White Buffalo

White Buffalo are a three-piece in their late twenties hailing from Scotland (Phil Campbell), New Zealand (Evan Jenkins) & Australia (Hossi), playing out of London with a distinct rock sound. "Pearl Jam meets a mellow Audioslave… an intense blend of energy and emotion" (CDWOW!) Unsigned, 'Last Of The V8 Interceptors' (stamwax2) is the second full studio album on their own Stamina Wax label. It follows the #1 selling debut indie release 'Waiting To Go Home' (stamwax1). Channel 4 (UK) described 'Waiting To Go Home' as "a sound crying out for wider attention" whilst Shakenstir said it was "rare and special… an emotional roller coaster." White Buffalo's is a stripped down sound making good use of the natural three-piece dynamic, a live sound captured on record. 'Last of The V8 Interceptors' is the perfect example of this, with a much rougher edge to it than it's predecessor. The basic tracks were recorded over two days at the band's regular rehearsal room, as were some over dubs. The vocals were put down in a day as the band succumbed to the demands of The Professor. Working alongside the band at his home studio, Hillbilly Sounds, he played a major part in the production of the record. Whereas the band had experienced the professionalism of Matt Howe & the grandeur of Metropolis studios on the last record, it was clear it would be different this time round. "White Buffalo are all about feel. With this record I wanted them to dictate a mood, and on hearing it you'll know we achieved it", said The Professor. Album opener Innocent begins with the sound of feedback building to a full on rush of guitar and drums, whilst the tension subsides with the melodic bass line of Hope Against Hope. Chasing After Rain is a mesmerising rock ballad where Campbell's voice expressively and passionately reaches heights most rock vocalists can only dream about, whilst live favourites Not Invisible & Angel Calls deliver wonderful solo guitar riffs that seem to lift the vocal skywards. Absence Of Love has a distinct blues flavour, dominated as it is by almost improvised instruments, it's stunning! The album closes with two great songs, both departures from the White Buffalo you may be used to. Living Water features a mesmerising instrumental loop from beginning to end whilst Mary Celeste is psychedelic Beatles and the first song delivered by Hossi, allowing Campbell's rasping vocal a rest. Although the album's title may be lifted from the Mad Max movies, there's nothing manufactured about White Buffalo. It's three guys with a shared vision doing what they do best. In contrast to themselves they take the music very seriously, as Campbell wryly points out "No animals were harmed in the making of this record."