Aren’t We Amphibians describe their approach as “the opposite of wallowing,” transforming, in their own words, “the emo playbook into something weirdly joyful.” For a band that files itself under emo, that framing is either a principled artistic position or an extremely effective pitch. Their 2025 debut full-length, Parade! Parade! on PNWK Records, was named by Brooklyn Vegan as one of the 50 best punk albums of the year.
About the Show
The San Diego trio brings their Rock And Roll Across The States Forever Tour to Buffalo’s Rec Room on Thursday, September 24, presented by After Dark Presents. Aren’t We Amphibians is vocalist/guitarist Josh Talbot and brothers Brandon Cunningham (drums) and Tyler Cunningham (bass); Talbot and Brandon Cunningham have been best friends since second grade, and Tyler is Brandon’s brother, which lends the rhythm section a coherence that’s hard to fake. Formed in August 2022, they built their following in Southern California’s DIY circuit before signing with PNWK Records in December 2024. They spent 2025 on support runs, opening for Heart to Gold and Michael Cera Palin, and were still doing support work as recently as March 2026 before landing their own headline tour.
The band calls themselves “ballroom emo,” a self-classification that turns out to be useful shorthand for what Parade! Parade! actually does: time-signature shifts that a Swim Into The Sound review called “constructed impulsivity,” brass instrumentation — horns and trumpets — woven through the emo framework as structural elements, and a dynamic range that moves from melodic singing to full-throated screams within a single track. Lyrically, Talbot writes about stagnation and existential doubt; the album’s achievement is landing in optimism without erasing the pain that preceded it. Boston-based Dear Maryanne, a Midwest emo outfit formed in 2021 with influences including Mom Jeans and La Dispute, opens the night.
Venue & Logistics
Rec Room is a 300-capacity bar and music venue on West Chippewa Street in Buffalo. For a band with genuine critical recognition still playing the smaller rooms, the September 24 date is exactly the kind of stop that rewards showing up early. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The show carries a 16-and-older restriction; those under 16 may attend with a parent or guardian, and no one under 12 is admitted.
Tickets
No ticket price was available from sources at the time of publication. Tickets went on sale August 17 and are available through TicketWeb. Buy tickets