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Adam Mickiewicz was a polish activist and political writer from the 19th century. He is the namesake of Buffalo's oldest ethnic social club--we'll call it the Polish Library (seems like the punchline or set-up to a weak ethnic joke) though it's full name is the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle. Located at 612 Fillmore on the city's fabled east side, the Polish Library has hosted other shows in the past, though it's yearly Decency Rally is undoubtedly it's biggest. They also boast a bar full of eastern bloc beers at rock bottom prices, a friendly staff and a lonely pool table that is free. Please stay off the piano, brosef.
Aaron Weese is a 21st Century Boy (man, but for the sake of T-Rex...)--spawned (and documented) a hardcore scene in Medina before setting sights on the big city and has been in some memorable bands. He is the curator of this annual showcase of local, mostly aggressive (their are some key exceptions) bands based in the Queen City. Usually, you can see local labels and organizations lining the wall with tables of records, donation buckets, literature and whatever else folks are passionate about. Aaron probably fields many bands hoping to play--though there is never enough ro
om for everyone.
You do, however, get a good chunk of whats happening in Buffalo's underground hardcore, punk and indie scenes with some of the better and serious bands--some established with records out; some in their formative stages.
Outside, you can smoke whatever it is you smoke, or enjoy the excellent Amy's Place Mobile Food Unit aka Amy's Place Truck. This appeases those pesky veggie folk and murderous carnivores alike. Inside, it's more than a show with a bunch of bands. As touched on before, I'd expect a few tables wih local labels and distros and other things to keep you busy. Bands play continuously in the large room downstairs, and the more intimate cove upstairs. Expect times to go as posted.
Mallwalkers recently released their debut lp on local via Albany label, Peterwalkee Records. They have both been written about in detail on this blog and are no strangers to the Rally. Expect a little extra from them on this special occasion. And for christs sakes, pick up their debut longplayer "Shake The Rust Off" from peterwalkee records or yer favorite record shop. Which better be this one, cheese. Mallwalkers are more than a spectacle--they have some great songs, solid musicians, a concise vision which even the most stripped down bands forget is essential.
While Utah Jazz have relocated to Rochester (2/3, anyway) they still are claimed by Buffalo and are one of our favorite acts on the bill. A relentless, bass-less garage punk attack that stretches genre boundaries and has become entrenched as a 'against the grain' band around these parts. They're fantastic and i wish more bands would take a cue. Some have. It's raw, in your face and the rock and roll you need for survival.
They say many people care the Herpes virus, though it is dormant. Which leads us to Able Danger! I first met the AD fellas from the north when they arrived at my home in North Buffalo with a demo for me to listen to. I'll say i was shocked it had been recorded with a laptop in a friends living room in like 2 hours or something. The first song was an "instant hit" and the others followed along. This was just some good, home cooked punk rock with a bratty sneer and a local theme. They haven't been playing much and while I'm unaware of their status, they will surface on saturday night once again. Maybe if they receive a wild, welcome...they will play more often.
Atmospheric rockers Ancients Of Earth took me by surprise at first listen...first heard on the Buffalo Brutality 7" comp offered up by Warm Bath. They bring a less heavy approach, instead (and welcome) offer up a psychedelic, ambient to powerful doomy rock approach to their instrumental vision. They recorded with Mr. Ski Mask at the Electric Pumpkin Patch Studio, though i have not properly heard this recording. Not yet, anyway.
Resist Control have been both delivering the goods via intense hardcore punk for several years now while being a bit overlooked and taken for granted at the same time. These "lady-killers" boast a healthy pedigree of members and seem to be getting a second (or third) wind, as they have laid down a full lp (to be released at this same venue in early 2014) and will be a welcome site at the rally, as their live gigs have become few and far between.
Some newer acts will showcase their results from hours spent in the basement or their overpriced practice room: The all female "gash crew" affiliated Cross Stitch, who just wrapped up a demo recorded by Mr. Matt "heartbreaker" Smith at his Hi-Lo studio. These pretty gals will claw the eyes out of your sockets if you look at them wrong and are another up and coming band with a, hopefully, bright future as they progress. They're off to a killer start if the demo and some live shows we've seen are any indication. I'm a fan, even if it's my eyes that come out of their sockets on saturday! Forget the "all girl" selling point, they're already one of this towns more unique and cool bands. West Side Pride. Real People recently played the Dungeon and kick out some serious DC-style post hardcore with an extreme tightness that is honest and unrelenting. They, like many, are veterans of the 'Rally.
Another new (to me, anyway) band is the Foster-fronted Flood Drinker -- a blast in your face punk rock outfit. Sounds like the way we like it over here and the live show is anticipated. They seem to have a sense of humor, yet the music is no joke. Raging ragers. Meanwhile, Sperm so new i havent heard them or seen them...yet! A quick, yet thorough listen to their recordings unearths an interesting and not-typical Buffalo-core approach. Some neat noisy thud, cool guitar playing and not afraid to slow things down. A bright blip on the radar; a band i'm looking forward to see. Speaking of which, Dream Journal have my attention lately (i was a latecomer to the DJ game...cut a man some slack). One this town should be proud and lucky to have, while you'd never know it but we're experiencing a musical valley. Not too shabby so far. DJ bring a welcome departure from typical by the numbers hardcore with a more-than-proficient gang of pals bringing the noise. They were a last minute add, like Sperm, and will undoubtedly bring their a-game for such a big show. Pick up their tape-only release on Drug Party (Dr. Stephen Floyd-Drinker's cassette only label) from the Drug Party webstore or out own brick and mortar shop. (i hate that term and we ain't just selling buttons)
As annual as the Rally is the avante-garde Cages--Nola and Dave Bailey and a guest-- will be performing as a trio. With a majority of tesosterone dripping from the seams in the hardwood, no voice fills the AMLADC main room with more power than Miss. Nola. Another rare not-so-punk garage psych band formed out of the ashes of the Fucking Hotlights is the Johns--songs by Johnny "Drama" Toohill and backed by some of Buffalo's "in the know" musicians--this band continues to get better with the passing days. Well written songs delivered in their purest form (and catchy at that) should alienate the "punk as fuck set" enough that I can get some photos of this ultra-handsome band. VOC. Brutality from the mouths of babes. I used to know these cats, but they dont tak to me anymore...so be it. They are a band and they bring it fast and br00tal. i shall expect the same from those empowered ladies in ACHILLEA--pay no mind to the controversies and chit-chat.
Mayday!. Another band that is upper level stuff--surf-punk rock with killer guitar shreds and powerful vocals that seem to appeal to a wider audience. They are no stranger to the rally, either...though you should probably check them out anyway. Go on, square--click the link. Own their records. Some day we'll look back and see the bands that mattered and Mayday! will be discussed. Another familiar face at the Decency Rally, by now you should be well aware of the Seasonal Geese; a much more rewarding Google™ search when researching bands like Mayday! They are a long running, hit-the-road band with a handful of cr00sh releases.
Finally, a band i haven't been privy to witness live, SunBlackSmoke will undoubtedly bring more volume and an unrelenting attack of what the kids call "stoner metal" which is an unfair term slapped on heavy, slower bands that have any remote debt to Sabbath or Pentagram. Listening to SunBlackSmoke--there is a lot more going on here. It's not a reinvention of the wheel, but it's not by the book "stoner metal" by any means. I assume they are a newer band--byt unlike many on the bill, this is their first Decency Rally.
The Decency Rally runs tight to the clock. Expect a band to play at their set time and things to run fluidly. Expect the bar to run out of beer towards the end of the night. And no matter what you're into---get your ass down to 612 Filmore at any point and expect the unexpected. this is a night where bands take it a step further, dig a little deeper--and a night for you to discover a part of whats going on underground in Buffalo.
And Spiral Scratch will remain open open regular hours, as well as our Sprial Scratch Radio Program on 91.3fm wbny at 10. It streams at www.wbny.org Thanks for reading. we'll be posting more store news later tonight. from Buffalo north, take 33 Downtown and exit at the Science Museum. take a left and a right on Filmore. 612 will be on the right. Critters will be gathered out front and there is a huge parking lot across the street. From south, downtown and points east or west...use your GPS. Its a close and quick drive from anywhere else you'd be going to in the city tonight. Get Decent, you're running out of time. anchovies 11.15.13
As we approach our 5 year anniversary (holy crap, doo!) a lot is being planned to give back to everyone who has supported us, helped us in anyway, shape or form, didn't screw us over and get all weird with us, and mostly...never forgot about us. A fire couldn't stop us, more powerful retail outlets capitalizing on our true love won;'t stop us...and for that, we have you to thank. Patience while we figured it all out, learned how the game is played while sticking to our ethos. More on that soon.
Ok, let's talk incoming stock, shall we? 2 posts in a week? Someone has nothing to do with their life. We will also begin working in our flagship radioshow-- now known as SCRATCH-N-SNIFF RADIO. It airs every saturday (well, most saturdays) at 10 p.m. to midnight. Click that link and you'll uncover tons of playlists from the last...well, a long time.
Those two turntables are only used by a few dj's these days...more often,students are eating lunch off them, or wondering what the fuck they are! Saturdays feature long-running 80's fanatic Robin "squid explosion" Connell and indie wildman Brian "ski" K. In their wake, I, sometimes joined by Chuck "termbo" Barrels or JD or whoever doesn't have plans that saturday night. We try to play what we love...oldies and new stuff we want you to know about.
Let's get to some new stuff, eh?
DIRTBOMBS - ooey gooey chewy ka-blooey! Another adventourous foray into the world of rock and roll genius, Mick Collins. In addition to the plethora of Dirtbombs albums, Collins has paid tribute to soulful...well, soul and rock and roll via ULTRAGLIDE IN BLACK and most recently, Detroit House Music wih the adventerous PARTY STORE triple. Here, Collins does not cover songs in fuzzy Dirtombs tradition, rather Mick Collins wrote ten new tracks which pay homage to the sound and
style originally popularized in the late ’60s / early ’70s by producers /
exploiters like Kasenetz-Katz and Don Kirschner. While the usual
Dirtbombs’ double-drums, fuzzy guitars and soulful swagger are present,
Ooey Gooey is sugary, sunshiny pop rock that recalls Josie & the
Pussycats, the Banana Splits and Lancelot Link & the Evolution
Revolution, to name but three. It’s all sing-along choruses, childlike
themes and a contrived innocence—not the kind of record one would’ve
predicted from a guy who once fronted The Gories. Top notch.
OLIVIA TREMOR CONTROL - BLACK FOLIAGE/MUSIC FROM THE UNREALIZED FILM...
Two limited double lp's featuring hard to find material from OTC, wonderfully packaged and apparently limited to 1000 copies each. Though these originally came out 2 years ago, we are to assume a few more were pressed. Whatever the case may be, we have them waiting for you.
BATHS - Obsidian After suffering a year long illness, BATHS has produced a follow-up to critically acclaimed CERULEAN (2010), the mood here is a bit more wry, painful yet upbeat in it's overall execution. Bearing the scars of a year bedridden e. coli illness, the scars of that affair are obviously evident here--as could be expected. Still, a cohesive effort that is also receiving high acclaim from music hacks and fans alike. They are due in town soon, so now is the time to do your himework and get ready for the show. We have tickets, too.
EX-CULT - 7" A unique (thank god) spiunning take on punk rock from the fantastic Memphis, TN oufit, EX-CULT (forced to change their name due to some nyc electro-bozo's calling themselves "Sex Cult", too. Anyway, as you gaze through the 7"'s, do yourself a favor and sample this unique, raging attack on punk rock. Then snag that lp, because it's a killer. Goner Records can be depended upon.
Speaking of Goner, check out the line-up of GONERFEST happening this fall in, of course, Memphis.
MIKAL CRONIN - MCII - Once the leader of LA Garage wildmen (err...kids), Charlie and the Moonhearts (later shortened to MOONHEARTS), Cronin was already showing an obvious talent for songwriting on the bands slower, less chaotic numbers. While he plays mostly everything here on this dynamic follow-up tohis highly touted self-titled solo breakout, he is now signed to Merge Records and gets help from Ty Segall, Charlie Moonheart, Petey Dammit--though Cronin did most of it himself. A beauty of a record, worthy of the hype and an example of musician not staying in one place too long. Surely this will be on many "top of '13" lists. And that is well deserved. Get it.
BL'AST - BLOOD Whatever you think of Dave Grohl, i truly believe the guy has his heart in the right place. Take, for example, his help in unearthing the SST hardcore crossover thrash BL'AST. Blood is not a re-issue, though these recordings are from 1987...recently unearthed by former guitarist Mike Nieder in an old storage locker and cleaned up in some fancy studio by Mr. Grohl, most certainly a fan and an influence on, especially, his drumming. The result is a powerhouse album. Check out the trailer Southern Lord has put together.
URINALS - NEGATIVE CAPABILITY In The Red Records, why but of course. Everything you could possibly want by the great URINALS. Amphetamine Reptile put out a retrospective cd back in 1996, but this covers much more ground on one of America's greatest underground post-punk treasures--relesing their own material back during their lifespan from 1977-1980 (they later became the Happy Flowers). 31 tracks in total!
"Want to hear America’s Wire, only twice as primitive (if that’s
possible), with one quarter the sound quality? Even when they are
covering the Soft Machine’s “Why Are We Sleeping?” they sound like a
three-step primer on minimalism, in scratchy, fast, burping, nutso punk
with clipped vocals. You can see why the Minutemen covered “Ack Ack Ack
Ack,” but it’s the real solid, melodic stuff—such as the Last-inspired
harmonies of the great A-sides “Black Hole” (covered by Leaving Trains -ed) and “Sex,” and “Scholastic
Aptitude,” and the instrumental “Surfing With the Shah” (which
foreshadows the coming of 100 Flowers and later offshoot Trotsky
Icepick)—that makes so many Angelinos remember this goofy but great trio
so fondly. Negative Capability has an unrelenting, authoritative
intelligence and sense of humor." —Jack Rabid
(Jack Rabid is responsible for Big Takeover magazine and has been writing about music since the early 80's covering NYHC act Stimulators with his Stimulators Report.)
Last but not least is the soundtrack for BIG STAR documentary NOTHING CAN HURT ME (recently screened at Squeaky Wheel, though you'll want that dvd).
This is an essential for fans because it features ALL unreleased material...instead of being some greatest hits starter kit for an up and coming hep cat, this is 2 albums worth of alternate takes, unreleased tracks and "movie mixes". what else can be said here: this is an absolute must for fans and n00bs alike. We all know the Big Star story by now (or we should). Great band who didn't hit it big when they should have--the sad tale of many great bands. That is a blessing, because we probably wouldn't give to shits about them if they had been shoved down our throats for the last 30 years! Oh...yeah, we probably would. They influenced multiple generations and are among the holy grail of American Rock and Roll. Not a perfect band by any means...but who is? You need this.
More instock, including restocks on Bill Fay, Scott Walker, Daft Punk, Destruction Unit and a new release from NEKO CASE.
Next post will report on some upcoming shows, the 5th Anniversary and another hefty incoming with new releases from MGMT, ARCADE FIRE, DESTRUCTION UNIT, JACUZZI BOYS and more.
It's almost embarrassing how this blog has taken a backseat to nonsense, fantasy/video-game/actual baseball obsessions and other wasted time, a bizarre situation that you can see if you open your eyes, many changes at ground zero, blah blah blah.
Since the last post , our fine city of Buffalo, NY has lost so much of it's music scene in the form of legendary and soon-to-be legendary venues (ask a punk), peak bands either disbanding or lasting mere months, etc. It's old news. A tire goes flat, you get a new one and start pumping air back into it. The mainstays keep it worth living. In a few short months we will be 5 years old. Not bad. We owe it all to YOU and we are grateful to make folks happy while doing what we really love. Maybe lost a few along the way but make no mistake--we've gained more. Make no mistake, our heart is in the right place and we aim to support every band, music fan, record label as we have been supported.
Enough of that masqued middle-finger, let's talk about what prompted me to sign in and write this morning after an amazing double feature (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory b/w Pee Wee's Big Adventure).
Perhaps Buffalo's most anticipated full length lp this year came from the adventurous soul punk "pack" that is MALLWALKERS. I've heard this excellent, talented band led by soul fanatic/dj- Handsome Dan Carosa and Jamie Rowitsch on lead vocals and a serious music machine that includes Stephens' Floyd (bass) and Schmitt (guitar), the towering Andy Dennison on the traps (now replaced by the hard hitting but tender-loving Jordan Nittoli) sometimes unfairly tagged as a "party band" and, with an always growing brass section that is for real, the fact is they have songs--really good ones like "Future Shock" "Going Dowtown" for which they've made videos for. It's no doubt these songs will be remembered, along with much of this great album, years from now. But forget about "party band" and any gimmickry the whole visual/art/music that might cross your mind--MALLWALKERS are for real and they've backed up a killer demo tape (released on bass guy Stephen Floyd's DRUG PARTY tape label) with the epic sounding (recorded at Hi-Lo by Matt Smith and touched up by John Angelo) SHAKING THE RUST OFF (Peterwalkee Records). Right now they are leaving their stain across the midwest in immediate support of this album and the release show which kicked the whole thing off was less "fun" and more "powerful". And that's a high compliment. They sounded like a roadworn band just getting back from a blood-drawn roadie. They hadn't left yet, though.
Musically, the core of the band is littered with serious players. Stephen Schmitt delivers some of the most inventive chops around and the rhythm section is nails. The horn section works so well around that core and toss in two charismatic front-people, and you've got MALLWALKERS. Both live and on record they deliver and their appeal has broad potential. They could fascinate people that buy records in malls along with the smelliest punk kid on the block. See/hear for yourself. Of course, these will be in stock until Matto runs out of them.
BARE MUTANTS crept up on me without warning, often busy chasing down some over-hyped buzz band record whilst blindly ordering whatever it is In The Red Records has released lately (because Larry rarely has an off release, if ever!) and turns out it's a personal favorite that features leader, the towering Jered Gummere (the Ponys, Guilty Pleasures, etc)--also a towering songwriter that has influenced more "popular" yet lesser acts throughout his time slashing guitar for the punk rock Guilty Pleasures and the more restrained, underrated PONYS with whom he really broke out as a fantastic songwriter that entranced punks and indie folk alike for it's honest and driving albums and singles scattered over time. BARE MUTANTS is pure bliss if you know where I'm going with this. Might as well get on the bandwagon now because this disc is continued genius songwritng, a pulsing, droning organ soaked affair that brings fuzzy guitar, Gummere's honest vocals/guitar work and willingness to get heavy on an otherwise laid back approach. It works perfectly. Hopefully they pass through town because the odds are they really kick ass live. I've never seen Jared mail in a show even when a local promoter did the last time the PONYS made it here. Don't say we didn't warn you. One of the years best, so far.
OBLIVIANS are allowed to reunite and play shows and make lots of money wherever it comes from. Why? Not because they were the real punk rock of 90s that was overlooked save the garage punk scene and one of the best bands to walk the earth. No, sir and/or madam. It's not because they deserve it, it's because they effortlessly put out a new album of all new songs--their first in over a decade--and it stands up as well as anything they have ever done, as if those years and the amazing music they have made or released (Reigning Sound, Jack O., Goner Records respectively) never happened, though thank christ it did. Don't call it a comeback.
Australia's contributions to rock and roll, proto-punk, first wave punk (the Saints arguably released the first punk single and were calling out fraudulent punks--disregarding punks fashion and cliche's while blasting out '77 punk that made bands bigger in the UK look silly. radio Birdman, the Scientists, Nick Cave & the Birthday Party, X, etc). Right now the Aussie music scene--speareheaded by Eddy Current Suppression Ring that features some of todays best: Total Control, Royal Headache, UV Race, Straightjacket Nation, etc.
In the early 70's Lobby Lloyd was at the forfront of a heavy rock band so nasty, they mistakenly were a proto-punk band. Often called the father of heavy rock in Australia, Lloyd began Coloured Balls in the early 70s, a band that openly influenced AC/DC, Kurt Cobain, and the excellent, if not superior, first wave of punk that happened in Australia. They call it proto-punk but these guys were just playing the kind of rock and roll that made people want to fight one another.
With so much time between posts, it would be a labor to discuss each one. New releases like the latest Mountain Goats, Superchunk, some Bill Fay reissues, new stuff from deathwish, In The Red, reaper, Drag City, Whats Your Rupture?, Sub Pop, Grave Mistake and more represent an impressive influx of critical newly released records, croosh-l re-issues, loads of new used lp's, a few nice, semi-vintage turntables (ready to go with all working parts and priced nicely) for sale are just a few of the reasons to stroll on in. We have taken a break on orders for a few weeks, but expect that to pick up. And if you placed a special order--that will be part of the incoming. This is just a snippet of whats happened and whats to come.
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories While you can find a few older daft Punk lp's in the used bins, this new 3 piece LP is blowing some minds as this long running french duo had a bit of a critical rebirth (though they've been on the go since their inception) in 2013 with this triple album. Its been a tough one to keep in stock.
Burger Records has re-issued one of the last decades great albums--KING TUFF...WAS DEAD. This 2008 monument was an immediate classic record full of hooks, bowie-esque monets and downright catchy numbers that sounded like nobody else. King Tuff has finally returned via SUB POP with a fine slf-titled follow-up, but ...WAS DEAD is a modern classic and is finally back in print and potentially back in your IKEA record rack.
...and about a month later, this post must be wrapped up. we'll tell you all about the new stuff coming in, upcoming events and crap like that--
last week we had a cool show with the return of The Returners a touring band that rattled the birds nest--To Tremble and the moghty Failures Union (who recently announced a new lp out soon on paper & Plastick (vinyl) and a video has appeared (look closely for our fine boutique! and team playa Bill Nehill in a cameo)--
That's HTML. i hope you can see it...it's a great vid and was put together by Smilin' Dave Dluga--awesome fella and member of a plethora of great bands: White Whale, Red Delicious and more.
Keep an eye and ear open for upcoming events: Shows, Our 5 Year Anniversary!, A special zine opening and of course, records, record players, t-shirts, buttons, books, zines and more!
Adam Mickiewicz was a polish activist and political writer from the 19th century. He is the namesake of Buffalo's oldest ethnic social club--we'll call it the Polish Library (seems like the punchline or set-up to a weak ethnic joke) though it's full name is the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle. Located at 612 Fillmore on the city's fabled east side, the Polish Library has hosted other shows in the past, though it's yearly Decency Rally is undoubtedly it's biggest. They also boast a bar full of eastern bloc beers at rock bottom prices, a friendly staff and a lonely pool table that is free. Please stay off the piano, brosef.
Aaron probably fields many bands hoping to play--though there is never enough ro
Mallwalkers recently released their debut lp on local via Albany label, Peterwalkee Records. They have both been written about in detail on this blog and are no strangers to the Rally. Expect a little extra from them on this special occasion. And for christs sakes, pick up their debut longplayer "Shake The Rust Off" from peterwalkee records or yer favorite record shop. Which better be this one, cheese. Mallwalkers are more than a spectacle--they have some great songs, solid musicians, a concise vision which even the most stripped down bands forget is essential.
Another rare not-so-punk garage psych band formed out of the ashes of the Fucking Hotlights is the Johns--songs by Johnny "Drama" Toohill and backed by some of Buffalo's "in the know" musicians--this band continues to get better with the passing days. Well written songs delivered in their purest form (and catchy at that) should alienate the "punk as fuck set" enough that I can get some photos of this ultra-handsome band.
Mayday!. Another band that is upper level stuff--surf-punk rock with killer guitar shreds and powerful vocals that seem to appeal to a wider audience. They are no stranger to the rally, either...though you should probably check them out anyway. Go on, square--click the link. Own their records. Some day we'll look back and see the bands that mattered and Mayday! will be discussed. Another familiar face at the Decency Rally, by now you should be well aware of the Seasonal Geese; a much more rewarding Google™ search when researching bands like Mayday! They are a long running, hit-the-road band with a handful of cr00sh releases. 
