Music N' Other Drugs

Building a band from the ground up after playing an integral role in three platinum-selling albums isn’t easy, but that’s what Tommy Skeoch has done with Resist & Bite. The ex-Tesla guitarist joined forces with former Lynch Mob vocalist Nathan Utz, Brian Powell, David Parks, and Steve Stokes to go back to the bars with … Continue reading Resist & Bite: Ex-Tesla guitarist Tommy Skeoch hypes his new band ahead of Niagara Falls date

When I assembled my first Top 10 list back in 1997, a movie was a movie and no one was judging art based on its ability to conform to what a small yet painfully vocal group of self-righteous individuals considered acceptable. “Titanic” won 11 Academy Awards and hauled in $600 Million domestically based on the … Continue reading Time Is the Thing: The Best and Worst Films of 2022

When a legion of fans assembled in Times Square on July 5, 1999 hoping to catch a glimpse of 98 Degrees on MTV’s Total Request Live, their passion in the moment likely clouded any consideration as to what their favorite band would look and sound like two decades later. After all, stressing about the future … Continue reading A Boy Band Christmas provides a harmless holiday diversion at Seneca Niagara

Whether or not you enjoy end-of-the-year superlatives likely depends upon what you consider the role of the critic to be in 2022. For me, I became obsessed with reading reviews at a young age and spent hours studying the art of criticism in preparation for the day that I could become a voice worth listening … Continue reading The Top 25 Albums of 2022

As a member of The Happenings from 1961-1970, David Libert scored nine Billboard Hot 100 singles and carved out a nice little career for himself within the sunshine pop scene. What happened next, however, is what the meat of his memoir, “Rock and Roll Warrior: My Misadventures with Alice Cooper, Prince, George Clinton, Living Colour, … Continue reading ‘Rock and Roll Warrior’ David Libert recalls working with Alice Cooper, Prince, and George Clinton in new memoir

When the news of Todd Rundgren’s acute laryngitis dropped Friday afternoon, social media was set ablaze by fairweather concertgoers asking how they could go about getting a refund for a show that never hinged on his participation to begin with. They appeared to be miffed as to how the band could carry on without a … Continue reading All-star lineup honors the legacy of David Bowie in style at Town Ballroom

Today is the fifth anniversary of Gord Downie’s death and I can still count on one hand the number of acts that were/are capable of shaking my soul in a live setting. Whenever The Tragically Hip came to town, Downie, Rob Baker, Paul Langlois, Gord Sinclair, and Johnny Fay transcended the space in such a … Continue reading In the Ulcerating Silence: Reflecting on five years of life without Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip

Jim Crean prides himself on being one of the hardest working musicians in Buffalo and his latest project, Scream Taker, already has what it takes to be a memorable addition to his resumé. Rounded out by French guitarist Steph Honde and legendary drummer Vinny Appice, the trio released an album from Deko Entertainment titled “Kill … Continue reading Scream Taker: Buffalo Music Hall of Famer Jim Crean discusses his new collaboration with Vinny Appice and Steph Honde

January 1, 1983 is considered the official birthday of the Internet, but I didn’t get online until 1997. In fact, it was December of 1997, because I remember having my universe altered by a 90-second clip of Kate Winslet discussing how she prepared for her role as Rose DeWitt Bukater in “Titanic.” While I loved … Continue reading Please Could You Stop the Noise: Reflecting on 25 years of life on the Internet

If you’re reading this and have never heard of King’s X before, what can I say except you’re welcome. You now have an opportunity to familiarize yourself with one of the most criminally overlooked bands of the last 35 years and I’m honored to be your guide. Founded by singer/bassist dUg Pinnick, guitarist Ty Tabor, … Continue reading Three Sides of One: A conversation with King’s X singer/bassist dUg Pinnick