Concerts: The Graveltones / Cadillac Three / Buffalo Summer @ Birmingham 02/26/14 - Sea of Tranquility - The Web Destination for Progressive Music!

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Concerts:

The Graveltones / Cadillac Three / Buffalo Summer @ Birmingham 02/26/14

Posted on Tuesday, March 18 2014 @ 09:45:35 CDT by Dean Pedley

Headliners The Graveltones were joined by a pair of hungry young bands that both hail from the Deep South, albeit on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Openers Buffalo Summer have their roots in the rock n roll backwater of Southern Wales and have made waves with their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. Following them on the bill were Nashville's The Cadillac Three, another band who are well and truly on their way up.

Buffalo Summer launch into the up-tempo groove laden 'A Horse Called Freedom' and make an immediate impact. Vocalist Andrew Hunt has the looks, the locks and the voice that perfectly fits with their vibe of good time rock and roll revivalism. With some stand out choruses and hard hitting riffs they go over extremely well and the audience are soon drawn to stage front and centre. With a couple of new songs debuted the band are road testing material for album number two which should see their growing reputation rise even further. Buffalo Summer are gaining new followers all the time through both word of mouth, sheer hard work and determination and this will stand them in good stead in the years to come. 'Down to the River' is another barnburner that closes their all too brief thirty minutes.

Rock and roll as delivered through a deep, rumbling twang, The Cadillac Three look well set to become firm favourites here in the UK and have recently been confirmed for a spot at the illustrious Sonisphere festival this summer. The trio create their very own blend of country fuzz by having Kelby Ray's lap steel run via a hybrid set-up that sees him using both a bass and guitar amp. Wearing their hearts on their sleeves they launch into 'I'm Southern' and the venue lights up as one. Jaren Johnston's raspy voice moves from tender romance to wild aggression and then literally barks and howls his way through signature song 'The South'. The Cadillac Three perform with the earnest enthusiasm that comes with a band that has absolute self-belief in what they are doing. A band that is as deep, rich and refreshing as the JD they swig from the stage.

After a triumphant set by The Cadillac Three, headliners The Graveltones were greeted by a somewhat diluted audience. This certainly didn't show in the power and performance by the mighty drums and guitar of The Graveltones. A two piece with the energy and presence of a full band they simply set on tearing the place apart. With Jimmy O providing the six string slinging it's down to Man Mountain Mikey Sorbello to tub out the thundering beat, it soon becomes apparent that it's all about the chemistry between these two, infectious, furious and compelling. Their dirty rock as funky as it is raw draws you in, like The White Stripes after a crate of energy drinks and Pro Plus, The Graveltones set the room alight. Slower interludes harnessed the anticipation of power and made the impact all the more devastating. After a deafening set I can say I was truly impressed by this sensational revelation in live music.

Words by Dean Pedley & Mark Davies

Many thanks to MORTICHA photography for the use of their images.