What a day, summer is finally here. Woke up this morning to do a little work on the DR650. So far this season I swapped exhaust for an Akrapovic, and I decided it was time for a new fuel filter. So that was the morning job, get the fuel filter into the bike.
OK, I'm getting to the music, I know this is the music community.
When I finished with my fuel filter I decided to take if for a test ride around the city. It's funny too, because before I left I actually said to someone, "God, this town is so boring lately. I used to just ride around this town with no plan and come across all kinds of street concerts and parties."
Well prove me wrong! Today was Porchfest 2024... My first time.
This started about 5 years ago. Porchfest and Infringement Festival.... Next month. Turns the entire city into one massive music venue. Bands sign up friends houses throughout the city and perform on porches all around town... How fun is that? Very fun!
I don't know who any of the bands were. I came across these guys first over by the college. I thought it was a frat party at first until I discovered several other bands on the street. Then realized it was Porchfest. These guys were playing rock n roll and pretty well I might add.
Riding into the Allentown section of the city, I came across this woman playing country and folk music. Again, I have no idea who this woman was but she had the voice of an angel and she was an incredible guitarist. She played solo and mostly country and folk music. I really enjoyed this. I hung out for a few songs, then decided I wanted something a little heavier so headed towards the Elmwood Village part of town.
These are my old stomping grounds. I used to live right down the street from that apartment building over to the left of the frame. This band was playing some great rockabilly / psychobilly. I hung out for about 4 or 5 songs. I can't believe there wasn't more people here for them. They were really good. I'm a bit of a snob or harsh critic when it comes to this genre too.
A couple kids pulled up on a scooter and started blazing some weed. I love living in a legal state. Open container laws were not being enforced either so lots of beer drinking going on!
The street was lined with motorcycles for these guys. This is Diamondback, the only reason I know their name was because they were smart enough to have a huge banner over the stage with their band name. They're obviously popular though. The street was lined with motorcycles and they played some really good classic rock. The bands behind that tree on the porch. I was trying to get some photos of the motorcycles.
I hung out here for a few mixes. This woman was mixing some really great house music on the patio of the blue house. The house next door is hosting a kegger it looks like. I love house music, a homeless man started dancing in the street and a whole bunch of people joined in. I didn't get a picture but it was a really heart warming scene.
One of the things I loved was that just about every genre of music was represented.
Bidwell Park was OFF THE HOOK
By the time I made it to Bidwell Park, things were getting crazy. Easily at least a thousand people around Bidwell Park. People were spilling into the street. Glad I had a motorcycle. Most of the car people were pretty cool about it though. It was complete anarchy.
I don't know who's screw up this was, but there were two houses side by side with bands on both porches. It was a complete cacophony. Didn't stop the crowd from enjoying it though. I didn't hang out long though, it was a bit noisy, you could actually hear three bands at once. Not working for me. Lets see what's happening on the other side of the park.
This was just so wild. I haven't seen Buffalo like this in a really long time. Fun was had by all, I'm sure there will be complaints about this though. The entire Bidwell Park community was almost undrivable!
This Ska band was incredible. I spent the rest of my afternoon listening to these guys. This is the other end of Bidwell park. The kid in the red t-shirt in front of the porch skanked through the entire set. (ska dancing) I was exhausted just watching him. Not sure if he was a band friend or just some guy that happened by, but he was feeling the groove. 20 years ago I probably would have joined him, I felt my heart stopping just watching him. God, I MISS HAVING THAT MUCH ENERGY! 🤣
The crowds were mixed young and old. I also came across a bunch of old guys doing Grateful Dead covers and forgot to snap some pix. THEY WERE REALLY GOOD ThOUGH.
Well, outdoor concert season is officially here. I think this started as a nod to the Goo Goo Dolls. Back in the 80s or 90s when U2 did their famous rooftop video. The Goo Goo Dolls decided to do a porch concert on Elmwood. It was a publicity stunt at the start of their career. The street was completely blocked and because they were on a second floor porch the cops actually had to kick in the door to stop the performance. 30 years later, it's a Buffalo tradition. 🤣
I believe this was the fifth annual "official" Porchfest. But events like this have been going on for awhile in this town.
Infringement Festival is next month. Up and coming bands from all around the country will being playing all over the city next month. Sometimes in a park, sometimes on a porch, maybe a bar, pub, or tavern. Lots of street performers too. If I decide to attend any of the events, I'll make sure to post about it.
This was the first time I attended Porch Fest. I'll definitely do it again. It was a lot of fun! I'm a little mad it took me this long to finally check one out.
Here's the latest picture of the DR. New exhaust and a few other mods. I'll have some updated posts and some 3speak mod videos coming soon. I'm doing a lot of work to it this year.
I used to DJ at that tan colored bar across the street on the corner back in the 90s. It used to be The Elmwood Lounge, now it's called Milkies. I miss this neighborhood so much. Such a fun place to live. Elmwood Village has always been a kind of artsy, punk rock sort of neighborhood. Currently getting really gentrified though. SMH. They still know how to have a good time though.
Well, that's all folks. Thanks for reading! Till next time....
Although it's all not my type of music, I can see how this is such a great experience.. We don't have porches up here, I always say that when we build a house, I want a porch. Period. LOL..
Looks really cool to have all these bands perform on the porches and gather with the people who want to enjoy a show.
Thanks for sharing, loved the tour!
How are the kitties doing?
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We love our porches and "stoops" in NY state. Porches are nice for sure. Glad you enjoyed the tour.
The cats are doing great. One comes in the house now every night, and the other two pretty much hang out in the driveway all day but won't come in the house. It's fun having them around though. Thanks for asking :)
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BEER.Such events are very special and people love each other more when they gather at one place and get a lot of new experiences.
Yes, people love a good gathering.
Yeah.
That looks like a really cool event. It exposes more people to live music. We have something similar here but the acts play in pubs and other venues and it's all free to watch. They collect money for charity. Rock on!
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It was a really good time for sure. Great for the local music scene. A charity collection is a great idea. Everything was free here too.
It definitely helps to expose a lot of the local people to their local entertainers. People who may not have gotten out previously to see what kind of local music scene we have. Buffalo always had a lot of good music and a pretty good and supportive local music scene.
Cheers
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BEER.Man, that is something I could get into for sure, lol. Would totally setup my DJ rig outside and just jam, lol.
I was actually surprised there weren't more DJ's there. We needed more DJs.
I used to pop my stuff out at a camp, park, or something when I was doing the van thing and jam. It was fun to do. Some people would look at me all crazy when some out come and hang out. But I had to be choosy on where i did it, lol.
Now I live in the wood... LOL... It's just me and the wild life listening, haha.
I always wanted a portable DJ rig in the car. I haven't done it in years. I focus mostly on guitar these days. I was looking at an MP3 controller though. Something to "scratch" the itch when I get in the mood for some EDM or breaks.
The woods are better. That's awesome. Something I've been thinking about lately. A little plot of land in the middle of nowhere. Things are getting weird in the cities. You've got the right idea!
Yeah, had to come back to the ole family homestead. Dad isn't doing good so I am here to help take care of him and our little piece of the property. Looking at being the one to eventually take over Dad's portion so learning to deal with my uncles on this has been fun. Been having to drop some old grudges, lol.
Dude! That sounds like an awesome time! I wish they had done something like that in Lawrence, KS when I was in a band - we would have ate that shit UP!
You’re in Buffalo? My family hails from a teeny little place called Arcade, and you pretty much have to drive 45 minutes to Buffalo to do it.
DR looks sick man, that was one of the bikes that made me want to build the frankenbike. I sat on one at the DC Bike Show when I went with my dad. I’m pretty short (5’7”), and it felt like sitting on a small horse 🤣 …but I LOVED it. I wanted one so bad but they cost more than I could get for my old 883, so frankenbike was born!
Yeah, the local musicians love it! It was a good time for sure. I'll definitely attend again in the future.
I've been to Arcade a few times. Nice town for sure.
Frankenbike is awesome though! That's a one off, super original, and looks fun as hell to drive!
The DR build has been a lot of fun for me. First time working with a blank canvas, and I've just been doing little mods and adjustments here and there. I bought the bike all original with the exception of the bars and risers. Just ordered the carb kit, so that will be my next project. Thinner throttle pin and larger jetting coming soon. Then I want a custom seat and new tank and I'm done. Hopefully take some serious road trips on it soon. I've been thinking about doing a wrap too, keeping the original paint underneath.
Cheers
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Man, legit! That’s cool you’ve been to Arcade, I’ve always wondered when I would meet someone on Hive that’s been somewhere I’ve been, on a level more localized than national or whatever…in three years you make the first one I can think of.
I’m excited to see you finish up that DR and start traveling with it a bit, I’ll live vicariously through every part of it!
Sorry for the late reply. I just seen this.
LOL, same here. I haven't really met any local Hive people here in Buffalo. Sooner or later it will happen though :)
Thanks, I have a funny feeling it will never be done. I keep finding new things I want to do with it. Hopefully some trips soon. I'm definitely going to try and get at least one or two in this season. I've kind of been working on getting the bike prepped for some more serious rides next season. I'd like to have all the maintenance done, and just be able to hop on it next season and go... Wherever.... But just go!
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That was definitely the case with the Frankenbike. Every time I thought I was close, I’d take it on a long trip and come home with 100 new things that needed to be done.
Eventually someone said it sounds like you’re trying to build a Goldwing…why not just get a touring bike? …so I did 🤣
I would love a Goldwing. I've got a few more years of dual sports left in me though. The more I research Goldwings the more I'm starting to love them. They're the Cadillac of tour bikes IMHO.
Holy shit yeah man - honestly I’ll never go back.
Mine was an ‘83, cherry condition. I sold it in the end for $300 after it rotted in my front yard for two years. Kids make it hard to ride, but no regrets.
When they grow up and move on to build their own lives, I’m 100% getting a spankin’ new Goldwing…one with a reverse gear this time 🤣
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