Can you write us a biog, mate?' asks Ben Whittington, trumpet player, graphic designer and publicity-guy for Buzzkill. Sure, I say, would be a pleasure.
So, where to start?
Buzzkill are five guys (Matt Colmer – vox/guitar; Charlie Batten – drums; Carl Glover – bass; Matt Perrot – sax; And Ben, obviously) from Leeds. They play kick-ass rock n roll. They have horns, razor sharp guitars and a rhythm section that nails you to the wall. Basically, they rock.
Their story starts in 2003 with the release of Double Down on In At The Deep End Records and a three-week tour of Europe (actually, it starts in 2001, but as this bit was filled with a bunch of gigs and the lads trying to hone their sound, they can fill you in should you ever meet them).
The release is followed by line-up problems but the lads keep things chugging along with the help of a couple of stand-ins before Carl joins the fold (replacing original bassist Joe Osborne). Sadly, Carl breaks his wrist just after joining the band, meaning he has to miss the tour with The Horrorpops. The new line-up finally makes its debut in October 2004, supporting Adequate Seven.
Tour done, the guys head to the practice room to start work on what was to become their full debut – Driven By Loss.
Fast-forward to Oct 2005, and I find myself in a pub in Leeds, talking to this bloke about this band Buzzkill I'm here to see.
This'll be Ben then.
I'd already been sent an advance of the album, and had happily been playing it to the world at large for a couple of weeks, but that didn't prepare me for what was to come.
I've rarely seen so much energy from a band playing a small venue.
Most bands either act like they'd rather be somewhere bigger or at home – not Buzzkill. From the opening number, Once A Liar, this lot just shred it. Totally rip the place apart with their energy and aggression.
And this is the real story of Buzzkill.
They're a live animal. CDs being the sterile objects they are, all albums have an inevitable polish to them, but live and in the raw you get to see exactly what Buzzkill are all about.
Mike Davies has spotted it, which is why he made them his first Radio 1 live session of 2006. And the people who crammed into the Camden Underworld in March 2006 also know, as they moshed, pogo-ed and went home with their ears ringing.
Now you need to know it.
I know it's an effort going to gigs, especially when it's cold, so do it the easy way. Log on to www.myspace.com/buzzkill from the comfort of your own home, check where they're playing, and then get your arse down there.
And buy the album before you go, obviously. Think of it as one-stop shopping.
Kahn Johnson
Burn magazine
March 2006
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