Gravity X World Tour: Truckfighters w/ Valley of the Sun & Buzzard Cult (Masquerade)
Truckfighters is a Swedish metal/psychedelic rock band that formed in 2001 and currently consists of Oskar “Ozo” Cedermalm (vocals/bass), Niklas “Dango” Kallgren (guitar), and Oscar “Pezo” Johansson (drums). Truckfighters have released five (5) LPs and several EPs/Singles along their musical journey. Currently, the band is on tour in North America celebrating the 15th anniversary of their debut LP, Gravity X (2005) and playing it in its entirety for all their fans. If you have read any of my previous columns featuring psychedelic rock, etc. you might have noticed a certain ‘fuzz’ about those previous band’s musical sound. The way the notes hit the tubes and comes out with that warm fuzzy, desert rock sound, just makes me a happy person. And to top it all off, Truckfighters had previously announced back on February 21, 2018 that the band was taking a ‘long, long hiatus… might come back stronger than ever’. That break took a year before they reconvened to play last year’s epic Psycho Las Vegas. Looking back, now I can safely say that that break was needed, because they did come back stronger than ever! And I have photographic proof!
For support on this tour fellow Fuzzorama Records label mates Valley of the Sun joined Truckfighters for this incredible run of dates. We were also treated to a late addition to the lineup from local favorites, Buzzard Cult. Buzzard Cult (Southern rock/punk/stoner/gunge) is a three piece band which has three (3) releases: Buzzard Cult (EP), Shope Lake Sessions (LP), and a demo track entitled, “Night is Dark”. The band consists of Tyler Luker (vocals/guitar), Cody Landress (bass/vocals), and Marcus Irick (drums), and call Calhoun, Ga. home base. I came in right after they started on their first track and was thoroughly excited to see a crowd had already started to gather for this extraordinary, local opener. They slayed their set to the delight of everyone. Definitely a great choice to have added to this bill. Head over to Buzzard Cult’s Official Bandcamp page today and show these guys some love!
Valley of the Sun (stoner rock/stoner metal) consists of Ryan Ferrier (guitar/vocals), Aaron Boyer (drums), Chris Sweeney (bass/keys), and Josh Pilot (guitars). The Cincinnati based fuzz rock band has released six (6) LPs and one (1) since forming as a band in 2009. Any band that lists as their shared interests “wall of amps, giant cymbals, craft beer” is already winning in my book. Just as long as they know how to use their amps the right way… and let’s say that Valley of the Sun would know how to use them properly. As stated in their bio, “The Congregation of Cincinnati’s Church of Rock and Roll is watched over by Valley of the Sun, and a well-tended flock they are…” I could not agree any more with that statement after watching Valley of the Sun crush their set with songs like “Dim Vision” and “Into the Abyss”. Don’t worry, you can see the entire set list below! Also, follow this link to Valley of the Sun’s Official Bandcamp page and check these songs out (and more)!
Valley of the Sun set list 02/24/2020
1. Hearts Aflame
2. Mariner’s Tale
3. Gunslinger
4. Dim Vision
5. Means the Same
6. Into the Abyss
7. Riding the Dunes
Truckfighters took the stage in Purgatory at The Masquerade to the roaring, excitement of the nearly sold out crowd in attendance. Since this was my first time getting to watch Truckfighters perform, I was not sure what to expect, aside from a high energy performance, mixed with some crunchy riffs for added texture. Seeing some of their live performances via videos do not do this band any justice. Nothing compares to getting to witness the marvel that is Truckfighters live, in person, as they slayed song after song for all of the fans in attendance. It was truly an epic night that I wish I could go back to right now! The energy and excitement that they embody is definitely visible while this band is on stage doing their thing. You can’t see Oskar or Niklas standing still for more than a few seconds, yet alone witnessing them standing still together while on stage (only during sound check and the brief moment between songs).
Sadly, after Truckfighters played Atlanta (02/24), they only had two (2) tour dates remaining before heading back over the pond to Europe: Hideaway – Johnson City, TN (02/25) & Radio Room – Greenville, SC (02/26). Head on over to their Official Tour Page and see if any future tour dates are going to be close to you in 2020. Check out Truckfighters over on their Official Fuzzorama Records Bandcamp page where you can listen to not only Truckfighters, but some other great bands on Fuzzorama like We Hunt Buffalo, Witchrider, and Asteroid.
Gravity X Set List
1. “Desert Cruiser”
2. “Gargarismo”
3. “Momentum”
4. “Freewheelin”
5. “The Deal”
6. “Superfunk”
7. “Subfloor”
8. “Gweedo-Weedo”
9. “Manhattan Project”
10. “In Search of (The)”
11. “Intermission”
12. “A. Zapruder”
13. “Altered State” (Instrumental)
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