Scene stalwart and daughter set up six-band show … and there may be cake

By Benjamin Joe
(Image above: Brandon Finnegan (left) stands with graduate and daughter Teagan Finnegan.)

A bash is coming to Buffalo’s Hickory Urban Sanctuary later this month and it’s not just an ordinary hardcore show.

The event is at 232 Pratt Street at 4 p.m. on Sunday (June 29), and it’s to honor everyone who took their finals as they exited school years: A Hard Core Punk Grad Bash.

The $15 or Pay What You Can event was actually inspired by the graduation of Teagan Finnegan. Her father, Brandon Finnegan, a hardcore show videographer, said that the plans had been ongoing throughout the year.

The lineup features an assortment of Buffalo bands, such as Science Man, Do Crime, Hold Out, Debatably Stable and Spooky Visions, alongside visiting Leopardo from Switzerland,

“Teagan started coming to shows with me in 2022. It didn’t take long for her to decide that she wanted to throw a show in place of a high school graduation party,” Brandon Finnegan said via Instagram.

“Since then we’ve been kicking ideas around and finally started making concrete plans at the beginning of this year. Teagan made a list and I contacted the bands. We considered various venues, old and new, but when we got in touch with Hickory Urban Sanctuary, it seemed like a perfect fit.”

Finnegan said his daughter initially didn’t want to “attach her name to it” as it was a celebration for everyone that graduated this year.

“The goal is to have a good time with our friends and make some great memories as we close one chapter and get ready to start a new one,” he said.

Mark Miller, of Hold Out, said he’s never been to the venue, but he was excited to be asked to play. He said it will be the first time playing with a new lineup including Jeremy Mazgaj as a second guitarist, and Tim Fletcher on bass. The band is writing new stuff and will play two songs from that at the graduation bash, he said.

“She (Teagan) was on our podcast (Nickel City Soundtrack), I think our ‘best of’ episode for the year,” Miller said. “She’s a big ‘Texas is the Reason’ fan and she got to meet Garrett (Klahn) at the Snapcase show because he played acoustic.”

Teagan said it felt “fitting” to celebrate at a hardcore show as it has become part of her life.

“The concept of a graduation show seemed fun,” she said, also via Instagram. “I’m so stoked for the lineup. I’ve seen every band on the bill many times, except for Leopardo, and I’m so excited to see them.”

While it will be much more than a graduation party, Teagan said it is, “most likely ‘yes’ to cake.”

Alternative flyers for the Hard Core Punk Grad Bash.