Once upon a time, I aspired to write for a national publication such as Rolling Stone, Spin, or Entertainment Weekly, but, given how diametrically opposed our tastes are in 2021, it’s hard to believe that I ever felt that way. My time spent perusing their lists of what they consider to be the finest albums … Continue reading 2021’s Essential Listening
While taking in James Taylor’s 110-minute set inside KeyBank Center on Monday night, I kept referring back to what Henry Hill said about Paul Cicero in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 masterpiece “GoodFellas.” He said, “Paulie may have moved slow, but it was only because Paulie didn’t have to move for anybody,” which is exactly how I … Continue reading James Taylor and Jackson Browne make for an all-star pairing at KeyBank Center
One of my favorite lyrics from Willie Nile’s 2018 album, “Children of Paradise,” finds the Buffalo-born singer-songwriter imploring the listener to not let the “fuckers kill your buzz.” I loved it at the time and find its urgency even greater now that COVID-19 has killed more than just our buzz throughout the past year-and-a-half. His … Continue reading Willie Nile returns to Buffalo with a stunning new album in tow
Genesis opened The Last Domino? tour on Sept. 20 in Birmingham, England and the majority of discussion since then has revolved around the diminished capacity of Phil Collins as a performer. He walks with a cane, sits in a chair, and bares little resemblance to the dynamo responsible for leading the band into the pop … Continue reading Genesis rages against the fading lights during triumphant return to Buffalo
I was 14 when I first heard Genesis’s 1973 opus, “Selling England by the Pound,” on vinyl. The year was 2002, and, as an intellectual introvert for whom attracting female attention already felt like a Sisyphean struggle, the fact that I was becoming obsessed with an English progressive rock band while everyone else was losing … Continue reading In the Red Ochre Corridor: A Dive Into the Past, Present, and Future of Genesis
Despite being labeled a “legacy band” in certain circles, there is nothing about Styx’s 17th studio album, “Crash of the Crown,” to suggest that they’re content to coast on the multi-platinum wings of decades past. It’s a timely and timeless manifestation of everything that fans have come to expect from the band, and, in a … Continue reading Lawrence Gowan talks “Crash of the Crown” and how Styx adapted to life in the time of COVID-19
If you weren’t at The Backlot last month, you missed an opportunity to catch two of the greatest hard rock/metal drummers of all time in what was essentially a private setting. Carmine and Vinny Appice’s Drum Wars culled from each of the brother’s esteemed catalogs while giving WNY’s own Jim Crean an opportunity to show … Continue reading Energy Overload: Drum Legend Carmine Appice on his latest project with guitarist Fernando Perdomo, his time with Ozzy, and more
Mama’s Boys were a hard rock trio formed in Northern Ireland at a time when international success wasn’t easily attainable. A lot of hard work and dedication would be required to follow in the footsteps of Rory Gallagher and Thin Lizzy, but, luckily for Pat McManus, he and his brothers never lacked the drive to … Continue reading Legendary guitarist Pat ‘The Professor’ McManus returns with ‘Full Service Resumed’
The Dead Daisies have had multiple configurations since forming in 2013, but the lineup we’ll be seeing in Buffalo tonight is arguably the best one yet. Led by guitarist and licensed aviator David Lowy, the band is rounded out by singer/bassist Glenn Hughes, lead guitarist Doug Aldrich, and drummer Tommy Clufetos, all of whom bring … Continue reading Guitarist Doug Aldrich talks Dead Daisies, Dio, and Whitesnake ahead of Buffalo gig
According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), there have been 60 films made using Stephen King’s literary source material. What that means is that for every four-star masterpiece there exists a slew of projects whose straight-to-DVD quality doomed them from the start. While King has been the face of horror for decades, it’s actually his … Continue reading Some Birds Aren’t Meant to Be Caged: The Top 10 Stephen King Film Adaptations
Music N' Other Drugs 