“The Freeway Gardens was one of a string of hotels we got banned from. I guess we were pretty spirited young guys with an urge to push the boundaries a bit,” Dave Tice, singer of legendary Australian band Buffalo tells The Void of the sensational 1975 newspaper tabloid story above.
“Our hotels were never secret as far as the girls were concerned, we’d arrive to check in and there’d already be a crew of them waiting for us and ready to test out the beds.”
– Dave Tice, Buffalo singer & Aussie rock legend
“Anyway, it’s a long standing rock tradition to trash the hotel,” Dave continues. “Buffalo’s Melbourne visits were always pretty rowdy; we were “away from home” and up for enjoying the perks of being in a band in the 70s. Of course our management/publicist were always quick to exaggerate the goings on, and nothing was better than getting banned or getting censored by the straight press for our bad behaviour.” Full newspaper story text below:
“A leading rock group, Buffalo, has been banned from a holiday flat complex after a three-day orgy. Mr. Mike Spartels, proprietor of the Freeway Gardens, in Lennox Street, Parkville, has threatened to bill the rock band for the damage it caused. Buffalo’s manager, Sebastian Chase said: We had a bit of a party. It lasted about three days and nights, with breaks for the gigs the lads had to play at. “The damage wasn’t that bad. Bass player Peter Wells and drummer Jimmy (The Greek) Economou just refurnished the place a bit. “The night before we left, we were all pretty drunk. Now in Perth, Buffalo is the centre of another controversy. During an interview on ABC radio, members of the band said they wanted to stage a nude concert at a Perth club. Chase said: “When we made our announcement on the ABC, the station was flooded with complaints from parents and Catholics.”
“In reality there were many bands that were as bad or even worse than us, but they seemed to get away with it,” Dave explains. “The saying goes that if you remember the 60’s (or 70’s) you weren’t there and I have to admit a lot of those years are a bit hazy; however I do recall very clearly that our hotels were never secret as far as the girls were concerned, we’d arrive to check in and there’d already be a crew of them waiting for us and ready to test out the beds. I’d say that a 3 day orgy was a short visit or something because the orgies would be on for the full extent of our tour.”
As far as their cheeky undies-clad photo, “this was one of a group of pics taken for “Ram” magazine, they did a photo feature of a number of bands from that time in various stages of undress. We were only one of half a dozen bands asked to be part of it, of course we entered the spirit whole-heartedly,” Dave explains. “We were assured that only pics we authorised would ever be used although there were some that were much more revealing,” he laughs.
If you’re not familiar with Buffalo, get familiar – they’re definitely from the Sabbathian school of rock, and hail from Sydney. To witness the majesty that is Buffalo Revisited, check out their gig on November 27 at the Bald-Faced Stag, or alternatively check them out at Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ’s epic 40th anniversary party this December.
Each week in Great Moments In Australian Rock and Roll History members of the Australian rock and roll community share a photo and the story behind it. Have you got an amazing photo you’d love to tell us about? Email hello [at] thevoid333.com.
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