Remembering Influential Cleveland Musician Aaron “Buzz” Boron by Jim Szudy

Photo by Jim Szudy

 

Aaron Michael “Buzz” Boron, singer/guitarist/songwriter of the legendary and influential Cleveland indie rock band the Duvalby Brothers, passed away December 23rd at the age of 50.

In addition to the Duvalby Brothers, Buzz was involved in numerous music projects such as Messenger and the Sender, Hilo, Nonfiction, Overhead Projectors, solo work, and collaborations with other artists from around the country. Buzz was also an avid painter; his works could be seen at various exhibitions, on albums, and in private collections. Buzz was an original, innovator, and a highly influential creative force only Cleveland could produce.

 

Aaron “Buzz” Boron

Bros.

The Duvalby Brothers, originally formed in 1991, have written and recorded over 70 songs, and had 13 different members in the band at one time or another. No matter what the lineup, the Duvalby Brothers were influential in pushing of what the indie/punk sound was and could be musically and lyrically. As Buzz once stated, “everything had hooks.”

The Duvalby Brothers released full LPs and EPs on various labels in the early 90’s:

Duvalby Bros 7” on Flexovit Records (1994),  PAUKXS (cassette, 1994), Duvalby Brothers 7” on Flexovit Records (1995), their most notable The Sleepytime Medicine Band LP on Cambodia Recordings in 1996.

Sleepytime is a 13-track platter full of ingenuity and indie rock uniquely their own. Shouts of “Nooo t.v, nooo t.v!” from the first track “Hearsay Heresy” could always be heard at their live shows. In 2007, Duvalby Brothers self-released the full-length album Cursed and Blessed. Another masterpiece in Buzz’s canon, with even more catchy hooks and faith-based. From the first track to the last, this album shows off the Duvalby Brothers polished chops and musicianship in addition to Buzz’s distinct delivery with layered harmonies.

 

 

 

A live Duvalby Brothers show, which usually rotated around the Euclid Tavern, Grog Shop or Peabody’s, was always high-energy. Buzz was always in his element, giving a musical sermon, and you went along for the intense ride. The raw energy and showmanship the Bros expended in every set, every song; with Buzz’s brother Beetle keeping everyone in step as the guitars electrified the room as Joey Shipman and Buzz jammed with intense precision. Watch a sample from a Grog Shop show here.

Duvalby Brothers in Brooklyn, NY

Nonfiction & Others Section

Other projects followed in between hiatuses (Messenger and the Sender, Hilo) and post-Duvalby Brothers. After Cursed and Blessed, the Duvalby Brothers took a break and Buzz formed Nonfiction, which originally started out as a solo project. Soon Joey Shipman (guitar), Pat Ginley (drums) and Sean Bilovecky (bass) were recruited to complete the quartet. The Nonfiction Makebelieve album was released in 2009 on Wholeacoustic Records. This 11-track emotional and spiritual platter ranges from adolescent memories (“Wateredownway”), inexplicable loss (“Frozen Worlds”) and struggle (“Roll of Dimes”).  These high-octane tracks are mixed with heavy hearts in between heavy bass driven tracks (“Num: Like Van Gogh”) and garage-punk tracks (“Post Traumatic Party Disorder”). Makebelieve is as diverse as it is spectacular, a truly original and personal reflection of life, love and loss in Cleveland, Ohio. The Great Divide, a digital follow-up album, was released in 2011. Divide is another unique and original release with Buzz’s signature sound all over it; calling out from the darkness within and finding salvation through faith.

Listen to “Wateredownway” here; “War to Restore” here; “Shoulder to Shoulder” here. Nonfiction performs “Hurricane Blues” live from the Grog Shop, October 29, 2009: watch here.

 

Buzz @ Grog Shop Nonfiction Show

Overhead Projectors (Buzz with Ron Faenza) was another project, as Buzz states on their Bandcamp site, “is a little project from Cleveland. Ron and I made this record mostly in my basement, but some at his house too. The songs are serious. Some are a bit lighter. We are pleased and grateful. Call your friends and tell them. Don’t text, call. Thanks!”

Buzz continued to be prolific in his songwriting, never stopping and always recording on his trusted Tascam 4 track which would evolve and be re-recorded in a professional studio or home studio, whether it be at his own or someone else’s. Buzz’s recordings/song output was astonishing, for he once told me, “I hear music all the time in my head, even when I’m sleeping.”

We give him to You….

The personal interaction I had with Buzz was always pure, fun, creative, Floydian, multidimensional, uncharted, and spiritual. Buzz lent me a hand anytime I was feeling low. He could sense it in me. Buzz invited me to his church on numerous occasions, and I accepted every time. I witnessed how much his faith meant to him. Buzz’s faith was true, constant, and uncompromising. His point of view would never deter or betray his faith; no matter what would happen, or happened, it could be seen and heard in his lyrics. For Buzz, there was always a light shining through it all, and a hope that all of us would see too. This is what I take away from my blessed time with this original, beautiful, fatherly, brotherly, friendly, Barrettesque, but always uniquely Buzzola.

Always close to his heart and in conversations with Buzz were his four sons. He loved them dearly, cherished them, and he talked about them with immense pride. The last track on Duvalby Brothers Cursed and Blessed album, aptly named “Coda,” is a testament of everything that Buzz cherished: his family, his sons, and Jesus Christ:

purple scented skylight at dawn                                                                                   

birds that melody and carry on                                                                       

green so warm it keeps me cool                       

blue rippled water in the pool                                               

how did You know I would like to sing           

how did You know all these things would mean, the world to me           

measure james paul jackie and sam                                                                                                           

all grow up as fast as they can                                                                                   

one at a time like grapes off the vine, I give them to You.

Buzz was more than just a gifted and talented musician, he was an avid painter, endearing friend, son, brother, and father. He adored his sons, his family, and his faith. His voice, lyrics, style and vision were like no other; and this world will not be the same now. But he gave and left so much of his shining spirit, we will never falter in the darkness through the light of all of his creations he gave to this world. Buzz was the light that shone in the dark, the voice that spoke for those who couldn’t speak, the giver who couldn’t give, the writer for those who couldn’t write, the burden for those who couldn’t bare anymore, the singer for those who couldn’t sing. We will all keep his light shining….

 

“Running with the Bulls,” painting by Aaron Boron

[Article written by Jim Szudy]

Post categories:

3 Responses to “Remembering Influential Cleveland Musician Aaron “Buzz” Boron by Jim Szudy”

  1. Rob Naro

    Rest in Peace Buzz

  2. DrBOP

    Rest In Rhythm you crazy diamond……jammin’ with Jesus now ;>)

  3. Melissa Minning

    Beautiful words , thank you from his Sons

Leave a Reply

[fbcomments]