Buffalo Tom
This Boston, USA based melodic hardcore trio, feature Bill Janowitz (vocals/guitar), Tom Maginnis (drums) and Chris Colbourn (bass). They were formed in 1986 at Massachusetts University, and took their inspiration from bands such as Hüsker Dü and Soul Asylum. Their first album consisted largely of the catchy but hard pop format made famous by the above. The title, SUNFLOWER SUIT, was liberated from the Hitchcock film THE BIRDS. It was released in America on underground label SST; in the UK it was simply called BUFFALO TOM. The producer was Dinosaur Jr.'s J. Mascis, leading to similarities between the two bands being regularly overstated by critics. As was the follow-up, this time licensed to Beggars Banquet in the UK. When LET ME COME OVER was released in 1992 the band had established a healthy reputation amongst both critics and live audiences, touring with the Wedding Present amongst others. Generally acknowledged as being of a superior hue to many members of the underground US rock movement, Buffalo Tom have yet to escape critical comparisons to inappropriate sources. Possibly the most accurate bench mark mentioned thus far is a passing similarity to Neil Young.