Storm Jocelyn might be making its away across the country, but it seems that a band so good they named them thrice will be too: Cardiff’s own Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard are back back back! Tonight’s the first night of two at Cardiff’s premier metal bar Fuel for the Buzzard boys – ahead of the announcement of new album Skinwalker, from which quite a few new songs from are aired tonight.
Support comes tonight in the form of the mesmerising Em Koko and the chaotic good of Swansea’s own Monet. The two couldn’t be more different considering the former’s synth dreamscapes and the latter’s own brand of postpunk. Monet are a full-on sonic assault of madness with a healthy dose of humour thrown in, as they work their way through songs from their forthcoming EP including new single Sticky Wheel.
Tom Rees is a very fun frontman, that can’t be denied – his charismatic humour coming through from his very first words on stage tonight. “I think Fuel is the only one we haven’t played yet. Not globally! I mean in Cardiff.” The band (following a very slight delay for which Tom quips “worst start ever!”) then break into the excellent Double Denim Hop, followed by the irritatingly catchy You. A lot of new music is played, and it sounds really very good, ranging from the 70s vibe one might have come to expect from BBB through to a touch of harder, more Fuel-appropriate rock.
There’s also recent singles Chew (an ode to Rees’ dog Norma} and the excellent Therapy which sees Rees and the band’s unknown keyboard player – the mysterious ‘Rach’, who blends into the background in their black parka jacket – trade off each other’s energy, going back and forth as each tries to out-solo the other.
During the anthemic Hollywood Actors, drummer Ethan Hurst’s kickdrum pedal allegedly “explodes” but like the true “professional man” he is (Rees’ words, not ours!) he doesn’t miss a beat. Ending the night with early cut Love Forever, Rees jokes that two nights at Fuel “feels like Vegas baby!”, and lets us know that there’s no encore as they’re not that sort of band. Even if there was, the room is so small it’d be pointless anyway.
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, Monet + Em Koko, Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff, Tue 23 Jan
words JOSHUA WILLIAMS photos JOSEPH ELIJAH
