Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard have shared their new single and video ‘John Lennon Is My Jesus Christ’ – their first on new label home Communion.
Stompy and glam, with glances at Mud‘s ‘Tigerfeet’, this tongue in cheek ditty is catchy and may appear throwaway but has a more nuanced point to make about less than perfect icons. As guitarist and frontman Tom Rees explains: ‘John Lennon Is My Jesus Christ’ started as a bit of fun more than anything. It developed into a conversation around idolisation, and how fandom, servitude and dedication to a certain character is universal, and not limited to any particular religion or art form. I thought it was interesting to explore ideas around idolisation in an instance where the subject being idolised isn’t a good person, which is certainly the case for John Lennon – it was a provocation of my own idolisation of John, in the knowledge that he was truly an awful and wrathful person in reality.”
Shot entirely around Cardiff, the extended, doc-style accompanying video features a piano version of the original track and a dance section inspired by Tierra Whack’s Whack World in its 8-minute duration. “For me personally there’s a fun contrast between the song itself, how we perform and the visual representation of the song through the dancers,” Rees says. “In a usual scenario, the song would be steeped in ego with four men sweating and drooling, swinging and swaying, screaming and shouting. It feels good to pair it with something distinctly pop, as opposed to rock, and see if it still rocks.”
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard began as a bedroom studio project for Cardiff-based Rees, before eventually spreading his wings alongside bassist brother Eddie Rees, guitarist Zac White and drummer Ethan Hurst. The band aired their debut single ‘Double Denim Hop’ in 2018. A BBC Radio 6 Music spin for ‘Double Denim Hop’ from none other than Iggy Pop, and a session for Huw Stephens on the same station followed at the beginning of 2019. Subsequent singles ‘Late Night City’ and ‘Love Forever’ drew airplay from BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac, Jack Saunders and Huw Stephens, and BBC Radio 6 Music. The band also landed a slot at Glastonbury courtesy of BBC Introducing.
Following their signing to Communion Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard will be hitting the road from February onwards with their debut headline tour and support slots with Twin Peaks and more TBA.
See Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard live in 2020:
26 Feb | Electric Brixton, London w/Twin Peaks
7 March | Radar Festival, Zurich
13 – 22 March | SXSW, Austin
26 April | The Louisiana, Bristol
27 April | The Cavern, Exeter
28 April | Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
29 April | The Garage, Glasgow
30 April | Bodega, Nottingham
1 May | YES, Manchester
1-3 May | Sound City, Liverpool
31 July – 2 August | Truck Festival
Photo credit: Pooneh Ghana
