Twentysomething in Buffalo

Felt like 1996 again

While sitting between the rain drops Thursday night during the Gin Blossoms performance at the
square, I felt like it was 1996 again.

Seeing local band More Than Me take the stage like some kind of rock-NSync-meets-Maroon 5
surprise brought me back to high school, heck, even before high school, when I first heard the band's CD from my cousin, their fellow student at Kenmore East High School. Their sound is good; More Than Me is polished, clean and upbeat. They reported that they won VH1's song of the year contest and have a single out on Kiss 98.5.

It was really that kind of night, when I remembered staying up to listen to the "Kiss 10 at 10" every night or taping my favorite songs off the radio in middle school. And I think the nostalgia was catching. Lots of other twentysomthings, though not exclusively, bopped around when the Gin Blossoms staples "Hey Jealousy," "Til I Hear It From You" and "Follow You Down."

Granted, most of the songs sounded the same, and Robin Wilson proceeded to throw up the "rock on" symbol using his index and pinkie fingers more often then was necessary or even cool, but still, standing in the slush hearing a lead singer from the '90s who hasn't lost his chops (sorry, Johnny Rzeznik) was great.

Not only that, but a 3-year-old, there with his mom and dad, proceeded to make friends with everyone on the steps of the statue. Those of you who faithfully read Jeff Miers' Sound Check column know he wrote about bringing children to concerts early and often. While I don't advocate taking them to the 3 Doors Down show tonight at Darien Lake, I think the Gin Blossoms are benign enough, even if the square isn't always so. And I was pleased to dance around with the little fella while he soaked up some music education.

Makes me think of my first concert: 98 Degrees at the Erie County Fair.

Ah, memories.

---Kristen Rajczak

Some fine Gin

This week's Thursday at the Square is something I have had circled on my calendar for a while. The Gin Blossoms, whose "New Miserable Experience" was a staple in the soundtrack of my formative years, are coming back to town.

For the longest time I considered the band sort of a guilty pleasure, but after coming to know its influences -- including power pop legend Tommy Keene -- I no longer feel the need to apologize for enjoying the group. Besides, the songs penned by the late Doug Hopkins are soaked with the sound of one of my all-time favorites, the Replacements.

Getting back to the soundtrack theme, though, I fondly recall leaning heavily on tracks like "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You." One reason was because they were endlessly replayed on the radio (remember what one of those is?); the other was that they dulled the insecurity of those teenage years.

I used to think Hopkins relied on experiences from his youth to generate such angst-filled offerings. After pulling the album off the shelf for some prep listening this week, though, the obvious dawned on me: He and the band were in their 20s when they wrote this stuff and absolutely drawing from their present. It makes sense, because I sure don't have this place figured out yet and would argue I am exponentially further away from an understanding.

Soul Asylum, our own Goo Goo Dolls and the Grateful Dead are three other bands I relied upon then and still spin now (mostly the older stuff, but some of the new releases, too). There are others, like Green Day and the Offspring, that I probably have not listened to in years.

So what about you? Anyone else feeling somewhat nostalgic about the show? It should be neat looking around to friends, exchanging glances and smiles indicating this is our music, while some inattentive youngsters cluelessly wonder what all the fuss is about.

And what are some of the bands from your formative years that you either still enjoy (on your iPods) or are ashamed to cop to?

---Geoff Nason

Millionaires and their trashy lyrics

I can't say that I'm terribly fond of the Jonas Brothers or that I would buy Miley Cyrus's CD. Then again, I'm not into, say, Taylor Swift either. However opposed to the Disney machine you may (or may not!) be, I must comment that at least it is bringing (well, mostly ... sorry about that photo-shoot Miley) clean music and entertainment to a media scene inundated by pop-tart teen girls in push-up bras.

We have a problem of this nature happening right now in the area.

Xtreme Wheels, which lauds itself as the largest all-ages music venue in WNY, is bringing in Millionaires, a grill-wearing, alcohol-toting group of three girls who don't look older than 15. But their raunchy outfits and dark eye makeup seem to be trying to age them to legality.

Actually, I don't much care what they look like. What bothers me is their f-bomb dropping songs about getting "trashed" or performing, uh, "favors" for boys they dance with.

Since this show has been so highly advertised, there are bound to be a lot of kids there who will be exposed to junk. The band just doesn't seem to fit the model Xtreme Wheels prides itself on: a wholesome environment that families can attend together.

Maybe there is an age requirement for this show. I hope so, but I don't think I'd even be comfortable letting my brother, who's 23, listen to the Millionaires' garbage lyrics.

I'm not naive. I know that young people watch MTV, and will listen to whatever music they want. But condoning a band that promotes promiscuity and alcohol to such a young demographic is positively disgusting.

If I were a parent, I wouldn't want my children thinking that these things make them "popular" or that the behavior the Millionaires describe in their songs is normal for that age group. I'd much rather have to listen to Hilary Duff sing about believing in yourself over and over than catch a 10-year-old lip
syncing that she wants to get trashed.

Am I being too sensitive? Look up the band's MySpace page and tell me what you think

   -- -Kristen Rajczak

Lyrical links

Van Morrison's flavorful rendition of "Saint Dominic's Preview" in Toronto's Massey Hall earlier this week had me wondering if he played the song, which contains "Buffalo" in the lyrics, solely because he was in the area. Wishful thinking as it turns out. It is a tune that has been included in plenty of his set lists of late.

However, there was a small rise from the crowd when the Buffalo line came up and it did get me thinking: What are the best songs that have a direct reference to Buffalo in them?

Now before you jump all over me with, "What does this have to do with being twentysomething in Buffalo" comments, I once threw a party before moving out of my UB apartment with a Buffalo theme. Much of the music had a Buffalo connection, or at least contained the city in the lyrics. If you are not buying my explanation that this is to benefit any other twentysomething about to prepare a Buffalo-based playlist, then you will just have to loosen up and enjoy the list.

So here it is, with special assistance from good friend and expat Geoff in Ithaca, the top five "Buffalo in the lyrics" songs:

* Van Morrison, "Saint Dominic's Preview": And it's a long way to Buffalo/It's a long way to Belfast city, too
-The aforementioned tune. Buffalo's Gary Mallaber drummed on this one, so I would imagine he influenced the lyrics. Anyone know?

* John Fogerty, "Rock and Roll Girls": If I had my way/I'd shuffle off to Buffalo
-Another line I had the pleasure of hearing live. This time at Darien Lake two summers ago.

* Grateful Dead, "Truckin'": Truckin' up to Buffalo/been thinkin' you got to mellow slow
-Not bad to be mentioned in the same song as Chicago, Detroit, New York, Dallas, Houston and New Orleans. We will take it.

* X, "The New World": Windshield wipers/Buffalo, New York
-I have read varied accounts that wipers were invented here. If not, there is definitely the Trico connection. It is cool that the legendary L.A. punk rockers knew that.

* Kathleen Edwards, "Buffalo": Up ahead the roads were closed/and the Gennys ran most of Buffalo
-She does not turn 30 until Friday, so the fact she is a twentysomething helps her get a nod on this list. Extra props for the song -- the lead track on her latest album, "Asking for Flowers" -- being titled Buffalo despite her allegiance to the Ottawa Senators.

Honorable mentions: Traditional, "Erie Canal" (performed recently by Bruce Springsteen); Emmylou Harris, "All I Left Behind"; and Willie Nelson, "Me and Paul."

OK. What did I leave out?

---Geoff Nason

Square peg, round hole

I would not have imagined thinking this in the past, but the atmosphere of Thursdays at the Square has grown somewhat tiresome for me.

When I lived in northern New York, I would come back for two or three hand-picked shows a year. I figured on taking in a bunch more being here full time this year -- even for acts that did not necessarily interest me -- but the novelty has quickly worn off.

The top reason without question is what News pop music critic Jeff Miers opined about in last week's Gusto: the incessant yakking and cell phone use, which ruins others' opportunity to take in the musical performance.

I realize the Square is an event, not just a concert setting. It is free, too, so it is easy to discard this complaint. And if I looked back through my phone, I would likely be guilty of sending a couple texts during the show.

But when it reaches the level of a performer dedicating a song to "Everyone who has been paying attention" -- as Jakob Dylan did early last week -- that is saying something.

I still plan on making a couple more Squares this summer, but will be aiming to arrive first thing in order to get a spot by the stage to limit the crowd distractions. The concept and execution by Buffalo Place are fantastic for the city, but maybe just not for me anymore in my mid 20s.

Having seen performances in the past at ArtPark -- also free Tuesdays and Wednesdays -- I figure on leaning toward those shows more often.

So what do you think? A valid criticism or a snobby one?

---Geoff Nason

O Canada

It is easy to rail against Toronto these days, given the city's sports connections to Buffalo teams. The Leafs are bitter rivals to the Sabres, and obviously there is fear that someday the Bills will become the Toronto Bills (better than the Los Angeles Bills, in my opinion, but that's for another post).

I think as Buffalonians, we have a minor league-type inferiority complex at times. This is especially the case with our neighboring metropolis to the north. My colleague Mike Harrington blogged about it a couple months back, indicating why he thought the Bisons might have some reservations about having the Blue Jays as their parent club. Check out the comments in this post -- we even lash out passionately against something as simple as a logo.

Despite all that, I am thrilled Toronto is merely a two-hour drive away. In the last four months, I have been up to four concerts and a ballgame. I am taking in another show Thursday and plan on catching Van Morrison next month. Some great shows come through Buffalo, but having a major destination a short distance away is a huge plus. Van Morrison is not coming here anytime soon. And music and baseball are a small part of what you can do for entertainment in a city like Toronto.

When I ordered a Blue at the beer stand at the Cubs-Jays game Sunday, the woman behind the counter looked at me and said, "You're not American are you?" When I said I was, she replied, "Usually I can pick you guys out because you ask for Labatt's, while Canadians just say Blue." I explained my ordering a Blue by noting I was from Buffalo, which is sort of half-Canadian, anyhow -- especially in terms of beer drinking habits. I take pride in the influence Canadian culture has on us here.

Buffalo has plenty to offer, and I think we are kidding ourselves if being close to Toronto is not one of those benefits. What do you think? Can you look past the sports hatred and give the city some love?

---Geoff Nason

Picking Up That Old Guitar

I have decided to pick up my guitar again. I sucked it up and cut the fingernails (a vanity of mine) on my left hand and restrung my not-so-great acoustic guitar. Charlie, as I fondly named him, and I have had an on and off relationship for about  five years. I still only know a handful of chords and can't pick anything properly to save my life.

But two days ago, I stopped being a lazy tab-grabber (the chords versions, not even the real tabs) and broke out my "How to Learn to Play the Guitar" book and started practicing some blues scales. My fingers started getting numb after about an hour and it was a refreshing feeling to accomplish a complete exercise. I can, at a moderate speed, play a G major blues scale.

Sticking to something like learning an instrument really requires some dedication. Like taking up jogging, playing the guitar is something I have dabbled in time and again only to abandon it, not for lack of interest, but for the pursuit of socialization beyond Charlie's wooden frame.

I'll be the first to admit that I have already begun in the wrong fashion. I have to sing along and this apparently hinders my rhythm abilities which, even with years of piano and flute lessons, are slim to none on the guitar. If anyone has any tips to learn how to strum better, I would gladly accept them.

The real reason I started playing the guitar back in high school was because I wanted to learn to play "Cactus Tree," my favorite song by Joni Mitchell. It might be my favorite song of all time. However, with the rudimentary base I got from various guitar-playing friends and what I picked up on my own, I hadn't nearly enough expertise to start picking out Joni's immortal tune, even with my otherwise well-worn Joni guitar book.

I've spent hours in summers passed slamming out "All I Want" and "Free Man in Paris" but have yet to realize my prickly goal. Thus, I try again and this time with a resolve to learn something more useful than just D, A and G.

Does anyone know any good tip or tab sites for beginners? Also, I'm looking for good music stores in Buffalo to buy amps (not Guitar Center, please).

  -- Kristen Rajczak

Hunt for local bands

Buffalo's local music scene is something I wish I followed better than I do. Last Friday's Gusto had a big pull-out section with all of the major free and not-so-free concerts for the summer.

Last Wednesday's NeXt section had a similar music guide, but geared toward a younger crowd. Neither highlighted some of the up-and-coming artists from the Buffalo area … this, in the age of MySpace music and purevolume, etc, I realize, is quite impossible. There are just too many of them!

However, there is one show I have been keeping an eye on and will probably be attending on June 14. Club Infinity (in Williamsville) hosts Common Kings, Standard of Living and the Innocent Bystanders that Saturday night. Both Standard of Living and the Innocent Bystanders play that happy, piano-driven rock that I love and both are from the area and beginning to gracefully shove their way into the limelight.

  All of SOL's members are from Sweet Home High School when they started up a few years
ago and I was a dedicated fan in high school. I think the line-up has changed somewhat since
then, but their latest release, "Patience," has a tribute to Amherst on it ("Autumn in
Amherst") that always brings me home. These guys have toured with some bigger Indie-type names
and also opened for Teddy Gieger a few times.

The Innocent Bystanders, I must admit, I am quite shamelessly plugging because I knew the band members when I was in high school. Not only do these St. Joe's graduates have catchy hooks and a cute look to boot, but they got some local radio play recently and even shot a video ("Under Wraps").

I don't know much about the Common Kings, but SOL and the Innocent Bystanders are enough to bring me down to Infinity that night. I'm sure there are some other great local bands out there that I've yet to discover … and I'd love for you to tell me about your favorites.

-- Kristen Rajczak

Bruuuuuuuce!!

Snow all day, slick roads, grumpy, anxious drivers. Any other Friday snowstorm and I'd want to drive directly from work to my bed and hibernate away the gloomy forecasts.

But not this Friday. Because the Boss was back in town.

After reading several reviews of Bruce's show Thursday night in Rochester, I was on cloud nine with excitement. He'd played Rosalita at a fan's request - an extreme rarity - and affectionately declared Rochester "Number One!" (Ok, I'll give him a break on that one.) If anything, I was thinking the snow might actually be a bonus for Buffalo on Friday - maybe it would inspire Bruce to take pity on a cold, blizzardy city, go back to the glory days and play an all out, old-school three-and-a-half hour rockfest.

I owe it all to my dad. I was one of the rare, lucky ones; although I admit to singing along to the occasional Backstreet Boys ballad, the majority of my childhood was spent bopping along to my dad's tapes of Springsteen's 'Born to Run,' U2's 'Joshua Tree' and R.E.M's Green album.

While my friends openly despised their parents' musical tastes, citing them as old-fashioned and un-hip, I ravaged my dad's CD collection like a hungry scavenger in search of the latest and greatest musician. Over the years, I drifted more towards hippy trippy singer-songwriters like Matt Nathanson and smooth-crooners like John Legend, while my dad found Ryan Adams and Lucinda Williams, but we continue to love the classics that brought us together.

Friday night was no exception. It was fists in the air, all-out gut singing till your vocal cords are silent strings and your legs are strands of wet spaghetti from standing for three hours in anticipation. My dad's friend was able to get us absolutely incredible seats, 5 rows up a section away from the stage, and it was heaven. From the first notes of the surprise opener "Ties that Bind" to the other-worldly guitar solos in "Because the Night" to the eerily moving "Devil's Arcade," the show was an incredibly enjoyable, exhaustive arm-flailing sing-along. Of course powerhouse anthems "Born to Run" and "Dancing in the Dark" were happily delivered, but the best treat of the night by far was the tour premiere of "Detroit Medley," which included a heart-stopping cover of "Good Golly Miss Molly."

Bruce prefaced songs with dedications all night long, but that one needed no introduction.

Was anyone else there?

-Molly Hirschbeck

Guitar Hero Geek

Warning: This post makes a twentysomething sound like a 12-year-old.

I've never been a video game person. My brother and I are relatively close in age, and while he navigated his way through Madden, FIFA and NBA Live, eyes glued to the screen, thumbs twiddling as fast as digital Lee Evans would run, I'd sit there thinking, "I just don't get it."

Last night, I finally saw the light: Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. I was completely mesmerized, and uncharacteristically quiet. Was it the fast-paced chord pattern of "Don't Hold Back," or maybe the catchy, trance-inducing rhythm of "When You Were Young"?

I'll admit, my first attempt at following the color-coordinated "notes" on the screen left me marveling at just how little hand-eye coordination I have. But thanks to supportive (and sympathetic) friends, I floundered through a few more classics, butchering each one a little less each time.

I definitely wasn't transformed overnight; by no means did the game turn me into an intense gamer scouring the Internet for cheat codes and player tips so that I can master the Expert level. I'll still make fun of my brother for the glazed, dazed and confused stupor he seems drawn into every time he picks up his PS2 controllers.

But now I understand the attraction of being able to temporarily become something else-or someone else-whether it be Brett Favre, James Bond or the talented Brandon Flowers. Even if I never do make it past the Easy level.

Has anyone else played the game and loved it, or am I just a geek who needs to grow up? Which Hero is best?

-Molly Hirschbeck