Press
“While the influence of bands such as King Crimson, Tool and the Disco Biscuits are evident in the music of The Wounded Buffalo Theory, the Brooklyn trio has managed to produce an album that is as refreshingly unique as it is intriguing. Green, the band’s third release, showcases the experimental approach that has come to characterize founding members Jay Cowit (drums/vocals), Rob Malko (bass/keyboards/vocals) and John Blanton (guitar/vocals) since the band’s inception in 2002. From the industrial sounds of “White Lies” to the airy feel of “Station” to the danceable rhythm of “Elements,” the band has crafted an album that befittingly shifts tempos from one track to the next much to the delight of the listener. “Revolution Mine” is among the album’s most inviting songs, with its bouncy beats and catchy refrain. “Rodeo” stands out for the driving bass and drum lines, layered background harmonies and overdubbed guitar solos. Yet Green’s musical accomplishments may also lead to its commercial struggle. It strikes out with heavy ambient noise and innovative electronic sounds that have you repeatedly pressing rewind for a closer listen. It’s not an album for the meek. And it’s certainly not your passive background soundtrack. Wounded Buffalo Theory’s final release with the original three members is its most complete and cohesive body of work. (Blanton amicably parted ways with the band in 2007.) It expands on the impressive songwriting that first emerged on the album Red and offers a more refined recording than the band’s live album, Blue. It will be interesting to see where the latest incarnation of the band takes its loyal audience.” – Diana Bellettieri, contributer to Newsday and Relix.
Bio
Wounded Buffalo Theory is an experimental apocalypse rock band out of Brooklyn, NY consisting of Jay Cowit, Rob Malko, and Lucas Shine. The band is currently playing shows in support of Green, in addition to searching for regional and national representation in the hopes of further taking WBT on the road to locations around the country. Long fans of free music distribution, the band constantly updates www.woundedbuffalotheory.net with new downloads, pictures, setlists, and other info. The band can be reached for any reason at woundedbuffalotheory@gmail.com.
Formed in 2002 by Cowit (drums/vocals), Malko (bass/vocals/keyboards), John Blanton (guitar/vocals) and Mark Wise (guitar), WBT was spawned from a collective desire to create intelligent, beautiful, raging, and diverse music in both the live setting and in the studio.
WBT’s early days saw a penchant for intense live showmanship, often playing 3 hour shows with no break, not repeating setlists at any show, and offering a wide array of originals (and a few ironic covers) that made for a unique gig experience. As the band grew, more emphasis was placed on solid songwriting that would last longer in the listener’s mind than the last notes of the live show. The band took it’s love for the composition of Neil Young, Led Zepplin, Bob Mould, The Replacements, and Pink Floyd, as well as it’s desire to place those sentiments inside the context of it’s more complex influences, such as Mogwai, King Crimson, and Frank Zappa, and combined it all into a swirling din of noise, words, and melody that would develop into a patented Buffalo sound.
The band became a trio in 2004, following the departure of Wise, and began a string of well received and exciting shows around the tri-state area, including shows at the Knitting Factory, Mercury Lounge, Tobacco Road, Kenny’s Castways and more.
The band also became active as far as studio releases, recording its debut EP, Red, in their home studio with no assistance whatsoever, and releasing it completely independently. Red showcased individual songs in a studio setting that had been staples of the WBT catalogue, and included new sounds and diversity not heard from the band before, including acoustic tracks and the beginnings of the band’s great interest in ambient music.
The band’s appreciation for the works of Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Manual, and Windy and Carl paved the way for WBT’s second official release, Blue, in 2005. Recorded completely live, with no overdubs, the album featured the band’s instrumental side, including many strictly ambient works, as well as the band’s increasing techno influences.
By this point, the band had grown slightly dismayed at the continued notion of simply not being able to play long enough at shows, so, utilizing a beautiful Andes, NY location, the band organized CabinFest, a yearly festival featuring multiple nights of WBT, plus a bevy of established bands that have become friends with Buffalo over the years. The 2007 edition (Cabinfest 4) featured over 20 acts over 3 nights, as well as a legendary 4 ½ hour set of music on the second night of festivities.
Most recently, the band recorded and produced Green, a full length LP featuring 8 new songs that rank among the band’s best work. Finally getting a chance to take their time and work within the limitless confines of their home studio, the band was able to create a cohesive and lush song cycle, a rock/pop/progressive collection that is drawn equally from the band’s songwriting and instrumental prowess. The album was the final release with founding guitar player John Blanton, who left the band amicably in 2007.