Do you have fond memories of 8 bit video games and simple plastic controllers or better yet arcade machines? Well, the members of ArmCannon definitely do and this group of 5 Buffalonians created a band that pays homage to old video game themes while at the same time putting a metal spin on it. I had the pleasure of catching one of their live performances back in May at Nietzsche’s, which also happened to be the night where Phil and I started putting together the idea for Hungry Hungry Buffaloes. For weeks after the concert I had the Power Rangers Theme Song stuck into my head (ArmCannon’s version is called Morty Miphon).
Not only have they played all over Buffalo, but they’ve played various video game festivals across the US like Pax East, Gen Con and MAGFest. They’ve released two albums (which you can stream for free on their BandCamp page) and I’ve been listening to them this week on Spotify. I managed to get a hold of Chris (the keyboardist) and Dan (the guitarist without hair) and asked them about their favorite places to eat and drink around Buffalo. Here’s what they had to say….
Where are some of your favorite places to eat in Buffalo, right now?
Chris: When the band is playing a super late gig downtown and we are tired and hungry, we are saved every time by Jim’s Steakout. They provide that exact mix of messy flavors you crave when you have been drinking and partying all night. Outside of that, my personal favorite place to eat in Buffalo is Sterling Place, on Hertel. They have a single chef who I would describe as a gourmet wizard of bar foods. All ingredients are clean, local, and amazing. The chef’s wife is a beer connoisseur, so they are guaranteed to have fun new beers to try on tap every day. The atmosphere is a barebones bar but it feels like home; you will be treated like a regular by your third visit.
Dan: Ted’s Hot Dogs, Buffalo Brew Pub, Mighty Taco (and I’m not just saying that because they literally have a picture of me on this months placemat http://bit.ly/o7zMEn)
On the weekend, where do you like to hang out with friends?
Chris: I live near Bidwell and Elmwood, so I spend a great deal of time just walking around the splendid neighborhoods. Cafe Aroma is the best place to casually grab a coffee, beer or meal all in one place. Pretty much every bar in buffalo is spectacularly fun during Sabres playoffs; it’s a guaranteed night of tons of people cheering at the TVs and you forge very quick friendships.
Dan: McGarrett’s (friendly staff, good drink selection), Nietzsche’s (good atmosphere, music), Buffalo Brew Pub, Mohawk Place
If you had friends visiting from out of town, where would you go to show them a good “Buffalo” time?
Chris: I always want to drive people around downtown just to show them the architecture. I kind of refuse to do the whole chicken wings cliche. If I want to bring them to good food, its gonna be Jim’s Steakout for casual, Sterling Place for medium, also Vizzi’s burger joint for medium, and Kuni’s on Lexington or Wasabi on Elmwood for a fancier sushi experience. Kuni has a traditional chef who goes out of his way to disregard the American trends in sushi like all those fancy gigantic rolls from San Francisco. If there is money to spend, Hutch’s on Delaware is a guaranteed pleaser, without being too snobby, but partner restaurant Tempo is full force food snob heaven. The only other fancy restaurant that I like better is Trattoria Aroma on Bryant street. Everything they serve is not only spectacular, but will remain in your memory. Guaranteed to blow your friends minds.
Dan: Duffs, Allen St, Elmwood Strip, Ted’s Hot Dogs
What are some food memories you had from your childhood?
Chris: I grew up in Indiana, which means the nation’s greatest sweet corn on the cob was the main event every summer. There were entire festivals built around this. I also grew up on chain restaurants, so coming to Buffalo when I was 10 was a sudden tidal wave of exquisiteness, and the food in Buffalo is one of the largest reasons why I do not plan on leaving any time soon.
Dan: The memory that sticks out from my childhood is when I traveled to another city and tried a hot dog that wasn’t a Sahlen’s hot dog for the first time and being literally offended by the taste.
Since you travel with the band often, is there anything you’ve tried that you wish Buffalo had?
Chris: Nothing at all. Every city we go has the most awful food ever. We are spoiled, and we frequently tell everyone that our home town of Buffalo seriously knows how to eat well. When we are in places like Florida, we sometimes order “Buffalo wings” on purpose, just to examine how ludicrously bad they are.
Dan: I really like NY style pizza when I just want to grab a slice. I wish more pizza places around here did NY style, but I do like the NY/Chicago hybrid we seem to make over here. On another note, I visited the Ted’s Hot Dogs location in Tempe, AZ and it was an amazing slice of home while on the road. That location is a literal shrine to WNY. It’s covered with pennants of every Buffalo sports team and college.
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We’d like to thank Chris and Dan from ArmCannon for taking time out of their busy schedules to answer some of our questions. You can follow ArmCannon on twitter and facebook and find out when they are playing next. As someone who has watched ArmCannon perform in person I can say they sound just as great live as they do on record. Check out their music on their BandCamp page and if you like what you hear you can buy their albums, they are both pretty cheap.
