Buffalo and Rochester’s hardcore scenes have strong connections

By Benjamin Joe

Cleveland’s “Last Gasp” and Denver’s “Time X Heist” are coming to Buffalo at the Rec Room on Chippewa Street this Thursday, September 26, on their way to the Spreading the
Hardcore Reality Festival in Rochester. Buffalo hardcore bands Kill Uncle, Juggernaut, and World on Fire will open.

In interviews with this reporter, the five bands noted the camaraderie of the genre, citing connections between the bands and organizers. Mike Jeffers, drummer for Juggernaut, said that the idea to host the two visiting bands was quickly realized thanks to the cohesiveness of the Buffalo scene, saying “we all have ties in the hardcore scene going back 30 years. The club (Rec Room) we’re playing at is owned by an old hardcore guy and the promoter is also another hardcore guy from Rochester doing the show here.”

Sean Reverie, bassist of Kill Uncle, also cited the interconnectivity of the bands in Buffalo, noting that it can be pretty confusing as old bands break up and new bands from their remains. Reverie said he liked to show visiting bands a good time, a courtesy he’s been shown touring other cities. For him, playing in new places is like being an ambassador of his home-town scene, but oftentimes the experience that out-of-town bands have in Buffalo proceeds him. 

Reverie said, “people have seen bands from Buffalo and are like, ‘Oh, sh** we played this place Funeral Home in Buffalo, it was crazy! Kids were moshing with shopping carts and pool noodles and it’s literally in an old funeral home! You can go downstairs and see the embalming stations!’ and people want to come to places like that.”