Biography
Welsh rock enthusiasts with an unapologetic fondness for 1970s rock & roll sounds, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard craft a cocky, witty fusion of glam rock, power pop, and AOR driven by roaring guitars, lively grooves, and the incisive singing of their archetypal frontman Tom Rees. The outfit achieved recognition in 2020 via the energetic singles "Double Denim Hop" and "John Lennon Is My Jesus Christ," before issuing the assured and melodic debut album Backhand Deals in 2022. Skinwalker from 2024 ventured into weightier subjects while broadening the band's sonic range, all while retaining their rock & roll energy and wit.
Established in Cardiff during 2017, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard consists of Tom Rees handling vocals and guitar, Zac White on guitar, Ed Rees on bass, and Ethan Hurst on drums. Tom Rees and Hurst shared an apartment while performing in a band named Tibet when Rees started composing and demoing material in a fresh style drawn from iconic 1970s rock acts. Rees issued four tracks in February 2017 as the EP Songs from This Year under the name Buzzard. He shared the EP with acquaintance Davey Newington (later founder of Boy Azooga), who proposed arranging a performance slot for the project. With Buzzard still a solo studio endeavor and lacking personnel, Rees enlisted his brother Ed Rees on bass and brought in White via Hurst to cover guitar duties.
After extending the name to Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, the musicians began performing in March 2017, developing their artistic identity and stage presence through repeated live appearances. Their audience expanded to encompass Welsh actor and activist Michael Sheen, who, upon bringing the Homeless World Cup to Cardiff, commissioned a track for the event. "Daffodil Hill" served as their contribution, granting the band their initial nationwide U.K. exposure. They promptly released follow-up songs "Late Night City" and "Love Forever," with visibility surging further in 2020 thanks to the traction of "John Lennon Is My Jesus Christ" and "Double Denim Hop."
In July 2020 Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard assembled highlights from their prior recordings on The Non-Stop EP, a collection that captured their glam-tinged hard rock approach. The group sustained a rapid output of singles throughout 2020, unveiling "30,000 Megabucks" in October and "Christmas Is Coming (You Know the Score)" in December. Work on their debut album began soon after, with finished tracks emerging gradually as previews during 2021 while the band resumed live performances, among them U.K. summer festivals and a hometown sell-out concert. The self-produced Backhand Deals appeared in early 2022 via Missing Piece and Communion Records.
Critics responded positively to the album, which earned a nomination for the Welsh Music Prize. Extensive touring followed, yet the rigors of road life exceeded Tom Rees's expectations and contributed to mental health challenges during breaks. These experiences shaped several songs on the band's sophomore effort, 2024's Skinwalker, which also incorporated fresh influences such as funk on "National Rust" and hard rock intensity on "Shew." Listeners concerned about any erosion of humor found reassurance in cuts like "My Star Sign Is a Basset Hound."
Established in Cardiff during 2017, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard consists of Tom Rees handling vocals and guitar, Zac White on guitar, Ed Rees on bass, and Ethan Hurst on drums. Tom Rees and Hurst shared an apartment while performing in a band named Tibet when Rees started composing and demoing material in a fresh style drawn from iconic 1970s rock acts. Rees issued four tracks in February 2017 as the EP Songs from This Year under the name Buzzard. He shared the EP with acquaintance Davey Newington (later founder of Boy Azooga), who proposed arranging a performance slot for the project. With Buzzard still a solo studio endeavor and lacking personnel, Rees enlisted his brother Ed Rees on bass and brought in White via Hurst to cover guitar duties.
After extending the name to Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, the musicians began performing in March 2017, developing their artistic identity and stage presence through repeated live appearances. Their audience expanded to encompass Welsh actor and activist Michael Sheen, who, upon bringing the Homeless World Cup to Cardiff, commissioned a track for the event. "Daffodil Hill" served as their contribution, granting the band their initial nationwide U.K. exposure. They promptly released follow-up songs "Late Night City" and "Love Forever," with visibility surging further in 2020 thanks to the traction of "John Lennon Is My Jesus Christ" and "Double Denim Hop."
In July 2020 Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard assembled highlights from their prior recordings on The Non-Stop EP, a collection that captured their glam-tinged hard rock approach. The group sustained a rapid output of singles throughout 2020, unveiling "30,000 Megabucks" in October and "Christmas Is Coming (You Know the Score)" in December. Work on their debut album began soon after, with finished tracks emerging gradually as previews during 2021 while the band resumed live performances, among them U.K. summer festivals and a hometown sell-out concert. The self-produced Backhand Deals appeared in early 2022 via Missing Piece and Communion Records.
Critics responded positively to the album, which earned a nomination for the Welsh Music Prize. Extensive touring followed, yet the rigors of road life exceeded Tom Rees's expectations and contributed to mental health challenges during breaks. These experiences shaped several songs on the band's sophomore effort, 2024's Skinwalker, which also incorporated fresh influences such as funk on "National Rust" and hard rock intensity on "Shew." Listeners concerned about any erosion of humor found reassurance in cuts like "My Star Sign Is a Basset Hound."
Albums
Backhand Deals
2022
A Passionate Life
2022
Break Right In
2022
Yourself
2021
You
2021
Crescent Man vs Demolition Dan
2021
Warm It Up
2021
Double Denim Hop (Dance Version)
2020
The Non-Stop EP
2020
Double Denim Hop
2020
John Lennon is My Jesus Christ (Original Soundtrack)
2020
Singles
