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See You There!

Artvoice's weekly round-up of events to watch out for the week, including our editor's pick, The Hold Steady, playing the Tralf on Wednesday, April 1st. As always, check our on-line events calendar for a constantly updated and comprehensive listing of what's going on!

The Hold Steady

Wednesday, April 1

“We can all be something bigger,” goes one line from the Hold Steady’s hard-partying anthem “Constructive Summer” from the band’s fourth album, 2008’s Stay Positive. That idea —of being something bigger—keeps hitting back hard, especially when you put it terms of the band behind it. It doesn’t seem like the Hold Steady were ever making a stab at being a great or (dare I say it?) important band, but along the way these kinds of things happen. It’s hard to find a better live band these days. They take Springsteen’s rock-as-salvation show, add Thin Lizzy’s tight and muscular sonic blast, and stick enough punk and hardcore histrionics learned from a long gone time of all-ages shows—the letter “x” on both hands. They make an unlikely crew of rock heroes: Frenetic, bespectacled, and lyric-spitting singer Craig Finn who has a real gift for storytelling; unflappable, speed-riffing guitarist Tad Kubler; moustache-waxed, barely buttoned-down keyboard virtuoso Franz Nicolay; and the irrepressible rhythm section of bassist Galen Polivka and drummer Bobby Drake. The buzz around their four powerhouse shows spread across last week’s South By SouthWest Music Festival (see this issue’s SXSW 2009 feature) will only continue to bolster their notoriety as one of the best acts around. As much as the Hold Steady are heirs to the live band throne, there’s also the records to consider. Probably no American band in the last decade that can boast a four straight album run that tops 2004’s twisted triptych Almost Killed Me; 2005’s masterpiece of faith and redemption Separation Sunday; the kids in love with booze, drugs, and each other on 2006’s Boys and Girls in America; and the growing-up-in the-scene-centric Stay Positive. There’s no other band cataloging the spirit of listening to, loving, and believing—right or wrong—in the power of rock and roll. So the question is: How can you possibly miss this Wednesday’s (April 1) show at The Tralf? The answer: You can’t. No April foolin’!

—donny kutzbach

Friday, March 27

Artvoice B.O.O.M.

A funny thing happened on the way to this Friday’s Battle of Original Music at Nietzsche’s. One of the bands that qualified for a spot on the bill—Siege A.D.—had already gone ahead and booked another gig on March 27. So they won’t be joining in the fun, and with that they walk away from the chance to win a recording package from our friends at Audio Magic, plus CDs of that recording thanks to the good folks at ESP CD & DVD Manufacturing. They also lose the opportunity to win the approval of all the audience members who will pack Nietzsche’s to cast votes for the best band. Friday’s winner, after all, walks with the recording package and the CDs, plus the right to compete with Peanut Brittle Satellite and Fashion Expo 1990 in the Grand Finale coming up on May 15 at the Tralf. In addition, the winner at the Tralf gets a big cash prize, cool stuff from Guitar Center, a spot on WBFO’s Wednesday night concerts live from Allen Hall, and a video produced by Artvoice. Now the stage is set for Free Henry!, TypeRelevant, and the Frogbots to enter into a death-defying three-way scramble to win the hearts and minds of local original music lovers. Don’t miss this chance to cheer on these worthy opponents as they pull out all the stops in the name of rock-n-roll glory, local celebrity, and some mighty cool prizes.

—buck quigley

10pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen Street (886-8539, www.nietzsches.com). $5

Friday, March 27

“Squatumentary”, “Food Not Bombs”

With economic events of the last year having firmly nailed shut the coffin of Ronald Reagan’s “trickle down” theory, it’s time for thought on some real ways that the world’s wealth can be used for the good of everyone. A pair of short documentaries screening at Squeaky Wheel this Friday (March 27) start at the bottom of the needs pyramid, with shelter and food. Shelter: a Squatumentary follows three San Francisco “squats”—basically abandoned houses occupied by people who have no recognized legal rights to the properties. Recognizing that squatting is often a pastime of children of privilege who have gone slumming, filmmaker Hannah E. Dobbz has tried to address her film toward how this age-old practice can be used to build and sustain long term communities. Buffalo filmmaker Ron Douglas’ We Need Food Not Bombs looks at the local chapter of Food Not Bombs, an international movement that for three decades has worked to end hunger and supported actions to stop the globalization of the economy, restrictions to the movements of people, end exploitation and the destruction of the earth

—m. faust

8pm. Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St. (884-7172 / www.squeaky.org). $6/general; 44/Squeaky Wheel members

Friday, March 27

Ars Nova Musicians

This Friday (March 27) the Ars Nova Musicians Chamber Orchestra will perform in the Montante Cultural Center on the Canisius Campus. This performance will feature two soloists, Jacek Muzyk and Emily Tworek-Helenbrook. Both performers have ties to Poland, with Muzyk having been born and raised there and Tworek-Helenbrook being of Polish descent. Muzyk started studying music at the age of seven, but didn’t touch a French horn—his current weapon of choice—until after his 18th birthday. Muzyk has worked with some of Poland’s most renowned orchestras, including Sinfonia Varsovia, the National Philharmonic of Warsaw, the Krakow Philharmonic. Tworek-Helenbrook is the sensation whose voice has been known to bring people to tears. An Alexander, NY native, Tworek-Helenbrook has been astounding audiences around NY State since the age of 11. The event is sponsored by the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

—justin sondel

7:30pm. Montante Cultural Center at Canisius College, 2001 Main St. (888-5970). $10/general; free for students

Friday, March 27

Party with The People!

This Friday (March 27), Xtreme Wheels will host a multi-purpose evening courtesy of rapper, poet, and ”electro-swag” entertainer Chae Hawk. The night will also feature the premiere of Hawk’s “O Shine” music video and the launch of Team Radio and Buffalo Party Clothing Clothes, whose owner, Vinnie Harris, collaborates with Chae in a successful business partnership and community initiative aimed at entertaining Buffalo’s youth with music, clothing, and most of all, education. Chae Hawk has also collaborated with local poet and author Robert Pomehrn to create a music-based power point presentation aimed at encouraging written communication for the text-message generation, emphasizing respect and equality in language and music. Also performing at the show are special guests Smash Brothers, A Love Like Pi, and the Human Engine.Visit www.chaehawk.com for more info.

—k. o’day

7pm. Xtreme Wheels, 356 Hertel Ave.(871-9361 / www.xtreme-wheels.com). $10

Saturday, March 28

Dear Leader

Big Orbit hosts a rare homecoming on Saturday (March 28). Hamburg native Aaron Perrino brings his latest outfit, Dear Leader, to town to play a fundraiser for the Essex Arts HawkCenter Arts in Education Program. Dear Leader is the solo project Perrino pursued after his previous band, the much acclaimed Sheila Divine, parted ways in April 2003. Today Dear Leader has two studio releases under its belt, and a third is on the way, produced by Paul Kolderie, who has worked with the Pixies, Hole, and Uncle Tupelo, among others. Perrin—whose songwriting and soaring vocals are as powerful as ever—is joined in Dear Leader by guitarist Will Claflin, drummer Paul Buckley, and bassist Jon Sulkow, late of Buffalo’s oft-remembered Tugboat Annie. A Potters Field opens the show, which has been dubbed—appropriately, given the change in weather—the first anuual “Rites of Sound.”

—geoff kelly

7pm. Big Orbit Gallery, 30d Essex Street. (560-1968 / www.bigorbitgallery.org) $10.

Saturday, March 28

Blues n’ March

The Western New York Blues Society has been an integral part of the region’s music scene for years, and they know how to throw a great party. The Blues ‘n March show is a much-anticipated annual event to help kick off the summer music season—and a target date to kick start your Harley, zip on your leathers, and get into the spirit of the music. This year’s show on Friday (March 27) is headlined by ex-Nighthawk axe man Jimmy Thackery (pictured), who’s guaranteed rip the roof of the joint. Thackery is joined by local artists the Todd Eberwine Band, Greg Juke & the Mighty No Stars, and Albany bluesmen Tas Crue. On a sad note, it should be mentioned that this year’s show will go on without Rich Schneider, the tireless blues fan who edited the Society’s Blues Beat Magazine for over 15 years. Schneider passed away suddenly on March 11 at the age of 65, leaving behind a loving wife and family—not to mention a legion of friends and blues lovers who benefited from the contagious enthusiasm he had for the great music he loved.

—buck quigley

5pm (doors). Lafayette Tap Room, 391 Washington St (854-2466 / www.lafayettetaproombbq.com). $20/$17 Blues Society members

Sunday, March 29

Young Widows

This Louisville, Kentucky-based punk trio sprung up from an earlier band, Breather Resist, when that group’s lead singer up and left on them. For fans of their former band, Young Widows is a refreshing change from the straight up hardcore they were playing. The group’s second and most recent album, Young Widows, Old Wounds, plays out more like an experimental piece than the DIY punk-ethic usually dictates, and its this unexpected quality that makes Young Widows memorable. The band’s mix of styles ranges from loud, angry noise to muted, atmospheric grooves with thoughtful, though jaded, darkly funny lyrics. Young Widows comes to Soundlab on Sunday (March 29) with Australian agit-punk trio My Disco, and Buffalo’s “heavy-pop/alternative/hard rock/punk/metal/grunge combo” Speakerfire.

—k. o’day

9pm. Soundlab, 110 Pearl St. (www.bigorbit.org/soundlab). $10-$12.

Monday, March 30

Cex

Cex is the alter-ego of Ryjan Kidwell, a project he has been developing since 1998 when he was still in high school. Invoking hip-hop breaks and IDM beats, Cex first began as a primarily vocal-less act until Kidwell started getting the urge to be an entertainer. Sometimes in velvet suitsand sometimes down to just his underwear, Cex set out to be an all-encompassing star, incorporating humorous and bizarre rhymes in his work. Throughout his career he has hit on various themes, be they dark, funny, or just plain absurd. Not one to cater to just the electronica crowd, he has toured with such lunmaries as Death Cab For Cutie, Dismemberment Plan, and the Postal Service and has released records on labels such as Jade Tree and Temporary Residence, gaining fans who were initally unfamilair with his work. Cex performs a last minute show at Mohawk Place on Monday (March 30). Also performing is Cryptasize, an angular pop-trio who are signed to Sufjan Steven’s label Asthmatic Kitty. Between sets, Bill Page and Jason Draper from Transmission will be spinning your favorite new wave and post punk, ranging from the 1970s to now.

—eric boucher

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 East Mohawk St (855-3931 / www.mohawkplace.com). $7

Wednesday, April 1

Umphrey’s Mcgee

The first time that I ever heard the band Umphrey’s McGee was only a few years ago. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a very clear listen, as the guy who brought the album to a friend’s house, and insisted that we play it, spent the night rambling on about World Bank conspiracies, the plot of which eerily resembled the recent Clive Owen action film The International. The sad part of this story is that I never got to really listen to the ultra-talented group of musicians humming beneath the sound of this guy’s impassioned diatribes. Umphrey’s Mcgee has become one of the most recognizable and revered names on the circuit, gaining popularity through constant touring, headlining some of the scene’s biggest festivals, and through their innovative website. Umphrey’s Mcgee will be playing this Wednesday (April 1). And don’t worry, the band will be loud enough that the conspiracy theories will be drowned out, not the music.

—justin sondel

7pm (doors). Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / www.townballroom.com). $21 presale at box office, Tickets.com or $24 day of show