buffaloshows.net

Curious to hear about everyone’s first experience.

I had been listening to mostly metal and a couple kids in my school got their hands on some Snapcase and Earth Crisis cds. Then I heard about a show up in Lockport in 94 or 95. I can’t remember. I do remember that the lineup was incredible. It was Severed, Pillar, Union, Despair, Turmoil, and Vision of Disorder. Boy did that open my eyes. There were information tables with flyer for Animal Liberation Front, Food, Not Bombs, etc… There were so many people. It was upstairs and in the winter, but it was so hot in there that the ceiling was dripping with moisture from sweat and the floors were wet. I had never been to a concert that had so much energy and heart. It was a formative moment in my life and one of the best things that ever happened to me despite having long hair and being called a hippie.

My first show wasn't nearly as cool as VOD/Turmoil. Just a mashup of higschool kids local punk/ska/hardcore bands at a YMCA in like 2003 or something. My little middle schooler brain never saw anyone play guitars or drums that fast, or saw a crowd react like that to live music before. Seeing it at a DIY spot like that made me think that I could do it too someday. Eventually, my terrible highschool punk band was playing shows at that same YMCA.