Record Review: Buffalo Killers - S/T- (Alive Records)
I really like the debut album by the Buffalo Killers, I just have no idea how to describe them. Described as putting out everything from the “drug-induced rock swagger” on the CD opener “San Martine Des Morelle” to “melancholy wails” on “Children of War” my first impression of their sound, somewhat bizarrely was The Band backed by Bill Ward and Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath. Admittedly that doesn’t really help things, especially as I listen to one of my favourite tracks “SS Nowhere” which sounds like nothing by The Band or Black Sabbath!
Comprising of brothers Zachary and Andrew Gabbard formerly of garage rockers Thee Shams and Joseph Sebaali, the Buffalo Killers have certainly got their screaming guitar licks worked out with I am sure all amps set to 11 but there is a subtlety there, a finesse behind these songs which pulls them out of a pack of bands which tend to confuse sonic sludge with good songwriting. This CD is a nice, crunchy journey through a couple of impressive mood swings with some great slide guitar virtually dripping off songs like “The Path Before Me” but have a listen to “River Water” and tell me you don’t hear strains of Robbie Robertson and the boys bubbling through. Great CD.
The band will be touring in October and November.
10/10 - Cincinnati, Ohio @ Northside Tavern - Record Release Party
10/12 - Springfield, Missouri @ The Outland
10/13- Lincoln, Nebraska @ Chatterbox
10/14 - Denver, Colorado @ Larimer Lounge
10/17 - Glendale, California @ The Scene Bar
10/18 - San Francisco, California @ The Hemlock
10/19 - Los Angeles, California @ Arthur Nights
10/21 - Seattle, Washington @ Seattle University
10/22 - Seattle, Washington @ Sunset Tavern-Early Show
10/25 - Fargo, North Dakota @ The Aquarium
10/26 - St Paul, Minnesota @ Turf Club
10/28 - Athens, Ohio @ The Union
11/17 - Chicago, Illinois @ Beat Kitchen
Later.
