Profile - Buffalo

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Buffalo has always been known as a "cult" band - they've hardly ever been played on radio, but their concerts are generally packed out and they inspire fanatical tributes from their fans. They are the terrible face behind the commercialised, glossy face of Top 40 rock'n'roll. To see them in full flight is to realise that many so-called Big Name groups are, all too often, passed it -mere mockeries of the rock'n'roll energy they once had - with reputations that have lasted longer then their power. To see Buffalo in a footstomping, remorselessly grinding, sweat-drenching performance is to realise that Mick Jagger mincing and primping to a sedate cover version of black funk music, is not where the true flame of rock energy burns - it's with the very few generally overlooked bands around the work who to up to Buffalo's standard (in America check out Blue Oyster Cult, in England Hawkwind). Another thing: at various times Buffalo have been accused of invoking Nazi ritual with their stormtrooping blitzkrieg approach to rock'n'roll .... Have been damned for producing satanic, alien rock music ... Have been accused of writing horrific music about Black Magic and Sado-Masochism. The truth of such stories always comes down to the same thing. The music and the themes Buffalo use are so strong, so powerful, they frighten some of their audience into believing the band itself is evil.

Be Warned: You just might not be strong enough to handle Buffalo's music.

Buffalo Specifics:

Dave Tice:
lead singer and visual focal point of the group. Now regarded as the strong man and band leader, Dave first joined as a co-lead singer. He's seen many members come and go through Buffalo ever since. "It comes down to strength" he says, "some people aren't strong enough to keep with the music - and the sort of lifestyle it involves". Dave not only keeps up, he leads it - a stomping raging figure on stage, inspiring comparisons of a dynamo creating raw energy.

Jimmy Economou:
Jimmy is a threshing windmill sort of drummer -all sweat and power and solid crashing beat. Many high enery rock'n'roll drummers are mad - for example, the Who's Keith Moon - and Jimmy Economou is no exception. He will sometimes run amok through the crowd at concerts, or empty a restaurant of diners with a display of macho eating habits. Like Keith Moon he always pays for the damage he creates.

Chris Turner:
Lead Guitarist. Chris is where the other side of Buffalo starts - a thoughtful musicianship approach. Born in London he played in many of the same bands as a young David Bowie (then called David Jones) and Steve Marriott (later to form top international band, The Small Faces). While his compatriots stayed in London and achieved international success, Chris found himself in New Zealand with his parents. After several years of guitar teaching and playing in "serious music" jazz/rock and country/rock bands, Chris was offered the chance to join Buffalo. He took it. (Previous bands, Drain, The Younger Brothers).

Ross Sims:
Bass Guitarist. Ross is another skilled highly trained musician. He left his job as musical director for the Silver Studs to join Buffalo. He can score music charts for orchestras, but prefers the hard, energy-filled, spontaneous Buffalo music. His original training was as a violinist. "But there's not a lot os scope for violins in the sort of rock music I like to play" he adds. (Previous bands, Caboose, The Younger Brothers)

The Future:
The wild exultant music that has created Buffalo's legend is still alive and strong - but the recent additions of Sims and Turner have streamlined the monster to some extent. This incarnation of Buffalo has the best chance of bridging the barriers between cult band and general acceptance - without compromising the energy level that makes them spark.

Buffalo Veterans: (retired)

John Baxter:
original Buffalo guitarist - gave the band an early, distinctive heavy metal sound that caused the group to be favourably compared with England's Black Sabbath.

Norm Roue:
magnificent slide guitarist formerly with Band of Light - retired from group in 1975.

Karl Taylor:
lead guitarist - also retired from group in 1975 to form his own, softer rocking, band Karl Taylor and Huntress. Colin Stead: joined band late in 1975 as rhythm guitarist and songwriter. His songs still form part of Buffalo's repertoire but Colin himself felt the call for a gentler life.

Peter Wells:
original bass guitarist - left mid-way through 1976 after a period of internal band conflict.

Buffalo Artefacts:
Dead Forever (Vertigo, May 1972) Volcanic Rock (Vertigo, August 1973) Only Want You for Your Body (Vertigo, November 1974) Mother's Choice (Vertigo, January 1976)