Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard - Hare and Hounds, Birmingham, 17/3/2024

  by James Gardner

published: 4 / 5 / 2024

Cardiff’s Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard are in the middle of their UK tour in support of forthcoming record ‘Skinwalker’ released in April on the Communion Records label. Forming in 2017, with a solid debut album behind them and rave reviews of their second release, it was time to see how the band have progressed since we first saw them pre-pandemic. Opening proceedings tonight were Home Schooling, a band from the West Midlands, we think. See this is the issue when you give yourself a very difficult name to google. Research becomes a problem, the band themselves made sure to tell the audience their name throughout the set but finding them on socials is difficult. To be honest, we can save you time - don’t bother. Home Schooling are just not very good, there is little point trying to articulate it better. There are probably some “lessons learned”-type jokes we could make but meh, what’s the point. The band had no distinct sound, no clear style and the delivery was also lacking. It was like something Vic and Bob may have thought up for a ‘Shooting Stars’ sketch. Like Alex Horne and the Horne Section, without the wit, charm, or musical ability. As we overhead someone say, it was funny, just not in a good way. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard thankfully did deliver. Opening with ‘Double Denim Hop’, an indie pop song which is a marked difference to the heavier sound direction the band have since gone in. But then where better to showcase it than Birmingham, home to Black Sabbath and a clear and obvious influence on the band. Tonight’s set leans a lot on the new record, the sound is of the 70s but brought up to date with a sharp and driven approach. It is riff-heavy and indulgent, yet never going as far as being over-indulgent. Like a more glam rock version of another key influence, Ty Segall, and his brand of garage rock. The wit and charm of frontman Tom Rees is on show throughout as he engages with the crowd, happily telling them the vibe is already better than the previous night before the gig has got going. Gone is the glam rock hair that he had on the cover of debut album ‘Backhand Deals’. Now sporting a more Ian Curtis look, he is Jaggeresque in his movements, a born frontman. The band tear through a ferocious set. ‘Therapy’, with its catchy melody, and mantra style delivery,. is both autobiographical and a call to people to get help as we all need it. Latest single, ‘National Rust’, is fast paced and energetic. The band are on good form, the new sounds suit them and from the reaction of tonight’s crowd it’s a welcome direction to go in. Photos by Rob Hadley https://www.facebook.com/photosbyindieimages

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