Members Of moe. Discuss Buffalo Ahead Of Hometown Concert With Daniel Donato
The band formed at the University of Buffalo in 1990.
By Team JamBase Jul 11, 2024 • 2:07 pm PDT
Photos by Susan Weiand [left]/Paul Citone [right]
Buffalo, New York, boasts a storied musical history, beginning with jazz and blues in the early 20th century and evolving through rock, punk, and hip-hop in subsequent decades. Buffalo’s live music venues and festivals have played a crucial role in shaping its rich and diverse musical heritage.
One of the bands to emerge from the fertile Buffalo music scene is veteran jam rockers moe.. The group formed at the University of Buffalo in 1990, and soon 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 latest studio album, This Is Not, We Are.
moe. regularly performs concerts in the Buffalo area gracing one of several premier venues in the region. Their next Buffalo show is scheduled for July 17 at the Outer Harbor. The concert is part of moe.’s Best.Summer.Ever Tour with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country.
In advance of moe.’s hometown Buffalo show, guitarist Chuck Garvey and percussionist Jim Loughlin shared their thoughts on the past, present and future of the bustling Buffalo music scene that has fostered the band over the years.
How would you describe the Buffalo music community when the band was first starting out, and what role did it play in your success?
Chuck Garvey: There were many bands who were stylistically different from each other. Many of those bands were friends of ours and we played shows together, to expose our crowds to other music. “Monkey Wrench” is a punk-leaning band, while another was “Scary Chicken”, who are more melodic indie pop. Buffalo had (and still has) an amazing culture and art scene and each part fed on each other’s inspiration. The hundreds of bands that sprang up around town were grown from a bed of great radio – from Colleges as well as Canadian airwaves that drifted over the border.
Jim Loughlin: When we were starting out the Buffalo music community was amazing. It was open to any and all types of music. It wasn’t a pretentious or judgmental music scene and it wasn’t an overly competitive one either. The venues were very supportive and recognized the symbiotic relationship between band and venue. There was so much live music happening all over the city back then and there was no shortage of venues. I think that all of that had to do with our success.
Photo of Terminal B by Joe Cascio
Over the years, you’ve played a bunch of Buffalo-area venues … What makes Buffalo different, and how does the beauty of the region challenge the outdated stereotypes of Buffalo?
Jim: There are so many venues in Buffalo. That’s one of the things that makes it different. From small dive bars to theaters to amazing outdoor venues. There are just so many places to play. Most people wouldn’t think that venues like Artpark and the Outer Harbor even 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 come from the small venues there. Tower of Power at the Tralf (the venue is now called Electric City). I also saw Ween there. Seeing Ani (DiFranco) at some of the smaller places. Stuff like that.
What do you think is particularly special about Buffalo’s live music scene?
Jim: The diversity. When we were a part of the Buffalo music scene the diversity of music there was astonishing. Rock, funk, country, rap, fusion, prog rock, straight ahead jazz, world music, ethnic music, folk, classical, americana, whatever. You could literally see all those styles in the course of a week in Buffalo. It’s pretty awesome.
Chuck: The history of Jazz in the city, which supported many touring bands through the years, the many venues ( big and small ) that gave the music a place to flourish. The art scene, the food, the relatively cheap cost of living… you could pay to see a lot of music, or you could be a burgeoning musician while learning to play in front appreciative audiences!
How do your early Buffalo moe. shows compare to shows you’ve played more recently? Has the crowd or vibe changed?
Jim: Well, for one thing, when we started out in Buffalo we usually didn’t start playing until about midnight and we ended around 4am so the hours have definitely changed a lot. We were a lot younger then and so 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 investment in venues mean for cities like Buffalo’s music community and local musicians?
Jim: It means everything. Investment in venues will not only get more national acts to come through 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 fun to play at. Investment in venues also gets more people going out to see live music which then helps local restaurants and bars and so on and so on.
This is your first tour with Daniel Donato. Seeing them putting in their time on the road, does it remind you of your early days as a band in Buffalo?
Chuck: Touring out of our comfort zone – playing regionally and then countrywide – was exciting, inspiring and fed the travel itch…. Seeing the U.S. and meeting thousands of like-minded people helped us become the band we are now. I see Daniel and his band surfing that wave! They are more professional than we were – that came later with us!
Jim: We’ve always been a heavy touring band. It started in two cars and we worked our way up from there. It’s always great to see bands out there putting their time in on the road.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming musicians to ensure a successful career?
Jim: Make sure you like the people you’re working with. You’re gonna spend a lot of time with them and come to rely on them often. If you want to be successful and have a long career you need to do it with people you like.
Chuck: Play live with as many musicians as possible. Don’t wait till you are “ready” to learn everything about your chosen instruments, start playing face to face with other musicians as well as live audiences! It’s a lifetime pursuit and you never learn it all…
What are some favorite spots in and around Buffalo that visitors to the area shouldn’t miss?
Jim: Artpark. Niagara Falls. The New Era flagship store. Shea’s Theatre. Delaware Park. Those are all good places to check out if you’re in Buffalo.
Finally, based on your previous Buffalo-area performances, what should other musicians who’ve never played the Buffalo expect from the fans and the city’s scene?
Jim: Buffalo music fans have always been accepting and supportive. They like new things and just want to have a good time seeing a live band.
Photo of Terminal B by Joe Cascio
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