SOUNDBITES: A Roundup of Music News from the Buffalo Scene

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The prolific and unpredictable Buffalo indie artist Jacob King continues to build onto his impressive and extensive catalogue with the upcoming release of his new EP, ‘Rock and

Roll,’ which drops on Friday. Jake — who will be playing Area 54 on Wednesday night with Age of Peace from Cincinnati and Buffalo’s Plant Water (details HERE) — returns to his guitar-driven neo-psych sound in spectacular fashion on this record. Chock full of unrestrained sonic distortion, low-fi vocals, and manic urgency this EP absolutely rips. Go to Jake’s Bandcamp page and buy ‘Rock and Roll’ upon its release before it sells out (because Jake’s runs often sell out, and deservedly so). The release will also be available on the streams. Do it.

Buffalo first-wave hardcore punk band G.O.A will be contributing to the upcoming ‘Tribute to Green Day, Volume 3,’ to be issued by Coffin Curse Records and Punk Rock Radar. The band will be covering Green Day’s ‘Disappearing Boy’ on the forthcoming tribute record. GOA has previously contributed to the Coffin Curse compilations, a ‘Tribute to Operation Ivy’ on which the band covered ‘Bombshell’ and the NOFX tribute album ‘I Heard They Broke Up’ on which they contributed ‘Hold it Back.’ The ‘Tribute to Green Day, Vol. 3’ will be out later this summer and include 56 songs in all. Meanwhile, catch GOA on May 15 at the Hen House in Buffalo where they’ll be playing with Hold Out, Full Blast and Bitchin’ Hour. (Details HERE)

Monomaniac has dropped a ferocious new two-track EP titled ‘Take Me Home,’ featuring the songs ‘Home’ and ‘Buried.’ The record is heavy, intense and earnest and will absolutely melt your face off. Expertly produced and engineered by Nick Borgosz, this may very well be Monomaniac’s best work so far. It’s a total juggernaut and its fury is palpable. You can check out the new EP HERE.  Meanwhile, Monomaniac on May 18 will be playing the Rec Room, where the band will be part of a bill that includes Orthodox, Wasted Space and 9mm.mouthwash. See details HERE, and then go and listen to ‘Take Me Home.’  

The Buffalo indie-band Headbutt has released a brand-new (and what ended up being posthumous) album titled ‘pro-theft’ and it’s a complete bad-ass piece of art. You want power? It’s there. You want that indie jangle? It’s there. You want groove? It’s there. Gaze? Check. Melody? Check? Clever wordplay? Yep. You want something fiercely innovative and hip? Then listen to this album. It’s all there, delivered with complete musical craftsmanship. Released by Buffalo’s Steak & Cake Records, you can listen to the LP HERE. This album, and this band, drip with coolness. Get on ‘pro-theft’ now. Warning: This album is addictive. RIP Headbutt.

Buffalo hardcore-punk trio Broken Locker has released a new single as a lead up to its forthcoming EP that will be dropping this summer. The new song, titled ‘Reincarnation,’ is the title track off the upcoming EP, which will mark Broken Locker’s third record. The new EP will feature five songs in all from the band, and more singles will be put out before the full record is released. Wrapped in the band’s signature heavy and driving riffage, you can listen to the single, ‘Reincarnation,’ HERE.

The stage at Buffalo Iron Works in just a few weeks will be home to a stacked bill of indie artists for a night aimed at raising mental health awareness. Tune Into Wellness 2026 will be held May 24 with a portion of the proceeds from the all-ages show benefitting Gateway Longview, which works to provide behavioral health services and resources for children and families across Western New York. The event — which will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. — will feature a diverse group of local bands for a night centered on connection and community impact. Taking the stage that night will be halfstride, Stress Dolls, and Prairie Pavement. The event will also include a DJ set by El Covito. Presale tickets are $15 and tickets on the day of the show are $20. You can purchase tickets HERE.