, three dedicated southern punk fellas (Chuck Ragan, Ben Nicholls, and Tim Barry) and a legendary NYC punk/hardcore troub (Jesse Malin) are all in one place on one night. The show will feature individual sets from each of the singer/songwriters but promises to be more in line with the folk tradition where artists intermingle and collaborate. In a very musical game of musical chairs, each performer will have guests coming on and off stage, including the four primary songwriters. Nicholls for example will be joined by pedal steel player par excellence Todd Beene, who has been a regular fixture of the touring lineup of Nicholl’s Lucero as well as the lead guitarist of killer Murfreesboro, TN countryrock outfit Glossary. Whether you first got hooked on Hot Water Music’s folk-infused hardcore or are a devotee of Malin’s glittering gutter paens, this night promises to be a memorable night.

—donny kutzbach

7pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (855-3931 / www.mohawkplace.com). $15

Thursday, October 9

Rally for Jobs & Housing Now

You know that invigorating sense of accomplishment that accompanies running a mile, casting your vote in an election, or throwing a bull’s-eye to close out a dart game? You can get that feeling from marching in protest, too. On Wednesday, PUSH Buffalo (People United for Sustainable Housing) gives you the chance: Alternately called a “Rally for Jobs” and an “Anti-poverty Rally and March,” the goal is to draw attention to an anti-poverty program designed, with the help of PUSH, by Lower West Side residents. If you’re tired of hearing that Buffalo has the second-worst poverty rate in the nation, come out and say so. To gear up for it, come out and dance on Friday, October 3 at “The Movement,” a dance party featuring DJs Cutler and LoPro at the Langston Hughes Institute (25 High St.). The proceeds benefit Partnerhsip for the Public Good (of which PUSH is a member) and the Massachusetts Avenue Project.

—geoff kelly

4pm. Lafayette Square, downtown Buffalo. Contact www.pushbuffalo.org or 882-5327 ext. 7

Thursday, October 9

Frank Warren

Frank Warren, the founder of the incredibly popular blog PostSecret.com and the man known as “The Most Trusted Stranger in America,” will be giving a lecture this week at UB's Center for the Arts. Warren has collected over 100,000 post cards from across the globe, each telling a unique “secret.” The information these anonymous donors provide ranges from simple observations to funny revelations to the deepest of fears. Warren often refers to himself as “an accidental artist”, as he has no formal training in fine arts, yet his work has received critical acclaim from across the nation. While the PostSecret project provides entertainment for some, it is an outlet for others who feel they have nowhere to express their despair. Warren’s background is in social services and he uses his work to help raise awareness of social issues. The PostSecret Project has raised over $75,000 for 1(800)SUICIDE since its inception, and the National Mental Health Association has awarded him in recognition of his work. Visit www. postsecret.com

—justin sondel

8pm. UB Center for the Arts (654-ARTS / www.ubcfa.org). $20/general; $15/students