There is a ferocious Southern engine inside of Billy Allen + The Pollies’ debut album Black Noise. It thrums to life atop a classic rock chassis and expertly weaves in and out of gospel, grunge, funk and soul along its eleven-song journey. From the explosive top of the album (a liberating anthem of self-worth called “All of Me”) to the spiritually haunting final track (the wurlitzer fueled “Go on Without Them”) Black Noise is a genre-defiant haymaker that lands.
The band is a hybrid of four piece rock outfit The Pollies and fellow Alabamian, and frontman, Billy Allen. The story of what fused Allen and The Pollies is one that begins in a bar 8 years ago. This particular bar was on Allen’s gig circuit and it just so happens to be where Jay Burgess (founder of The Pollies) was having a drink that evening. While there was intrigue and potential in that first chance meeting, the two would remain ships in the night, each building their own careers, until years later when the stars would align at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals. As the story goes, both Allen and The Pollies, who were all occasional session musicians at Fame, were finally in the room together and the track on deck was Little Richard’s “Greenwood, MS”. To hear Allen retell this part of the story is to hear a man talk about the beginnings of a priceless friendship. “There was an immediate romantic musical connection,” Allen said. “This is my band.” To hear Burgess tell it, the feeling was mutual. Over the subsequent year, the two groups rehearsed, toured, wrote, and gelled together under the moniker Billy Allen + The Pollies. The joining of Billy and Jay (along with the other charter members of The Pollies: Spencer Duncan, Jon Davis & Clint Chandler) was like the clicking of a dislocated bone back into true.
Named after a theoretical sound bomb with the power to destroy whole cities, Black Noise was written almost entirely during the pandemic, beginning as voice memos between Burgess and Allen. With the lockdown in full swing, the musicians became each other’s micro-community, and voice memos progressed to writing sessions in Jay’s garage, and continued to full band rehearsals at Jay’s Greenhill, Alabama, sanctuary Studio 144. When the time to cut the record arrived, they tapped long-time friend and Grammy winning musician Ben Tanner to produce and engineer. Tanner (co-owner of SingleLock Records and former Alabama Shakes keys player) brought the band to Sun Drop Sound in Florence where the bulk of the recording was done. The band was so deeply meshed that the album they captured between April and November of 2021, other than a small overdub section, was recorded fully live, without a click, and 3 takes or less per song.
Listening to Black Noise feels like walking on the alien terrain of a new genre. It sounds like garage grunge by way of Jackie Wilson. The very same kerchief Billy Allen uses to wipe sweat from his brow on stage could be carrying DNA from Wilson Pickett, Joe Cocker, D’Angelo, Ziggy Stardust, or any of the Spiders from Mars. Theirs is a gritty and trailblazing sound. They are a band full of smiling time travelers, able to visit and draw from a multitude of eras and styles. Black Noise is an album that devastates you to the point of remembering why you love music. This is the type of band you root for. You can’t help it. They’re that damn good.
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Buddy Red is a Southern blues artist with the soul of a preacher and the fire of a rock star. A vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, he delivers raw, cinematic performances that channel the pain, joy, and power of the Black American experience. Based in Atlanta, Buddy draws from a wide range of influences, blending the psychedelic grandeur of Pink Floyd, the unrelenting energy of James Brown, the mystique of Hendrix, and the spirit of traditional Delta blues into a sound that is both deeply rooted and radically current.
At the core of Buddy’s artistry is truth-telling. His lyrics speak of loss, legacy, and liberation, while his guitar work delivers every emotion with a visceral punch. A fixture at the Northside Tavern’s legendary jam sessions, Buddy has become a standout voice in Atlanta’s underground live music scene, known for his passionate storytelling, impromptu solos, and unforgettable stage presence.
His 2025 single “Sold His Soul” marked a new chapter in his evolution, an emotionally charged blues-rock confession that cemented his reputation as a modern-day blues revivalist with cinematic vision. That same year, Buddy performed a stripped-down version of “1958 (Live)” on FOX 5’s The Portia Show, captivating viewers with a raw and moving televised performance that showcased his range and soul.
Buddy’s hunger and hustle took him on a 14-hour drive to his debut performance at SXSW in Austin, Texas, where he played multiple showcases, including a featured set at The Shade Room’s activation. Soon after, he shared the stage with Little Richard’s original band at the Tutti Frutti Music Festival, celebrating the legacy of rock ‘n’ roll while carving out space for his own. And he was selected to perform at the iconic Mondo.NYC conference in October 2025 and went out on his first U.S Tour last Summer/Fall to festivals including Americana Fest, Launch, Neon Prairie, and Indianapolis.
In June 2025, Buddy Red was invited to perform at the Black Music Action Coalition’s Juneteenth celebration at the James Brown Estate outside Augusta, Georgia. The historic event honored the legacy of the Godfather of Soul and gathered artists and activists in tribute to Black musical excellence and freedom. Buddy’s performance was a soulful homage to the past and a bold declaration of the future, a reminder that the blues is not only alive, but still vital.
Buddy’s unique sound and cultural impact have caught the attention of major brands and institutions. He’s collaborated with BMW of Atlanta and the Atlanta Hawks on creative campaigns and community initiatives, including the Hawks’ Million Meal Pack, which provides meals to food-insecure families across Georgia. He’s also a regular fixture at Harris Community Works’ annual Turkey and Christmas Drives in Atlanta, further showcasing his dedication to giving back to the community that raised him.
Whether playing for thousands on a festival stage or in front of a few hundred in a neon-lit club, Buddy Red delivers every note like it matters, because to him, it does. He’s not just keeping the blues alive. He’s reimagining it. And with new music, national performances, and major partnerships on the horizon, Buddy Red is poised to become one of the defining voices of his generation.
