My “Discover Weekly” playlist started playing Black Keyes…wait, that’s not Dan Auberbach’s voice piercing above that grungy and dirty guitar. Hmm…I investigated to find a band called Buffalo Summer graced my ears with a song that made me remember the music industry is swarming with greedy people who make money off of others…”Money” is the name of this song off of their second album, appropriately titled “Second Sun,” and has the tag line “It Ain’t about the money” a mantra that these guys emulate well in a sea of rock n’ roll that takes you back, with a new flare.
Hailing from South Wales in the United Kingdom, they couldn’t help but be influenced by all of the artistic talent running around in that area. Forming only a few years ago, their first album was self titled and released on a small label that focused mostly on Punk Rock; however, they worked their tail off touring in support of it in 2013, and were soon picked up by famed label UDR, known for artists like Alice Cooper, Skid Row and Randy Rhoads.
“Second Sun” feels like a polished and refreshed mix of your favorites of old with that clean baritone voice of Andrew Hunt elevating the feel of this rock to the likes of Free and Led Zeppelin…I know, believe it! Their mastery of multiple styles and the language of music not only conjures up those rock gods mentioned earlier, but you’ll also find yourself hearing licks by Jonny Williams reminiscent of Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
The rhythm section cannot be forgotten, with Darren King on the bass, he definitely knows how to lay the funk down for sure along with heavy runs that hold the bottom down, and Gareth Hunt laying down the beats with ease and style throwing in fills that really glue the shifts together.
Their songs masterfully create a feel of Southern Rock, Blues, Alternative, and some classic 70’s rock driving the core of this album with lyrics crafting stories of love, fear, and strength…including an emotional tribute to those who sacrificed so all of us can live on in the track “Light Of The Sun.”
Right now they are only touring in Europe, but with their sound, you’ll soon see Buffalo Summer in lights coming to a neighborhood near you! In the meantime, check out Summer Sun, now in stores and available for download at Amazon.com
