AV Editors Pick

Friday, October 10

C.O. Jones

He’s a little bit funky...she’s a little bit rock-n-soul. No, I’m not talking about Donny and Marie Osmond. I’m trying to describe local musical siblings Dave and Gretchen Schulz. In celebration of their induction into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame this year (along with brother Bob), the Schulz family will be joining with other local musical luminaries including Jerry Livingston and Tommy Z—also BMHOF members—in an expanded version of C.O. Jones. Local music fans of course know Gretchen from her years with the Pine Dogs, and the R-n-B stuff she’s done with Doug Morgano, among others. Younger brother Dave has done quite well for himself out in L.A., touring with the Goo Goo Dolls, for instance, and forging a reputation as a “go to” guy in that competitive music habitat. He’s come a long way from his earliest recording gig at Trackmaster Studio, where he was compensated with a twelve-pack of beer for his services. I know that for a fact, because I bought the twelve-pack. This gig promises to be a wild blowout of a family reunion, and a great opportunity to show your appreciation to a clan that has disproportionately contributed to our cool local music scene.

—buck quigley

10pm. Mohawk Place 47. East Mohawk St. (855-3931 / www.mohawkplace.com). $10

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 tonight at the University at Buffalo. 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 for1(800)SUICIDE since its inception, and the National Mental Health Association has awarded him in recognition of his work.

—justin sondel

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

Thursday, October 9

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

The inimitable Reverend Peyton is bringing his Big Damn Band to Mohawk Place tonight, kicking off their tour of the northeast to promote the band’s new album, The Whole Fam Damnily. Comprised of Peyton’s wife Breezy on washboard and his brother Jayme on drums, the band itself is only a three-piece—which isn’t all that damn big. But if these three Peytons are any indication, the famnily members themselves tend to be pretty large, a fitting look for the down-home blues Americana they’re playing. From the debut album The Pork N’ Beans Collection to this year’s Fam Damnily, the Reverend’s humorous backwoods storytelling doesn’t miss a beat, with tracks like “Your Cousin’s on COPS” (Breezy’s cousin apparently was on COPS) and “Walmart Killed the Country Store” talkin’ about stuff we all can relate to. After growing up in rural Indiana, this is one fam damnily that’s a natural with country blues.

—k. o’day

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St.

(855-3931 / www.mohawkplace.com). $12. Ages 16+

Friday, October 10

Lemuria Tour Kick-off

Buffalo’s indie-rock darlings are off! After their show at Soundlab on Friday, Lemuria is heading into the deep south through Kentucky, Georgia, and Tenessee, ending up in Florida by the end of the year. (The First Collection LP is now out on Asain Man Records). The three piece will share a bill with three out of town guests: The UK’s Gordon Gano’s Army—who will be touring with Lemuria—are Euro pop/punkers; Philadephia-based band Mischief Brew is self described punk/folk/swing; and Ninja Gun, hailing from Valdosta, Georgia, serves up countrified rock with song titles like “Red State Blues” and “Restless Rubes.” It’s an international indie rock showcase, a little something for everyone.

9pm. Soundlab, 110 Pearl St. (www.bigorbitgallery.org/soundlab)

Friday, October 10

MK Groove Orchestra

The Brooklyn-based big band ensemble MK Groove Orchestra is on an upstate mini-tour, and will be coming through Buffalo this weekend for a Friday night show at Nietzsche’s. Featuring Mike Kammers and John Beaty on saxes, Joe Beaty on trombone, Justin Davis on trumpet, Abe Seiferth on guitar, Kevin Smith on bass, and Tomoaki Kanno on drums, it’s a seven-piece puzzle of some of the Big Apple’s finest up-and-coming talent. With an innovative approach to the old standards, the Orchestra takes inspiration from the likes of likes of Jimmy Mcgriff, Tito Puente, and Sun Ra. This is the future of big band music, a hot and modern kind of cool jazz. Local experimental/psychedelic jazz band Ramforinkus opens the show.

10pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St.

(886-8539 / www.nietzsches.com)

Saturday, October 11

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, some of the originators of the ska-core genre, will be playing this Saturday at Town Ballroom. These tried and true rockers have been performing together since 1985. Hailing from Boston, the plaid-clad Bosstones create a large sound with their booming horn section and powerful drum beats. Their numerous hits, such as “The Impression That I Get” and “Someday I Suppose,” will bring you back a decade. These rockers bring immense energy to any stage they grace, jumping and bounding throughout their exhilarating set. The ska band Streetlight Manifesto will open up for the Bosstones. This third wave ska band has gained great acclaim since their first album Everything Goes Numb came out in 2003. Doors open at 7pm. This is an all ages show

—justin sondel

8pm. The Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / www.townballroom.com). $32 in advance or $35 at the door (box office, www.Tickets.com / 888-223-6000)

Saturday, October 11

Nobody Will Bail You Out of This One

“Elect Nobody in 2008!” This grassroots presidential campaign has been sweeping through Buffalo, and now there’s less than one month to go before decision day (D-Day ‘08). (If you don’t know about it, pay a visit to www.electnobody08.com, and see the mystery candidate in action. Sample slogans: “Who will fix America? NOBODY will!” “Who cares about lowering your gas prices? NOBODY does!” “Who is working in Washington to stop the war? NOBODY is!”) Now, he seems certain, that nobody’s going to bail us out, either, so why not drown our sorrows in some hard and fast rock music at the Gateway Gallery on Saturday? We’ll hear from Cowboys of Scotland, the Painkillers, Read My Lips, and Mr. Nobody himself, who’ll be wrapping up his campaign with some rousing politcal speech. Who’s going to steal the show? NOBODY will!

—k o’day

9pm. Gateway Gallery, 141 Elmwood Ave.

Saturday, October 11

DJ Tittsworth

This Saturday, the special guest at this month’s Communist Party is DJ Tittsworth, a rising star in the world of club music. Tittsworth, who is from the Washington D.C. area, employs a B-More (Baltimore) style of club music that has begun gaining national acclaim over the past few years. This sample heavy musical style is loud and thumping, often employing familiar music that you can sing along to. Tittsworth is on tour promoting his new album 12 Steps. Reviewed in Pitchfork, writer Marc Hogan said, “Jesse Tittsworth uses the tinny breakbeats and raunchy subject matter of this once-local subgenre (B-more) within a broader dance, pop, and hip-hop context.” The show also features DJs Bev Beverly, Patrice, Mariospeedwagon, Flava Braun, and Sir Richard Rector. One of the more appealing aspects of the show is that it is free. If you are looking for a cheap way to have a good time this Saturday, head down to Soundlab.

—justin sondel

9pm. Soundlab, 110 Pearl St. (www.bigorbitgallery.org/soundlab)

Saturday, October 11

Cypress Rain & The Trauma Dance

Come downtown on Saturday night for a dramatic presentation of Cypress Rain and the Trauma Dance. Writer Tretobia Powers, a grad student from Buffalo State University, takes on the subject of gang violence in this one-night show. Powers presents difficult community issues using multi-media like still life images, music, dance and poetry. The aim is to increase awareness of the impact of violence on our communities, and introduce venue for interventions such as art and theater. There will be a Veterans’ Honor at the start of the performance. Tickets are available at the Forbes Theater Bookstore and at Doris Records, located at 286 East Ferry St. Call 897-0245 for more information

7pm. Forbes Theater/Buffalo Christian Center, 512 Pearl St. (856-7495).

Sunday, October 12

Josh Blue

Sunday night Josh Blue, of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” fame, will be exhibiting his unique brand of comedy at the Allendale Theatre. Josh, who suffers from cerebral palsy, uses his comedy to dispel many of the myths surrounding his affliction and other disabilities. In fact, Josh often uses his affliction to poke fun at the common misperceptions that he faces on a daily basis. In one routine he recounts being picked up by police believing him to be drunk. He jokes, “they kept me in there for a week. They kept asking me what I drank.” Josh has a keen ability to leave crowds in stitches with his off-the-cuff remarks. His appearances on “Last Comic Standing” and various talk shows have brought Josh great popularity, so it would be wise to purchase tickets as soon as possible. Local comedian Kristen Becker will open the show.

—justin sondel

8pm. Allendale Theater, 203 Allen St. (884-4400). $25