Buffalo Killers are a rock band
that was formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2006. Shortly after,
they began gigging throughout Ohio and recorded a
five-song demo which they
sent out to various record
labels. Less than a week later
the band received a call from
Alive Records; “The label
liked the recordings so much
that they wanted to release
them as they were”, according
to bassist Zach Gabbard. Alive
Records subsequently signed
Buffalo Killers, who recorded five more songs to round out their debut self-titled album which
was released in October 2006. That album drew the attention of Chris
Robinson of The Black Crowes who invited the band to open a string of
dates for The Black Crowes in 2007. While on tour, Buffalo Killers wrote
half of what would become the album Let it Ride.
Following the tour, the band went in to the studio with Black Keys
vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach who produced the album in his Akron,
OH studio. The recording session took “only a few days”, according to
Auerbach, who downplayed his role in making the album. “These are
the kind of guys that don’t need a lot of help when it comes to making
records or sparking their imagination.” Auerbach felt his most important contribution was in capturing “the raw live sound of this band.”
After completion of the album Buffalo Killers were asked to go on tour
with The Black Keys. During this tour they came upon a fan’s bootleg
of their performance and they decided to include it as a bonus live CD
in a limited edition vinyl pressing of the album. Another tour opening
for The Black Crowes would follow in November 2008. In 2011, Buffalo
Killers were featured on a Guided by Voices tribute album where they
performed the track Scalding Creek with Kelley Deal of The Breeders.
Other artists on that album included The Flaming Lips, Of Montreal,
and Dinosaur Jr.
Buffalo Killers released their third studio album appropriately titled
3 featuring the single Circle Day. The first thousand vinyl copies were
released half on blue vinyl and half on purple. They followed that record
up with Dig Sow Love Grow and the six song EP Ohio Grass. In 2013,
the band signed to Sun Pedal Recordings and appeared at the Bunbury
Music Festival in Cincinnati, OH with Fun, Teagan & Sara, Walk the
Moon, and more. Their fifth studio album was recorded in Cleveland,
OH at Crushtone Studios with producer Jim Wirt (Incubus, Fiona Apple) and will be released via Sun Pedal Recordings in 2014.
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