Soul of Buffalo Presents: Plaster Sandals 30th Anniversary Concert w/ special guests McCarthyizm

Soul of Buffalo Presents: Plaster Sandals 30th Anniversary Concert w/ special guests McCarthyizm

Plaster Sandals

From 1993-98 PLASTER SANDALS topped Buffalo’s pop rock scene, selling thousands of CDs, and dominating local radio on then alternative radio station 101.1 The Planet, plus 103.3 The Edge. For three plus years their local hit single “This Life” from debut CD Two Steps Left of Hip (1994) helped earned them loyal following and a Buffalo Music Award as Best Original Rock Band. The Sandals toured the tri-state area of NY, OH, PA, plus Ontario, with regular appearances in New York City, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Columbus, and Rochester, including the famed Mercury Lounge in Greenwich Village for the duration of their run.

With a blend of emotive lyrics, catchy pop hooks, a twin-guitar rock attack, plus a horn section evoking ska comparisons to bands like English Beat and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the Sandals played every major venue in Buffalo. Multiple appearances at Thursday in the Square and opening slots at the Tralf and other venues in supports of national acts including: Deep Blue Something (“Breakfast at Tiffanys”), Ron Hawkins and the Rusty Nails, Toronto’s Wild Strawberries, and The Pursuit of Happiness, among others solidified their audience.
After the release of Pop Revolution (1997), the Sandals took 1st Prize in the first-ever Conan O’Brien College Band search, narrowly missing the Grand Prize of appearing on the show. They also made the year-end list of 101.1 The Planet’s top 100 bands (including national acts), ranking third among Buffalo bands, after the Goo Goo Dolls and Ani DiFranco. Plaster Sandals were touted as Buffalo’s next export to the national level before their untimely breakup in 1998.
Lead singer-songwriter Rob Falgiano has since gone on to release a stunning additional eight CDs of solo pop material, including Back With The Dreamers (2020), and with song placements on major network TV shows like “Felicity,” “Friday Night Lights,” (ABC) “The Black Donnellys” (NBC) and “Everwood.” Between Plaster Sandals and solo outings, Falgiano has performed more than a thousand times.
Now in 2022, a new beginning for the group, with a revamped six-piece lineup, including full horn section for the vintage sound, but with a modern upgrade, plus the first new Plaster Sandals songs in 25 years.

McCarthyizm

Born in the days before alternative was a marketing term, McCarthyizm is one of the last bands standing from the ’90s Buffalo rock scene. Blending ’60s garage and ’80s underground rock with strong melodies and intelligent lyrics, along with raucous rhythms and a tasty measure of Celtic flavoring, and you’ve got a cocktail with a punch that delivers one helluva good time, all the time.

Buffalo-based McCarthyizm has traveled throughout the northeast, playing to converts in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York City, Boston, Los Angeles and Toronto. They’ve shared the stage with bands like the Goo Goo Dolls, Eddie Money, 10,000 Maniacs, Smithereens, John Waite, Lou Graham, Black 47, along with Canadian favorites like Great Big Sea, Crash Test Dummies, Jason Plumb, Spirit of the West, Hawksley Workman, The Glenngarry Bhoys and The Lowest of the Low.
In addition to being inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2009, the band has also earned several Buffalo music awards over the years, including Top Original Rock Band and Top Recording.
But that’s all stuff for the resume. What matters is the song. The band’s craft has been there from the beginning. So the McCarthyizm gang saved their pennies and returned their empties and have been able to release several critically acclaimed recordings including Pretty Naked (1993), Vesuvio (1995), Eterniday (1998), Pair O’Docs (2001) Victors EP (2007) and Victors & Vices (2011)
So check it out for yourself. Put that McCarthyizm disc on and turn it up. If you dig intelligent, infectious pop and Celtic rock, here’s the mountain for your shovel. Better yet, catch ‘em live. Depending on how close it is to St. Paddy’s Day (and/or how much whiskey is left in the bottle), you’ll also hear some rocking Celtic tunes, both traditional and original. It’s all good. And it’s all in the song.

Buffalo Iron Works
49 Illinois St Buffalo, NY 14203

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm

Tickets: $15 ADV/$20 DOS
Ages: 18+