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Last Updated:
Jul 15th, 2008 - 11:11:33 |
Hot Riffs
The Birddogs
A cheesy riff can destroy your reputation as a rocker. Example: Europe’s “Final Countdown” from 1986. Who ever heard from them again after that song? But then there are The Stones’ “Satisfaction,” Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile” and Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.” The right riff is essential to worldwide domination. Continuing in a long line of Detroit’s primal riffage, Pontiac’s The BirdDogs are the descendents of a long line of blues rock ‘n’ rollers. With influences ranging from John Lee Hooker to the Soledad Brothers, the band is continuing on what their blues forefathers intended. Playing riffs the right way — from the soul. Real Detroit Weekly recently caught up with The BirdDogs vocalist/guitarist Robbie Buxton and talked about writing hot riffs, Detroit blues and the band's new album.
What’s the key to writing a hot riff?
I think every good guitar player has got a bag of tricks. You know? Stuff that they’ve heard other guys play, things they twist and distort into their own style. That’s the way it’s always been. To me, a hot riff is just something that comes out when it needs to. It’s the sort of thing where if you sit there trying, you might be trying a while.
With the success of The White Stripes, The Muggs and other Michigan-based blues bands, has it been hard to break out of the shadows?
We don’t think much of success. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when one of us will say something like, “Wouldn’t it be nice to get just a little bit of help?” We’re doing what we love so we don’t complain. We don’t mind the shadows much, I suppose.
Can you tell me about the new record? Is there a title for it yet? What’s it sound like?
We are currently recording the new record. We planned on releasing it this summer, but I think it will make more sense to drop it this fall. It’s very diverse. There are many different textures. We’re taking a lot of time building up and breaking down the songs. We’ve started to realize the importance of trying different things with a particular piece. We are calling it The Satanic Troubadours Audio Almanac. | RDW
The BirdDogs • 7/25 • The Lager House
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