Malibu-based marketing team, Hildee_Brand, shook things up a bit in Malibu, hosting The White Buffalo and The Janks at The Malibu Inn this past Saturday, Nov. 10. The lights may have been out up at the Point, but the lights were most definitely on at The Malibu Inn, which was sardine-style-packed with fans, friends, and family of The White Buffalo and openers, The Janks.
LA-based up-and-comers, The Janks, kicked off the night with an energetic, raw, and unbelievably fun 50 minute set. The buzz around this band has skyrocketed over the past year, and for good reason. Headlined by brothers, Dylan & Zack Zmed, their complimentary vocals add an intensity to every song that only brothers can achieve. The Janks sound walks the line of classic & alt rock with an Americana twist. Their set included crowd favorites “Dead Man,” “Rat Racers,” and “Child Prodigy.”
We don’t throw words like “legendary” around lightly, but when it comes to The White Buffalo there’s legitimately no other way to describe them. Fusing stories of old-school outlaws and personal experience together, with a blues-y, country, rock, and folk sound, The White Buffalo is authentic, powerful, and high-energy. The White Buffalo, took the stage shortly after The Janks, and cruised through a 90 minute set that left the crowd chanting “one more song.” There wasn’t one person that wasn’t on their feet, singing along. We didn’t think the venue could light up anymore, but when the boys hit their current single, “How The West Was Won,” the crowd went insane. The California-natives took the stage for an encore, appropriately closing the night with a cover of “Ring of Fire,” giving Johnny Cash a proverbial run for his money.
Since their sophomore album, “Once Upon A Time In The West,” dropped this year, The White Buffalo has been gaining insane world-wide momentum, and grinding through a non-stop tour schedule. If you’re a “Sons of Anarchy” fan then Jake Smith’s cover of “House Of The Rising Sun” has most definitely graced your eardrums. A testament to true artistry, raw talent, and absolute appreciation for everyone in the room - frontman and song-writer, Jake Smith, cruised around the venue for well over an hour after their set signing autographs and taking photos with fans. It was the cherry on top of an incredible night of music in Malibu.
Hildee_Brand Presents The White Buffalo & The Janks by Sam Neider
