Even though their moment in history had come and gone, Buddy V was inspired by what The Beatles brought to music and their fans a generation before he came of age. However, they didn't have as much of an impact on his own style of writing quite the way Bob Dylan has. "His lyrics are, to me, the gold standard of modern music," says Buddy V when speaking of those who came before him and pushed him where he is today. His musical story is one that spans well over three decades with years of playing solo, being part of different bands, inevitable breakups, big moves, and all that comes with being a musician. But, as Buddy V's motto says, "passion in the face of adversity".
It was the year everyone became as enamored with hoverboards as they were with being a "Material Girl." All the while Buddy V was living in his hometown in Allentown, PA living, eating, and breathing music. 1985 marked the beginning as The Vultures came to be. The rock band that focused on everything from rockabilly to alternative went on to release a Vinyl EP, winning the local Battle of the Bands in '91, and even playing clubs in Philadelphia and New York City, including the legendary CBGB's. After riding that wave as far as it would go for eight years, Buddy V packed up to start a new chapter as a solo artist in Osaka, Japan.
After dropping a five-song EP cassette, Into The Rising Sun, he became a regular performer at a local Irish Pub on Friday nights, and at a Mexican spot on Saturdays. Playing in Japan was an experience like no other but after two years Buddy V decided to return to the states. Three years later, after moving northeast to New England, he started busking in the Boston MBTA subway system. This eventually led to Buddy meeting and hitting it off with Carlos. Instantly connecting via music, Buddy & Carlos became a blues-based duo. For the next 14 years, Buddy and Carlos added members, played all over, changed band names, and finally disbanded in 2013. That's when Buddy V headed out on his own again. In the years that followed the former rocker turned blues man took his love of roots music, punk, and alternative, and headed in a more Americana meets indie route.
Buddy V spent two years writing and recording his full-length album, Meet Me Again. Released at the tail end of 2017, Meet Me Again centers on the human experience as a whole. There's love, loss, hope, hopelessness; all the highs and lows one faces throughout a lifetime and then some. Like "Daylight On The Horizon," one of the more folk tracks on the record that tells the tale of risking everything for future that's quite uncertain. Taking a risk and not knowing if there'll be a reward. That's something everyone who's ever breathed has faced. Everyone's also faced the reality of an addictive yet destructive relationship in their life as mapped out in the rocking blues of "Not Blue."
It's been a nonstop ride for Buddy V since his days rocking out with The Vultures, playing in Japan, and performing for over a decade with Carlos. Now Buddy V is switching the focus to the present and going forward with his current project, "Buddy V's Black Wing Revue", currently an alt country / Americana quartet. The current line up includes Buddy on vocals and guitar, Will on bass, Carl on pedal steel and mandolin, and Josh on fiddle and harmonies. They will continue to expand by eventually including a drummer / percussionist, and an additional guitarist. Stay tuned for upcoming gigs and future original music releases.
