BUFFALO SUMMER | LIVE REVIEW
Sin City, Swansea, Fri 28 Feb
Storm Jorge well and truly made itself known in Swansea last Friday, and it wouldn’t have been at all surprising to have had the gig called off in all fairness. Weather of biblical proportions caused enough disruption to close motorways, valley roads and numerous connecting routes to the city; however, local boys Buffalo Summer weren’t going to let a little bit of wind and rain affect the launch night of their new album, Desolation Blue.
On what is the first night of the aptly named Hot Dogs For Tea Boys tour, the healthy crowd are hooked from the very start as the four-piece crash the stage. Soon-to-be new single Hit The Ground Running sounds just as good live to kick things off, followed by Make You Mine, from 2016 album Second Sun and a number straight out of the classic rock bible.
New album tracks The Power & The Greed and The Mirror sound electric in person and boast harmonies as good as anything these guys have put out before. When You Walk Away, a track Buffalo Summer say was inspired by The Cult, lets lead vocalist Andrew Hunt open his lungs. Deep Water is filled with crunchy guitar chords, a trademark sound of the Buffalo Summer back catalogue.
The band have a swagger about them, lead singer Andrew Hunt possessing an air of Robert Plant when front and centre; indeed, the four together resemble a raw Led Zeppelin. Drummer and second Hunt brother Gareth keep meticulous timing throughout, and energetic bassist Darren Josph-King makes his presence felt throughout. Lead and rhythm guitar on all tracks is perfectly shredded by Jonny Williams – no-nonsense playing at its best.
Nearing the end of the set, the classic bluesy groove of Down To The River sounds more Mississippi Delta than River Neath, while Money oozes a dirty Southern riff base that makes you just want to nod your head and tap your feet. Having already supported Duff McKagan, Skid Row and the small job of opening for Black Sabbath and Soundgarden in Hyde Park, Buffalo Summer are surely just one small break away from something really special.
Storm Jorge may have put a dampener on the outside, but inside Storm Andrew, Gareth, Darren and Jonny made sure it rained nothing but rock and roll.
words OWEN SCOURFIELD