Buffalo Fuzz Warms Up the Crowd at The Entry

Last updated on February 18th, 2022 at 09:34 pm

Minneapolis-based two-piece Rock N’ Roll band Buffalo Fuzz performed to a mostly-packed 7th St Entry Tuesday night, opening up for a pair of trios, Iowa-natives Radio Moscow and Texas rockers Amplified Heat.

This was my first time covering a show out at 7th St, and as soon as I walked in, I knew I was in for a treat. The small, dingy, run-down but also somehow majestic feeling that room holds is something of a rarity in today’s music climate. Immediately upon walking in, the only thought that can possibly fill your head is “I’m about to see a fucking Rock N’ Roll show!”

Buffalo Fuzz consists of two members, Jared Zachary and Jake Allen. They describe their sound as “heavy blues,” which they dissect a little deeper by saying “Toothy grit, hard lines, and heavy riffs.” Their influences range from John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, all the way to Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix.

Even with that incredibly vivid description, I have to admit, I was slightly worried about their ability to deliver. It’s not easy writing and performing songs when you only have two people up there. There’s a reason so few bands have done it, and why even fewer of them made it anywhere close to relevance. However, I always try my best to go into shows with an open mind and no expectations; I want the music to speak for itself…. and holy shit did it speak for itself!

This band kicks ass, it really is just as simple as that. After performing for a little over thirty-five minutes, the classic “We’ve got one more song for you!” announcement was made, only to be met by two or three audience members shouting, “Two more songs!” followed by “No, just play until they kick you off the stage!”

They didn’t want the show to end, and neither did I. It was loud, it was heavy, it was groovy, it was Rock N’ Roll. I’m sure it sounds cliché, but it is really hard to find young bands who just seem to get it, and these guys get it. 

It won’t be long before Buffalo Fuzz finds themselves playing First Avenue again, except they’ll be headlining, and it will be one room over.