#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

New Year, New Album – Part 1.

When the boys of Makyo Star were kids, their big finale song was a cover of Blink's anthem, Dammit. But, years later, it's their new self-titled album that truly embodies the line "I guess this is growing up." Between rehashing growing pains lyrically and the physical toll of commuting to Syracuse to record, it's no wonder that bassist Mike Landers remarks that "the making of the album impacted our lives for the whole time we were recording."

A lot has changed for this group of up-and-comers from Churchville in the last few years including a couple of lineup switches, some creative alterations and notably, their signing with Green Means Go records. However, that growing up process resulted in the core four members, brothers Mike and Tim Landers, Jon Garcia and Mike Panek, coming out on top with a new appreciation for their music development, and an album that reflects that mature outlook.

With fewer cooks in the kitchen, as they lovingly refer to their skinnied lineup, and total commitment from the rockers, came a drive to raise the musical bar from the band as we knew it. Backed by the GMG management team's vision for the future, and the members' persistent goal to always improve their musicianship, Makyo Star is the ROC local band to keep an eye on.

Stay tuned later this week for a first look at their latest album as we prepare for the CD release party at the German House on Saturday the 16th:

Time-Doors at 5:30
All Ages
Cash money- $10 presale through the bands or Ticketmaster

Mid-January Madness

Just because it's snowing and icy out, doesn't mean we can't heat up the first month of the new decade with some great shows. Get your blood pumping and thaw your toes out in the pit with these four upcoming local and international showcases:

Saturday the 9th
Battle of the Bands- round 1 at Waterstreet
Check out some up-and-coming talent for a cheap price ($8 adv, $10 dos). Likely to have a younger crowd, so if you can't tolerate punk kids, stay home. But, usually a great chance to check out what's hot in the ROC's next generation.

Friday the 15th
Winter Sucks 2010, Sirens and Sailors & Ice Nine Kills at Waterstreet
If you need a more hardcore genre to keep you toasty, this is the show for you. SAS may be youthful, but their soaring guitars and metal undertones speak of experience on stage. Future Warped Tour band, INK, takes a more screamo-metal edge, but definitely pit-worthy.

Saturday the 16th
Makyo Star CD release party at the German House
Joining out hometown crush, Makyo Star, is an eclectic lineup of rockers including My Arcadia, The Lions Hive and This AM Static. Come early and stay late because you're in for a energetic group of musicians and lots of band hotties to keep you warm.

Sunday the 17th
Down With Webster at Mohawk Place in Buffalo
Totally worth braving the lake effect snow driving to see these Canadian hip hop/rock dudes. The winners of our first Warped Tour Best of Awards 2009 spot of Next Big Thing/Best of Show, DWW is the band to see if you want to sing along and get rowdy off stage. Play Whoa is Me or Time to Win on the drive in, and you'll be ready to go by the time you hit the Buff.

Cheers!

100 Resolutions

This time of year, The Lawrence Arms hit 100 Resolutions reemerges frequently among my friends as our perennial New Years anthem (Take that, Auld Lang Syne). Enjoy our favorite as we toast to 2009 being done and very much over with:

This year I'll try not to drink so much.
This year I'll try to stand up straight.
This year let's live liked we've never lived before,
this is our year for sure.

Holiday Havoc - Saturday Scrutiny

The much awaited Holiday Havoc IV show at Harro East came and went last Saturday with a lot of anticipation, and a fair return on investment. My partner-in-crime, a former ROC local drummer, and I arrived early, amped up to see the line-up that ranged from pop-rock to metal. Sets flew by (around 20 minutes apiece) and tunes were shredded. All in all, the show was worth the 10 bucks, but could have used a little diversity in the sounds, and a lot of help with the equipment and technical difficulties.

Rock quartet, Avenue You, is always a crowd-pleaser, and didn't let us down. However, the boys were suffering the wrath of a crapped-out amp. Technical difficulties aside, we love their genuine rock foundation and pop-punk roots

Drawing Infinity had a lot of flash, but need to work on the substance behind the scenes. Song Pirates on Parade was a whimsical rock-metal journey. But, their most innovative sound came from their cover of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, which either shows their ability to rock an iconic/ironic oldie, or reveals cracks in their own creativity.

Loved the brand new tune Upstate Confidential with its heavy bass sound. Storm the Bay, was this you? On a related note, bands, set lists change, always enunciate your band name in the mic, eh?

Finally caught up with A Scene Unseen, the veritable wet-dream of the local metal/rock/hardcore scene. We really wanted to love them too, but they came at the end of a block of acts with the same rock-metal sound. But, their potential- mainly in the guitar crescendos- makes us want another shot. Keeping an eye out for their next ROC show.

Just as band after band was lulling us to sleep with their cookie-cutter hardcore, Lights of Autumn blew up a pop bomb and rescued us from monotony. Playing such favorites such as Business Men, we were glad they closed with the most lyrically developed and mature song of their repertoire, Anything.

We tried to bear the rest of the night, catching ATSOC as our last act (Thumbs up, I-town represent with singer, Jake Gissen), but when our only main draw was so my concert companion could see Thom of Young Bloods play, we called it quits.

Cheers to the holidays, and a Happy New Year filled with shows....