Buffalo Nickel
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Buffalo Nickel

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The best kept secret in music

Press


"Noise and Conversation Review"

Mississippi and regional favorite Buffalo Nickel will celebrate the release of their new disc, “Noise and Conversation” on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, at Hal & Mal’s. One unusual twist to Buffalo Nickel’s’ brand of Americana flavored music—which they affectionately refer to as “honk-n-roll”—is that all of the members participate in the writing process.

“Since all the band members contribute songs, we can each choose our best songs to bring to the table. Plus, it puts us all in healthy competition with each other, which is a good thing,” said band member Steve Deaton.



From the glowing country-rock jangle of “Find Me A Crowd” to the dance-hall twang of “Out Of The Picture,” the record is steeped in the tradition of the best of American music. While different songs may evoke The Byrds or Graham Parsons, the collection maintains a decidedly original and coherent feel.

Fans will remember Emily Graham, former guitarist and singer with the band, who was killed in a car accident around the time of Buffalo Nickel’s excellent debut release. Graham’s songs are prominently featured on “Noise and Conservation.” Deaton says Graham was the best songwriter. “She was always writing, very prolific, and when she died, she left a tub full of great songs.” Fans of Emily Graham will find solace in gems like “Can’t Say Anything” and “Walkin',” which are ably sung by Deaton, who does an admirable interpretation of his late bandmate’s material.

Brad Clark, Deaton and Clinton Kirby are all extremely capable multi-instrumentalists, handling instruments as diverse as accordion, banjo, pedal steel, keyboards and guitars. Chris Clark and Elliot Crawford play bass and drums, respectively, and are an excellent rhythm section, letting the band rock or swing as the song dictates. Overall, “Noise and Conversation” has an earthy sound: the guitars chime, the pedal steel wails and the vocals are direct, honest and true. The record was largely recorded at Steve Deaton’s own Plow Handle Studio, and the setting seems to have given the songs an organic feel.

The “Noise and Conservation” of the album’s title comes from a lyric in “Find Me A Crowd,” the excellent opening track of the album, written by Brad Clark. Deaton says that “the lyric is really about the fake paradise that you see at bars and parties, the sort of illusion of happiness that, if you look a little more closely, isn’t really there.”


- Jackson Free Press


"Noise and Conversation Review"

A twangin' good time is in store on Buffalo Nickel's second release, Noise And Conversation. With a spirited and clean blend of music referred to as "honk-n-roll," Mississippi's own Buffalo Nickel swing easily from jangly country rock to Owens-meet-Burritos dancehall twang. They also move effortlessly from slow-grinding alt. country to rural folk ballads with fluidity. The variety in this collection of fifteen Americana tunes comes from the work of six songwriters (including four by late band mate Emily Graham) and four different lead vocalists in rotation, not to mention featured guest vocal performances by Cary Hudson and Suzy Elkins. The disc plays through with vibrancy and celebration in its heart, and the occasional moment of reflection - most notably, in the closing acoustic number, a touching tribute to their fallen friend "Emmaline" with guest vocalists Samantha Clark and Jason McBride. - Miles of Music


"Noise and Conversation Review"

Mississippi and regional favorite Buffalo Nickel will celebrate the release of their new disc, “Noise and Conversation” on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, at Hal & Mal’s. One unusual twist to Buffalo Nickel’s’ brand of Americana flavored music—which they affectionately refer to as “honk-n-roll”—is that all of the members participate in the writing process.

“Since all the band members contribute songs, we can each choose our best songs to bring to the table. Plus, it puts us all in healthy competition with each other, which is a good thing,” said band member Steve Deaton.



From the glowing country-rock jangle of “Find Me A Crowd” to the dance-hall twang of “Out Of The Picture,” the record is steeped in the tradition of the best of American music. While different songs may evoke The Byrds or Graham Parsons, the collection maintains a decidedly original and coherent feel.

Fans will remember Emily Graham, former guitarist and singer with the band, who was killed in a car accident around the time of Buffalo Nickel’s excellent debut release. Graham’s songs are prominently featured on “Noise and Conservation.” Deaton says Graham was the best songwriter. “She was always writing, very prolific, and when she died, she left a tub full of great songs.” Fans of Emily Graham will find solace in gems like “Can’t Say Anything” and “Walkin',” which are ably sung by Deaton, who does an admirable interpretation of his late bandmate’s material.

Brad Clark, Deaton and Clinton Kirby are all extremely capable multi-instrumentalists, handling instruments as diverse as accordion, banjo, pedal steel, keyboards and guitars. Chris Clark and Elliot Crawford play bass and drums, respectively, and are an excellent rhythm section, letting the band rock or swing as the song dictates. Overall, “Noise and Conversation” has an earthy sound: the guitars chime, the pedal steel wails and the vocals are direct, honest and true. The record was largely recorded at Steve Deaton’s own Plow Handle Studio, and the setting seems to have given the songs an organic feel.

The “Noise and Conservation” of the album’s title comes from a lyric in “Find Me A Crowd,” the excellent opening track of the album, written by Brad Clark. Deaton says that “the lyric is really about the fake paradise that you see at bars and parties, the sort of illusion of happiness that, if you look a little more closely, isn’t really there.”


- Jackson Free Press


"Noise and Conversation Review"

This disc has the instrumental sound that makes countrified roots-rock good and tasty. No overpowering stuff, just the right touch with everything, including pedal steel whines, 12-string jangles, and tic-tac bass grunts. It definitely shows that these guys have the goods at being a great honky-tonk band.

Another great mark of this band is the equal division of lead vocals between three singers. It is totally reminiscent of 10-5-60-era Long Ryders. The second and third cuts, “Can’t Say Anything” and “Out of the Picture,” are as near perfection to what Gram Parson would want in a sound. The fourth cut, “Family Man,” has some excellent trading of lead vocals to a great Bakersfield drive.

Fellow Mississippian Cary Hudson (solo, Blue Mountain) helps out vocally on some tracks, and the overall mix comes across as totally what Hudson was attempting in his early projects. The songwriting is fresh without being too intense, and the sound ranges from Foster & Lloyd county-pop to Nashville Skyline-era Dylan.

This disc is a definite car-cruising candidate. Buffalo Nickel has the tools needed to be a fantastic roots-rock band that everyone can be satisfied with. - Twangcast


"Noise and Conversation Review"

This disc has the instrumental sound that makes countrified roots-rock good and tasty. No overpowering stuff, just the right touch with everything, including pedal steel whines, 12-string jangles, and tic-tac bass grunts. It definitely shows that these guys have the goods at being a great honky-tonk band.

Another great mark of this band is the equal division of lead vocals between three singers. It is totally reminiscent of 10-5-60-era Long Ryders. The second and third cuts, “Can’t Say Anything” and “Out of the Picture,” are as near perfection to what Gram Parson would want in a sound. The fourth cut, “Family Man,” has some excellent trading of lead vocals to a great Bakersfield drive.

Fellow Mississippian Cary Hudson (solo, Blue Mountain) helps out vocally on some tracks, and the overall mix comes across as totally what Hudson was attempting in his early projects. The songwriting is fresh without being too intense, and the sound ranges from Foster & Lloyd county-pop to Nashville Skyline-era Dylan.

This disc is a definite car-cruising candidate. Buffalo Nickel has the tools needed to be a fantastic roots-rock band that everyone can be satisfied with. - Twangcast


"Noise and Conversation Review"

Can one band showcase the sounds of Counting Crows, Tom Petty and Nickel Creek in different songs?
Buffalo Nickel is trying, and I think it's working.

It's rare to find a band who can transcend so many genres, and Buffalo Nickel can go from alt-country to rock to pure Western with the change of a chord.

And it never gets boring — you want to keep listening, trying to guess what it may do next.

Recorded on Plow Handle Records, based in Madison, the group will play tracks from its new album, Noise in Conversation, at its CD release party Saturday.

They rock on Find Me a Crowd and Can't Do Anything Wrong, where they even sound a bit like The Wallflowers.

But for the most part, this band wants to play it straight country.

They pull together lovely banjos and mandolins on songs like Devil.

And the most radio-friendly tune, Just Had a Feeling, is so country-pop it sounds like Rascal Flatts could have produced it — filled with "oohhs" to sing along with.

I think this band could make it in the country world.

They have tons of talent and enough versatility and marketability to score hits like any of the aforementioned bands.

But will the public, hearing so many sounds at once, go for it? I think they will.
- Clarion Ledger, Jackson, MS


"Noise and Conversation Review"

Can one band showcase the sounds of Counting Crows, Tom Petty and Nickel Creek in different songs?
Buffalo Nickel is trying, and I think it's working.

It's rare to find a band who can transcend so many genres, and Buffalo Nickel can go from alt-country to rock to pure Western with the change of a chord.

And it never gets boring — you want to keep listening, trying to guess what it may do next.

Recorded on Plow Handle Records, based in Madison, the group will play tracks from its new album, Noise in Conversation, at its CD release party Saturday.

They rock on Find Me a Crowd and Can't Do Anything Wrong, where they even sound a bit like The Wallflowers.

But for the most part, this band wants to play it straight country.

They pull together lovely banjos and mandolins on songs like Devil.

And the most radio-friendly tune, Just Had a Feeling, is so country-pop it sounds like Rascal Flatts could have produced it — filled with "oohhs" to sing along with.

I think this band could make it in the country world.

They have tons of talent and enough versatility and marketability to score hits like any of the aforementioned bands.

But will the public, hearing so many sounds at once, go for it? I think they will.
- Clarion Ledger, Jackson, MS


"Noise and Conversation Review"

Welcome to the wonderful world of Honk n Roll. I'm not exactly sure what honk 'n' roll is either but if Noise and Conversation is any guide, it's a pretty mixed bag. But in this case it's a bag of delights, Buffalo Nickel play with country music the way a cat plays with a mouse. At times the band can show the grand ol genre the same respect as a cat would a mouse, sometimes it's cruel but you can't take your eyes off it. Rather like building a picture by adding layer upon layer, each track tantalisingly reveals a little more but even then the suspicion lingers that all is not as it seems. The first three tracks are, on the surface, untroubled and pretty traditional country and western numbers but as Out Of The Picture fades away there lingers a nagging feeling that there is a seam of irony running through it all. It may well be that the band have a penchant for fringed shirts and decorated boots, somehow I doubt it. That doubt is reinforced by what Noise and Conversation becomes. 7x70 and The Bachelor Song are darker, shadowy affirs. Buffalo Nickel draw heavily on the inspiration that saw them compared to early REM, this is a rock band that is comfortable in country clothes. But they haven't finished toying with the listener just yet. File Just Had A Feeling under wonderful oddity and move on. Same goes for Slow Death which sounds as if the original lyrics and music were thrown in the air and played as they landed. That brings you neatly to Twangalang, as jaunty a piece of honky tonk as the title suggests it should be, by now you're never quite sure what's exactly going on. But they top even that little adventure with Eulogy Best Kept To Himself, great title for a great song which contains a line sure to become a much-quoted classic (at least in our house). 'This is the eulogy for the dead wife of the worst friend I've had since High School' leaps out and grabs you by the throat. It's the line everyone wishes they'd written. But the best of Buffalo Nickel and Noise and Conversation comes, in different ways, with the two tracks that close the album. Already is a sprawling rock epic that grows and grows with the force of an unstoppable train. The production is invisible allowing the natural uncluttered sound of a band in full rock n roll flow to blaze through. Maybe it's fitting that the last word shows the heart of the band. Emmaline is an elegy to founder member Emily Graham to whom the album is dedicated. It is an honest and simple tribute and, after all that has gone before, it's a simple human emotion that is the last impression. - Americana UK


"Noise and Conversation Review"

Welcome to the wonderful world of Honk n Roll. I'm not exactly sure what honk 'n' roll is either but if Noise and Conversation is any guide, it's a pretty mixed bag. But in this case it's a bag of delights, Buffalo Nickel play with country music the way a cat plays with a mouse. At times the band can show the grand ol genre the same respect as a cat would a mouse, sometimes it's cruel but you can't take your eyes off it. Rather like building a picture by adding layer upon layer, each track tantalisingly reveals a little more but even then the suspicion lingers that all is not as it seems. The first three tracks are, on the surface, untroubled and pretty traditional country and western numbers but as Out Of The Picture fades away there lingers a nagging feeling that there is a seam of irony running through it all. It may well be that the band have a penchant for fringed shirts and decorated boots, somehow I doubt it. That doubt is reinforced by what Noise and Conversation becomes. 7x70 and The Bachelor Song are darker, shadowy affirs. Buffalo Nickel draw heavily on the inspiration that saw them compared to early REM, this is a rock band that is comfortable in country clothes. But they haven't finished toying with the listener just yet. File Just Had A Feeling under wonderful oddity and move on. Same goes for Slow Death which sounds as if the original lyrics and music were thrown in the air and played as they landed. That brings you neatly to Twangalang, as jaunty a piece of honky tonk as the title suggests it should be, by now you're never quite sure what's exactly going on. But they top even that little adventure with Eulogy Best Kept To Himself, great title for a great song which contains a line sure to become a much-quoted classic (at least in our house). 'This is the eulogy for the dead wife of the worst friend I've had since High School' leaps out and grabs you by the throat. It's the line everyone wishes they'd written. But the best of Buffalo Nickel and Noise and Conversation comes, in different ways, with the two tracks that close the album. Already is a sprawling rock epic that grows and grows with the force of an unstoppable train. The production is invisible allowing the natural uncluttered sound of a band in full rock n roll flow to blaze through. Maybe it's fitting that the last word shows the heart of the band. Emmaline is an elegy to founder member Emily Graham to whom the album is dedicated. It is an honest and simple tribute and, after all that has gone before, it's a simple human emotion that is the last impression. - Americana UK


Discography

Up on Blocks (LP) (2002)
Noise and Conversation (LP) (2004)

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Writing and performing together since 1999, Mississippi's own Buffalo Nickel have taken their unique brand of Honk-N-Roll music from Austin, TX, to New York City. With their 2002 release, UP ON BLOCKS, the band won comparisons to pioneer, country-rock genre-benders like The Byrds, Buck Owens, The Flying Burrito Brothers and REM. Now armed with an arsenal of classic country licks, pedal-steel guitar, distortion pedals, songs about beautiful girls with bad teeth, and lots of harmony, these one time alt-rockers turned alt-country have opened the floodgates on all that is good in American music, with the release of their new album NOISE & CONVERSATION. Brimming with catchy, radio-ready, hit singles, heartfelt, personal confessions and vivid, barroom narratives this new Buffalo Nickel album delivers a diverse array of songs rich enough for anyone’s ear. The songs range from witty, Townes Van Zandt inspired numbers that sound like classics you missed somewhere along the way to wailing, George Jones style drinking songs that you can‘t help but sing along to; there’s even a stirring, rock anthem that brings the album toward a memorable close with a beautifully reckless guitar solo a’ la Neil Young or J. Mascis. Fellow Mississippians Cary Hudson and Suzy Elkins lend a hand on three songs: “Find Me A Crowd”, “Family Man” and “Can’t Say Anything,” while the last song, “Emmaline,” is an elegy to founding member Emily Graham, who wrote four of the 15 songs on the album and to whom this latest project is dedicated. A strong album by any standard, NOISE & CONVERSATION marks a confident stride forward for Buffalo Nickel. Diverse yet cohesive, commercial yet artistic, it’s safe to say this record sets a new standard for Honk-N-Roll music.

NOISE AND CONVERSATION has reached #5 on the Roots Music Report (Roots Rock) Chart and #37 on the overall Roots Music Report. In April 2004, the band won first place in the Battle Of The Country Bands sponsored by radio station B-95 in Hattiesburg. Buffalo Nickel appeared on CMJ's Certain Damage compilation ( #130) with their song "I Am Evil." The song was also featured in the closing credits to the independent film Eden's Curve which was screened at film festivals around the country as well as overseas. The band has been featured on Fred Migliore’s syndicated radio program FM Odyssey and have also been favorably reviewed in Roots Town, Freight Train Boogie, TwangCast, Jackson Free Press and The Clarion Ledger.

Buffalo Nickel has shared stages with Junior Brown, Jimbo Mathus and the Knockdown Society, Star Room Boys, Leon Russell, Charlie Mars, Maroon 5, Luther Wright & The Wrongs, the Doobie Brothers, Confederate Railroad, Cary Hudson, Alvin Youngblood Heart, Cookout, Mike West, and many others.