JEWELTONE — There’s a saying in the music business that goes something like: ‘Any band can write a great first record because they have forever to do so. It’s not until a band has to follow up with their second record before you can tell whether a band is
real.’ We all knew the Buffalo hardcore band ‘Jeweltone’ was real; there was never any doubt. But with the release of their eagerly awaited second EP, ‘Visions of Heaven,’ Jeweltone proves they’re as real as a motherfucking heart attack. Musically and lyrically, ‘Visions of Heaven’ — produced by Nick Borgosz at Sound Authentic — is an intensely powerful, penetrating, and gripping work. This line in particular from the EP’s title track made our jaw drop:
I swear my head’s been spinning
A little too much
I hope that God is my witness
A little too much
I pray to God for forgiveness
A little too much
It feels wrong to resist it
—‘Visions of Heaven’ (from ‘Visions of Heaven)
Without question, the wait for this record was well worth it, and if you haven’t spun it already, get on it now. The band will mark the arrival of ‘Visions of Heaven’ with an EP release show Friday Oct. 25 at Amvets, 25 Review Place, Buffalo. The band’s vocalist Neftali also will be performing solo. The bill includes Slice, Bruiserweight and The Sissy Boys. Doors at 7 p.m.
*
SELFISH ACT — In keeping with the theme of fantastic second releases, Selfish Act’s new EP ‘Wellness Check’ dropped Oct. 18 and this follow-up to the band’s excellent 2023 five-track demo is an absolute killer.
No longer the scene’s fresh upstarts, Selfish Act is now proving they’re a force to be reckoned with. The band’s raw power and aggression is in full force on this record with
heavy, potent riffs that grab your jugular. Frontman Owen Jones not only comes into own on this release, but he shows he’s carved out a unique voice in the Buffalo hardcore scene with his now-trademark delivery that is both manically frenetic and desperate, making you think that whatever song he’s belting out at that moment may very well be his last.
“Everyone in the band is very happy with how the EP came out," said Selfish Act guitarist Griffin Coyne. "We went on a pretty aggressive writing spree from the inception of the band. The demo songs were written over the summer and fall of ‘23 and were polished up by that October, then we quickly worked on the promo, and EP. If I remember correctly, all the EP songs were written in their final form by the end of ‘23 and were recorded in very early January.
"The intention was to show that we could write material that represented who we had become in such a short amount of time," Griffin added. "One of the biggest differences you can see is that the EP is less 'punky' than some of the demo stuff, which was a jump we were ready to take after the first few shows, and I think we’ve done a decent job making that heavier turn. From here, we haven’t written as a band in close to a year, so the plan is start picking that back up and taking our time to really develop and determine precisely what our sound is coming in to the full length.”
‘Wellness Check’ not only rips, it’s a homage to Buffalo and its hardcore scene, with guest appearances by Buffalo hardcore notables Ron Hill, Lexi Reyngoudt, Donny Arthur, Christian Adams and Jorden Cudzilo.
*
SKYWAY — New music from the excellent Buffalo punk band Skyway will be dropping next month. We had the privilege of hearing a demo of the band’s forthcoming single, ‘Last of a Dying Scene,’ and it slaps.
The song, said Skyway bassist Andrew Burgess, “is a punk anthem that wears its heart on the patched and pinned sleeve of its well-worn denim jacket. Through driving beats and angular guitar riffs, it explores what it means to be the last old guy still going to punk shows when all of your friends have moved on to successful careers and family life, what it really means to be the stalwart remnant of a dying scene.”
Meanwhile, Skyway will be part of a Halloween covers show this Saturday Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. at Milkie’s. Skyway will be performing a set of songs by Gin Blossoms.
Below, check out Skyway performing ‘Last of a Dying Scene’ back in late August at Electric Avenue.
*
HARVEST SUM RECORDINGS — Speaking of things to look forward to in November, the great Buffalo Indie record label Harvest Sum Recordings will be celebrating its 20th anniversary and marking the occasion with a show at The Cave on Nov. 16, featuring music from the label’s roster of excellent bands. Info on that show can be found HERE.
*
As part of our mission to cover all aspects of the city’s DIY culture and art from a wide range of mediums, we’re happy to bring you this short work of fiction by Buffalo-born writer Gerry Dempsey titled ‘Glass Houses.’ Check it out HERE.
Comentários