AV Editors Pick: Ted Leo

Sunday, December 7

Ted Leo

New Jersey native Ted Leo had already played with the NYC-based punk rock outfits Animal Crackers and Citizens Arrest before forming his first band, Chisel, in 1990 along with two Notre Dame classmates. The group relocated from South Bend, Indiana, to DC and soon enough they were touring as a supporting act for bands like Fugazi, Blonde Redhead, and Tuscadero. During this time Chisel’s sound began to lean toward the inceasingly heard Britpop/mod influence of bands like the Jam, Small Faces, and, of course, the Clash. Since the breakup of Chisel, Leo has spent time playing with the Spinanes and the Sin Eaters, among others, and gone on to form his “solo project,” Ted Leo & the Pharmacists. Technically a band with a fluctuating line up, Rx/Pharmacists is Leo’s brainchild, a mix of punk/rock/pop/folk/reggae with lyrics that are socially and politically timely, and critical in the true punk spirit. The band’s last album, Living With the Living (Touch & Go), was released in 2007 to the kind of acclaim Leo has surely grown used to. Pitchfork even called him “one of rock’s last great intellectual populists” when reviewing his last album. Leo will perform solo at his gig at the Mohawk on Sunday (Dec. 7), with support from opening acts Kevin Boyer (of TVK/Tyvek) and Fences Make Good Neighbours

—k. o’day

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 East Mohawk St. $10

Thursday, December 4

Constantines with Tim Fite

Formed in Guelph, Ontario, the Constantines combine punk and rock-and-roll into “art punk,” classifying themselves with the likes of Fugazi, the Replacements, and the Ramones. Since their inception in 1999 they have produced three critically acclaimed full-lengths for Three Gut Records, culminating in this past year’s release Kensington Heights on the Arts & Crafts label. Among many who have hailed the album, including the New York Times, Spin, and the Village Voice, it’s made numerous critics’ “Best of the Year” lists so far. Also playing this show next Thursday (Nov. 4) is Tim Fite, an artist who has an affinity for outlandish, sometimes childish visuals, and oddball, folksy melodies. A popular musician in his own right, he incorporates speak-sing vocals with rap, forming a standout mix of comedy and music

—jon garbin

9pm. Soundlab, 110 Pearl St. (www.bigorbitgallery.org/soundlab). $10/advance (Ticketmaster) or $12/at door. Ages 18+

Thursday, December 4

my dear disco

Next Thursday (Dec. 4) Nietzsche’s will host My Dear Disco and the unique style that they describe as “dance -think music.” This funky style sounds something like a digitized Earth, Wind, & Fire, employing strange instruments such as the electrified bagpipes. The group met while attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and has been gaining a large following in that city and neighboring Detroit since they came together only 18 months ago. Their new album, Dance Think, was produced by music industry heavyweight Mark Saunders who has worked for such esteemed musicians as David Bryne and the Cure. The band is coming to Buffalo fresh off of a tour which included such venues as the A.E. Summer Festival, BlissFest, Hoxeyville, Dunegrass, and The Jazz Aspen Snow Mass. So if you feel like dancing and/or thinking, head down to Nietzsche’s for some funky grooves and a couple of pints.

—justin sondel

9pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886.8539 / www.nietzsches.com)

Thursday, December 4

Baron Wormser

This week poet Baron Wormser initiated the Nichols School’s new visiting writer program. Wormser was Maine’s poet laureate for six years and is the author of seven books of poetry (with an eighth soon forthcoming), two books about the teaching of poetry, a memoir of his family’s 23 years living off the grid in the Maine woods, and a constant stream of articles and stories for numerous journals and reviews. The Boston Globe called his memoir, The Road Washes Out in Spring: A Poet’s Memoir of Living Off the Grid (University Press of New England, 2006), “the best book about rural New England life since Jane Brox’s ‘Here and Nowhere Else.’ Its scope is narrow but its reach is vast.” Wormser’s reading tonight (December 4) is open to the public.

—geoff kelly

7:30pm. The Nichols School Reading Room,

1250 Amherst Street (875-8212 / www.nicholsschool.org). FREE.

Friday, December 5

Oxford Collapse/The Spinto Band

This Friday (Dec. 5) Mohawk Place will host an indie rock double-header that is sure to bring out a hoard of tight-jeaned, thrift store-T-shirt bearing fans. The Oxford Collapse and the Spinto Band will share the stage with doors opening at 8pm. Brooklyn-based Oxford Collapse formed while the members were students at NYU. These guys put forth a high-energy sound that should have everyone on their feet. According to Spin Magazine, “Oxford Collapse’s own brand of bass heavy, dance punk is enough to get even the most snarky Brooklyn hipster dancing in the streets.” The Spinto Band is out touring to promote their latest album, Moonwink, which, again according to Spin, is “the perfect soundtrack to anything.”

—justin sondel

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 East Mohawk St. $10-$12

Friday, December 5

Amungus

Buffalo-Los Angeles electro-dance collaborative Amungus will be pumping up the beat on Chippewa this Friday (Dec. 5) with a multi-media spectacle featuring music from their recent release, simply titled EP (Good Charamel). Formed in 2003, the experimental group is comprised of Goo Goo Dolls bassist and studio whiz Robby Takac and Brian Schulmeister, co-founder of Slender Fungus, an eclectic multimedia design company. Their disc was recorded at studios in Buffalo, Los Angeles, and London, as well as on jets flying over the United States and Canada. Sound weird? It is. Fans of the Goos should be prepared for something completely different—slick and infectious techno grooves like “Bad Kitty,” featuring the smoldering R&B directive courtesy Alex Kelly: “Don’t say a word/Just make your kitty cat purr.” It’s a lot sexier than the early GGD favorite, “Don’t Beat My Ass (With a Baseball Bat)”—unless, of course, you’re into that kind of thing. Ladies 21 and over admitted free all night long.

—buck quigley

10pm (doors). Level, 75 W Chippewa St. (853-5555 / www.clublevel.net) $5

Friday, December 5

The Buddhahood

To attain the level of perfect enlightenment known in Buddhism as Buddhahood—a “union of wisdom and emptiness”—one must generally extract oneself from ordinary life to some degree, usually through abstinence from certain practices. In some doctrines these include a multitude of activities, but in others, not so much is proscribed. Suffice it to say that this Friday (Dec. 5), reaching the Buddhahood will require more indulgence than sacrifice when this ten-piece world groove group comes to town, and—in their words—will “rock your body, feed your soul.” Their style is called “worldternative,” and combines afro-beat, blues, calypso, funk, samba, rock, and reggae with eight vocalists, multi-percussionists, a full horn section, steel drums, bass, and guitar. You may not achieve Nirvana (the state of being, not the erstwhile rock band) at this show, but it’s pretty much a guaranteed, dance-till-you drop good time. Opening for the Buddhahood are Family FUNKtion & the Sitar Jams and Slip Madigan.

9pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886.8539 / www.nietzsches.com)

Saturday, December 6

Sea Wizards

This Saturday (Dec. 6) find a bar stool at Staples on Allen St. to hear some good, local music for a bargain. Kicking off the night will be the recently formed Sea Wizards. This group of homegrown rockers will bring you their unique brand of indie rock with a country twang. The Sea Wizards’ lyrics speak of lost love, drinking, loneliness, and disappointment, subject matter born out of the harsh winters and economically depressed region in which the band was formed. Next up will be Queen City Station. This band came together after Nick Brooks (formerly of It Dies Today) decided that he wanted to take his music in a different direction. Departing from the metal style of his last band, Brooks and friends create a punk rock/country amalgamation. Last but not least will be Nightiming, a group of DJ’s with a playlist that you are not likely to find anywhere else. These guys pride themselves on providing good music that you won’t hear on the radio. The music will go until close, so stop by at any point in the night for some quality entertainment .

—justin sondel

9:30pm. Staples of Allentown, 253 Allen St. (783-8947). No cover

Saturday & Sunday, December 6 & 7

The Nutcracker

One of the area’s most esteemed dance schools, the American Academy of Ballet was established by director Maris Battaglia in 1965, and since then has produced many professional dancers, most recently including “So You Think You Can Dance” finalist Neil Haskell. Battaglia’s Nutcracker—now in its twelfth year—is especially child-friendly, and visually captivating enough to keep even the most excitable of children in their seats. Clara and the Prince cruise the global skies in a hot air balloon visiting Chinese dragons, Santa and the Elves, and a Victorian Circus. Other adventures include a trip under the sea to cavort with the mermaids, and everyone’s favorite stop, the “Land of the Sweets,” where the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier perform their famous Pas de Deux. A special guest, Academy associate director Joe Cippola, will reprise his role as Herr Dresselmeyer. Other guests include Daniel Ulbrich, a soloist with the New York City Ballet, and Miami City Ballet principal dancer Jeannette Delgado.

1pm Sat & Sun; 7pm Sat only. UB Center for the Arts, Amherst Campus (645-ARTS / www.ubcfa.com). $17-$25

Thursday, December 4

Priestess

Canadian hard-core band Priestess rose from the ashes of its predecessor, the Dropouts (what do you expect when you name a band the Dropouts?), when three members of that band split to NYC to form the Stills. The remaining Dropout, Mike Heppner, started Priestess in 2003, releasing the debut album Hello Master in 2005, which was soon picked up by the American label Ace Fu. A major-label recording contract with RCA followed the next year, along with tour dates opening for Dinosaur, Jr., the Sword, Converge, and Mastodon. Priestess went on to join Megadeth for their 2007 European tour. A new album is due out in March of next year—just a few long months away—and the band is currently playing material from that CD at their live shows. Priestess comes to Buffalo next Thursday (Dec. 11), with support from the Found and Into Ruin.

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 East Mohawk St. $10-$12