Eric Andre
7pm The Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St. (852-2860 / tralfmusichall.com) $15 Ages 21+
Comedian Eric André, host of the otherworldly Adult Swim “talk show” The Eric André Show, is combination anarchist, performance artist, and pop-culture deconstructionist. Essentially the product of Tom Green-styled pranks and Jackass’ self-masochism, André belies the buffoonery with smarts, providing a subtle biting satire on our TMZ-addled culture. Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, André relocated to LA and performs almost every night of the week. He brings a manic energy to the stage, often times combining autobiographical experiences, politics and experimental psychedelic rambling. The best part of watching André is also one of the scariest. You never know what to expect. Whether it’s emerging naked and thrusting himself against the wall of his set, lighting himself on fire or tasering his own groin, it’s safe say he’s pretty unique. The live-action “anti talk-show” challenges the traditional format of talk shows with André’s crazy performance style, stunts, mockery and improvisational humor. As a parody of a low-budget public access show, the program is known for taunting and tormenting an unpredictable mix of celebrities and guests. If his show is any indication of what his stand-up routine is like, get ready for one wild ride when he performs at The Tralf Music Hall on Sunday evening (6/21 @7pm).
> Jeffrey Czum
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Miss Tess & The Talkbacks
7pm Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St. (874-7734 / sportsmenstavern.com) $10
Miss Tess says as a child her nights ended in music. Her parents would sing her to sleep with the gentle, tender sounds of American folk music. All grown up, her and her band The Talkbacks regularly steal the show at venues with something a little rowdier. Infused with classic country and honky-tonk, southern blues, New Orleans jazz and swing, sounds of swamp pop and early rock n’ roll, she and her band take pride in the fact that they are able to blend so many different styles of America roots music and call it their own. Comprised of herself, Thomas Bryan Eaton, Mathew Meyer and James Gascoyne, Miss Tess and the Talkbacks have traveled through all fifty states, playing just about every one. They may be based in Brooklyn, NY, but the band itself seems to be from both everywhere and nowhere. Between the fusion of their music styles and constant shows on the road, they are the embodiment of everything that still homegrown in America. On Sunday (6/21 @7pm), you can catch Miss Tess and her lively band perform at Sportsmen’s Tavern.
> Jeffrey Czum
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Gill Landry
7pm 9th Ward @ Babeville, 341 Delaware Ave (852-3835 / babevillebuffalo.com) $10-$12
Gill Landry’s band, Old Crow Medicine Show, took home a Grammy for best folk album earlier this year; one of the rare instances in the past few years where the Grammy people clearly got it right. Now he’s released a self-titled solo album which demonstrates that he (as a musician) can do no wrong. Landry’s solo music differs from OCMS, in that it’s much more folk-ish and singer/songwriter-ly, rather than his band’s bluegrass-accented old timey tunes. The album opens with a stunner titled “Funeral In My Heart,” which somberly attempts to come to grips with a recent death. “Just Like You,” follows the opening tack and it’s a song that praises one exemplary individual. There are some really memorable lines throughout the album, including a part where Landry speaks of how he digs the way this person reads Bukowski in their underwear. Charles Bukowski isn’t your typical summer read, but the image of someone reading the man’s boozy, oftentimes bawdy work in nothing more than under garments is very fitting. Don’t miss your chance to catch him when he rolls through the 9th Ward @ Babeville this Monday (6/22 @8pm).
> Jeff Czum
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The Kooks
6pm Rapids Theatre, 1711 Main St. (205-8925 / RapidsTheatre.com) $25-$30
Though music’s “British Invasion” happened in the ‘60s, the states have seen a pretty steady rivulet of UK bands ever since. One of those is The Kooks, who broke into the collective consciousness with 2006’s Inside In/Inside Out and its single, “She Moves In Her Own Way.” These days, it’s tricky for a band to follow up a debut album, which catapulted them into indie-pop mainstream and sold more than two million copies, especially when they were barely out of their teens. After their 2006 breakthrough, the group suffered a backlash following their poorly received second album, while their third barely broke Britian’s top of the charts, peaking at number 10. Add a few turbulent line-up changes, and it might be time for a change. That’s exactly what they did for their latest release, Listen. “Reinvention. I just think you have to do it,” singer/guitarist Luke Pritchard says. “We were bored of ourselves. People are a bit bored of guitar bands, but at the end of the day, it’s only the feeling behind it, and music needs that to work. On Listen, we wanted to try something new. We set out to make an upbeat soul record. I had gone a bit deeper into stuff like The Meters, New Orleans stuff and funk.” It seems like the new sound has divided their fan base, but that’s always to be expected with change. “I know it’s a great record. It’s just getting the populous to get into it...” On Tuesday (6/23), you can “get into it” when The Kooks hit the stage at Rapids Theatre along with Joywave and Young Rising Sons.
> Jeffrey Czum
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Zach Deputy
9pm Iron works, 49 Illinois St. (200-1893 / BuffaloIronWorks.com) $15
Zach Deputy is a fairly large guy whose heart constantly pumps out funky sounds of soul and R&B. He puts a 21st century twist on the music that you may think was left in the 70s with artists like Curtis Mayfield, Issac Hayes, and Al Green. Deputy is a new breed of an R&B solo artist who uses advanced technology to give his acoustic guitar the sound of a full band with a funky bass. Using drum tracks, vocalizer harmonies, loops, programmed bass lines, and so on, he unleashes a throaty, soulful voice from somewhere deep inside that bulky belly of his. This one-man band is far more talented than the street performers you see playing homemade instruments on street corners or in NYC subways. Besides his impressive voice, one of the most interesting things is the musical drama Deputy infuses in his songs through the use of dynamic variations. Bass lines drop out, sometimes guitar drops out too, sometimes everything drops out but his voice; and they all funking come back into play. Deputy will be brining his groovy set and style to Iron Works on Tuesday night (6/23 @9pm). You may have a hard time understanding what exactly he’s doing, but bear witness for yourself in the intimate setting Iron Works provides for the listener.
> Jeffrey Czum
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Imagine Dragons w/ Metric
9pm Iron Works, 49 Illinois St. (200-1893 / buffaloironworks.com) $15
What do you get when you take one of America’s most critically reviled bands and Canada’s biggest synth-rock acts? Well, you’ve got one hell of a tour package. On Wednesday night (6/24 @7:30pm) the Smoke & Mirrors Tour featuring Imagine Dragons and Metric will make it’s way to the First Niagara Center. The tour is in support of Imagine Dragon’s most recent release, Smoke & Mirrors, which came out back in February and has since exceeded the expectations of fans as well as the band. The group is known for working with sharply crafted beats and uses their frenetic energy to create rhythm-driven rock music that’s both artful and visceral. Their single, “I Bet My Life,” is currently Top 5 at Modern Rock radio and has over 11 million views on YouTube. As the band sits comfortably at the top of the charts, the Toronto-formed, New York-nurtured band, Metric, isn’t too far behind. They just released their single called “The Shade,” and it’s pretty awesome. The song continues the electronic, synth-heavy sound theme of the band and the rhythmic production makes for a perfect dance-floor jam. Get your tickets ASAP; you won’t want to miss out of a great show with two incredible modern acts.
> Jeffrey Czum
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The Long and Awaited Return of Catch 22
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