By Doug Sitler:
Buffalo is a not only home to hundreds of rock bands, but it is a destination for out-of-town music groups to strut their stuff. One look at the familiar names scrawled on the ceiling of Nietzsche’s in Allentown, it is a clear reminder how this city has opened their musical hearts to bands that are “not from here.” Bands travel to Buffalo with the intention to win over some new fans, spread their music, and hope they did a good enough job to be invited back.
Formed in 2002 down in Jamestown, Big Leg Emma is one of those bands who have quite a history with the Queen City. Over the last ten years, the roots rock band known for their high-energy concerts and musicianship has played myriad venues throughout the metropolitan Buffalo area, each time growing their audience and giving the band the gusto to keep chasing their dream.
The band recently released their second studio album “Revival” and will be celebrating the albums release this Saturday night at the Essex Arts Center, 28 Essex Street in Buffalo. For more info, visit www.griffispark.org. Monies raised at this event will benefit the Ashford Hollow Foundation.
Big Leg Emma’s Charity Nuse (vocals, mandolin, and percussion) recently reminisced about their 10 year history in Buffalo, beginning with shows by local promoter Jimmy T. The band then called Nietzsche’s their Buffalo home base for a few years, where the crowds got bigger each time they played.
“I loved those early years at Nietzsche’s, our very first music home in Buffalo! Intimate and energetic crowd. The place just naturally resonates with good energy for making great music,” said Nuse. “We really made our mark in Buffalo during those years; the people we met and the experience propelled us to the next level playing with Rusted Root at the Canal Concert Series, Donna the Buffalo at the Town Ballroom, the wonderful opportunity of headlining ‘Rock the Barn’ in Clarence twice!”
The band also took advantage of playing higher profile shows, including driving all night from a gig in Kentucky to play the closing weigh-in ceremony for ESPN’s Bassmasters tournament at the Small Boat Harbor.
As the crowds got bigger, the band played numerous shows at Club Infinity in Williamsville to growing crowds.
“It has been quite the ride for us. Some of my most memorable times were at Club Infinity for our own shows,” said Nuse. ” We played with so many great bands there-Mike Glabicki Trio, The Horseflies, YARN, Buffalo’s own Little Mountain Band, The Greencards, we were able to connect with other artists there and enjoy the company of not only our BLE family, but also fellow musicians who share the same passions in life.”
Nuse added, “We are very thankful that Buffalo has always welcomed us with open arms and stuck with us. As a working band, you don’t always have that experience when you enter into a big city. As I’m thinking about this, we really have played a big portion of our top shows in Buffalo. The energy, the music, our performance, the crowd- the whole experience has always been jivin’!!!”