Handsome Jack and Buffalo Killers Heat Things Up
The local music scene seems to have been overrun by a slew of garage rock bands in the recent years. From the now defunct Roadhouse Gypsies, to local favorites Johnny Nobody, Whiskey Suicide, Pink Tiger, and many more, rock'n'roll is back with a vengeance in the Queen City. Perhaps it's fitting--like the city itself, the music is raw, unpretentious, never perfect, and yet...you can't help but love it.
This Friday's show at Merlin's presents a perfect opportunity for those in the know, and the uninitiated to check out some of the best bands in Buffalo and beyond. Local foursome Handsome Jack embodies what is best about the scene, and the genre in general. Gritty, loud, and fun, the band puts the raw essentials of rock'n'roll first, and everything else second. Sexually charged lyrics and half-in-the-bag swagger can become cliché real fast, but somehow Handsome Jack manages to avoid sounding contrived. Maybe it's their relative young age, or a genuine belief in what they're doing; either way, the band succeeds in producing a quality soundtrack for a killer Friday night out. Handsome Jack recently released an excellent 11 track album called Heatseeker, but the best way to experience what they're all about is to see them live.
Headlining this night of music and mayhem are Cincinnati's Buffalo Killers. Rising from the ashes of Thee Shams, brothers Zachary and Andrew Gabbard are back with a new band and a new sound. While Thee Shams was more of a traditional garage band, Buffalo Killers delve deep into a psychedelic/bluesy/southern rock territory while still keeping their raw edges. It's a little bit country, and a little bit rock'n'roll, but definitely not in a Donny and Marie kind of way. This band gets frequent comparisons to Neil Young and the Crazy Horse, Buffalo Springfield, and James Gang, but rather than sounding like a parody of the above, they create a sound all their own. This is stoner rock at its finest, complete with long hair and fuzzy, psychedelic guitar jams.
The show promises to be a great one, and things will get underway at 10 PM. Make sure to come early and catch The Found, another great example of local garage rock.
August 24, 10 PM
Merlin's, 727 Elmwood Avenue, 14222
$5
photo: Buffalo Killers by Erin Volk
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