The word is out, the new CD is coming and the band is ready to rock Chico once again.
Chico's adopted local band Buffalo Creek is back, eager to release its latest album,
"Paint By Numbers."
In the third album, fans can expect a little less country and a lot more rock 'n' roll.
Vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Bryn Loosley said the band has moved from playing mostly country rock music to more traditional rock 'n' roll.
"Our first album was all country rock, then the second album had a little more rock in it," Loosley said. "The third however, is all rock"
Loosley went on to define Buffalo Creek's music as retro-original.
"The themes and ideas come from old-fashioned rock 'n' roll and are recycled, but are much more original," he said. "It's definitely a style you won't hear on the radio."
And Loosley is right. "Paint By Numbers" is filled with thought-provoking, emotional tracks that will take your mind into pleasure mode. Whether it be "Barroom Queens," a Lynyrd Skynyrd-type tale about a groupie, or the deeply descriptive "Northern California," which is about lazy days at the river and the coming of fall, "Paint By Numbers" has a sound that's completely on its own level.
"Many people who listen to this album will completely focus on the songwriting," drummer Nick Bearden said. "Bryn is an incredible songwriter. All of his songs are about real situations and real people, which makes it very easy for everyone to identify with each song. Like the track 'Maybe.' I'm sure that was about some girl that was monkeying around with him."
"Paint By Numbers" is Buffalo Creek's first album that is completely recorded, mixed and produced by its members. The downside to this is that the album took nine months to complete.
"It was nice not to pay for equipment, but at the same time, not having to meet deadlines made it easier for us to just kick back and have a couple of beers instead of getting our work done," Loosley said.
The bulk of the album was made during a difficult transition in the band members' lives, so the album marks a sentimental moment for them all. After graduating and acquiring real jobs, Loosley now resides in Portland, Ore., lead guitarist and vocalist Marc Stafford lives in Monterey, Bearden in Nevada City, leaving bassist August Germar the only member still in Chico, working at ChicoNet.
In order to complete "Paint By Numbers," the band reunited at Bearden's house, where they took control as they recorded the acoustic guitar sessions in his bathroom, the electric guitar in his bedroom and the rest of the material in the living room and kitchen.
"Logistically, we've all been forced to go our separate ways," Bearden said, "but the band will be together forever."
Loosley agreed.
"We'll keep playing Chico as long as people continue to support and come see us," he said.
Bearden said that Loosley continues to write music and e-mail it to him. Bearden then records the tracks and puts them out on the band's Web site, www.buffalocreekmusic.com.
And while most students dream about the day when they'll finally graduate and gratefully abandon Chico, the men of Buffalo Creek can't wait to come back, reunite with their friends and take a break from their 9-to-5 jobs.
"Playing in Chico is like going on vacation," Loosley said. "You get to see everyone you know and love. It still feels like home."
Bearden also said he remembers the days of going out almost every night of the week and listening to a band or driving across town to a friend's house for a jam session.
"I'm lucky enough to be able to drive down here to get my fix," Bearden said, "but there is one thing about Chico I don't miss, the out-of-towners and students who come into town and totally disrespect it."
As for a fourth album, Bearden and Loosley both agree there may be one in the future, but aren't quite sure.
"It's a lot easier to record an album now, but its just a matter of all of us getting together," Bearden said.
Until then, fans can go to the Web site and retrieve new material that is posted frequently, while anticipating the next time Buffalo Creek makes it to town.
The release show for "Paint By Numbers" will be Feb. 25 at LaSalles
Andrea Espindola can be reached at
< href="mailto:aespindola@orion-online.net">aespindola@orion-online.net
Be the first to comment on this article!