Tentet/Octet is a Buffalo-based experimental ensemble formed in the spring of 2007 to explore rock-inflected improvisation that transcends typical drone sludge and blustery noise excursions. Featuring Kyle Price and Tristan Trump, the group’s articulate, tightly hewn fragments of splintered sound interlace electronic abstraction, guitar noise, simmering drums and dubbed out vocal textures. The effect—abstract but not overwhelming—invokes free jazz, improv and modern classical composition. This weekend, two unique incarnations of this decidedly amorphous project perform in two different venues in support of two different but equally intriguing acts. At Squeaky Wheel on Saturday the Tentet/Octet “Reactionary Ensemble,” an expanded version of the group which plays unscripted responses to video scores, opens for Cincinnati ambient rock outfit Johnnytwentythree. Featuring guitar, bass, drums and violin accompanied by projections, Johnnytwentythree is an easy read for fans of the likes of Godspeed! You Black Emperor and Explosions in the Sky. On Sunday, Tentet/Octet returns to the stage at Soundlab with an entirely different set, in support of Boston noisemakers Neptune. Legendary for wielding instruments created from found objects and random junk (welded sheet metal guitars, intricately wired electronics, dumpster dive drums), Neptune’s sculptural visuals are a sight to be seen even before the music—a thunderous cacophony of sputtering electronics, jack-hammer guitar and monster beats—begins. DJ sets by the MJB Corporation (No Wave, experimental, mutant disco and indie-noise) fill out the night.

This weekend Opera Sacra, producer Father Jack Ledwon and a huge cast of performers will take on Leonard Bernstein’s notoriously difficult “Mass,” in cooperation with Niagara University. Commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1971 for the opening of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, the piece for “singers, players and dancers” is still controversial and rarely performed. Bernstein based the piece on the Roman Catholic Mass, but he framed his piece in a contemporary context and used an eclectic mix of musical styles. As the press materials explain, “Bernstein poured his musical soul into this piece along with his concerns over a country in great turmoil. His lead character, the ‘Celebrant,’ suffers a crisis of conscience in the middle of the mass only to be led back to his spiritual center by those to whom he ministers.” Brother Augustine Towey, C.M., director emeritus of theater at Niagara University, directs this production. Debi Overton is the conductor. Tom Ralabate choreographs. The Buffalo Choral Arts Chamber Singers and the Buffalo Niagara Youth Choir are among the approximately one hundred performers required. The area premiere of “Mass” will play on Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17 at 8pm and Sunday, November 18 at 4pm. Tickets are $20 general admission and $15 for students and seniors, and will be available at the door one hour before performance time at St. Joseph University Roman Catholic Church on Main Street.

Buffalo’s own punk-rock group Snapcase disbanded in 2005 with no plans of reuniting, until an opportunity presented itself to come together one last time to support the young child of a dear friend. The son of musician/producer J. Robbins was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, which is an incurable disease effecting the nervous system, and the group wanted to participate by doing all they could to help the him and others suffering from his condition. The curtain goes up on their final sold-out performances together in New York City at the end of the month, but before they say goodbye to their fans for the last final time, the favorite sons of Buffalo’s punk scene are returning home to pay tribute to their massive hometown fan base. The group is sure to perform selections highlighting their nearly fifteen years together, from their formation in a West Seneca basement in 1989 to the release of their final album, Bright Flashes, in 2003. Like their New York performances, the proceeds of the show are going to benefit the Callum Robbins Foundation for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and will be sold only at the door on the night of the show. There are a very limited number of tickets available, and they will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Any plans to attend the final local performance of one of the legendary groups of Buffalo should be made according to the assumption that tickets will go quick and early. For more information on the Callum Robbins Foundation, visit callumrobbins.blogspot.com.

The extinction of the Dinosaur turned out to be a temporary condition, at least in the case of Amherst, Massachusetts’ legendary underground rockers Dinosaur Jr. After years spent apart the original trio realigned a couple years ago, but no one could have expected a new record to match the strength and appeal of the band’s classic material. But 2007’s Beyond (Fat Possum) is a blistering 11-track record that proves guitarist J Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph have lost little if any of their power since they’ve been away. “Almost Ready” is a slab of prime Dino from Beyond which is so perfect it could have been delivered in a time-machine from the You’re Living All Over Me sessions. The warm and fuzzy slack-pop of “This All I Came to Do” and the paint-peeling epic “It’s Me” rekindle a similar flame, proving Mascis’ songwriting is as good as ever. And that’s not all of this year’s Dinosaur Jr news: Premier guitar manufacturer Fender, finally realizing the guitar heroism of J, has issued the Mascis Jazzmaster, a purple sparkle-flaked beauty with vintage pickups and a powerful tremolo bar. (Please note: this guitar will probably never let you play quite like Mascis, but it will make you look pretty cool. I won’t even mention the limited edition Dinosaur Jr Nike SB sneakers). Dinosaur will be joined by Japan’s answer to the Ramones, the legendary all-girl band Shonen Knife, bringing their confectionary brand of “1-2-3-4” punk. Supporting is Buffalo’s Juliet Dagger, making a return trip to the Queen City during their stint on the road with Shonen Knife.