On Saturday, June 5, The Sphere will be hosting the first ever Buffalo Finals of the Emergenza Festival. For the remaining twelve bands, this last stretch is bound to be the most important step as only 1 winner will head off to Boston in order to compete in the regional finals at the incredible Avalon. Having heard all the bands that will be showcased, I am particularly excited to go back to Buffalo and be part of this event. Musically, Buffalo is uniquely refreshing. Every band performing seems to have something unique in their sound which has made me a fan of practically every band. Here is a glimpse of what to expect on that decisive night, in no particular order: TOTAL PROTONIC REVERSAL: This band has always caught the eye of the public with their warm groove and reggae influences. You can tell the chemistry of this band is well centered when you consider most of the band’s set is an unrehearsed jam revolving around a established song structure. ROADHOUSE GYPSIES: Pure Rock n’ Roll at its best! The band reminds me a lot of the Black Crows but I can’t help thinking of Mick Jagger when I glance at the singer. Their music as well as theirs 70’s style look is a perfect match. SANITY: Here we have an alternative band that obviously understood the essential elements of songwriting. I find myself singing the chorus of “Close my eyes” for days after a Sanity performance. If you want to judge for yourself, you can find that song on the 2004 Emergenza Compilation cd handed out at the finals. SARDONIC GRIN (in the picture): Being from Montreal, Canada, in a very metal music scene, I learned to appreciate bands that can balance heavy riffs and good melodies like the guys from Sardonic Grin. BARON ZAMEDI: The guys from Baron have the heaviness they need without letting it surpass their unique sound. Fronted by a great singer, swirling around the dark side but all in all, it is very effective. THE SUMMUR REIGN REVOLUTION: Great stages presence, great rock and great frontman! This band could only be fully appreciated once you’ve seen a live show of theirs. I love the organ, it fits perfectly! HESPERUS: It’s safe to say that this band has been influenced by The Tea Party. With that kind of influence, the boundaries and limits of rock seems so far out of reach. Experimenting with Indian sounds in a rock environment, the band seems to have found the right combination. 716: This local band has found a way to mix rock and soul in the most brilliant way possible. The singer is great, the rhythm section is solid, the horns are right on… what can I say, they’ve got going on! 3 DAYS OLD: A good hard rock band influenced by bands like Incubus and Tool but also from Led Zeppelin and GNR. The high energy of their live performance and the showmanship demonstrated by their frontman will leave a lasting impression. TRAILER PARK MAFIA: Aside from having the coolest band name, these guys rock their hearts out. They are all over the place on stage, moving around, never still and always staying true for the sake of punk! 4TH DEFINITION: Another great nu-metal band. I was particularly impressed with the drummer and the versatility of the lead singer. A well balanced band with good melodies, a great look and a tight rhythm section. CITY POWERED RADIO: A punk band, hinting at grunge and steeling some winning elements of rock, this band never ceases to amaze me. They strangely remind me of Nirvana. So there we have it, best of luck to all the bands. It will be a big night in Buffalo on Saturday, June 5 at The Sphere so make sure you don’t miss all the action. I know I wouldn’t… Frank Valiante