HEaRD in WNY: Top shows for the week of Oct. 24 - 30

This week's featured show is The Rabies Reunion: 10 p.m. Saturday at Nietzsche's.

Come celebrate Halloween with the 5-year reunion of Buffalo's quintesential horror punk act, The Rabies at Nietzsche's on Saturday, October 29th!

The sweet and syrupy powerful vocals of Lexi Lawsuit (often compared to Siouxsie Sioux), combined with catchy yet haunting guitar melodies, spooky keyboards, and the steady throbbing rhythmic percussion...it's horror pop cabaret that packs a punch.

The Rabies emerged back in 2003 and quickly grew in popularity, touring around the U.S. and performing alongside acts such as The Buzzcocks, Billy Talent, The Dickies, Wilco, and many more. They also played on Vans Warped Tour and performed live on Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider's radio show.

Emerging from the dead, they will be joined by fitting support acts The Irving Klaws and The Stripteasers starting at 10 p.m, and there's only a $5 cover!

/// other shows ///

• Wild Pink & Yali: 9 p.m. Wednesday at Neitzsche's
• 2016 Hardcore Hip Hop Halloween: 8:30 p.m. Friday at Stamps
• Hear/See Improvised Sound: 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Sportsmens Tavern
• Annual Halloween Extravaganza: 5 p.m. Saturday at the Niagara Hotel
• 2nd Annual Government Halloween Show: 6 p.m. Saturday at Evening Star Concert Hall
• Illuminati Halloween: 8 p.m. Saturday at Electric Avenue
• SKR Halloween Costume Party: 8 p.m. Saturday at Tudor Lounge
• The Rave That Must Not Be Named: 9 p.m. Saturday at Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center
• Evening Star's Eve Of Mischief: 6 p.m. Sunday at Evening Star Concert Hall

Greg Burt is a Concert Promoter/Sound Guy/Music Supporter/Keyboardist/etc. He can be reached at Greg@FTMPEvents.com. For the full FTMP show calendar, visit www.FTMPEvents.com.

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Tickets still available for tonight's Sheepdogs show at Town Ballroom

BUFFALO -- Canadian rock band the Sheepdogs will make a Queen City appearance tonight at Town Ballroom -- and there's still tickets remaining.

The band, which formed a decade ago in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is comprised of lead singer and guitarist Ewan Currie, his brother Shamus Currie on trombone, keyboard and tambourine, bass guitarist Ryan Gullen, drummer Sam Corbett, and guitarist Jimmy Bowskill.

The band describes itself as "pure, simple, good-time music" with their most recognizable song, "I Don't Know" sounding almost like Southern Rock. In fact, Currie often credits groups Sly and the Family Stone, Humble Pie, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and The Allman Brothers Band as influences on his style.

Tickets to tonight's show start at just $17. They're available online.

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Like to save money? Check out our All WNY Deals page.

Headstones, USS to play Rapids Theatre

NIAGARA FALLS -- A pair of popular Canadian bands will be playing to fans on this side of the border as Kingston punk-rockers, Headstones, and Toronto alt-dance duo USS have upcoming shows at the Rapids Theatre.

Tickets went on sale today to the Dec. 16 Headstones show, as well as the Jan. 14 Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker show with special guests Repartee and Said The Whale. Doors open at 8 p.m. for the Headstones show and at 7 p.m. for the USS show.

General admission tickets to the Headstones are $27.50 in advance, and $32 on the day of the show. USS tickets, meanwhile, are just $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show.

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PODCAST: ThinkSoJoe Show for Oct. 19, 2016

Your hosts ThinkSoJoE and Muller bring you music from Senick, Skinbound, Ghostfeeder, and Dirty Smile on an all new ThinkSoJoE Show! Plus, ya know, boy stuff ...

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LEFFLER: 'Monday is Dead' is actually quite lively

I feel guilty -- or somewhat silly -- admitting this but until a week ago, I had never stepped foot in the Buffalo's famous Tralf Music Hall.

I'd walked (or ridden) by it probably hundreds of times, but I'd never taken the opportunity to walk into the iconic Main Street venue. Last Monday, though, I went in to partake in "Monday is Dead," a relatively new weekly event taking place at the Tralf.

See, every Monday, beginning at 5:30 p.m. the Tralf celebrates all things Grateful Dead beginning with an airing of a Grateful Dead performance or Dead-related film. Then at 7 p.m. some of Buffalo's best musicians get on stage and jam. Typically led by one or two musicians, the on-stage product changes from week to week. Last week was "The Grateful Dans" -- along with an eclectic mix of musicians joining in to play about 90 minutes worth of jams.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the Grateful Dead. I consider it to be great background music. But I've never been into "the scene." So I went mostly to get out of the house and enjoy a libation or two.

The Tralf is spectacular. The nicely stocked bar carries a wide selection of domestic and craft beers in addition to whatever spirits one might want. It has a very decent bar menu, although the kitchen is closed on Monday nights -- kind of a shame when you consider some of the crowd probably has the munchies all the time.

The music was perfect. And the musicians were spot-on -- especially considering they aren't used to playing with one another. Want proof? Check out this YouTube video of "The Grateful Dans" and company jamming to "The Weight" (a.k.a. "Take a Load Off (F)Annie.")

In short (too late?), if you have even a remote fondness for the Dead, get to the Tralf one of these Mondays (why not tonight?) and take in a show. There's no cover and many of the drinks are buy-one-get-one before 7 p.m.

I know I'll be back.

RELATED LINKS:

• Monday is Dead photo album from Oct. 10, 2016
• "The Weight" performed by Grateful Dans and friends Oct. 10, 2016

+Scott Leffler founded All WNY Radio in 2006 to offer more exposure for the talented musicians in Western New York. Occasionally, he may pen a column discussing one of them. Follow him on Twitter @scottleffler.

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HEaRD in WNY: Top shows for the week of Oct. 17 - 23

This week's featured show is Breckenwood's Last Show at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Evening Star Concert Hall in Niagara Falls.

Buffalo-based Pop Rock band Breckenwood is saying goodbye for good, and wanted to do it with a bunch of musicians they've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with numerous times, and who will continue to keep the Buffalo music scene going. Garrett Shea, Will Folckemer, and Cam Kukla formed the group in March of 2011 and exactly a year later they were signed to indie label Buzz Records. Stephen Adolf and Tony Knox joined later on guitar for the band's second album Handheld Memories which was produced by Rob Freeman. After a variety of tours and shows opening for the likes of Aaron Carter followed by a decision that they should eventually go their separate ways, they slowly faded out. But the crew is back to have a proper send off. Don't miss your last time to sing along to your favorite tracks from one of Buffalo's favorite local bands.

/// other shows ///

• The Medic Droid: 6 p.m. Wednesday at Evening Star Concert Hall
• Mom Said No & The Second String: 6 p.m. Friday at Evening Star Concert Hall
• Buffalo's Heavy Halloween 2016: 7 p.m. Friday at Stamps
• The Life Ecstatic: 9 p.m. Friday at Milkie's on Elmwood
• Halloween Hootenanny at The Music Room: 8 p.m. Saturday at the Music Room EA
• DoDriver & Mojo Stone: 8 p.m. Saturday at Hard Rock Cafe
• Volstead Pearls: 9 p.m. Saturday at Milkie's on Elmwood
• 14th Annual Female Musicians Fighting Breast Cancer Benefit: 2 p.m. Sunday at Sportsmen's Tavern
• East Coast Royalty & Breezzy E C: 6 p.m. Sunday at Evening Star Concert Hall

Greg Burt is a Concert Promoter/Sound Guy/Music Supporter/Keyboardist/etc. He can be reached at Greg@FTMPEvents.com. For the full FTMP show calendar, visit www.FTMPEvents.com.

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PODCAST: ThinkSoJoe Show for Oct. 12, 2016

The boys went in without a plan. Who needs plans, anyway? The did manage to play some local music, and stay on-air for the entire two hours. That's what we call a success. (We believe in setting attainable goals at All WNY Radio)

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