Okkervil River

Friday, June 13

Though a hyperliterate lover of a good tale, Okkervil River’s Will Sheff has never been one to settle for the facile narratives that so many need to bring coherence and meaning to their days. Breaking down the myths we live by and puncturing the lies of pop culture, Sheff’s probing lyrics actively search for a deeper definition of humanity that exists beyond the media clutter, beyond cozy cardboard-cut concepts of love, and beyond the impossible ideals we hold that continue to pollute how we relate to one another. The stories he tells often arise from the desperate perspectives of those scrutinized by hungry cameras and obsessive fans: small town murderers and penitential war criminals, aging rock musicians and drug addicted dancers, suicidal porn stars, and bridge-jumping poets. The Austin, Texas indie folk-rock group’s latest album, I Am Very Far, contains some of Okkervil River’s tightest pop songwriting to date and is a progressive addition to the band’s varied catalogue. They will ignite the stage at the Town Ballroom on Thursday (June 9) along with foaming-at-the-mouth New Jersey punk geniuses Titus Andronicus. Titus Andronicus’s recent masterpiece, the Monitor, a visceral and violent concept album on the American Civil War’s brutal thematic relevance to contemporary life, remains one of the most compelling, courageous, and flat-out frightening independent records yet released this century. Post-wave synthpop group Future Islands will also join in the night’s glory and madness in what could add up to be one of the summer’s most intelligent and rousing concert events. —ryan wolf

7pm. Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / townballroom.com). $21 advance, $25 day of show. 16+.

Friday, June 3

Club Diablo's 666th Anniversary Party

“The freaks come out at night.” This is the slogan for Club Diablo’s 666th Anniversary Party this Friday (June 3), a slogan that more than sums up Diablo’s alternative crowd and atmosphere. Don’t be afraid though, non-freaks are welcome as well, but will be encouraged to get their freak-on. Local DJ duo Batcave, made up of DJs Bud Redding and Oldskool, will keep the crowd moving with underground music from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and beyond. Some stuff you’ve heard and maybe some stuff you haven’t said DJ Bud Redding. “I usually start pretty guitar based, and then ramp it up from there.” Redding said about the style he likes to bring to Club Diablo. Expect a mix that includes some favorites like the Ramones and the Clash, some dance floor new wave like New Order and Depeche Mode, and a fair share of deep underground cuts from Microchip League and KMFDM. “Club Diablo means a lot to Batcave and our fans” Redding said. “It is a perfect venue for us, has a great sound system and dance floor, and Jesse [Zuefle], the owner is a great guy.” Admission is free before 10pm and the drink specials will be flowing all night. The scene lives on at Club Diablo. —cory perla

9pm. Club Diablo, 517 Washington St. (842-0666 / clubdiablo.com). Free before 10pm, $5 after.

Friday, June 3

Josh Groban

Internationally distinguished singer and songwriter Josh Groban will take the stage on Friday (June 3) at HSBC Arena as part of his Straight to You Tour. The multi-platinum musician will be performing a series of songs from throughout his career—classics like “O Holy Night” and “You Raise Me Up”—in addition to those featured on his most recent album, Illuminations. Released in late 2010, Illuminations is a deeply delicate expression that focuses on lost love. The New York Times noted that the album “reflects the conviction that gallantry can also be pensive and uncertain.” Famed for its flexibility, Groban’s most powerful instrument is his voice; it stretches from baritone to tenor and back again. The 30 year-old is not only a brilliant vocalist, but is also an exceptional entertainer, as he is renowned by fans for his enthusiastic demeanor and sense of humor. Tickets are available at LiveNation.com, HSBC Arena Box Office or by phone at 888-223-6000. —rachelle toarmino

8pm. HSBC Arena, One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza (855-4100 / hsbcarena.com). $47-$77.

Friday, June 3

Mikey Jukebox with Love Scenes and The Tins

Sick of the same old dance parties around Buffalo? This Friday (June 3) at Mohawk Place, Rochester’s Mikey Jukebox plans to bring a full on dance party extravaganza to the Queen City. Formerly the drummer for Longwave, the frontman for the Blood, and the Demos, Mikey James decided to go solo in 2010, becoming Mikey Jukebox and releasing a self-titled solo album. He has mixed and recorded with Bill Racine (Sparklehorse, Phantom Planet, and Mates of State). Influenced by the likes of David Bowie, Kiss, Devo, Tommy Bolin, and Elvis Costello, Mikey Jukebox shows off his skillful synthesizing, taking the listeners and dancers through a tour of five decades worth of music. Opening the show are Buffalo’s Love Scenes with their brand of washed-out chillwave and indie rockers the Tins. It’s clear what Mikey Jukebox wants from you: to hit the dance floor…hard. —michael koh

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (465-2368 / themohawkplace.com). $6 advance, $8 day of show. 16+.

Saturday, June 4

Art Alive: A Walking, Talking Art Contest

Art Alive is exactly what it sounds like. For the 14th year the Albright-Knox Art Gallery will hold their Art Alive: A Walking, Talking Art Contest, where entrants will reproduce famous works of art in any way the see fit to make them come alive. Some use people as living characters to enact what they see in the gallery’s art, some use music and props to bring their interpretations to life. Local celebrity judges including Congressman Brian Higgins, Anthony Amigone, Jr., artist Peter Stephens, and Buffalo Sabres Alumni Andrew Peters, will award points to the entrants based on degree of difficulty, creativity, interpretation of original work, quality, and overall impression. There is over $1000 in cash prizes to dole out to winners, so it is no surprise that some have spent months preparing for this one of a kind art experience. Art Alive happens this Saturday (June 4) from noon to 2pm on the Gallery Grounds across from Delaware Park. This event is free and open to the public. Come see participators bring their favorite art to life. —cory perla

12pm to 2pm. Albright Knox Art Gallery Grounds, 1285 Elmwood Ave. (882-8700 / albrightknox.org). Free.

Saturday, June 4

Trystereo's Farewell Show w/The Bloodthirsty Vegans and Rational Animals

Dearest reader, it’s with deep sadness that I inform you of the untimely demise of Buffalo’s doom and gloom epic-core devastators, Trystero. While the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate turn of events are a mystery, it’s entirely possible that someone finally tricked them into saying their names backwards and in turn, sent them back to their own dimension. Other reports describe the band as taking an indefinite hiatus from music in order to ready themselves to collectively fill in for one of the four horsemen in next year’s much anticipated apocalypse. Either way, this is your final opportunity to witness the punishing blast beats from these cello-crust pioneers and also to pick up their final LP release, the Cold Machines EP + B-Sides and Blueprints. Be sure to make it to the Ukrainian American Civic Center this Saturday (June 4) at 8pm to help properly send off Trystero into their much-deserved legendary status. The Bloodthirsty Vegans and Rochester punkers, Rational Animals open the show. There will be no survivors. —eric kendall

8pm. The Ukrainian American Civic Center, 205 Military Road. $5.

Wednesday, June 8

Michael Meldrum Tribute

This Wednesday (June 8) a tribute concert will be held for Michael Meldrum, legendary local musician, and founder and host of the Buffalo Song Project, at the Ninth Ward at Babeville. The Buffalo Song Project, dedicated to nurturing musical young talent, was the longest running open mic show in Buffalo. Meldrum has helped musicians Townes Van Zandt, Suzanne Vega, Michelle Shocked, and Ani DiFranco become icons. He is an inductee at the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame (2006) and has been called by DiFranco herself as her inspiration. “He taught me that music can be the fire around which a community can gather,” she said. “To me, Michael exemplifies the notion that music is not just something you buy, it’s something you do.” Artists such as Alison Pipitone, Tom Stahl, Justin Smith of Dali’s Ghost, Erin Sidney Welsh, Delaney and Rob, RoJo MoJo, Savannah King, Four Shillings Short, Alexander & Julia Meldrum, and others, inspired and mentored by Meldrum will perform to honor his life. All proceeds from the tribute concert will go to the Meldrum family. —michael koh

7pm. Ninth Ward at Babeville, 341 Delaware Ave. (852-3835 / babevillebuffalo.com). Suggested donation $10/kids free.

Wednesday, June 8

T.S.O.L.

It’s tough to imagine the progression of American hardcore, and specifically the explosion of the Southern California punk scene, without T.S.O.L. (a.k.a. True Sounds Of Liberty) and the band’s consistently growing, shifting stylistic nature. Helping kickstart hardcore with a template of loud, fast, aggressive and politically-charged punk, T.S.O.L. continued to let their sound develop eventually crafting a dark, goth-punk style that—along with the Misfits—they would be the progenitors of. As if their music wasn’t powerful enough, guitarist Ron Emory, bassist Mike Roche, drummer Todd Barnes, mesmerizing frontman Jack Grisham, and their fans’ almost gang/cult-like nature made them a force to be reckoned with in the SoCal scene, as was well documented in Marc Spitz and Brendan Mullen’s 2001 book We Got the Neutron Bomb: the Untold Story of L.A. Punk. Following the dissolution of original members by the mid-1980s, the original members of T.S.O.L. reformed for the Warped Tour in 1996. The core is still out doing it minus Barnes, who passed away in 1999. When Grishamh is not touring or recording with T.S.O.L. he lives the life of a grown up punk rock success story. He has been clean and sober for over 20 years, is a licensed therapist, personal recovery assistant, has been involved in politics and social issues in California and just published his first book An American Demon: A Memoir, a loosely based novel of his own experiences. —donny kutzbach

7pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (465-2368 / themohawkplace.com). $14. 16+

Thursday, June 9

Morris Day and The Time

To answer Morris Day’s question: its time for the funk. Day, a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, started off his musical career as drummer of the Prince fronted trio Grand Central. As Prince grew into the superstar we know him as today, Day stuck by him, leading Prince’s alter-ego funk band the Time. The Time’s funky sound matches Day’s fashonista, zoot suit style. A cross between Stevie Wonder and George Clinton, the band thrives on funky basslines and catchy vocal hooks. Songs like “Jungle Love,” the Time’s 1984 hit, melds 1970s funk with 1980s pop to create a familiar and infectious sound. After three albums with the Time, Day split off to release several solo albums: the Color of Success, Daydreaming, and Guaranteed. Waiting for the perfect moment to reintroduce the world to the Time, Day reformed the band in 2004, 12 years after his last solo album, to record a live album, It’s About Time, full of their original hits and a few new ones. Morris Day and the Time bring their funk extravaganza to Thursday at the Square this Thursday (June 9). “What time is it?” Time to dance. —cory perla

5pm to 9pm. Lafayette Square (buffaloplace.com/thursday-at-the-square). Free.