LISTEN: Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard “Double Denim Hop”
Already a fave in the UK, the U.S. version of the Cardiff quartet’s cheeky proto-glam romp hits us right in the T.V. eye
As most of us spent way too much time in front of a screen during this COVID year, it was quite easy to fall into any variety of rabbit holes on YouTube.
One particularly fun trip I embarked upon by the light of my Samsung during these quarantine days was just enjoying the simple pleasure of watching music videos like we did when MTV was an acronym for Music Television. And one of the coolest clips I came across was for “Double Denim Hop” by Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, a band from Cardiff, Wales, who is at the forefront of a glam rock revival both fans of The 1975 and their T.Rex-loving grandparents could equally enjoy.
Having been a popular single in their native UK since 2018, “Double Denim Hop” reached American shores over the summer and serves as a fun bit of electric levity. Especially for those of us who grew up in the infomercial era.
In fact, we loved the damn video so much we threw a few questions for the band into the matrix and heard back from their charismatic frontman Tom Rees about all this stuff and more.
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard’s Double Denim Hop EP is available now.
VIDEO: Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard “Double Denim Hop (U.S. Version)”
Was there a particular image or classic photo of the jean jacket/blue jeans combo that inspired the lyric to “Double Denim Hop”?
Not any one in particular, I was experimenting with the idea myself and it seemed so striking that it was worthy of its own song, perfect attire for work or play, what more could you ask for?
The video for Denim is a gas! Was there a particular infomercial that informed it? What are the infomercials like in the UK? What inspired the concept?
Thanks so much! Not exactly – I think the infomercial-type shows we have here are based on the classic American infomercial so I don’t think we can take any credit for having any particularly outstanding infomercial – you guys certainly hold the monopoly on infomercials.
The concept was a very off the fly suggestion, Sam Richardson from On Par came up with the concept and we just ran with with it!!
Are there any American infomercials you might have caught on YouTube that interested you?
There’s plenty going around of musicians and producers who claim to “know nothing about music” who then try and flog chord charts that you can just drag and drop into Logic Pro X and those ones do get me going – I love it when they try and convince you that they know nothing about music it’s a real ride.
Beyond that I get a lot of strange conspiracy theorist ads from David Icke enthusiasts it’s really strange I guess I’m their target market??
How many phone calls did you get from that number in the video? What were some of the most memorable voicemails you received?M
I must be completely honest and say I don’t know as of yet!! I’m sure there will be some corkers in there though – we’ve just launched a WhatsApp group for fans and lots of them phoned in so I’m sure there’s plenty of inside jokes waiting to be misunderstood.
Did you ever impulse buy something based on the infomercial? Why or why not?
When I was a kid I bought the Crazy Frog ringtone, much to my mothers dismay, and subsequently signed me up for a subscription to receive 3 ringtones a month at some absurd monthly rate – I got grounded.
Lately I have been listening to bands from the Britpop era (particularly The Charlatans, Carter USM and The Lightning Seeds to name three). Are there any groups from that era you dig?
I must say I’m not really a Britpop kind of guy, I think the only band from that era I can stomach is the Stone Roses, at a push! The production is a little too reminiscent of the 80’s rock era so doesn’t really get me as much as John Lennon does.
Cardiff is such a great music city, from Budgie to Manic Street Preachers to you guys. And there’s such a deep history of bands from your city, especially during the late 90s and early 00s with groups like McCluskey and Gorky’s. Is there a particular Cardiff act you favor over others and is there another act you feel have been totally slept on?
Much to Cardiffians dismay I’ve never really been a huge fan of the Manics. Budgie really got me when I was young though. I think what’s most exciting about music in Cardiff are the bands that are coming through right at this moment, my favourite band from Cardiff at the moment is probably Private World. I had the pleasure of working on their record recently and it’s smash!
We lost two glam giants this year in Ian Mitchell of Bay City Rollers and Steve Priest of Sweet. I love how much your sound and style is informed by both of these groups and would love to know what it is about 70s glam that continues to make it such a viable influence in 2020?
I think it’s entirely based on the fact that it doesn’t take itself seriously at all. Glam has always inspired self expression, never at the cost of having an arduous time, I like taking the honesty and fun of glam and applying it to wherever rock stands today.
- WATCH: Tommy Stinson’s Cowboys in the Campfire Shares “Dream” - March 22, 2023
- WATCH: TELECOM Shares Video For “Ramon” - March 21, 2023
- LISTEN: David Heatley Shares New Solo Album - March 21, 2023
You May Also Like
-
July 30, 2020 -
March 29, 2020 -
June 22, 2020
