The Pines

Thursday, December 10th

The Pines are a folk duo armed with talent, wit, and pedigree. Member Benson Ramsey is the son of Bo Ramsey—producer and sideman to prominent folker Greg Brown. He and other half David Huckfelt are both Iowa natives who met in Arizona, began performing in a Mexican barrio, and then moved to Minneapolis (Bob Dylan’s hometown) to launch a career. Part of the Americana revival in indie folk, they play mellow, pretty songs and dress like 19th century woodsmen. Unlike many of their contemporaries, however, the Pines’ music is marked by a stark and mysterious feel; if Conor Oberst sold his soul to the devil in a Robert Johnson fashion, the result would sound a lot like this band. It’s a darker shade of twee pop, but the songs are often uplifted with jangly guitars and driving rhythms and grooves—keeping gigs far from solemn. Their performances got them a lot of attention at last year’s SXSW festival, being named one of the highlights by CMT.com, and whatever’s hot at SXSW is definitely a big gig for Buffalo. The Pines are touring around their latest CD, Tremolo (Red House Records), and come through Buffalo tonight (Thursday, Dec. 11). Michele Weber and Vic Lazar open the show.

—geoff anstey

The Ninth Ward at Babeville, Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware / 7pm (doors) / $10 at box office and Tickets.com / 852-3835 / babevillebuffalo.com

Saturday, December 12

Grant Hart

Husker Du was one of the most important and influential bands of the 1980s (along with Black Flag, Minutemen, Sonic Youth, and Dinosaur Jr.). As co-founder of the band, drummer Grant Hart was responsible for some of Husker Du’s most enduring music. Songs such as “It’s Not Funny Anymore,” “Turn On The News,” and “The Girl Who Lives On Heaven Hill” are highpoints on such classic Husker albums as Metal Circus, Zen Arcade, and New Day Rising. After years of critical success and being one of the first underground bands to sign to a major label, Husker Du broke up amidst drugs, suicide, and financial struggle. Grant Hart released acclaimed solo records that went nearly ignored, while the other members sought to find an identity for themselves. Now clean and sober, Hart has worked on various projects that not only involve music but art and film as well. Nevertheless, his solo shows are the real treat. Something along the lines of an old fashioned hootenany, Hart never has a concrete set list but always pulls from the deep well of classics he has written.He also has some great stories to tell along the way. Hart performs an early show at Mohawk Place on Saturday (Dec. 12). Opening is Vox Humana. Please remember this is an early show. Doors open at 7pm. (Playing later that night, at 10pm: Handsome Jack, the Thermidors, and Choo Choo La Rouge).

—eric boucher

Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. / 7pm (doors) / $12 / 855-3931 / myspace.com/moawkplace

Saturday, December 12

Brownman & TypeRelevant

From Toronto to Buffalo comes Brownman, also known as the Canadian jazz artist Nick Ali of the Brownman Electryc Trio (among numerous other projects). A celebrated trumpet player, composer/arranger, and studio musician, Brownman/Ali has won numerous national awards and accolades in Canada. He makes all-too-rare appearances south of the border, but who can blame him? He is leader and /or active composer in no less than six different groups ranging in size from three to fifteen. From the Electryc Trio’s improv to the Akoustic Quartet/Trio’s classic jazz to the latin/jazz/urban Cruzao outfit (which can number up to 15 in its “Monstruoso” form) to the hip-hop sounds of Gruvasylum, Brownman has shown he can cover all bases. He meets Buffalo hip-hop this Saturday (Dec. 12) at Soundlab when he takes the stage with our own Type: Relevant, who will prove their own jazz prowess as backing band for Ali in the first segment of the show. Then the roles will switch, with Brownman filling backup duty for Type: Relevant as their guest musician. It’s a night of all live jazz and hip hop, ending with a set by Buffalo’s Kinda Like Dreamin,’ a three-time champion in Buffalo’s “Battle of the Hip-Hop Bands. This could be cosmically collaborative.

—frances boots

Soundlab, 110 Pearl St. / 9pm / $8 / bigorbitgallery.org/soundlab

Friday, Dec. 11 - Saturday. Dec 19

Mommy's Martini Hour

“Mommy’s Martini Hour!” is the second show in the new BUA cabaret series. Marc Sacco scored a big hit with “Marc With a ‘C’,” and now two popular Buffalo singer-actresses—Loraine O’Donnell and Kerrykate Abe—will take us on a humorous musical tour of their lives as single mothers/chanteuses. The irreverent O’Donnell and Abel personae are well suited to a light-hearted romp through the world of “divorce, diapers, dating, drinking, and everything in between.” This show marks the first time these vivacious ladies of song have performed together. They will be accompanied at the piano by Chuck Basil. Best known in certain circles as actresses, Abel, who is the producer of the cabaret series, is also a cabaret performer of note, and has studied with such cabaret greats as Julie Wilson, Margaret Whiting, Sally Mayes and Lina Koutrakos. O’Donnell began her performing career in the New York cabaret circuit, before becoming a multiple Artie Award winning actress. She is currently co-host of “Good Morning Buffalo” on WECK 1230 AM radio with Tom Donahue. After this Friday’s (Dec. 11) opening, the show will continue Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm through the 19th, and Sunday (Dec. 13) at 7pm. For reservations, call BUA at 886-9239 or reserve online at info@BuffaloBUA.org.

—anthony chase

Buffalo United Artists, 119 Chippewa St. / Fri & Sat 8pm; Sun 7pm; / $20 general; $15 BUA members, students & seniors / 886-9239 / buffalobua.org

Monday, December 14

Cannibal Corpse

Cannibal Corpse has come to define extreme death metal, with violently grusome album art and song titles that are unprintable. Cannibal Corpse took the imagery and nihilism of bands like Slayer and Venom and intesified it a thousand times over. Formed in Buffalo in 1988, the band was a crucial element in the local metal and punk scenes at a time when both genres were alternately embracing and abhorring each other. A locally recorded demo cassette led them to sign with Metal Blade Records, which released their debut album, Eaten Back To Life. By the time of their second album, Butchered At Birth, Cannibal Corpse had gained an international cult following, and they have inspired many bands since. With guitars and percussion at breakneck speed and violently disturbed lyrics their trademark, it’s doubtful there will be any sort of artitstic compromise at any time in the near future. Or ever. Cannibal Corpse performs at Town Ballroom with Hatebreed on Monday (Dec. 14), as part of the “Decimation of the Nation” tour, with supporting bands Unearth, Born Of Osiris, and Hate Eternal.

—eric boucher

Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. / 5:30pm (doors) / $25 advance at box office, Tickets.com; $28 day of show / all ages / 852-3900 / townballroom.com