A grand farewell to the ROC

Dear loyal readers:

The time has come, as it does for many young Rochestarians, for this punk chick to move on outta Rochester. I am off to one of punk's finest homes, San Francisco, so writing about the music scene in Rochester, though I love it, loses its cred.

I want to share a special thanks to the bands and individuals along the way that have shared their passion for music with me. Lapse. Call Me The Patriot. Makyo Star. And especially, the discerning voice of Sakes Alive!!, Chris Vandevivier. Thanks to my dude, Dan, for letting me rip his old Murdock and Museums albums, while inspiring me with his drum work.

Thanks to Such Gold, Polar Bear Club, Like Wolves, and many others for your dedication to keeping hardcore and punk alive in Rochester.

Thank you to the fine folks of Water Street Music Hall, Flying Squirrel, The Bug Jar, and Montage for their continued efforts to showcase local music.

Thanks to the copycats and haters. You make me smile.

Always,
PunkROC aka Stephanie (@Strep)

Homegrown punk goodness

I have admittedly been missing out on few recent great shows, and since I'm leaving Rochester soon (details to come), I frantically realized that I wanted some delicious hometown music before I check out.

Thankfully, the BugJar is my savior, and is hosting a sweet group of bands this Sunday. For less than $10 you can stop by, enjoy the people watching, and vibe to some dirty, DIY, Roc music–some indie, some punk, some....et cetera.

Doors at 8, music at 9, including Bad Kids, Torus, Sexy Neighbors (Brooklyn), and Goons.

Drunken Lullabies

Flogging Molly is playing The Armory tomorrow night. This girl will be hoisting Guinness and carrying on, will you be in attendance?

Here's Your Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day, punks.

Saturday night in the ROC

What do you get when you add one part Hot Rod Circuit, one part Taking Back Sunday, one part Coheed and Cambria and a heaping spoonful of some fantastic, dance-along ska/punk? A solid night at Water Street.

Saturday night in the ROC, we welcome ska all stars Streetlight Manifesto on their Ship of Fools Tour featuring opener and pop-rock conglomerate Terrible Things to the stage at Water Street. I saw Streetlight back in 2009 on Warped Tour, and they were a personal favorite with their horn section and enthusiastic beats. Anyone who can get hundreds of exhausted, sweaty Warped Tour-goers to smile in the middle of the day and dance along earns a special spot in my heart.

It's guaranteed to be a night of fantastic music, ranging from punk to pop. Doors at 6:30, tickets are $20 at the door.