moe Discuss Buffalo Ahead of Hometown Show with Daniel Donato

Buffalo, New York, has a rich musical history that began with jazz and blues in the early 20th century and evolved into rock, punk, and hip-hop in the decades that followed. Buffalo’s music venues and festivals have played a crucial role in shaping its rich and diverse musical heritage.

One of the bands to emerge from Buffalo’s fertile music scene is veteran jam rock band Me.The band formed at the University at Buffalo in 1990 and quickly became a national touring powerhouse over the past three decades.

Moe’s ongoing relationship with Buffalo was captured in the song “Skitching Buffalo,” which was written by bassist Rob Derhak and recorded by the group for their last studio album, It is not, we are.

moe. regularly performs in the Buffalo area, at one of the most prestigious venues in the area. Their next Buffalo show is scheduled for July 17th at the Outer Harbor. The concert is part of moe.’s Best.Summer.Ever tour with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country.

Ahead of Moe’s show in his hometown of Buffalo, guitarist Chuck Garvey and percussionist Jim Loughlin shared their thoughts on the past, present and future of Buffalo’s vibrant music scene that has nurtured the band over the years.

How would you describe the Buffalo music community when the band first started, and what role did it play in your success?

Chuck Garvey: There were a lot of bands that had different styles from each other. Many of these bands were friends and we played together to introduce other music to our audience. “Monkey Wrench” is a punk-leaning band, while another, “Scary Chicken,” is a more melodic indie pop band. Buffalo had (and still has) an incredible culture and art scene and each band fed off the inspiration of the others. The hundreds of bands that sprung up in town grew off of great radio – from universities as well as Canadian airwaves drifting across the border.

Jim Loughlin: When we first started, the music community in Buffalo was incredible. It was open to all types of music. It wasn’t a pretentious or preachy music scene, and it wasn’t an overly competitive scene either. The venues were very supportive and recognized the symbiotic relationship between the band and the venue. There were so many shows all over town at the time and there was no shortage of venues. I think all of that contributed to our success.

Over the years you’ve played many venues in the Buffalo area… What makes Buffalo different and how does the beauty of the area challenge outdated stereotypes of Buffalo?

Jim: There are so many venues in Buffalo. That’s one of the things that makes it different. From small bars to theaters to incredible outdoor venues. There are so many places to play. Most people wouldn’t even think that places like Artpark and Outer Harbor exist in Buffalo.

What are some of your memorable experiences as a fan going to see live music in Buffalo?

Jim: Most of my most memorable fan experiences have come from the smaller venues there. The Tower of Power at Tralf (the venue is now called Electric City). I’ve seen Ween there too. I’ve seen Ani (DiFranco) in some of the smaller venues. Stuff like that.

What do you think makes Buffalo’s live music scene particularly special?

Jim: The diversity. When we were in the Buffalo music scene, the diversity of music was amazing. Rock, funk, country, rap, fusion, progressive rock, straight jazz, world music, ethnic music, folk, classical, Americana, whatever. You could literally see all of those styles in one week in Buffalo. It’s really cool.

Mandrel: The history of jazz in the city, which has hosted many touring bands over the years, the many venues (large and small) that have allowed the music to flourish. The arts scene, the food, the relatively cheap cost of living… you could pay to see a lot of music, or you could become a budding musician while learning to play in front of an appreciative audience!

How do your first concerts at Buffalo moe. compare to those you have played more recently? Has the audience or the atmosphere changed?

Jim: Well, for starters, when we started in Buffalo, we usually didn’t start playing until midnight and we’d finish around 4 a.m., so the schedules have changed a lot. We were a lot younger back then, as were most of our fans, so the energy level was a lot higher back then. The music was more frenetic, the tempos were faster, things were a lot sloppier than they are today.

You played Outer Harbor Live in 2022, but what does investing in venues mean for cities like Buffalo’s music community and local musicians?

Jim: It means everything. Investing in music venues will not only bring more national bands to Buffalo, but it will also help the local scene grow and thrive. Bands need places to play and they deserve to have venues that are great to play in. Investing in music venues also brings more people to see concerts, which in turn helps local restaurants, bars, etc.

This is your first tour with Daniel Donato. Does seeing them on the road remind you of your early days as a band in Buffalo?

Mandrel: Getting out of our comfort zone – playing regionally and then nationally – was exciting, inspiring and fueled our wanderlust… Seeing the US and meeting thousands of like-minded people helped shape us into the band we are today. I see Daniel and his band riding that wave! They are more professional than we were – that came later with us!

Jim: We’ve always been a touring band. We started with two cars and progressed from there. It’s always great to see bands spending time on the road.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians to ensure a successful career?

Jim: Make sure you like the people you work with. You’re going to spend a lot of time with them and you’re going to rely on them a lot. If you want to be successful and have a long career, you need to do it with people you like.

Mandrel: Play live with as many musicians as possible. Don’t wait until you’re “ready” to learn everything about your chosen instruments, start playing face to face with other musicians as well as with the audience! It’s a lifelong job and you never learn everything…

What are some favorite places in and around Buffalo that visitors to the area shouldn’t miss?

Jim: Artpark. Niagara Falls. New Era Flagship Store. Shea Theatre. Delaware Park. These are all great places to check out if you’re in Buffalo.

Finally, based on your previous performances in the Buffalo area, what should other musicians who have never played Buffalo expect from the city’s fans and scene?

Jim: Buffalo music fans have always been tolerant and supportive. They love new music and just want to have a good time listening to a live band.

(Sponsored Content: Visit Buffalo Niagara is a JamBase Partner.)