Ranking the Studio Albums: Buffalo

[@ianoz1]

Thank you. I had a connection with this band during the Baxter era (JB became a friend). Saw a shit-ton of gigs & got the albums, of course. Politics being what it is, and the pressure to be "more commercial" being ruthlessly applied, the soul was ripped from the band when the uncompromising JB was fired. One album later, I went to a gig at long-gone Sydney venue The Bondi Lifesaver. The band took the stage but Pete Wells remained seated at the bar. I asked him what was going on. He'd quit the band. I asked if he had another band or project lined up. "Gonna put a band together with some guys from Melbourne". Did he have a name in mind? "Yeah, Rose Tattoo". I asked why that particular name. "It came to me in a dream". I loved this man. RIP. Volcanic Rock remains the unheralded cornerstone and zenith of Oz hard rock. When that line-up performed, they headlined over top charting bands despite, literally, no airplay. They were the band that filled venues, not so the others. And, every time, the earth shook.

[@jabax999]

Very kind Ian thank you. It’s amazing how Buffalo has stood the test of time. It’s a kind of vindication that we were actually doing something right that people could dig and appreciate even though we got little or no air play, all done by live appearances. It wasn’t easy in Australia with a population of around 14 million in those days and with no national radio exposure the pressure was on to be radio friendly but while l was in the band we hammered on. Buffalo actually released about eight singles to no avail including when l was gone so the band could be more ‘commercial’. Mmmm 😮. Thanks everyone for buying our records 😅 it was fun for us and seems like we gave you some fun too. Great to give you all something to help get your minds out of the crap goes on in this rather screwed up world. Keep on rockin’ guys . Love and peace to you all.

[@jasonmillion5970]

Buffalo great band I have their 5 albums

[@JesterJ49]

Sydney is in New South Wales and I still have my vinyl copy of Volcanic Rock. Peter Wells left Buffalo to lead Rose Tattoo, he played bass with Buffalo but played mostly lead guitar after he departed. Killer slide guitarist.

[@williamwalker146]

I must say Volcanic Rock is the only one of these albums worth owning. Great, ferocious early 70s proto-metal.

[@ALF782]

When i got to high school in Sydney in '75 a lot of the older guys were into Buffalo but wasn't so accessible for a 12 year old. Got into them in my late teens.

[@robsongremio]

I'd bet Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell listened to "Volcanic Rock" sometime in their youth...

[@GregTheBearMorris]

You should have seen them live ... they were sensational. Dave Tice's voice is one of the best in Australia, very powerful but unfortunately underrated.

[@stevenausten9935]

Buffalo were ahead of there time in some ways, they actually played at my high school in the western suburbs of Sydney way back in the 1970s, what we called in Australia, Pub Rock. Along with Geeza, Finch, Swanee, then Cold Chisel, The Angels, and the mighty Rose Tattoo, there were a heap of hard rockin bands and a heap of pubs to play throughout the country, a time when music was made the old fashioned way...by actually playing it , great review Pete and thanks for mentioning a great Australian band 👍

[@jasonmillion5970]

One of the band members of the band Buffalo was in the band Rose Tattoo also

[@dougthePogingguitarist]

I have all their studio albums my favorite albums of theirs is Dead Forever , Volcanic Rock and Only Want You For Your Body three killer albums

[@Rolf2112]

Rose Tattoo so amazing, greatest Aussie band along with ACDC and Radio Birdman..

[@jimmycampbell78]

INXS? I know they’re pop-rock but I like a lot of their songs.

[@Rolf2112]

@@jimmycampbell78 Them too. Was talking about more rock stuff but I could use some INXS for sure!

[@damiankarras]

Just discovered Volcanic Rock. Great album and great candidate for August’s forgotten favourites.

[@jasonweinstock1282]

I first heard about buffalo in mid 2008..I bought the CD volcanic rock also then.. underrated album and band

[@peteblencowe8574]

So thrilled to see my favourite Australian band since ‘74 on Sea of Tranquility. I’d swap 2 and 3 around personally but you pretty much nailed it. Oh, except for the reference to Peter Frampton. I get what you were saying about the latter albums but never in my wildest dreams did I think the two would be spoken of in the one sentence. Keep up the great work Pete.

[@mannyruiz1954]

Found this group on YT along with Bang. I bought the Volcanic Rock CD on Amazon. To my surprise it was two-for-one CD of Volcanic and Only Want Your Body. 👍

[@sudalis8094]

Wow Buffalo! Great to see them getting some love. Volcanic Rock is a classic for sure.Thanks Pete.

[@Leo-lw1fj]

Great to see you reviewing a great Aussie band . Maybe look at Rose Tattoo, Heaven or Kings of the sun one day

[@peteygemini60]

Thanks for doing this - great Australian band

[@jeffcoomer8927]

Hi Pete. As an Aussie, Buffalo rocked. Its also New South Wales not North & it was Buffalo bass player, Pete Wells who went on to play guitar in Rose Tattoo.

[@peterc478]

And he changed from bass in Buffalo to lead slide in RT. Passed in 2006

[@jeffcoomer8927]

Peter C yeah man totally correct. He played in 2 badass Aussie bands.

[@captainbeyond7469]

Pete you keep knocking it out of the park with these great ranking the albums episodes. Keep them coming can’t get enough.

[@bshannon67]

I love Buffalo....especially the first 3 albums which are CLASSICS!

[@jasonmillion5970]

Yeah Buffalo's first three albums are their best

[@philly4762]

Love that you have ranked Buffalo Pete. I got Volcanic Rock and Only Want You For Your Body about 15 years ago. Just need to get that debut now ! Thanks as ever Pete

[@jerryattwooll4864]

I like Buffalo's early albums in preference to their later stuff 5 Average Rock n Roller 4 Mother's Choice 3 Only Want You For Your Body 2 Dead Forever 1 Volcanic Rock

[@dibbo9264]

As An Australian I Gotta Say Buffalo Are An Awesome Band & Glad You Like Em Pete

[@lening9]

1) Volcanic Rock 2) Only Want You for Your Body 3) Dead Forever… 4) Average Rock ‘n’ Roller 5) Mother’s Choice

[@kamranmalik8546]

I never heard of this band but I should check them out.

[@brandonio_granger]

I've got Volcanic Rock on vinyl ,it's definitely worth the hype, seek it out and buy it for sure.

[@richie8538]

Great feature Pete! Got turned on to Buffalo by local college radio in mid 80s. Your ranking is spot on! Maybe you could do Rose Tattoo.

[@darcyska]

Love Buffalo!! Their first three albums are brilliant, tons to get into on these monsters.

[@michaelperkins9404]

I saw them in 74. Saw them again 10 years ago. I’m a Buffalo tragic. Average Rock’n’Roller is underrated. I prefer this to Volcanic Rock. Best 2 songs they have released are Dune Messiah and I’m Coming On from Only Want You For Your Body. We had so many similar bands in Australia around this time from 68 to 74. So much better than the bands that came out in mid 70s.

[@tatedavis2016]

Mother's Choice, Average Rock N' Roller, Only Want You For Your Body, Dead Forever, and the amazing Volcanic Rock!!! One of my favorite underground bands of all time. I've been waiting for this one! Volcanic Rock is pretty much perfect. Hotel Ladies, Sailor, and the title track put Average Rock N' Roller at number 4 for me. I actually dig some of that "bad Status Quo-type" material on it. Lol.

[@diannecarpenter7718]

Thank you for Ranking the Studio Albums of: Buffalo 🎤🎸🎵🥁

[@patrickmohan2220]

Yet again Pete, you've made my evening. 'Sunrise' and 'Shylock' are two of my late night drunk go-to's. Heavy as fuck!

[@Jackylone-]

Great band! First 3 albums a must have! Agree with ya Pete, the last 2 just okay!

[@Bonddm2002]

Lead guitarist John Baxter left after the 3rd album, which goes a long way to explaining the change in direction on the last 2 albums.

[@davidmohr7823]

Few other Australian rock suggestions Pete: Rose Tattoo, Cold Chisel, The Angels, Midnight Oil, Australian Crawl

[@ledzeplover58]

Midnight Oil's early catalog is excellent.

[@andyshelton4889]

The singer joined Count Bishops.😀

[@jimilove7773]

Thanks for sharing will check out!

[@johnmichaelwilliams6694]

Pete, you caught my attention with the mention of a song named Dune Messiah since I’m a fan of Frank Herbert’s Dune books. Enjoyed it so will be giving a lister to your top 2 or 3. Once again, thanks for the ranking the album series. It really helps when creating a listening list. Great show!

[@JohnWilson-vu1no]

When I listen to Buffalo I hear dust sir lord Baltimore Black Sabbath pentagram bang budgie

[@alanthorne3921]

Wow!Good old Buffalo a band I grew up with here in Oz.Pete Wells went on to Rose Tattoo.Getting rid of John Baxter(guitar) was a huge mistake after Only Want You.....Management wanted a more commercial sound.Those early album covers caused controversy.They blew Sabbath off stage apparently(both on Vertigo).Lobby Lloyde and the Coloured Balls were my other favourite Oz band of the era.Listen to G.O.D. from Sunbury festival a bonus track on Ball Power for the most devastating 16 minutes overdriven mayhem.

[@ledzeplover58]

Ever listen to Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs?

[@alanthorne3921]

lash larue Yes old Billy(R.I.P) blew my fathers ears out at Sunbury.I own all the Aztec albums.

[@gorancabrajic3240]

1. Volcanic Rock 2. Dead Forever... 3. Only Want You for Your Body 4. Mother's Choice' 5. Average Rock 'n' Roller

[@JohnWilson-vu1no]

Pete thank you sir for show on buffalo

[@scottmcgregor562]

An even shorter discography is the band Glass Harp. They have 3 albums of eclectic progressive/psych pop. All three are stellar. Oh yes they have a live album from Carnegie Hall, when they opened for The Kinks.

[@MrDcm20000]

Great video. Love Buffalo and Volcanic Rock.

[@ZalMoxis]

Volcanic Rock and Dead Forever are the only ones worth their weight....." I Only Want you for Your Body" is okay IMO, the rest are relatively forgettable. Other great albums from our way worth getting folks are Finch - Thunderbird, Sid Rumpo - First Offense and Band of Light - Total Union. Just remember there wasn't many options for heavy bands back in those days....

[@jimzezza6915]

I just received Volconic Rock this week after listening to it on KZbin for awhile. I haven't investigated the rest of their catalogue, but it sounds like this record is their pinnicle.

[@jabax999]

Personally l prefer Only Want You.....

[@brenobutcher]

Amazing band!!! I love it, have all of them on cd and 4 on vinyl!

[@sdfgikbvcdfjy]

I've had Volcanic Rock on my "listen to" list for too long. Maybe I'll start with the debut first and go from there. Thanks for another cool list, Pete.

[@fumanchu122]

You should really get on that - you’re totally missing out.

[@ukrocksounds3419]

Interesting. There was a band in uk called buffalo in about 1981 lesser know nwobhm. Had the single mean machine which was a good track.

[@ledzeplover58]

And Strangers On The Shore.

[@cartermlb]

This was a band that would always hit my side of town in their heyday but I was never able to make it... #PetePardoArmy #PetePardoNation #BigMeatPete #SplashYourSeaOfTranquilityAllOverMyFace #NatsukiMePete

[@footy2rock]

I'm Aussie and I've never heard of the band Buffalo

[@donaldellis-wt6xl]

When John Baxter left so did the sound

[@morriscolautti9822]

Would you put Volcanic Rock into your ‘Bad covers from bands you like’ list""? Great album, great band, but that cover is blah! Thanks for highlighting a very under appreciated Australian band.

[@willjohn1117]

I'm really surprised you didnt do anything for the Paranoid 50th anniversary

[@timolson2047]

Next year will be the 50th anniversary for the American release

[@thuggeetennessee7981]

(groan)Right from the get go... North South Wales?

[@jasonmillion5970]

I agree their fifth album from 1977 is their least good but still decent

[@Guitarplyr1990]

Shylock is like an early trash song.

[@jasonmillion5970]

Is Buffalo the Godfathers of Stoner Rock ?? Music ?

[@bizzjoe]

Don't forget .. The Darkness

[@jabax999]

Darkness were much much later.

[@bizzjoe]

@@jabax999 .. Fair enough

[@harrydrees9714]

New york city band riot please

[@richardmulcaire3087]

new south wales not north south wales

[@donaldellis8952]

Worst to first Average Rock N Roller Mothers Choice Only Want You For Your Body Dead Again Volcanic Rock

[@jabax999]

Dead again. More like Dead Forever never!

[@iloveheavymetalmetalrules6829]

First haha! Stay metal guys!\m/