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?

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.

Ladies Night in Rochester

Don't ask Danielle LeBeau if she'll play Business Men. Lauren Ciarpelli will not be found crooning from a standstill any longer. These ladies are half of one of the latest indie/hardcore incarnations to take Buffalo and Rochester, Lapse. And, if they look and sound familiar, it's because only months ago they were half of Lights of Autumn, a Rochester pop-rock favorite.

But those poppy tunes are behind them as they embark with fellow musicians, Joey Raab, Garrett Tuchrello and newly added guitarist, Will Whaley, into a newer, harder, more experimental sound that they won't commit to one genre. As Ciarpelli says "We're melodic with a hardcore sound, but we're not 'melodic hardcore.'"

Confusing, right? Well, don't let the lack of definition throw you, Lapse has a specific sound and they're not afraid to shout it all the way to the back of the club. With the ladies citing their influences as a range of metal, punk, and hardcore, and Ciarpelli and Raab driving the creative force, expect great things from them.

I had the luck of finally seeing Lapse live at Holiday Havoc in December after a few misses at other live shows. With the other bands sticking to textbook metal breakdowns and unintelligible lyrics, Lapse stepped up and wailed us with a wall of music. Real music. Don't get me wrong, Ciarpelli is up front shredding her vocal cords like we've never heard before, but it mixes with the instruments in a way that totally rocks. They don't rely on tried and true metal or hardcore structure to build their tracks, and the result is uniquely them.

But, die hard LOA fans will probably be let down by this departure, though awesome. Lapse anticipates this and for the mean time are releasing their tracks digitally and in limited hardcopy quantities. LeBeau says it's also because people are hesitant to spend their cash on different genres than what they're used to. This is not the first time I've heard this from a local band. With independent financial backing and new musical offerings, who can blame them for testing the waters with an EP.

Overall, their sound is refreshingly hard, which I hope draws fewer Paramore comparisons on their behalf. The end of one chapter, and the beginning of the next, as LeBeau said "Why stick with the same thing?" Indeed. Be sure to check out Lapse this Sunday at Buffalo's Sugar City along with Iron Rain, Better Times, and Worthless.

All My Best Friends Are Metalheads

With Bayside and Terrible Things come and gone-and me still pissed I had to miss them- it's time to get geared up for the next great show to come to the ROC. It's almost time for one of the more prolific 90s-2000s pop-punk-ska band to light up Rochester with their confetti guns and horn section.

Last time Less Than Jake came to town I was lucky enough to catch their acoustic set at the HOG and snag an autograph from Chris Damakes. This time, I'll be less of a stalker, and more of a devoted fan from the pit at Water Street on January 31st. Tickets are $16, $20 at the door. Featuring Supervillians, Off With Their Heads and more.

Snowbirds and Townies

When I first heard that Hit the Lights was coming through the ROC, I knew that their show would be the highlight of the winter. With Rochester natives Nate VanDame and Kevin Mahoney on stage, it was bound to be an awesome homecoming show.


And then, the openers were announced.


One after another the supporting acts were announced and the list reads like a who's who of awesome hometown acts, across the genre spectrum of rock, punk, indie and pop punk: Preemptive Strike, A Summer Scene, Joywave, Avenue You, Such Gold.

Needless to say, I will be camped out at Water Street all night to catch them all. And you should too, as this is the best lineup of Roc-local bands we've seen in a while. Thursday night, doors at 6:30.

Local music this weekend

There is a sweet handful of local music playing this weekend, spanning ska, punk, pop-punk and rock. Be sure to check out the following shows and support your local scene tonight and tomorrow:

Friday
Syracuse natives, Honor Bright, are opening for Alesana at Waterstreet. Doors at 6, $15 tickets, ages 16+ without a guardian.

Even Jeff Spevak, who I consider a total fogie when it comes to local music reviews knows what's up with this show: 5Head Reunion Show featuring The Beaumonts. Expect awesomeness from this ska show with their indie openers. Both, that's right both, are diamonds in the rough of Rochester's local scene. Doors at 8, $15 tickets, ages 16+ without a guardian.

Saturday
Arguably the best show this winter to commute for, the AP Tour is coming just outside of Buffalo. We're excited for Bring Me The Horizon, but the showstopper is always Rochester/Syracuse's own sons, Polar Bear Club. Doors at 6, $17 tickets.

Please Don’t Hang Out In Front Of The House

Ever cram into someone's house (or equally intimate venue) for a show and it rocked your face off? The close-quarters, shitty acoustics and racing-heart emotion that happens in someone's basement or garage is hard to replicate.

If this is your idea of a solid Saturday night, check out the first volume of Please Don’t Hang Out In Front Of The House featuring tracks from some freakin-sweet artists playing songs about playing house parties. Very introspective, eh?

Notable acts include Attica! Attica!, Mayflower, The Sweet Revenge, and Roch's own Sakes Alive!!, featuring Hit the Lights guitarist, Kevin Mahoney.

Follow the link below to download and enjoy:

Volume 1 download

Happy Birthday to ME!

I am a Sagittarius- optimistic, a little crazy, super loyal and a bit mouthy. This year, as I approach a milestone birthday near the end of the month, I was looking for a way to celebrate that's as loud and boisterous as myself and fellow Sagittarii can be. The answer? Rochester's Skanksgiving.

If you've read this blog for a few posts you'd see that deep down, ska is the soundtrack of my life. My heartbeat is a horn section. Which is why I'm so obsessed with Rochester's ska/punk scene. (And why I nearly pounced on Chris Vandeviver when he worked some horns into a new Sakes Alive!! track)

So, without further ado, here is the list of acts for Skanksgiving, an all-day ska show at Dubland Underground on the 27th and unofficial way to celebrate another year of my fantastic being. Doors at 1:30, show at 2:00:

2:00-2:25 Condition Oakland (Ashland PA folk punk)
2:30-2:55 Radioactive Snowshu (Rochester thrash n' ska)
3:05-3:30 Cobrafield (Rochester pop-punk)
3:40-4:05 Free For All (Rochester punk/ska)
4:15-4:40 4point0 (Syracuse ska)
4:50-5:15 The Steakouts (Rochester ska)
5:25-5:50 The Couchtesters (Rochester ska)
6:00-6:25 Two Ton Ska (Rochester ska/rock)
6:35-7:00 Fun with Shot Gun Shells (Rochester punk)
7:10-7:40 Do it with Malice (Buffalo skacore,)
7:50-8:15 Sand Bar (Rochester dub/ska, NYC return show)
8:25-9:00 Mrs Skannotto (Rochester rockin ska/reggae)

If you didn't go last Saturday...

You really should check out Rochester's latest rock-incarnation, Lapse, tonight in Buffalo with Fat Wreck Chords' Dead to Me.

An October to Remember

In case your October isn't filling up as mine is with weddings, reunions and awesomeness, here's a few shows to fill the gaps:

10/ 1
Sailing to Rome Reunion Show- Mohawk Place

10/2
Shonen Knife- Mohawk Place

The 2nd Annual Rochester Invasion ft. Sirens and Sailors & Nightmares. Featuring Call me the Patriot, Mercia, 31goings, Soma Slumber, Storm the Bay, Every Last Thursday, The Dream Anatomy, Heavy Lies the Crown, A Dreadful Awakening - Salvation Army in Canandaigua

10/10 Rhinoceros, The Mongoloids and more- Mohawk Place

10/14 The “Goodbye, Goodnight Tour” Mae w/Terrible Things, Windsor Drive- Water Street

10/15 Young Bloods- Water Street

Mrs. Skannotto, The Couchtesters, The Steakouts, Free For All, and New Ways- Water Street

10/16 DEBUT: LAPSE with Sans Ego, Avenue You- Montage Music Hall

10/19 Dead To Me (Fat Wreck Chords), Lapse, Don't Lose Hope, Real People- The Wolves' Den

10/24 GWAR w/ the Casualties- Water Street

10/28 Matt & Kim- Water Street

10/29 Cry to the Blind, Every Last Thursday- Water Street

10/30 Halloween Havoc- Montage Music Hall

Rage Fest 2010

We're 24 hours out from Rage Fest 2010 and this girl couldn't be any more excited. Three weeks ago I thought I couldn't go, this week I snagged a ticket off the boys of Young Bloods, tomorrow over 20 local bands that range from punk to metal are tearing the roof off of Water Street.

Headliners include Such Gold, Every Last Thursday, Sirens and Sailors, Storm the Bay and Mercia. Also keep an eye out for support bands Call Me The Patriot, Soma Slumber, Heavy Lies The Crown, and Red Letter Statement.

Doors at 5 and tickets are $10 in advance. Get down to Water Street early to catch a prime spot as it will be jammed with the 18 and under crowd quickly.

Social D in the ROC

The hallmark band of the American punk scene in the late 80s to 90s, Social Distortion will be playing August 5th at Nola's in Charlotte. Tickets are $30 and doors are at 6pm.

Punk Out the West Coast

Vacation is a time to step away from work and personal responsibilities and kick back. But, if you're anything like me, it's also an opportunity to experience what you love in a different setting. Case and point: Cali punk.

On holiday in the Bay Area, I was sure to put some shows on my docket, especially since the larger cities tend to reap better acts. Sorry, Rochester, but you know it's true. Not only did we get to freeze our asses off outside to see Cake (where they played favorites including Love You Madly and Stickshifts and Safetybelts) but we also got a chance to revisit San Francisco's version of Water Street, Slim's, and take in some authentic Golden State punk. I had last visited this venue in 2007 to see the Ataris play, and found it to be just like our ROC counterpart: small, gritty and easily accessible to the stage.

With my perennial partner-in-crime in tow, we unfortunately arrived late, missing opener Title Fight. But, I had seen them back in September at Dubland with Polar Bear Club, so few tears were shed. Comeback Kid was striking their open chords as our hands were stamped and we settled in to the crowd. Though they were pretty unfamiliar to me, CBK brought the noise with their absolutely unforgettable guitar leads and well-timed balance of vocals.
Set Your Goals took the stage and immediately prepared us for a lineup change. Days earlier, lead singer Jordan had gotten sick on stage and would be sitting out the band's closing show in their hometown. Our skepticism about what would result was soon washed away as singer after singer from the tour and other bands took turns cranking out songs. Though we wish we had seen Jordan in action, we were pleased with this opportunity to mix it up a bit.

As expected, Set Your Goals did not disappoint, even with their hodge-podge of band members. Their musicianship stood up to this challenge and the audience received them without missing a beat. I loved seeing a personal favorite, Gaia Bleeds, live as the "bombs away" refrain was picked up by the audience and regurgitated back with such ferocity that it harked back to the 90s hardcore movement. An awesome show to close out the week.

March Madness Continues...

Get ready for back-to-back marathon music, spanning indie, hardcore and ska, in 24 hours or less. Gas up your car, because we're racing back and forth between Buffalo and the ROC to appreciate some of these shows:

Thursday the 18th:

Rochester- Perfect to bring your girl to, indie rock headliners Sherwood bringing in Orchard Drive, Lyrics to Life, and Reece. Tickets are $14 at Ticketmaster outlets and doors are at 6, show at 6:30.

Buffalo- Punk rock veterans H2O are blowing the doors off Mohawk Place with The Swellers. Also check out openers The Mongoloids and Buffalo's own Chosen Ones. Tickets will set you back $15.

Friday the 19th:

Rochester- Be a do-gooder while getting your skank on. Mrs. Skannotto is playing a Haiti Benefit show at Dubland Underground. Price is undetermined, but who the hell cares because it's for a great cause. Show is at 6pm.

#FollowFriday

Twitter's #FollowFriday– ROC Bands you should get to know on a personal basis because they kick ass:

#MusicMonday

It's a throwback #MusicMonday here in the world of PunkROC:

The Queers, Punk Rock Girls
Buzzcocks, Ever Fallen in Love?
The Cramps, Tear It Up

Punky Xmas to You

Stumbled upon this beauty early Monday morning. Just like the advent calendars than count down to Christmas with a daily piece of somewhat gross candy, click on the daily links and receive your tasty bit of punk.

Sing me some drunken lullabies!

Word on the street is that Flogging Molly will be returning to our fair city for 2010's Green 17 tour (After two sold out shows this past March, can you blame them for putting us on the bus route?). Luckily, this time they're switching venues from Waterstreet to the larger-capacity Main Street Armory.
Mark your calendars for February 28th. They bring a powerful stage show that is best celebrated by hoisting a pint with friends and kin.

At 6:00 We Go Live

Pop-punk rockers, Hit the Lights, are coming to Mohawk Place in Buffalo this Sunday, SUNDAY, Sunday. Ordinarily, we love a good 'ol pop punk show, but this band earns one better because two of HTL's members are none other than Rochester natives.

The ROC kids, guitarist Kevin Mahoney and drummer Nate Van Dame, helped bring the noise this summer at Warped Tour in Darien Lake. Even though the temperature was rising and that lovely Western New York humidity was making the day predictably unbearable, seeing Kevin bust out his KKBB shorts made the show.

We love their enthusiasm and showmanship, while turning out tracks that are lyrically relatable and laid over poppy, upbeat guitars and rock-solid drums. Even though the weather is getting cold in this section of the world, their tunes are pure summer.

Time: 6:30 PM at Mohawk Place (featuring There For Tomorrow, Vinnie Caruana, Sparks the Rescue, & Oh No Not Stereo)
Damage: $13