King Buffalo Announce Demo Vinyl Reissue
I was on social media the other day, scrolling for band news which is pretty much what I do on there at this point, when I saw something or other about King Buffalo — they’ve been on tour in Europe ahead of returning to Freak Valley next week, it might’ve been that, it might not — but I was skimming the comments and there were people ragging on the band.
It was a little surprising, but it’s actually a sign that all the work they’ve put in, whether it’s on tour, or the pandemic trilogy, or even just their own online presence, is starting to pay off. People who don’t even like them know them and feel strongly enough about their work to have an opinion either way, and to express that opinion. That doesn’t happen for bands who don’t matter. Most bands nobody talks about at all. So I took it as a positive, even though it was someone basically being like, “grr here’s a thing on the internet I don’t like so I’m saying I don’t like it.” So it goes.
The Rochester trio have Copenhell and Hellfest to look forward to in addition to Freak Valley in June, more UK/EU shows this Fall, and US festival stops between as they continue to support last year’s Regenerator (review here). They’ve just sent word along the PR wire that their 2013 Demo (review here) will see a one-time limited vinyl pressing and that preorders go up on Friday. I remember when that came out, they were a four-piece and I was stoked because I’d been into Velvet Elvis, in which drummer Scott Donaldson and then-guitarist/vocalist Randall Coon had featured, while guitarist/vocalist Sean McVay and bassist Dan Reynolds had played in Abandoned Buildings Club.
I knew at the time they were a cool band. I’m not sure I knew they’d put themselves at the forefront of American heavy psych rock, or be the kind of act people feel compelled to express opinions about on socials, but when I think (or listen) back to that demo, you can definitely hear the roots of what they would and have become in the decade since it came out. Maybe a fan-piece or a curio, but I’m a fan. I guess I felt like saying so on the internet.
From the band:
KING BUFFALO – Demo LP
DEMO Preorders start THIS FRIDAY 6/2/23 at 12pm EST.
For the first time available on vinyl, our “Demo”! These were the first 3 songs we ever wrote and finally decided to give it a proper pressing on the 10 year anniversary.
THIS IS A ONE TIME PRESSING! After the Test Presses, Deluxe and Standard Editions are sold out, that will be it. THESE SONGS WILL NEVER BE PRESSED ON VINYL AGAIN… EVER!
These songs have been remastered for vinyl with new artwork by Ryan T. Hancock.
Tracklisting:
1. Pocket Full Of Knife 05:22
2. In Dim Light 06:08
3. Providence Eye 11:15
We’re on tour NOW! —> CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS: https://kingbuffalo.com/tour
European Tour 2023
08.6. (DE) Karlsruhe @ P8
09.6. (DE) Nephten @ Freak Valley
10.6. (DE) Leipzig @ UT Connewitz
12.6. (DE) Nurnberg @ Hirsch
14.6. (NL) Groningen @ Vera
15.6. (DK) Copenhagen @ Copenhell
17.6. (FR) Clisson @ Hellfest
October
17.10. (UK) London @ The Dome
18.10. (UK) Leeds @ Brudenell Social
19.10. (UK) Nottingham @ Bodega
20.10. (UK) Brighton @ The Arch
21.10. (BE) Antwerp @ Desertfest
28.10. (DE) Hamburg @ Lazy Bones Festival
North America Tour
6/28 Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s
6/29 Quincy, CA @ High Sierra Festival
8/25 Cleveland, OH @ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
8/26 Lexington, KY @ Expansion Fest
9/23 Austin, TX @ Ripplefest Texas
King Buffalo is:
Sean McVay – Guitar, Vocals, & Synth
Dan Reynolds – Bass & Synth
Scott Donaldson – Drums
kingbuffalo.com
facebook.com/kingbuffaloband
instagram.com/kingbuffaloband
kingbuffalo.bandcamp.com
stickman-records.com
facebook.com/Stickman-Records-1522369868033940
I recall a real moment of selfishness with King Buffalo around the time of their demo release. They were still a local band, supporting the bands I liked. They had spunk back then. I recall Providence Eye feeling like it had something special inside it. I had hopes they could maintain that level of musicianship, and have some staying power as a local band. That’s where the selfish part kicked in. I didn’t want them to get too much better, because I knew then they’d become a regional act and not my hometown treasure. Then Orion came out and I knew King Buffalo was destined to be more than a Western New York gem. I’d no longer get to see them several times a year. I’ll readily admit that I never expected them to explode into the stratosphere as they did.
I don’t think they’re done yet, either.