Music Blog covers the Indie Music Scene with a focus on the WNY area. Bands are encouraged to submit promo material for review. Listening to new music with an open mind is important. This blog is about exposing new music and promoting new bands that want a push. Music blog is sponsored by Buffalo Iron Works and Buffalo's best comic book shop Queen City Bookstore. Visit https://www.youtube.com/@joetellsmusicblog3095 for Joe Tell's music blog videos.
The Ontario House aka Stone Jug is an historic 1842 inn and tavern located on Main and Lockport Streets in the Village of Youngstown, NY. With Youngstown’s proximity to both Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara The Stone Jug has been a mainstay for both travelers and locals alike. The Jug has grown into a centerpiece of the local culture and they rally with well intended- and rarely held to- battlecry “The Jug For One!” So whether you are coming in off the water, seeing the sights or just having a night on the town, don’t forget to stop by The Stone Jug… for at least one.
Stop The Bus (Grace Potter) cover from Open Mic night held on Wednesday nights.
New Buffalo Rock City II (KISS THIS) release date video.
Buffalo Rock City ALIVE! A Live Tribute To KISS featuring live Music Is Art performances from KISS THIS! and a special vocal performance of Hard Luck Woman by Robby Takac, founder of Music Is Art and Buffalo's own Goo Goo Dolls.
"Buffalo Rock City ALIVE!" features six performances from KISS THIS!’s live archive, going back to 2017, with 4 songs recorded during the 2021 (the 19th annual) Music Is Art Festival, run by Goo Goo Dolls co-founder Robby Takac. Robby and KISS THIS!’s connection dates to 2015, when the band was asked to open for the Goo Goo Dolls’ main stage performance at the 13th annual Music Is Art Festival.
KISS THIS!’s John Jeffrey (portraying original KISS guitarist, the “Spaceman” Ace Frehley), Taylor Stursa (bassist, as the tongue-wagging “Demon” Gene Simmons), Kevin Blakita (guitarist, as the “Starchild” Paul Stanley), and Julius Giambelluca (drummer, as “the Fox” Eric Carr) all perform on the live recording. John and Taylor participated in an additional special "Buffalo Rock City" set with drummer Shawn Przybylak and guitarist Gene Schmidt, both featured predominantly on the original release. Guest vocalists from the “Buffalo Rock City" album reprised their parts on “ALIVE!,” including Western New York talents Jody Velletta (Dodriver), Nat Peace (Judas Priest tribute band, Call for the Priest and the Rush tribute, Analog Kids), plus Casey Moyer (716 Dance Band), and Robby Takac, himself.
Lockport native, John Peace, (a great local producer and father of "Buffalo Rock City" alumnus vocalist Nat Peace) mixed the new production to “perfection,” notes John Jeffrey. “Mr. Peace has assembled and remixed professional live releases from a range of acts including the Beach Boys and Pink Floyd, and he’s supportive of all things hard rock and heavy metal." Having such an extensive background in working on live recordings made Peace an obvious choice to have mix the album.
Eventually the Johns—Peace and Jeffrey—co-produced "Buffalo Rock City ALIVE!" with the best sounding recordings from the KISS THIS! audio archive, along with the songs preserved from the Music Is Art performance.
The album’s artwork was done by renowned KISS fan artist Nobuya Tamaki, who has many of his pieces of art used by KISS. The design pays homage to the Gene Simmons white room/blood session done in 1977 with Lynn Goldsmith to promote "KISS ALIVE II."
Each “Buffalo Rock City ALIVE” CD comes with a randomly inserted trading card, featuring photos of the members of KISS THIS! and the Buffalo Rock City 2021 Music Is Art performers.
(I was pleasantly surprised by the super rare Julius Giambelluca card in my promo copy)
All proceeds will be donated to Music Is Art.
"Buffalo Rock City ALIVE!" tracklisting:
1. “Psycho Circus” performed by KISS THIS!
Recorded in Tonawanda, NY at Niawanda Park 8/4/18.
2. “I've Had Enough (Into the Fire)” performed by Buffalo Rock City. Recorded in Buffalo, NY at Music Is Art 9/11/21.
3. “Freak” performed by Buffalo Rock City.
Recorded in Buffalo, NY at Music Is Art 9/11/21.
4. “War Machine” performed by KISS THIS!
Recorded in West Seneca, NY at the Rockin' Buffalo Saloon 1/21/17.
5. “Back on the Streets” performed by Buffalo Rock City.
Recorded in Buffalo, NY at Music Is Art 9/11/21.
6. “Hard Luck Woman” performed by Buffalo Rock City featuring the Music Is Art founder and Goo Goo Dolls alumni Robby Takac. Recorded in Buffalo, NY at Music Is Art 9/11/21.
7. “Shock Me” performed by KISS THIS!
Recorded in Hamburg, NY at Memorial Park 7/5/19.
8. “Lick It Up” performed by KISS THIS! with Debbie Knight from the Knight Crew. Recorded in North Tonawanda, NY at Gateway Harbor 6/23/21.
9. “Beth” performed by KISS THIS! Recorded in North Tonawanda, NY at Gateway Harbor 7/26/17.
10. “New York Groove” performed by KISS THIS!
Recorded in North Tonawanda, NY at Gateway Harbor 7/25/18.
“BRC II” is the sequel to the first “Buffalo Rock City,” the best KISS tribute album ever made! Proceeds from the sales of "BRC II" are earmarked to the Maria Love Convalescent Fund, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, providing immediate financial assistance to those in need.
Lifelong KISS fan and KISS THIS! founder/guitarist, John Jeffrey, has, once again, assembled a who’s who of artists, largely representing the Western New York music scene. Among the artists are original “Buffalo Rock City" alumni-- Shawn Przybylak (drums), Gene Schmidt (guitar), Joe Teresi (guitar), Rock Rollain (bass) and Nat Peace (vocals). "II" features WNY “newcomers” to the studio project - Larry Kremer (drums), Kylie Velletta (vocals) & Debbie Knight (who made her first "BRC" appearance on 2022's, "Buffalo Rock City ALIVE!"). The 2 headlining bands returning to “Buffalo Rock City II” album, are tribute band, KISS THIS! and DoDriver, an all-original act, handpicked by KISS and their manager Doc McGhee, to open for KISS on the Sonic Boom tour at Darien Lake on August 13, 2010.
Another WNY artist bassist Billy Sheehan spearheads the list of international rock artists contributing to the project. The album features John Corabi (vocals), Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), John Gioeli (vocals), Jean Beauvoir (vocals), Tommy Henriksen (vocals), Tommy Denander (guitar), Howie Simon (guitar), Rafael Moreira (guitar) Deen Castronovo (drums/vocals), Steve Blaze (guitar), Philip Shouse (bass), Dave Comer (vocals) & Mitch Weissman (vocals). These "celebrity guests" have toured and recorded with Ace Frehley, Alice Cooper, Warlock, Accept, David Lee Roth, Hardline, Talas, KillSET, Gene Simmons, Journey, Ozzy Osbourne, The Hollywood Vampires, Lillian Axe, Winger, Stryper, Tesla, Michael Jackson, Motley Crue, The Dead Daisies, The Ramones, The Plasmatics, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Stanley, Soul Station and Beatlemania.
Mitch Weissman, who sang on “Buffalo Rock City,” returns with his co-write with Gene Simmons, "What You See Is What You Get." Originally demoed by Weissman and Simmons for the 1987, Ron Nevison produced KISS album, "Crazy Nights," the Mitch and BCR’s producer John cleared 30-year old cobwebs to complete this special song.
Making an additional note in "KISStory," Jean Beauvoir plays a significant role, recording a brand new version of "Who Wants To Be Lonely," which he originally contributed to KISS' 1985 release, "Asylum."
"Buffalo Rock City II" was mixed by C.Wood (Brian McKnight, Rascal Flatts, Alicia Keys, Leann Rimes, Lenny Kravitz, Justin Timberlake, Kenny G & Slash) and David Julian. Julian is an established producer and songwriter, who has written songs for Jack Russell (Great White) and Ace Frehley.
Keeping in tradition with the great KISS album covers, Kevin Conrad, the comic artist who penciled and inked the front cover of “Buffalo Rock City,” created a masterpiece once again-- the front and back art for "II." A life-long KISS fan, Kevin’s most known for ink all 31 issues of Todd McFarlane’s "KISS - Psycho Circus" comic book series. This new "BCR II" cover art depicts the KISS members that the musicians in KISS THIS! portray and personify. The cover is an homage to the iconic KISS "Love Gun" album artwork, featuring Buffalo's Albright Knox Art Gallery as the centerpiece.
As the first album, “Buffalo Rock City” focused on topical/non-cock rock KISS songs, it was decided that "Buffalo Rock City II," while serving a greater purpose, would focus exclusively on all the fun "love" themed songs in the catalog.
“Buffalo Rock City”- Greatest KISS Tribute Album Featuring Significant People in "KISStory" Raising Funds to Fight Homelessness. The recording’s proceeds are geared to help the Compass House Foundation, a charitable organization which helps the homeless youth in Buffalo, New York.
Lifelong KISS fan and tribute band, KISS THIS! founder and guitarist, John Jeffrey, assembled the album. He felt it important to have a quality, KISS related release, which was large in part, represented the Western New York music scene.
Collaborating locally and via remote locations, "Buffalo Rock City" was carefully recorded, to ensure the final product would sound like a complete album of work. To create a solid foundation, ALL the drum and bed tracks were recorded in the SAME studio on the SAME day.
Being that "Buffalo Rock City" serves a greater purpose, it was decided the songs would, generally, elevate those in need. The choices are all NON-cock rock KISS songs. John Jeffrey says, “While KISS is famous for their tongue-in-cheek innuendo, it made sense to record songs which resonate with the struggles some people may experience, and interpersonal things most people may struggle with, day to day.”
The album presents hits and GREAT B-sides from KISS’ entire history as a recording band. This includes songs from their 1974 self-titled debut, all the way up to the last ever (so far!) KISS studio album from 2012, "Monster." The album features remakes of songs that were first sung by all FOUR original members of KISS (Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley & Peter Criss). It includes songs originally played by all members of the group: all FIVE lead guitarists (Ace Frehley, Vinnie Vincent, Mark St. John, Bruce Kulick & Tommy Thayer) and the focal drummers from the band’s studio recordings: Peter Criss, Eric Carr, Eric Singer, and Anton Fig.
"Buffalo Rock City" features the "best of the best" musicians from Western New York. In addition to KISS THIS!, there’s DoDriver, an all original act, handpicked by KISS members and their manager Doc McGhee, to open for KISS on the Sonic Boom tour at Darien Lake on August 13, 2010. Contributions to the collaboration album were also made by National/World-wide recording artists, Robby Takac (vocals), Tommy Henriksen (vocals/bass), Tommy Denander (guitar), Deen Castronovo (vocals), Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (guitar), Philip Shouse (bass/guitar), Jeremy Asbrock (guitar), Ryan Spencer Cook (vocals) & Mitch Weissman (vocals). These "celebrity guests" have toured and recorded with Asia, Ace Frehley, Alice Cooper, Doro, Accept, Gene Simmons, Guns N' Roses, Journey, Ozzy Osbourne, The Hollywood Vampires, Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Jackson, Toto, The Dead Daisies, Paul Stanley, and Beatlemania.
Mitch Weissman's lead vocals in his “While The City Sleeps” marks a significant note in "KISStory." His song originally appeared on KISS' 1984 release, "Animalize." This is the first time a KISS co-writer re-recorded a new studio version of a KISS song that he wrote with the band!
Another legend in KISS recording lore is Jay Messina. Messina, who mastered “Buffalo Rock City,” has been working with KISS since 1976, engineering and mixing the band's breakout album "Destroyer." He engineered and mixed 1979’s "Dynasty" and co-mixed the next album, "Unmasked" (1980). John Jeffrey says, “Jay Messina knows what a KISS album should sound like; he did an amazing job in the mastering process of ‘Buffalo Rock City.’"
In tradition with the great KISS album covers, comic artist Kevin Conrad did the pencils and inks for the front cover of “Buffalo Rock City.” A life-long KISS fan, Kevin’s known for his work with Todd McFarlane, who hired him to ink all 31 issues of his "KISS - Psycho Circus" comic book series. The cover art depicts KISS THIS! musicians wearing their favorite era costumes for the KISS member they personify. The band follows the iconic KISS "Destroyer" poses in front of Buffalo's City Hall.
The Compass House Foundation is the charity recipient of proceeds of “Buffalo Rock City." Located in Buffalo, NY, its mission is to provide runaway, homeless and street youth with safe shelter and services, in an environment that supports dignity, respect and self-reliance.
“Buffalo Rock City" tracks:
"Black Diamond" (Bumblefoot & Deen Castronovo)
"Detroit Rock City" (KISS THIS!)
"Hard Luck Woman" (Robby Takac)
"New York Groove 78/80" (Tommy Henriksen & Tommy Denander)
"Dirty Livin'" (Ryan Spencer Cook & Philip Shouse)
"Hard Times" (Philip Shouse)
"I've Had Enough (Into the Fire)" (Various artists)
"Back on the Streets" (Various artists)
"Street Giveth and the Street Taketh Away" (Various artists)
"Jungle" (DoDriver)
"It's My Life" (Jeremy Asbrock)
"Freak" (Various artists)
*bonus collector's track* "While the City City Sleeps" (Mitch Weissman)
The Vincent James Explosion is comprised of three of the most talented and versatile musicians currently performing on the Buffalo, NY music scene. The current members of VJX are Vincent James Mastrantonio: (Guitar) guitar teacher, producer, composer and entrepreneur, Jim Linsner: (Drums) published author and drum teacher and Jerry Sampson: (Bass), Jerry has won several Buffalo Music Awards for his outstanding bass playing. All three members of VJX are in several other high profile bands and they all are in demand as fill-in players.
VJXIV is the fourth release from The Vincent James Explosion and it is the best to date from the band. The Vincent James Explosion plays jazz/fusion, instrumental music.
The music also contains elements of funk, rock and avant-garde jazz. All of the performances on VJXIV are outstanding. The guitar playing is innovative and highlights Vince's versatility on his instrument of choice. VJXIV also contains Vincent James singing debut on "Madness".
VJXIV starts off with "Fanfare for a New Man". This track sounds like a celebration of music and sound. The solo guitar and keyboards sound huge and powerful. I can hear this song opening or closing out a movie. This song would also work well opening a major sporting event. I can also hear it playing when a team first arrives at the big game. Great opening track.
"Trial Exhibits" is a prime example of VJX doing what they do best. Rocking out on a jazz/fusion, guitar based groove. The unique sound of the opening rhythm guitar chords immediately caught my ear. The song breaks down into a bass groove which brings in the sharp and blazing guitar solo. The sound of the solo guitar is reminiscent of Joe Satriani/Steve Vai at times and Vince throws in some sweeping guitar techniques for good measure.
"Kinky B" features a couple of effects-driven and passionately played guitar tracks. The song starts with a jazzy sounding, chord riff but then a dissonant, distorted guitar chimes in and adds a completely different element to the song. The chords continue the dissonant sound of the track. Vince plays an absolutely blazing solo which leads into an off meter turn for the band. This song could be called a avant-garde, jazz/rock fusion all out jam. Vince at his best! One of my faves on VJXIV.
Next up is Vince's lead vocal debut on "Madness". I've heard this song develop over the years and this is the best version I've heard to date. "Madness" lyrics describe city violence and the end result which is pain and death. This song is a balls out rocker and once again Vince rips his way through an outstanding rock guitar solo. "Madness" is one of the best songs on VJXIV.
In stark contrast to "Madness", "Jimmy Mack" is a brief jazz/fusion track, with more emphasis on jazz than fusion. Clean jazz guitar accompanies a a single note melody which sounds like it could be a sonically effected, bended guitar or keyboard note. Cool soundz!
"The Truth" features jazzy guitar and blazing rock guitar solos but bassist Jerry Sampson gets a turn showing some solid and melodic chops on a 70 second solo during this track.
"Deep Blue" features Vince playing some great, bluesy acoustic guitar. Unaccompanied except for a rather spacy sounding backing track Vince displays his exceptional technique on the acoustic guitar.
The 7th song, "Carina" is "dedicated to my Carina" as Vince so eloquently says in the liner notes. Jim Runfola blows some killer soprano sax on this great instrumental.
The last song is VJX's take on the classic "Mission Impossible". The entire band tears it up and once again, Vince blazes through a melodic and polished guitar solo.
Delve into the depths of Matt C. White's creative mind with his latest psych-rock single, "The Way Down." Despite a tumultuous year and a quest to discover his signature sound, Matt's commitment to authenticity shines through in this release. Recorded entirely at his home studio in Brooklyn, "The Way Down" showcases Matt's prowess as a multi-talented artist who is unafraid of sonic experimentation. With a blend of heavy, moody tones and unexpected lightheartedness, this single is a testament to Matt's ability to captivate listeners with his distinctive sound.
Matt C. White is a Brooklyn-based artist, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who cut his teeth learning the swampy blues riffs synonymous with his rural North Carolina upbringing.
Upon moving to New York in 2011, White became a staple in the underground rock scene by way of the groups Dead Seconds, Grandpa Jack, and later Certain Death and 95 Bulls.
White’s love of musical experimentation has led him to a variety of genre-spanning projects over the years -- yet within all of them, one can find traces of the distinctive soul-driven, southern sound for which he is known. His sought-after musical prowess has found him on several cross-country tours and secured him a spot as a Keeley Electronics showcase artist.
White’s first solo release, Wallow in the Hollow (2018), was called “the stuff albums are meant to be made of” by The Big Takeover because of its soulful lyricism and swampy folk sound.
Creepshow Peepshow Acts I & II, his next sonic exploration, melds his bluesy, southern roots with an injection of powerful grunge rock to create a dark and sensual experience. The album was released in two parts: Act 1 (May 14, 2021) and Act 2 (September, 2021).
Following the success of the Creepshow series, White’s 2023 release ‘Punishers’ is a brooding heavy handed take on modern sludge and psych rock. With 10 tracks of pummeling southern doom Rebel Noise calls “an early pinnacle of White’s solo work with his intuitive musical craftsmanship on full display.”
2025’s ‘A Cosmic Year’ (slated for August) marks somewhat of a departure from white’s previous ventures. While containing all the angst and rage of previous releases, ‘A Cosmic Year’ ventures deeper into the vintage fuzz-baths of yore with psychedelic grooves and tripped out passages more reminiscent of a strange Santana and Ty Segall hybrid. ‘A Cosmic Year’ is a psyched out concept album that leans rock opera but somehow still manages continuity through White’s searing vocals and ripping southern rock guitar flavors.
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