Emerging from the crusty corners of Hollywood in the winter of 2012 came The Buttertones. A stylish, suit-wearing five-some who were fueled by the desire to return some long lost flavor to the sounds of the Los Angeles nightlife.
The band's become known for their songs that are peppered with appetizing hooks and warm melodies, and that frame the accounts of the less than holy lifestyles embraced by the environment they were created. Gravedigging, their second and newest record picks up right where last year’s American Brunch left off: the intersection of surf, rockabilly, punk, and a little something extra that pushes their sound past any of those stereotypical adjectives. Their sound couldn’t come from anywhere else but California and, on this record, California after sundown when the street-gangs, switchblades and chancers come out to play.
Gravedigging is not without variation. "Pistol Whip" touts just out of key surf solos that you'll find on other tracks, while the doo-wop ballad, "I Ran Away" is reminiscent, but able to differentiate itself without the temptation to tack on a cheesy guitar solo. These authentic nuances are part of this record’s appeal, it’s more earthy and exploratory than acts like Car Seat Headrest or Night Beats, but comfortable amongst obvious counterparts Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees.
Listen to the full album here.