Editor's Pick: Ian McLagen & the Bump Band

Thursday, March 5

Among musicians, Ian McLagen is a legend. But if his name doesn’t ring any bells for you, perhaps his resume will. Since his early work with the Small Faces, then the Faces, and all the way through his work with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Taj Mahal, John Hiatt, David Lindley, Paul Westerberg, Billy Bragg, Patty Griffin, and Buffalo’s own Jim Whitford, McLagen is the sort of keyboardist who can take a good song and make it unforgettable. Think of his cascading electric piano run on “Stay With Me” by the Faces, or the warm sound of his Hammond B-3 on the Rod Stewart staple “Maggie May.” But don’t assume this is some washed-up British rock nostalgia trip. “Mac,” as friends and fans know him, has never logged much down time. Rooted in Austin for the past 15 years, he’s assembled the top-notch Bump Band featuring bassist Mark Andes, drummer Don Harvey, and guitarist “Scrappy” Jud Newcomb—and they’re out in support of Never Say Never, a rich and soulful new release featuring ten original songs by a real rock treasure. He visits Buffalo tonight, this Thursday (March 5).

—buck quigley

8pm. Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St. (852-2860 / www.tralfmusichall.com). $17/presale, $20/day of show at Ticketmaster

Thursday, March 5

Babik

Babik, Buffalo’s own gypsy jazz band, will kick off an east coast tour tonight (March 5) with a hometown show at Nietzsche’s. The tour will take the band from Buffalo to Florida and will last the duratrion of the spring—meaning this will be your last chance to catch the band until the summer months. Babik has become widely popular in the area over the last few years, constantly packing venues and earning themselves the honor of being invited to play with the BPO. The CD Release party for their second album, American Gypsy, this past October was extremely well-received. Babik has said that this show will include a few special guest appearances and also that, should the mood strike them, they will hold an extended jam session lasting well into the night. Tickets will only be sold at the door, so get there early.

—justin sondel

8:30pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / www.nietzsches.com)

Thursday, March 5

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

When Drive By Truckers’ critically acclaimed Decoration Day was released earlier this decade, much of the focus was on their newest member, guitarist and songwriter Jason Isbell. Although only in his early twenties at the time, Isbell’s songs were awash with haunting storytelling and tearful sincerity. After three records with the Truckers, Isbell amicably parted ways with the band to release his first solo record, Sirens Of the Ditch. Away from the boundaries of his former band, Isbell was able to do whatever he wanted and the results were more than promising. However, with the release of his new album, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, he fulfills what his debut merely hinted at. Intricate tales of youth, family, and bad habits intertwine with pop hooks that bring to mind Tom Petty’s best moments. When he was with Drive By Truckers, fans yearned to hear more than the one or two gems that Jason contributed to each album. With this new record, they finally get their wish. Deer Tick opens the show this Thursday (March 5)

—eric boucher

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47. E. Mohawk St. $14

Saturday, March 7

Sugar City Benefit: Bustin’ Out II—Electric Boogaloo!

The last time we sent AV readers to a Sugar City event—the grand opening of the do-it-together art collective’s new space on Wadsworth Street, round the bend from Allen—the people came in droves. And the cops were not amused. But this time, there will be no such worries: This Sugar City dance party and mix-tape swap takes place in the well established, fully licensed and permitted venue of Soundlab, in the basement of the historic Dun Building. Music will be channeled by Sugar Citizens Dan Carosa and AK47, La Cacahouette’s Blake Ellman, and Nick Gordon of London Vs New York. Bring a mix-tape or CD and get a dollar off the price of admission.

­—geoff kelly

10pm. Soundlab, 110 Pearl Street (www.buffalosugarcity.org). $5 under 21, $4 over 21.

Sunday, March 8

AIDS Wolf, Us Girls

It came from Montreal, named for an obscure rural/urban myth of questionable taste, and has expanded into an extended family of noise-punk-freak-folks. Theoriginal AIDS Wolf band—the nuclear unit—consists of just four members whose motto reads “We are a fucking cult and will cause you harm and ill will,” and if that doesn’t draw an audience I can’t imagine what will. (A tip: Check the band’s homepage at Skingraftrecords.com for “The Nine Principles of AIDS Wolf,” it may help you prepare for the show.) Starting off this evening of disturbing and dissonant noise—you should see the definition of “skronk” if you’re looking for a new senseless genre-defying term—is Chicago-based US Girls, a/k/a Megan Remy, whose ambient, intense, vocal-driven music likewise discourages description.

—k. o’day

9pm. Soundlab, 110 Pearl St. $7

Sunday, March 8

Agent Orange

Formed in 1979 in Fullerton, California, Agent Orange became one of punk’s most legendary bands. Although born in the midst of California’s hardcore scene, Agent Orange differed from their contemporaries in their fusion of punk and surf-rock. Inspired by such surf icons as Dick Dale and Link Wray, the band’s 1981 debut Living In Darkness remains a classic recording. Their brand of mid-temp punk, catchy melodies, and atypical songwriting went on to influence dozens of punk and hardcore bands, including the Desendents and the Offspring. Although Agent Orange has only released a handful of recordings, they to thrive on the live circuit, creating a frenzy both on and off the stage. A classic punk band, AO evokes a feeling of energy and timelessness that punks half their age struggle to attain. They’ll play at Mohawk Place on Sunday (March 8). Opening are Plates, the Flying Tricheros, and Able Danger—who are celebrating the release of their new 7” EP that night.

—eric boucher

7pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. $12

Tuesday, March 10

That 1 Guy

Mike Silverman, more popularly known as the one-man-band That 1 Guy, will be playing the Ninth Ward at Babeville this Tuesday (March 10). Silverman, who attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, is known for his progressive percussive style. While working as a studio musician and becoming one of the most sought after bass players in the progressive jazz arena, Silverman became frustrated with the limitations that his instrument presented. He felt that he could not create all of the sounds that he wanted to on his upright bass so he created his own instrument that he dubbed the “Magic Pipe.” This seven-foot tall structure made from plumbing parts, bass strings, and various electronics allows Silverman to create the sounds he had been dreaming up during his years in the studio. His is a unique kind of music, and Silverman cites influences such as Captain Beefheart, Zappa, and Dr. Seuss. Red Tag Rummage Sale opens the show.

—justin sondel

8:30pm. Ninth Ward at Babeville, 341 Delaware Ave. $8

Tuesday, March 10

Dalai Lama Renaissance

Next Tuesday (March 10) marks the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan Nationalist Uprising, and 50 years of the Dalai Lama’s life in exile. The occasion will be marked by the Buffalo Zen Dharma Community and Artspace Buffalo, with a screening of the new feature film Dalai Lama Renaissance. Narrated by Harrison Ford, this documentary charts a 1999 visit by a group of 40 scientists, writers, and other prominent intellectuals to the Dalai Lama’s home in the Indian region of the Himalayan Mountains. Their purpose was to brainstorm a way to move humanity forward through some of its most persistent and troubling problems. The film takes on an aspect of dark comedy as these deep thinkers—despite their best intentions—are soon flailing in a quagmire of professional egotism and procedural roadblocks. His serene holiness is left to make some sense of the event, which he does with characteristic humility and good grace. Producer-director Khashyar Darvich will be present for an audience discussion after both screenings.

—m. faust

5:30pm and 7:30pm. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main Street. $10/$7 student.