Black Mountain, Black Angels

Saturday, October 30

Psychedelic grunge sounds like an oxymoron but it can be done, and Black Mountain does it pretty well. Take “Old Fangs,” the first single from their latest full length, Wilderness Heart, released in September on Jagjaguwar Records. Frontman Stephen McBean groans lyrics like “is it foolish to know what you want before you’ve begun?” and just when it seems like James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins is about to take over and tear apart a rapid-fire guitar solo, the band instead sends a spaced-out keyboard laser riff. By the middle of Wilderness Heart McBean is claiming to be the “Piper at the Gates of Dawn,” making a quick switch from the Seattle sound to folky 1960’s psychedelia, and back again. This raw combination comes at the hands of producer D. Sardy, a man who has produced tracks from at least one of your favorite bands, including LCD Soundsystem, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Rolling Stones, and even tour mates the Black Angels. The Black Angels take a different approach to psychedelic rock though, ripping a page straight out of the summer-of-love catalog. The five piece from Austin, Texas wears their influences on their sleeves, even nabbing their name from a Velvet Underground song. Their latest album, Phosphene Dream, mixes guitars that could’ve come straight from the Beatles’ White Album, keyboards that the Zombies would envy, and lyrics that even Jim Morrison would have fun contemplating. Their latest single, “Telephone,” might even have you believing the British have invaded once again. Catch Black Mountain and the Black Angels on the Dropout Boogie Tour when they take the stage at The Tralf for a Halloween freak-out on Saturday (Oct 30). —cory perla

7pm (doors). Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St. (852-2860 / www.tralfmusichall.com).$15/presale; $17/day of show at Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000)

Saturday, October 23

The Cult

In the 1980’s The Cult wore lot of masks. They emerged from the British post-punk scene before moving into heavy metal revival, gothic rock, alternative, and hard rock. They gained a dedicated following in Britain with their pre-eminent release, Love (1985), which has sold nearly 2.5 million copies worldwide, and broke into the North American market with Electric (1987) and Sonic Temple (1989). Originally known as Southern Death Cult, then as Death Cult, and finally as the Cult, the band had a lifespan that wasn’t all that different from any other band in the 80s. Started by legendary frontman Ian Astbury, they found success, made great albums, toured, partied, fought, and broke up. But at a time when anonymous, dispensable rock bands were breaking into the mainstream market, the Cult achieved an edge and darkness that was far removed from the good-time-party-boy hair bands of the time. They incorporated elements of Native American mysticism along with touches of punk and psychedelia. Their style puts them in the realm of the Doors (Astbury was lead singer in the Doors of the 21st Century), and Led Zeppelin, with the driving three-chord force of AC/DC. The constants have always been Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy, and after hiatuses in the 80s and 90s the newer version of the Cult is back to recording and touring. The Cult hit the stage at Town Ballroom on Friday (Oct 29) with special guests Black Ryder. 97 Rock, The Edge 103.3 and Town Ballroom will be presenting the concert as a Halloween celebration, so dress up to win prizes and see what else is in store. —jon wheelock

7pm (doors) Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / www.townballroom.com). $31/advance ; $34/day of show at TB box office, Tickets.com/(888) 223-6000, & Tops Markets

Sunday, October 29 & Wednesday, November 3

Rhubarb

Rhubarb has been providing Buffalo with a jazzy, rock, shoegazing, funk-influenced sound since the late nineties. They have organized and produced their own three day music festival, toured the North East, Colorado, and points in between, released three albums, participated in the Music is Art festival, and throws an annual Halloween show, The Bazoinker Ball, which is now in it’s seventh year. This Friday (Oct. 29th) the ball will be held at Cole’s on the mysterious third floor. The Halloween ambience will be set by retro horror movie projections and a costume contest. Joining Rhubarb will be Arm Cannon, Type Relevant, and DJ Cutler. If that’s not enough Rhubarb for you, they are playing every Wednesday at DBGB’s (Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar) as part of a weekly residency. Each week Rhubarb will be playing alongside special guests, a rotating list of keyboard and organ players, horn players, freestyle emcees, second guitarists and percussionists. Rhubarb will be recording their improvisations, which will be released on a combination live and studio album. DBGB’s, formerly known as Staples, is under new management. This revamped music venue and bar offers 17 taps, two beers for five dollars on Wednesdays, and will soon begin serving food. —jill greenberg

Bazoinker Ball at Cole’s (1104 Elmwood Ave, 886-1449 / www.colesbuffalo.com), and every Wednesday at DBGB’s (253 Allen St. / 884-4357).

Wednesday, November 3

Grady

Taking elements of modern country and modern metal Grady have discovered their own unique sound, something they have coined “Cowboy Metal.” Hailing from Austin, a city that has always been full of diverse musical talents, these guys pulled in a hall of Austin Music Awards in 2005, including Best New Band. Since then they have released two albums on the acclaimed independent label Alternative Tentacles, whose owner Jello Biafra referred to them as the “missing link between Junior Brown and Black Flag.” Along with their American release, Grady has also landed overseas on Europe’s Voices of Wonder. So if you’re looking for some edgy southwestern sounds, dust off your denim jacket for Grady on Wednesday night (November 3) at the Tudor Lounge. Super Killer Robots open the show. —pat dowd

8pm. Tudor Lounge, 355 Franklin St. (855-9643 / www.tudorlounge.com). $10/advance.

Thursday, November 4

Danzig

Last year Horror punk kings the Misfits celebrated their Halloween in Buffalo. This year, although a few days late, one of the original members of the Misfits, Glenn Danzig, will bring the goth rock spirit back to Buffalo. Finding success after the Misfits, Danzig has toured with the band Danzig for 13 years, finding a handful of Billboard charting singles including the metal blues classic “Mother.” Releasing their first studio album in six years, Danzig’s newest album Deth Red Sabaoth has brought the band back into the mainstream, including the hit “On a Wicked Night.” Thursday night (Oct. 4) Danzig’s Blackest of the Black tour will come through the Town Ballroom along with openers Possessed, Marduk, Toxic Holocaust, and Withered. —pat dowd

6pm (doors). Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / www.townballroom.com). $27/advance ; $29/day of show at TB box office, Tickets.com/(888) 223-6000, & Tops Markets

Thursday, November 4

Literacy Volunteers: Cocktails in Character

Dressing up as your favorite literary character for Halloween seems like a neat idea. You could find yourself a red hunting cap, start calling everyone “phonies,” and boom—you’re Holden Caulfield. Or, maybe you could drag a coffin around all day and call yourself As I Lay Dying. The possibilities are mostly endless. That’s the draw of the Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo & Eric County’s annual fundraising affair called “Cocktails in Character.” “Books & Booze” might have been a zippier name, or maybe “Gin & Joyce.” Guests will be able to pose in their delightful garb for professional photographs by Paul Melville. Local restaurants will be on hand to offer complimentary samplings, including Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, Pearl Street Bar & Grill, and many, many more. Tours through the historic Shea’s will be provided. There will be an auction for cool literary-themed items, like a set of pearl earrings inspired by The Girl With The Pearl Earring. O, those clever devils! Proceeds from the event will benefit programs to help adults develop and hone their literary skills. Literary Volunteers is “the region’s sole provider of free, one-on-one adult literacy services.” “Cocktails in Character” takes place Thursday (November 4) at Shea’s Performing Arts Center. Get wasted with words for the good of those in need. And remember, all the best writers were boozehounds. —peter vullo

5:30-8pm. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St (847-1410 / www.sheas.org). $30/advance at www.cocktailsincharacter.com; $40/at door.

Thursday, November 4

Neon Indian

One thing you never want to say is; “I should have taken acid with you.” Twenty-one year-old Mexico native Alan Palomo has his regrets, but those missed opportunities are what inspired his career as Neon Indian, and his hit song by that name. His deranged, melting, disco rock has catapulted him to the top of the electronic lo-fi scene with the likes of Washed Out and Small Black. Last year Palomo unleashed his hypnotizing and reverberating album Psychic Chasms, an album that was awarded Pitchfork’s Best New Music title, and teetered on the edge of mainstream success. In its wake, Neon Indian released a single called “Sleep Paralysist” on the newly formed internet record label Green Label, owned by Mountain Dew. Sellout you say? Well, not exactly, because the song, produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear, rocks. It’s a free download and he’s joined on the label by a slew of hit electronic pop bands like Matt & Kim, Chromeo, and Wavves. In August Neon Indian re-released Psychic Chasms with nine additional tracks, including a cover of the title track by Twin Shadow, and remixes by the likes of Bibio, Javelin, Toro y Moi, and YACHT. The re-release is titled Mind Ctrl: Psychic Chasms Possessed, and with half an hour of new music it’s a must have for Neon Indian fans. You might regret missing Neon Indian when the band hits Soundlab on Thursday (Nov. 4). —cory perla

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