Buffalo (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Buffalo are a proto-heavy metal band formed in Sydney, Australia in 1970, although initially performing under the name Head (changed the following year, due to its sexual innuendo and unmarketablity). The original line up was unconventional for a rock band, featuring two lead vocalist (Dave Tice and Alan Milano) and filled out by John Baxter (guitar), Peter Wells (bass) and Paul Balbi (drums), although their difinitive line up (1973-1975) was more conventional with Tice, Baxter and Wells with the addition of Jimmy Economou on drums.

Although largely unrecognised within the Australian music scene, they were possibly Australia's first heavy metal band, pre-dating other pioneering Australian hard rock and heavy metal acts - notably gorilla operation and moonlapse,Coloured Balls, AC/DC, The Angels and Rose Tattoo, of which Wells was also a founding member. Like many pioneering heavy metal acts, Buffalo incorporated strong influences of blues-rock, psychedelia and progressive rock - the latter genre also frequently used by many critics and fans to label the band's style. Like most Australian bands at the time, Buffalo's bread and butter was a constant grind of national touring, running the full gamut from school dances in tiny halls to large outdoor concerts. Overall, the band's sound is comparable to Black Sabbath, whom they supported during an early '70's tour.Rather more than apocryphal evidence suggests Black Sabbath were none too pleased with the band's exceptionally loud, energetic performance, nor the crowd's overly enthusiastic reception and numerous calls for encores. Indeed,one rock magazine featured the headline "Sabbath Blown Offstage"

Despite being signed to a major label (Vertigo Records - the first non-European or British act to do so) they would remain an underground band. This was largely due to a lack of airplay on radio, with commercial radio virtually black-listing the band, and the non-existence of public radio stations in Australia such as Triple J and 3RRR until the mid-1970s. Also, their controversial artworks for their albums Volcanic Rock (1973) and Only Want You For Your Body (1974) (regarded as their two masterpieces) also saw some record chains refuse to stock their albums. After 1975, the band underwent various line-up changes and a musical decline on their recorded output, eventually disbanding in 1977. Buffalo has however left a legacy with Australia's heavy metal, pub rock and alternative rock movements.

Recently their catalogue has been re-released, in a re-mastered and extended form,Aztec music in Australia.

[edit] Releases

Dead Forever... (1972)
Volcanic Rock (1973)
Only Want You For Your Body (1974)
Buffalo (EP) (1974)
Mother's Choice (1975)
Average Rock'n'Roller (1977)

After Buffalo some members went on to other projects. Peter Wells formed Rose Tattoo & had a distinguished solo career. Dave Tice went to the UK to join the Count Bishops & around 1981 returned to Australia to continue touring & recording as a solo artist & as a member of the Headhunters. He is currently playing in the Dave Tice Band & with ex AC/DC bassist Mark Evans as Tice & Evans. (see http://www.davetice.com) John (Jack The Riffer) Baxter played with Boy Racer & Southern Cross. Some material is believed to have been recorded but has never seen a release.