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When they released their first album in 1989, the Boston-based trio Buffalo Tom were written off as Dinosaur Jr. junior. Admittedly, their debut was in debt to J Mascis’ thundering guitar and folk-tinged songs and it didn’t help that Mascis produced the record, either. Over time, Buffalo Tom stripped away their grungier influences and developed into a straight-ahead rock group of the early ’90s, capable of throttling rockers and beautiful ballads. Comprising guitarist/vocalist Bill Janovitz, bassist/vocalist Chris Colbourn, and drummer Tom Maginnis, Buffalo Tom began to develop their own style with their second album, 1990’s Birdbrain, which featured a noticeable improvement in songwriting.
In 1992, Buffalo Tom released Let Me Come Over, a gritty set of driving rock and achingly melancholy ballads; several of its tracks became alternative radio staples, including the gorgeous ballad “Taillights Fade.” Despite an increased amount of critical praise and some radio airplay, the album didn’t sell. The follow-up, 1993’s Big Red Letter Day, featured a more polished, radio-ready production, but the album received only a small push from radio and MTV. “Soda Jerk,” the first single from the album, became a minor alternative radio and MTV hit. After a yearlong tour, the group returned in the summer of 1995 with Sleepy Eyed, a return to the more direct sound of Let Me Come Over. Smitten followed in 1998, and two years later a best-of, Asides from Buffalo Tom, arrived.
Almost a decade of inactivity followed, but things weren’t over for Buffalo Tom; they returned in 2007 with an appearance at SXSW and a new full-length album on the New West label, Three Easy Pieces. Skins, the band’s eighth studio album, arrived in early 2011 through their own Scrawny Records label. From this point onward, Buffalo Tom were for the most part retired, but the band periodically reunited for live shows. In 2017, after Beggars Banquet released an expanded 25th anniversary edition of Let Me Come Over, the trio reconvened for a short run of dates in the United States and Europe. Following the tour, Buffalo Tom went into the studio, returning to material they began recording in 2016. March 2018 saw the release of their ninth album, Quiet and Peace, which included ten original songs as well as a cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Only Living Boy in New York.”
These three guys can rock! They have a very cool sound, energy and vibe. Cool rock shows like this are rare these days. I don't know how I missed this band in the 90's and will be buying some of their cd's soon.
wicked pissah show, I reiterate this was a wicked pissah show
They rocked it out again, haven't missed a beat after all these years. Awesome as always!!
Buffalo Tom rocked the Sinclair on Saturday night! My husband and I have seen them a few times before at different venues. When we heard they were performing, we thought it would make a perfect date night/Mother's Day Eve event! We had a great view from the balcony level and sang along to our favorites. There's no sound quite like Buffalo Tom. We love both Bill and Chris vocals. Thanks for a fun night! We also grabbed a drink and app beforehand at the Sinclair Kitchen bar and loved that too.
Only took me twenty years to see BuffalomTom but it was worth the wait. I certainly won't be waiting another twenty.
Totally fun, reminded us why we love them, especially live! The Sinclair was a terrific place to see them: great sound, small venue.
I've come to accept that Buffalo Tom will never get the national recognition they deserve. That said, literally everyone I know who's been exposed to them-- on record and especially live-- loves this group. Go see a show and you'll love it. Guaranteed. Brighton Music Hall was very nice, by the way. It was my first time here since the new ownership team took over.
One of the best nights of live music in a long time. Buffalo Tom never dissapoint. the guest list was amazing from mean creek( first time hearing them, shook us) ted leo completely buzzsawed through his set. sounded like three people up there. and of course the headliners.they are why i make an effort to go out and see as much live music as possible. seeing all of their guests come up and jam, bill janovitz directing the whole thing, and those guys never sounded better. theo epstein was a nice suprise. they ripped through the who's the seeker with mike o'malley on vocals. total music happiness. thanks buffalo tom.
This essential Boston rock band is still the real deal after a quarter century. They are tighter than ever, transcendent of trends and still write great songs, as evidenced by their recent, new album. They connect with their crowd, give it great energy and, quite frankly, deserve a bigger place in the panoply of 90s rock on a national level. Happy BDay Buff Tom, here's to raising a glass for your 50th someday.
After 25 years, Buffalo Tom still put on a great rock show!
This was one of three consecutive shows booked to commemorate Buffalo Tom's 25th anniversary. They proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they've not lost a bit of their energy and edginess that made them such a dynamic force in the alternate music scene that emerged in the late 80's and rose to prominence in the post grunge days of the early to mid 90s. They played the greatest of their greatest hits and surprised with a few wonderfully picked deep cuts. Though 25 years old, this band still performs with all the emotion and urgency of a young up and comer...
The show was incredible, as well as the opening acts, And with special guests Mike o'malley and Theo Epstien it was truely awesome, Cant wait to see Buffalo Tom again.
Great show all around. Opening act Mean Creek was great, Buffalo Tom were tremendous and Ted Leo was phenomenal . Plus Theo Epstein played the encore.
Buffalo Tom have been an ongoing inspiration to songwriters for years - how to take deceptively straightforward chord progressions and play them with texture, feeling, and emotion; how to write honest and moving songs; how to come up with an endless supply of great hooks and melodies! To finally see them live was an honour, and they did not disappoint, cranking out tons of my favourites and also exploring some newer class A material I was not as familiar with. The audience enjoyed themselves, singing along and calling out requests. There were two support acts - the incredible and mesmerizing Mean Creek who I must see again and plan to when they play Brooklyn this month (that guitarist with her white tele, reverb and delay, layering beautiful lines on top of the tight ballads and breaks - thrilled to be introduced to these guys), and the absolutely terrible Madison Square Gardeners - the worst blend of 70s rock rip offs you could ever encounter: bad composites of Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, truly worthless. They should disband. How did they get this gig?
The band continues to rock with new material building solidly from the old. They continue to personalize there shows and Bill interacts with the audience making it a special event.
The show rocked. What else can I say except for the fact that every gen xer, thirty something, forty something and beyond should BUY the band's entire catalog. Book them at the Bowery and beyond next time!
Energetic, amazing show. Intimate setting. Sounded great!
I have been listening to Buffalo Tom since the early '90s and was THRILLED to finally see them last Thursday at the Mercury Lounge. The band was personable, funny, and they put on a great show. There was a nice mix of older and newer stuff, and it was great to hear that the heart of the band's sound has remained true after all this time. I was a little bit disappointed with the sound quality in the venue - Mercury Lounge is really small and the guitars were turned up really loud at the expense of drums, harmonica, and vocals. I am definitely a loud music sort of person, but I think the volume took away from the experience.
Awesome show by an awesome band. Wish they played more often!
I saw BT with my 22 and 20 year old daughters and their 18 year old friend, we were celebrating my 49th b-day. I have been a fan for years and introduced the girls to BTs music over the years and they are now fans. I was blown away, the show was unbelievably good. The music and the energy of the band and the audience made for a very fun night. The band played all my favorites as well as some new music that I am now anxiously awaiting the release of. I highly recommend seeing BT, they are one of my favorite bands and they put on a killer show.
