Grant Lee Buffalo was formed in Los Angeles, California, by Grant-Lee Phillips (vocals, guitar), Paul Kimble (bass) and Joey Peters (drums). The trio emerged from the earlier project Shiva Burlesque, whose 1987 self-titled album and 1990 Mercury Blues established a psychedelic foundation that would later be reshaped into a more Americana-oriented sound. The band’s breakthrough came with the signing to Slash Records and the release of Fuzzy on 23 February 1993, a debut that combined Phillips’ evocative voice with a full-spectrum sonic palette and received immediate critical attention. Subsequent studio albums followed in chronological order: Mighty Joe Moon (20 September 1994), Copperopolis (4 June 1996) and Jubilee (9 June 1998), each expanding the group’s lyrical focus on American history and contemporary events and featuring collaborations with artists such as Jon Brion and Dan Rothschild. The compilation Storm Hymnal was issued on 23 October 2001. Grant-Lee Buffalo toured extensively with R.E.M., Pearl Jam, and The Smashing Pumpkins, and after a brief reunion in 2011, the band ceased regular activity. Their catalog was later acquired by Chrysalis Records in October 2017, ensuring continued availability of their influential body of work.
