By Jessica Brant

Casa Di Francesca’s on Seneca St. feels like a scene straight out of the Godfather, except those other than “the family” are welcomed at this hybrid bar restaurant, including some of Buffalo’s favorite punk/pop-punk acts. Last month Birdperson and Winski took over the Italian haunt and played to a mixed audience of college kids, older couples, and the parents that probably told their sons and daughters at one point in high school that they couldn’t rehearse in the garage anymore.

The first act I caught was Birdperson, a 3-piece math-punk band from Statesboro, Georgia whose sound can be pitted against The Offspring in their earlier garage jamming days and juxtaposed with the shy, malt shop mic confessionals of a Rivers Cuomo spilling over some of the choruses.

The second, was Winski, who toured as a full band for seven weeks this year. They are currently planning their 2019 roundabout, but are playing local shows in the interim. It was a congenial bar show, an intimate gathering of friends who were clearly familiar with each other.

There were no awkward silences, only blaring, high-energy riffs and lyrics that set the stage for your next potential summer camp fling. The lead guitarist, Ed Slowinski, was collecting merch payments and greeting guests as Winski began playing the set. Throughout the night, he made his rounds to tables of patrons and asked them individually if they were having a good time, making sure they knew about the beer and wing specials.

That vibe is specifically what Ed is dedicated to creating at each show.

“We don’t really consider ourselves as having fans. We try to be actual friends with everyone who comes,” Ed said. “That’s the vibe we want. We want people to feel welcome. To come hangout. To have a beer, eat, make friends, or whatever.”

And that they did.

For more music, visit www.winski.bandcamp.com.