AUG 23 2025 \\
CAZENOVIA PARK \\
BUFFALO, NY \\
FREE
FAMILY
EVENT
SOUTH BUFFALO IRISH FESTIVAL
CHECK OUT THE BANDS BELOW
\\ THE TOSSERS
One of the first and most enduring bands on the Celtic punk underground, Chicago’s the Tossers mix the attitude and swagger of punk rock with a muscular but respectful approximation of Irish traditional folk music. Formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1993 by Anthony “T.” Duggins, the group’s lead singer and mandolin player, the Tossers developed a reputation for their storming live show and busy touring schedule, and they influenced similarly minded bands such as the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly.
The Tossers released The Valley of the Shadow of Death (2005), Agony (2007), Gloatin’ and Showboatin’: Live on St. Patrick’s Day (2008), On a Fine Spring Evening (2008), The Emerald City (2013) and Smash the Windows (2017) with Victory Records.
\\ THE PEELERS
The Peelers were formed in a small farmhouse kitchen in Glengarry County in 1999. Born out of loose evening sessions over ice and rye, the band has evolved to become one of the most exciting and energetic live Celtic folk/punk acts in Canada.
The Peelers bend the rules of tradition, with their contemporary Irish/Gael blend drawing more from the insurgent nature of artists such as Shane MacGowan & The Pogues, The Mahones, The Waterboys, Black 47, and Tom Waits, while still maintaining a glint of the sound upon which they were weaned.
The Peelers have two releases currently available. In 2002 they released the album “Boots and Suits”, (a reference to the band’s unique fashion sense). In 2004 the band released “Liquordale”, recorded over a twelve month period in three Montreal studios. The album, produced by Pierre Pineault, was subsequently named Album of the Year on the Boston based webzine Shitenonions.com, considered the online bible for Celtic rock enthusiasts.
The Peelers were formed in a small farmhouse kitchen in Glengarry County in 1999. Born out of loose evening sessions over ice and rye, the band has evolved to become one of the most exciting and energetic live Celtic folk/punk acts in Canada.
The Peelers bend the rules of tradition, with their contemporary Irish/Gael blend drawing more from the insurgent nature of artists such as Shane MacGowan & The Pogues, The Mahones, The Waterboys, Black 47, and Tom Waits, while still maintaining a glint of the sound upon which they were weaned.
The Peelers have two releases currently available. In 2002 they released the album “Boots and Suits”, (a reference to the band’s unique fashion sense). In 2004 the band released “Liquordale”, recorded over a twelve month period in three Montreal studios. The album, produced by Pierre Pineault, was subsequently named Album of the Year on the Boston based webzine Shitenonions.com, considered the online bible for Celtic rock enthusiasts.
\\ 1916
Hailing from upstate NY, Celtic rockers 1916 are an explosive concoction of the modern Irish Punk movement with an original mix of psychobilly which gives 1916 a sound that stands apart from other bands of the genre.
Starting as an acoustic duo in 2006, singer Billy Herring and original drummer Steve LaDue played the traditional Irish ballads of the Dubliners and Wolfe Tones in the local pubs in and around their home-town of Rochester, NY. They decided to call themselves 1916 to get people interested in Irish history. In 2010 they took the music to a new level with the addition of electric guitars, traditional instruments, and a full drum set. Within a few months of trying their new sound, 1916 were opening for the likes of the Dropkick Murphys, 21 Pilots, and New Politics, among other national acts.
On St. Patrick’s Day of 2012, 1916 released their first studio album, A Drop of the Pure, to rave reviews. That same year, 1916 became the first band from Rochester, NY to get their own Pandora station with the addition of their music to the Pandora genome project. With their music now reaching a global audience, the boys would soon gain fans all over the world.
The following year, 1916 released their sophomore album, Stand Up & Fight. This new album, featuring a collection of covers and originals, had a more polished sound than the raw punk feel of A Drop of the Pure. This new full length album also featured more traditional Irish instruments to give the new LP a fun and full sound.
As the band continued to evolve, they kept touring and playing as many shows as possible. With bigger audiences came a larger fan base for 1916 to interact with. The band has always enjoyed hanging out with the crowd both pre- and post- shows.
In November of 2014, the guys went back into the studio to begin recording their third album, Last Call for Heroes. Released in December of 2015, Last Call for Heroes was met with great enthusiasm from critics. Named one of the “best punk albums of 2016,” both home and abroad, the new album appeared to have given the band the momentum they needed to move forward.
Mandolin player Jon Kane joined th
e band in early 2016, just before the boys hit the road to join Flogging Molly on their Salty Dog Cruise. After a whirlwind spring of touring through the Bahamas and Europe, Jon was just what the band needed as he brought his energetic and fun stage persona into the fold.
The sound had certainly become streamlined and unique, but it wasn’t until 2017 that upright bassist Ryan Hurley would join 1916 to give the band the final integral piece that gives the music its psychobilly flavor. Ryan quickly found a new home in 1916 and the band now finds itself on the edge of yet another amazing year of recording and touring.
In 2019, the band welcomed the thundering drums of Tony Presutti to take over behind the kit. Soon after that, 1916 further expanded their sound by the addition of accordion player Sam Sarratori to the crew and is excited to feature Chad Paetznick on drums!
1916 dropped their 5th studio album Revolutions in early 2021 to rave reviews. They are currently in the process of booking tours across the US and Europe.
\\ ON THE LASH
In honor of Irish traditional music, On The Lash creates timeless sounds through original voices. With new takes on classic songs and original constructions of established standards, OTL aims to explore the inherent energy and versatility of the genre.
\\ CRIKWATER
Rooted in the rustbelt Irish American neighborhood of South Buffalo, NY, Crikwater have become one of the leading Irish American Traditional Folk Bands in Western New York. Boasting four multi-instrumentalists and an energetic live show, The pub-scene veterans offer up a mix of fiery fiddle tunes, rowdy pub sing-a-longs, elegant ballads & original songs, and their music conjures scenes of gritty smoke filled Irish pubs, whiskey, pints of stout, and good craic.
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\\ AJ & THE WOODS
Founded on the sweet nostalgia of delta blues, AJ & The Woods elevates roots rock to a new height. Their sultry sound features striking female vocals and intricate guitar melodies which organically blends passionate folk, rock, and blues music. Home grown in Ohio and voted Best Folk Artist at the 2023 Cleveland Music Awards, AJ & The Woods brings you one of the most unique and articulate sounds to date.
\\ YELLOW JACK
Fiddle tunes, Appalachian murder ballads, bluegrass standards, folk revival anthems, union songs, ballads and spirituals can be found shoulder-to-shoulder in our eclectic live sets with more modern fare like the Grateful Dead, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Avett Brothers, Michelle Shocked, Old Crow Medicine Show, the Carter Family, Bright Eyes, Violent Femmes, Pete Seeger and really too many more. Yellow Jack loves sharing their appreciation for local history through music. They seek out old songs about the area, and have also written many of their own!
