Buddy Wynkoop
Portland’s Next Super Band?
Portland’s music scene has always had its fair share of gems, but lately? It feels like Buddy Wynkoop might just be the next band to blow the roof off.
Sure, they've been around for a bit, but their new album Better Than Botox is the rocket fuel that's really kicked things into gear. This six-person wrecking crew isn’t just playing shows — they’re taking over. Every set feels bigger, louder, and somehow more chaotic (in the best way) than the last. Packed rooms, sweaty crowds, people yelling along — it’s the kind of energy you don’t just watch, you feel it rattling around in your chest.
Buddy Wynkoop isn’t trying to play it cool or polished. They’re bringing back that wild, unpredictable magic that makes you fall in love with live music in the first place. It’s loud. It’s messy. It’s a little unhinged. And honestly? It’s about time.
I found these guys by total accident — I bought a ticket to see a Seattle band I liked and somehow ended up walking out a full-blown Buddy Wynkoop fan. And based on how packed their album release show was (and their most recent show, at Lollipop Shoppe), I’m definitely not the only one who’s been converted.
Portland has always had a knack for churning out great bands, but Buddy Wynkoop feels different. There’s a raw, punchy energy here that the scene’s been craving. They’re not just another good band — they’re the kind of band that makes you remember why local shows are so freaking fun in the first place.
Honestly, I’ll be shocked if they’re not snatched up for a big tour soon. And when that happens, don’t be surprised if you find yourself bragging, “Oh yeah, I saw them way back when at insert tiny sweaty venue here before they blew up.”
If you haven’t caught a Buddy show yet — or even just given Better Than Botox a spin — you seriously need to get on it. Buckle up, Portland. This listener can’t wait to see where the momentum from this album takes them next.
