May 31, 2019
I struggle to think of any young women musos when I was in my formative years in the 1980s.
OK, you had plenty of Australian singers (Debbie Byrne, Renee Geyer, Chrissie Amphlett etc) but none playing instruments that I recall – let alone an entire band.
Thankfully, times have changed and these days it’s refreshing to see all-women bands belting out rock, pop, soul, funk, lounge – any genre you like.
One of the hottest acts in Sydney right now is The Buoys, a confident young four-piece playing infectious garage rock and pop backed by uncompromising feminist lyrics.
They formed little over a year ago and have just had their second line-up change, with lead guitarist Anthea taking a break to finish her PhD and travel overseas for six months. She was farewelled in style at the Vic on the Park in Marrickville earlier this month.
Anthea was famous for always playing barefoot and sipping a VB between songs. You’d have no idea she came from folk roots, watching the way she picked sweet, sweet solos among the crunching riffs.
Similarly, her replacement Hillary (who debuted at this review) studied jazz at the Conservatorium of Music and looks rather the North Shore conservative type.
But once that electric guitar is her hands, she really makes it sing. My first thought upon hearing her solos was: “oodles like a young Mick Taylor, early Stones, straight out of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers”.
The Buoys have had airplay recently on Triple J, Rage and FBi – and I have a feeling Hillary could take them next level.
Courtney on bass is so talented – she plays drums in Good Pash and guitar in Moody Beach; again, each is an all-female band.
Tess on drums is the secret weapon – a classic rock drummer not afraid to sneak in a little jam block for variety. She’s also doing a PhD. Smart, strong, superb.
Completing the group, singer-guitarist Zoe cuts a striking figure up front with her shock of peroxide-blonde hair and distinctive forearm tattoo.
The four of them are all such incredibly nice people, too. So genuine, so warm, so humble.
You can expect a distinctive sound of unrelenting fuzzy guitar and songs that are simply an extension of everyday relatable experiences.
Their latest single is “Inside Outside”, a fiery rock anthem built on an unapologetic rejection of being mansplained, while their usual closing number “Linda” is about the office bitch who makes working life unbearable.
Zoe’s not averse to writing the occasional love song, either – but they’re hardly quiet ones.
Forget about reality TV show impostors, The Buoys are Girl Power – in thought, word and deed.
Catch them on Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram and the Triple J Unearthed web page. And catch them at a gig soon.
