A sound reaction
THEY’RE the most talked about Welsh band of the moment.
A high-kicking, flamboyant coterie of glorious, iridescent noise, with wildly extravagant stage shows to boot that incite religious fervour in their ever-growing army of disciples.
As weeks go, it’s been quite something for Cardiff band Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard (a name so good it bears repeating)
On Wednesday they put pen to paper on a record deal with the decidedly excellent Communion Records, home to fellow Welsh stars - anthemic guitar wranglers Catfish and the Bottlemen.
Yesterday they announced they had been handpicked by revered Britpop godhead Noel Gallagher to support him at his Teenage Cancer Trust show at no less a venue than the stately jewel in the crown of music venues, the Royal Albert Hall.
The Teenage Cancer Trust shows this year celebrate its 20th anniversary with shows from the likes of Noel, Stereophonics, Nile Rodgers and The Who.
“We’re almost too overtly aware of how much of an influence Noel has had on music in the last three decades, so playing a show as large as this, with a titan as big as him, is anxiety inducing at best, but also extremely exciting,” said Buzzards frontman Tom Rees.
“More than anything we’re really excited to be a part of the cause to fight cancer, it’s affected all of us much like it affects everyone the world over, so being involved with Teenage Cancer Trust is an honour.”
The Cardiff groove machine’s first encounter with the Oasis guitarist came at Cardiff Castle back in May 2019, when they support The Chief on a bill that also included fellow Welsh shining lights Boy Azooga.
Later that same month Noel professed his love of the Buzzards on Fearne Cotton’s Radio Two show.
And there was more praise for the outfit when Noel opened up in particularly forthright manner about the state of the music industry in 2019.
Among the doom-laden forecasts during an interview with US magazine Variety in July, there was a mention of his admiration for the Welsh band who had impressed him during their support slot at Cardiff Castle.
When asked if there was anything going on in music that made him proud at all, he replied: “Yeah, you do hear odd things from time to time, but it seems that it can never be sustained. A band will come along like Jungle, and they’ll have a great first album, then they’ll just disappear off the face of the earth for five years.
“Or Young Fathers will come along and you’ll think ‘This is **** ing amazing,” then they disappear for five years. It doesn’t seem anybody can get any momentum. But yeah, there’s good stuff.
“There’s a bunch from Wales called Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, which they’ve got a couple of good tunes. But will they ever make an album? Who **** ing knows?!”
Thankfully for Noel an album is recorded, ready to be released into the wild very soon.