It was in 1988 that Buffalo Tom released their first album. Throughout the 90’s they recorded several more and toured extensively. After 2000 though, they’d began to slow down and make a gradual move away from the indie rock scene, of which they were accustomed. By 2002 all three members had married, moved on and had kids. Family life had started and Buffalo Tom had finished. Although the decision to call it a day was both timely and intentional, it was the return from this hiatus which was completely unexpected.

Last year Buffalo Tom recorded their latest studio album, Three Easy Pieces. Tonight at the Metro Theatre, Buffalo Tom, fronted by singer-guitarist Bill Janovitz, attempted to revitalise an energy from their more vibrant days and channel it outwardly as an expression of maturity, contemplative collaboration and the realism of having managed to get the band back together. Despite succumbing to life in the suburbs, babysitting and some low-key solo projects, Buffalo Tom returned to Sydney tonight to prove to themselves that even old blokes with day jobs can strum, slap and drum along in time, as well as fill a half capacity venue.

The crowd tonight was in a few minds over this complicated situation, because back in the day Buffalo Tom, were great. Part of the problem was, that they were playing on a Tuesday night, and as legacy happens to dictate price, they charged a compulsory yellow note. Buffalo Tom obviously have a fine mixture of musical talent, experience and originality but the sound blasting from the Metro speakers tonight wouldn’t have even done a Norwegian death metal band justice. In addition, it’s taken more than 10 years for the trio to begin to realise that they are all in the middle of a midlife crisis and rather than buying that clichéd sports car, they needed to reform the band and get back to their roots. This meant touring, though sometimes, the past is best left where it belongs.

Without a supporting band, Buffalo Tom would have been even more mediocre. First up tonight and joining the tour as the main support for Buffalo Tom, was Sam Shinazzi and his band. Despite years of touring Australia, trudging up and down the east from Melbourne to Cairns and generally making a name for himself, there was really something amiss. Where was the energy Sam? Perhaps it was the reluctance of the crowd to step onto the dance floor or maybe that they were just out of touch. Sam seemed tired, his band seemed loose and the his music sounded a chore.

Smudge should have been playing as support following Sam Shinazzi, but they were a no-show. It’s a shame that they cancelled though, because Smudge have a real underground. Similar to Buffalo Tom, it’s based on a dynamic mix of power-pop, ironic vocals and country-rock, and a relationship stemming from their early association with Half a Cow records.

There is no doubt that Buffalo Tom sweated hard with emotion on stage tonight and did play well. The disappointing fact is that despite their popularity, hardly anyone was in the crowd. They played a good mix between their old and new material, tending toward the later. They’ve certainly tried to reinvent themselves, based on the fact that they have had time to mature and that they’ve clearly realised that they’re bored with their current routine and feel the need to try it again from a different perspective. It’s true, Buffalo Tom almost made it really big back in the days, especially riding on the backend of the grunge movement. However, to conquer the cobwebs of the past they’ll need to quit their day jobs and chase the magic. Their studio albums are definitely more worthy than their live performance. I look forward to Buffalo Tom’s next album release and seeing them play again, next decade.