Rock ‘n’ Roll Ideal

If you have not yet had the good fortune of attending any of the frequent Buffalo Creek shows around town, then chances are either you, your best friend, or your best friend’s mamma have at least heard of them. Their name has rendered itself unavoidable within Chico’s city limits for one very good reason: people like them. Because of their massive following (relatively speaking), it’s no secret that this band, who has picked up the slack in the local rock scene, will inevitably grow beyond the confines of this small town that has supported them so fervently.
However, even for those who may already revere Buffalo Creek, what you may not have heard is their upcoming, first full-length album Signal to Noise. Finally, loyal long-term and would-be fans will have something current and concrete to take home…something the band is not only content with, but ecstatic about. “It’s not going to be a wall of sound, where everything sounds similar,” explained guitarist/vocalist Marc Stafford. “We were really trying to make it an album, not just a collection of songs.”
What listeners can expect to hear is this forgotten thing called “rock ‘n’ roll,” an idea seemingly lost with the modern fixation of pigeonholing music into increasingly smaller sub-categories created by pretentious music lovers (including yours truly) and getting somehow overpowered by the cheap novelty of its inadequate spawn. And as maddening as it is to hear bands predictably consider themselves “unclassifiable,” Buffalo Creek lend themselves willingly to their spot within the broader category of good old rock ‘n’ roll. In fact, some of their influences are so old that, as bassist August Germar admitted, “A lot of the musicians that we respect are pretty much dying.” Certain names were tossed around, such as Merle Haggard and the recently departed Johnny Cash.
But besides their many aged influences, apart from all their vintage equipment, regardless of the fact that their most technologically advanced instrument is an organ, Buffalo Creek has still managed to be very pertinent in today’s music scene. They bring together all types of sounds which extend far beyond the original roots of rock. “Besides, I think rock ‘n’ roll is relevant regardless of any time period,” guitarist/lead singer Bryn Loosley wisely stated. The man’s got a point.
Because of Buffalo Creek’s aim at a more purified style, their quirky, yet understandable philosophy on music makes sense: “I think there’s a difference between doing something new and doing something original. What we’re doing is original, but none of it is new,” said Loosley.
Marc expanded, “I think doing new stuff is overrated. I mean, you can do something new just to do something new, but if it’s not good, why do it?”
For many, there’s an upcoming opportunity to see a band who’s smart enough to do something that, although not entirely new, certainly sets themselves apart from the pack. In fact, one could say they’ve found the loophole in the music world as a band that no radio would likely play, but anybody could likely love…and people do. According to drummer/guitarist (instruments played separately) Nick Bearden, “I think a lot of the success behind our band is not only just the hard work, the practicing and the songwriting, but the dedication of the fans in coming out to the show and offering their support.”
So, it goes without saying that the most loyal fan base in town will attend the CD release party this week, but it will surely be a night to remember, regardless of one’s past level of familiarity with Buffalo Creek. They will play the entire new album, but also have guest appearances from at least a dozen key figures in the local music scene, from all different types of bands around Chico…and beyond.
Though their new CD will, of course, come at a small price, Buffalo Creek stressed that they’re not out to rip anyone off. According to Loosley, “We just want to get the music out. Even if we were just trying to make money, we’d do it by playing shows.” He then decided to take this idea one step further — where no potential rock star has ever gone before. “In fact, if there was one thing I would do differently on the new CD, it would be to put ‘reproduction and redistribution is encouraged,’ or better yet, ‘please burn this’ on the inside cover.”
Bearden eloquently agreed: “I don’t want to be like those whore bands who demand that you buy their CD. If one person buys it, then makes five copies for his friends, then that makes me happier.”
Though unconventional, Buffalo Creek’s overall strategy for success hasn’t gone unrewarded. In fact, they are already booked past the end of the year. So, while you may not be able to reserve them anytime soon for your son’s Bar Mitzvah, there’s nothing saying you shouldn’t attend their local shows for what might be their last year in Chico, before they move on to bigger and better things. After that, you’ll only wish you had experienced Buffalo Creek when you had the chance.

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