Buzzard Custard (2014 - 2015)
The Buzzards of Fuzz, originally known as Uncle Van & The Buzzards of Fuzz, are a Desert Rock band based in Atlanta, Georgia. The group formed in 2014 by Van Bassman and Benjamin J. Davidow following the breakup of Uncle Van’s Super Awesome Family Fun Band.
The band's name references the character 'Buzzard' from Dr. Hunter S. Thompson’s book Hell’s Angels. Although there was an initial plan to change their name every six months, this idea was ultimately abandoned due to its potential for confusion.
The original lineup featured Matt Irvin (of Spore Lord and Order of The Owl) on bass and Zachary Batson on drums. Irvin departed early to concentrate on Spore Lord and was succeeded by Chuck Wiles before the band recorded any material.
In August 2014, the band began recording at LedBelly Sound Studio in Dawsonville, Georgia, with Matthew Washburn, known for his work with Mastodon and Artemis Piledriver. These sessions culminated in their debut EP, Buzzard Custard.
The cover art for Buzzard Custard was crafted by Lauren Monger (Terrible Terrible Terrible, Vice), featuring Dr. Thompson and Feather Locklear, the band's mascot, in the background.
On March 19, 2015, 200 copies of Buzzard Custard were released on Compact Disc under the name Uncle Van & The Buzzards of Fuzz. The release party took place on the same day at The Music Room in Atlanta, Georgia, drawing an audience of 15.
Just two days after the release, the band was informed they would perform at the Sweetwater 420 festival, opening for notable acts such as Snoop Dogg, Primus, The Wood Brothers, Gov't Mule, and Cage the Elephant, in front of an audience of 75,000.
You Never Bring Me Any Flowers (2016 - 2017)
In June 2016, Van Bassman received the Georgia Music Award for Best Rock Male Front Man.
From August to December 2016, The Buzzards recorded two singles at The Cottage Recording Co. in Atlanta, Georgia, with Damon Moon of Standard Electric Recorders. These recordings were among the last completed at The Cottage before its demolition in January 2017.
On January 31, 2017, The Buzzards of Fuzz performed alongside Truckfighters, Kings Destroy, and Kr'rth at The Drunken Unicorn in Atlanta.
The band played to a sold-out crowd with White Reaper on June 9, 2017, at The Earl in East Atlanta Village.
On July 15, 2017, 20 hand-numbered, hand-lathed vinyl copies of You Never Bring Me Any Flowers b/w How Could You? were released, with the release party held in the Atlanta Room at Smith’s Olde Bar.
On October 13, 2017, The Buzzards shared the stage with the pioneers of Desert Rock, Yawning Man, at The Highlander in Atlanta, along with We Are the Asteroid and Gnomonaut.
The band performed at the Orange Amplifiers Holiday Party at Star Bar in Little Five Points, Atlanta, on December 15, 2017, alongside Order of The Owl, The Dirty Magazines, and Insomniac. Following this performance, Wiles transitioned from bass to drums, while Batson moved from drums to bass.
Hey! Hate City, Fuzzstock & The Carrion Collection (2018)
On March 1, 2018, The Buzzards performed with 1000Mods, Telekinetic Yeti, and Sash the Bash at 529 in East Atlanta Village.
On April 17, 2018, they played to a sold-out crowd with guitar legend Dick Dale at The Earl in East Atlanta Village.
Three of the four tracks on their second EP, Hey! Hate City, were recorded on April 13, 2018, by Kris Sampson at Sampson Sound in Atlanta. The final track, a cover of The Desert Sessions’ Like a Drug, was recorded earlier by Damon Moon at Standard Electric Recorders on January 15, 2018, with Sasha Vallely (Sash the Bash, Spindrift) contributing vocal parts at Sampson Sound.
The band released 20 copies of Hey! Hate City on hand-numbered, hand-lathed vinyl at Fuzzstock on June 1, 2018, at Star Bar in Little Five Points, Atlanta, alongside Fantomen, Flashback Flash, and Twin Criminal.
On August 20, 2018, Zachary Batson was dismissed from the band. During this period, the band performed with various guest bass players, including Jonathan Lee (The Pinx), Casey Dorriety (Flashback Flash), and Adam McIntyre (Stonerider), or with Bassman playing both bass and guitar simultaneously.
On August 22, 2018, 100 copies of The Carrion Collection were released on compact disc. This compilation included all out-of-print releases from The Buzzards of Fuzz from 2015 to 2018, encompassing Buzzards Custard, You Never Bring Me Any Flowers, How Could You?, and Hey! Hate City.
On September 21, 2018, Davidow and Bassman appeared on 93.7 KCLB in Palm Springs, California, to promote The Carrion Collection.
The Buzzards of Fuzz received 14 nominations for the Best of Atlanta from Creative Loafing Atlanta, including categories such as Best Live Band, Best Local Album, and Best Local Rock Act.
On October 13, 2018, The Buzzards performed at the Fall for Greenville festival in Greenville, South Carolina, on the Chevy main stage, alongside King Tuff and Seven Year Witch, with an audience of 60,000.
