Buckcherry – Live & Loud 2009

Label: Eleven Seven
Rating: 3.5 Guns

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Written By: Natalie Perez
(Metal Editor)

Being a Grammy-nominated act is one thing, but being from Los Angeles, California the capitol of the world music franchise, is a whole different story.L.A.’s best local hard-rockers, Buckcherry, are back with a new live offering. Formed in ’95, Buckcherry have been around for 14 years now. They’ve released numerous albums to date, “Buckcherry” (1999) and “Time Bomb” (2001), before dissolving in the summer of 2002. When 2005 arose, lead vocalist Josh Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson had formed a brand spanking new band, using the Buckcherry moniker releasing new material entitled “15” (2006).

Since then, Buckcherry has never looked back on their musical career by any stretch. Constant tours and recording their follow-up, 2008’s “Black Butterfly” was a standoff for them. Buckcherry had the opportunity of a lifetime, hitting the road with metal legends, Motley Crue, on the very first “Crue Fest,” which took the world literally by storm with one single shot.When it was all said and done, the band decided to go forth and unleash their first live album – “Live & Loud 2009,” – a record that captures the real Buckcherry live experience.

Buckcherry’s biggest hits are included, such as “Sorry,” “Crazy Bitch,” “Lit Up,” “Ridin’” and “Everything,” as well as songs from “Black Butterfly,” (2008). You get an overdose of pure hard rock n’ roll on this album! Getting thrown a series of non-stop tunes you can bob your head too or catch yourself easily singing right along to.

Buckchrry’s up-beat and catchy choruses and amazing instrumental portions really define the band’s unique sound and style. The music builds upon itself as each song is played out; slowing forming tension and energy in their music, piece by thrilling piece. When the album is all said and done, you’ll truly believe that you were at a real live Buckcherry concert.

Buckcherry’s Founding Duo Discuses The Many Ways of Kiss

Written By: Natalie Perez
(Metal Editor)

Buckcherry is one of those modern everyday hard rock acts that just never seems to fade away or get old, as other bands tend to do from time to time. As far as Buckcherry goes, this is an act worthy of a cause, and that cause is to create music. Together since ’95, and with 4 albums under their belts, Buckcherry, was a op contender to go out on tour with Kiss back in ’99. Now the time has come to reunite these mighty warriors with the almighty legends of rock n’ roll once again.

Lead vocalist Josh Todd and lead guitarist Keith Nelson held a teleconference for a small handful of journalists. We had the chance to talk to them about why Kiss means so much to them.

NP: When you tour with Kiss do you plan on coming out to jam with the guys?

Keith: If I’ am asked I will definitely come out, rocking out with the platform shoes for sure! I’m not afraid.

NP: What can the kids expect, when you play with Kiss?

Keith: Nothing like we’ve had a conversation about, I don’t really see Kiss as being one of those bands you see yourself getting on stage with, and still feel at home. I don’t know. Have you heard anything Josh?

Josh: No, we did a full tour with them on our first record – 24 shows in Europe – I think it would really take away from the show, with the make-up and crazy production; it’s a really great rock show and I don’t think they’re a “jamming” type of band.

NP: Why tour with Kiss?

Josh: The reason we’re touring with Kiss is because we really wanted to be involved with the 35 years existence that rock n’ roll music has established to this day and time. That’s impressive for anybody, to accomplish, and they’ve broken a lot of rules, and we love it. We’re a rock n roll band and from what I understand is this is a true rock n’ roll show, this is going to ride out into many years to come and Kiss is one of those bands that always puts on an incredible show hands down.

NP: Why now, did you decide to put out this live album?

Keith: Honestly, this is the first time that we’ve actually had the opportunity to do it the way we had wanted to. Luckily, we’re back with Eleven Seven Music, and there is no reason not to do it.

NP: Is the song “Crazy Bitch” based on an actual experience?

Josh: Yeah I came up with the chorus for “Crazy Bitch” while driving around L.A., and it was right around the time the Paris Hilton sex tapes had came out. I thought it was funny how someone had launched their career by a homemade porno, and then I started thinking about all the crazy girls I had came encountered with.

When I was a young man (18-25) I could never attract girls who weren’t always insane, great in bed and sucked when it came to playing the girlfriend role. So, I came up with this chorus and called Keith, talking to him about how I had wanted it to lie out, so that was simple and easy to figure out. I wanted it to sound like a rap song, but more of a rock song vibe. That’s basically how it was born. It became a phenomenal and we definitely needed it at the time.

NP: How did you choice what songs would go on the album besides the obvious choices?

Keith: We wanted to have an actual reputation of what a night in the life of Buckcherry is about. So, we recorded 6 shows during the spring, while out in Canada touring. We listened back to what we had and took it from there.

NP: Do you have a time table as far as when we’ll be hearing new material from you guys?

Keith: We actually do have a time table. We have some great ideas that we got kicking around and are excited about, but our main focus is on the upcoming tour. For sure you’ll be seeing some new material come next year.

NP: What can you tell us about the song “Highway Star” which is on the enhanced version of “Black Butterfly”?

Josh: It was a song we had done for NASCAR, and it became their “theme of the year” on top of that. We don’t normally do cover songs. It’s a Deep Purple cover, so we cut the song up a bit and put our own touch on it, and it now sounds more like a Buckcherry song. We wanted to re-release our album so that everyone who got the album could experience the song, plus it sounds so much better blending it with all the other songs.

NP: How much has the band matured since the first time you toured with Kiss?

Keith: Not only have we matured, we had 3 different members at the time when we first went out on tour with Kiss back in 99. I think when we first toured with them, we finished our first record, which wasn’t even released yet, and to now be 4-records-deep in our career – all of our fans can play with us. Now we’re 700/800 shows better than the last time we played with them. *Laughs*

NP: Do think there is a lot of pressure on you now, that you’ve matured?

Josh: There is definitely more confidence, don’t think there is much pressure, I think it’s more excitement to join forces with them once again, and its going to be a monstrous rock show.

NP: Is there going to be a DVD shot at one of the shows on this upcoming tour?

Keith: I don’t know, I didn’t hear that rumor.

NP: Why should people pick up your live album?

Josh: We have a great reputation for putting on a live show, and we worked really hard on this record. We had done a week long series of shows, 6 in total, and we wanted to capture that live experience.

NP: How was it to work with Escape the Fate on their latest album, would you ever go on tour with those guys?

Josh: We actually did a show with them in the summer. I don’t know if our styles of rock would cut it – but those guys were really fantastic to work with, I had a great time, and we had a lot of fun. I’m sure we’ll do it again at some point. Those guys got a real good fanbase now, and I’m so happy they stuck it out and got a new singer and moved on from what they were dealing with.

NP: Any tour anxieties?

Keith: No. None whatsoever.

NP: When you were growing up, was Kiss one of those bands you just heard of, or were they a major influence to you guys as a whole?

Josh: I liked how they wrote their songs, very simple not too much clutter within their music, as far as instruments go, it was just straight up, raw rock n’ roll. That’s pretty much how we were with our music. It’s not just music, it’s an art form as well, and they did a really great job with the whole imaginary, which no one had ever done, it was incredible.

NP: Do you think Kiss deserves the Hall Of Fame?

Keith: They have outlasted everybody, taking the commercial parts of rock n’ roll to a level that no one can even come close to fulfilling.

NP: You had taken out one of the tracks and replaced it with “Highway Star.” Why?

Keith: It wasn’t as much pulling out, as much as putting in. *Laughs* I don’t like records that are too long, so thought it was the right move to make.

Josh: As far as the way it rolls out within the line-up, the way “Highway Star” plays, it makes it all blend in together.

NP: How would you explain the success that “Black Butterfly” has gotten over your previous tracks?

Keith: I think there was really 10 long years of hard work put into it all, and touring non-stop. We’re one of those bands that will be in your town sooner or later (and 100 shows later). There really isn’t anyone else in the market place that know how to do it as well as we do.

NP: How would you describe the “marriage” you have with one another?

Keith: When we get together, it just works. There are things that we can’t do, but when it comes to music, we can get it done. That’s what leads us to being such a great band, getting better and better. At times we just look at one another and instantly know what we want to accomplish when making music.

NP: If you could choose a member of Kiss’s make-up to wear, who would you pick and why?

Keith: I think we’d all be fighting for Paul. *laughs*

Josh: I’d definitely want to be the demon child.

NP: Do you have any other projects you’re currently working on?

Keith: We got something in store. Its’ definitely going to be a departure of what we’re doing.

Josh: Definitely music.

NP: How do you feel about Kiss not touring with their original line-up?

Keith: Well, you’re speaking to 2 guys that know how hard keeping a band together is. I absolutely respect everything that Kiss stands for. You never know what happens behind closed doors. As far as what we say about it, I’m glad that they’re keeping Kiss alive and well.

Josh: It’s going to be a tight and powerful machine when it comes to Kiss.

NP: What’s it like touring with all these “legendary” artists i.e. Motley Crue, Kiss, who’s next on the list?

Keith: Just the sound of chicks with guns, does things for me! We’ve already done some shows with Aerosmith, AC/DC, so we’ve hit the Holy Gail of famous rockers. Who’s left? The Stones, Metallica, whose left, Josh?

Josh: I’d like to tour with Slipknot, but don’t think we’re heavy enough, and I’d like to tour with Prince.

NP: If you had a chance to be featured on a cartoon show, i.e. “South Park,” “The Simpsons,” or “Family Guy,” which would it be and why?

Josh: I think “Family Guy” aims towards Buckcherry’s style. I’m not sure how we would fit within the episode, but it would be fun to watch.

NP: Any last words?

Keith: Thank you.

Josh: Thank you.

The Return of… Buckcherry

Written By: MusicSUBMIT

When last year’s smash single “Sorry” by rock group Buckcherry reached #9 on Billboard, lead singer Josh Todd had to be smiling. He and guitarist Keith Nelson had tasted a bit of success before, but not like this. Who would have thought the band that had been abandoned and dropped by their major label in 2002, could come back and release a new album on an indie, and eclipse their previous, short-lived fame? – It doesn’t happen very often in the music world, but it does happen…

It was the summer of ’00, and things were looking good Buckcherry. The band had just come off a full length U.S tour with Lenny Kravitz. On the strength of three radio hits, Buckcherry had toured non-stop in support of their self-titled debut album, released by major label DreamWorks Records in 1999. The band was about to hit the studio for their follow up CD, “Time Bomb.” By the time the album released in ’01, the title “Time Bomb” proved befitting for a self-fulfilled prophecy. Slow initial sales of “Time Bomb” and a disinterested DreamWorks helped to all but tank the record. Add in the inevitable inner band tension and Buckcherry was all but a flash in the pan rock group for one summer, a footnote in music history…

Early Years

Buckcherry originally formed in 1995, then under the name “Sparrow”, playing mostly in clubs in the LA rock scene. For the next 3 years, after countless club gigs, the band built up a noticeable following. A few demos later and they finally caught the attention of the label DreamWorks and long time rock producer Terry Date. The album “Buckcherry” (after a band name change) was released in 1999, and soon after the band scored their first radio hit, “Lit Up”.

At this point, some musicians might feel lucky or satisfied to reach the level of success attained by Buckcherry. When the band added two more radio hits in 2000, including “Check Your Head”, indeed they were in an enviable position: a successful tour supporting a gold-almost-platinum record, with 3 radio hits, for a powerful record label. But one album seldom makes a band, and what you do on the follow up album is just as, if not more, important than the first record, if your goal as a band is to remain relevant (i.e. employed) for years to come. Perhaps the early fame and (relatively) quick success contributed to a sub-par effort that resulted in “Time Bomb.” And of course, bands that get dropped by their record label after a poor 2nd record is nothing new.

The Comeback

By 2002, lead singer and band leader Josh Todd had left the band. Not that this mattered much, as all the other members were long gone anyway. Todd & Nelson continued to work collaborative projects with other musicians, but the band Buckcherry had completely faded from the scene, a one-hit-wonder band.

In 2006, a full 8 years after first signing with DreamWorks, Todd and Nelson regrouped with new band members and began writing songs. For any band that was once signed by a major label, the chances of having a new record released again on a major are pretty close to nil. Wet newspapers are usually treated better than dropped rockers. Instead, the group enlisted the help of indie Eleven Seven, a record label of basically musicians with loose affiliations to Warner.

In just 15 days, the band recorded an album, and perhaps with no expectations for a release, titled the record “15”. It wasn’t long after the release of “15” that radio stations began picking up the song “Crazy Bitch” for airplay rotation. For many music fans, the song “Crazy Bitch” was their first introduction to the band Buckcherry, whose initial fame was so short-lived they were mostly missed the first time around. Or, because comeback albums for one-hit-wonder bands are so rare, the name Buckcherry didn’t resonate. Whichever the case, a whole new level of success came rushing back to the band. Timed radio releases of the next two singles, “Everything” and “Sorry”, the latter reaching all the way to #9 on Billboard’s Mainstream Charts, completed the comeback. Buckcherry was once again touring with the likes of Motley Crue and Avenged Sevenfold. Next up – a touring opening up for perhaps the greatest comeback rock band of all time – KISS. How cool is that???