Buckcherry

[Chris]

Buckcherry – Thursday, July 15
Josh Todd – Vocals
Keith Nelson – Lead Guitar
Stevie D. – Rhythm Guitar
Jimmy Ashhurst – Bass Guitar
Xavier Muriel – Drums

Buckcherry got their start in LA after singer Josh Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson met through their tattoo artist. Originally called Sparrow, Todd and Nelson, along with bassist Jonathan Brightman and drummer Devon Glenn gained a loyal following playing the Hollywood scene. The band was signed to DreamWorks Records, changed their name to Buckcherry after finding out Sparrow was already taken, and released their self-titled debut album in 1999. Rhythm guitarist Yogi Lonich joined the band the same year. The album churned out three hits, with “Lit Up,” “For the Movies,” and “Check Your Head” all making the Modern Rock Chart. The album reached #74 on the Billboard 200 and eventually went gold, selling over 750,000 copies. The band earned praise during this time for their solid stage show and old-school rock sound, which led to an opening slot for AC/DC in 2000. Buckcherry would suffer a sophomore slump on 2001’s Time Bomb. The album contained only one minor hit, “Ridin’,” and turmoil started happening within the band. Lonich, Glenn, and Brightman all left the band after the release of the album. Josh Todd up and quit a year later, and Buckcherry, for the time being, was done. Both pursued their own interests for a few years, with Todd releasing a solo album and Nelson becoming a producer. However, the two, along with newcomers Stevie D. (rhythm guitar), Jimmy Ashhurst (Bass), and Xavier Muriel (drums), reformed the band in 2005 and released the album 15. 15 proved to be a huge success, eventually going platinum and topping out at #39 on the Billboard 200. Five songs from the album made the top 40 Mainstream Chart, while two songs made the Hot 100 Chart, “Crazy *” at #59 and “Sorry,” which became their first top 10 hit reaching #9. “Crazy *” received a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance. In 2008, they would release Black Butterfly, which debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200. Three songs made the top 20 of the Mainstream Rock Chart, led by “Too Drunk…” at #7. That song would be left off of re-releases of the album in favor of a cover of Deep Purple’s “Highway Star.” The band nailed down the high profile opening spot for KISS for their Sonic Boom tour in 2009 and 2010. The band also released their first live album in 2009, titled Live & Loud 2009. The band will be making their first appearance at Moondance Jam.

Billboard Top 200 Albums
1999 Buckcherry #74
2001 Time Bomb #64
2006 15 #39
2008 Black Butterfly #8

Billboard Top 100 Hits
2006 Crazy * #59
2007 Sorry #9
2008 Too Drunk… #96

Billboard Mainstream Rock Hits
1999 Lit Up #1
1999 For the Movies #25
1999 Dead Again #38
2000 Check Your Head #29
2001 Ridin’ #9
2006 Crazy * #3
2006 Next 2 You #18
2007 Everything #6
2007 Broken Glass #28
2007 Sorry #32
2008 Too Drunk… #7
2008 Rescue Me #11
2009 Talk to Me #17

Setlists
November 12, 2009 in Calgary, Alberta opening for KISS
Tired of You
Next 2 You
Out of Line
Broken Glass
Lit Up
Rescue Me
Highway Star (Deep Purple)
Everything
Sorry
Crazy *

March 21, 2009 in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Tired of You
Next 2 You
Broken Glass
Lit Up
Talk to Me
Rescue Me
Don’t Go Away
Too Drunk…
Ridin’
Porno Star
Everything
Sorry
Crazy *

My Take
If there is one band that has had all of its hits in the last 10 years or so that can win over the Moondance Jam crowd, it is Buckcherry. They play a great brand of straight forward rock with sing-along songs that most people will have heard. I saw them right after they hit it big back in 2000 or so at a small venue here in KC. They played pretty much their entire debut album that night (great disc by the way), and the crowd loved it. I have been to 100’s of concerts over the years and most of the time my ears ring for a day or two after. However, that show ranks at the top, along with Jackyl in the mid-90’s, for continuous ear buzz. I seriously thought I had damaged my hearing even worse than usual that night. It was worth it though! Josh Todd has a great stage presence and will win the crowd over on the first song. I found it fitting that Todd and Nelson met through their tattoo artist, since he also has some of the best tattoos in rock. I was disappointed when they broke up in 2002 and I was surprised when they not only came back, but came back even better than they were. Their hits the last few years have all been solid and have continued their signature sound. Everyone always debates over what bands from today will still be relevant in 20 years. I think Buckcherry has a great chance of this because their sound is not dated. It is catchy rock with driving guitars and clever vocals, and that will always have a place in the music world. My guess is that Thursday of the jam will turn into a modern rock night for the first time in jam history. Buckcherry is going to prove that modern rock will fit right in on the Moondance Jam stage.

Did You Know?
Josh Todd worked in the studio with what would eventually become Velvet Revolver.
Scott Weiland, from Stone Temple Pilots, took over after Slash dropped Todd.
Keith Nelson co-wrote Velvet Revolver’s “Dirty Little Thing.”
The video for “Too Drunk…” features adult film stars Ashlynn Brook and Tommy Gunn.
The band was sued in 2006 after an underage girl appeared topless in a video of theirs.
Band management contended that the girl had filled out paperwork for the video shoot and had lied about her age.
Their cover of Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” has been used as the theme song on NASCAR on TNT.
The band was a part of Crue Fest in 2008 and has 3 songs featured on the DVD from the tour.
In July 2008, the song “Too Drunk…” was leaked before its release and the band claimed it had been pirated.
However, it was found that their manager leaked the song for publicity.
Live & Loud 2009 was recorded on their tour of Canada.
Todd was one of the backing singers for Motley Crue’s song “Saints of Los Angeles.”
Todd has appeared several times onscreen, including the part of “Rudy” in the movie The New Guy in 2002.
Todd wrote and sang on two songs from the band Escape the Fate’s album 10 Miles Wide.
“Crazy *” sold over 1.2 million copies and was certified as a platinum single and double-platinum ringtone.
The book A Child Called ‘It’ inspired the songs “Child Called It” and “Rescue Me” from Black Butterfly.
“Rescue Me” is available as a download for Rock Band.
The band recorded a cover of Elvis Costello’s “Pump it Up,” as a Japanese release bonus track on 15.
Nelson cites KISS Alive, KISS Alive II, Frampton Comes Alive, Cheap Trick Live at Budokan, and J.Geils Band’s Blow Your Face Out as his favorite live albums.

Videos
Lit Up – official video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw5JGv9YdV
For the Movies – official video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnPBdsFmrgQ
Dead Again – official video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHlPrQ29ERA
Sorry – official video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEIhtvdU6b0
Too Drunk… - official video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpW-QHOq ... PL&index=4
Crazy * – official video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ6pLKlU-8Q
Everything – official video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5vcZrEL ... re=related
Highway Star – NASCAR video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjMxUC3f ... re=related
Lit Up (live) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEOCbhFKtz0
Crazy * (live) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELVdB8JKfxo
Huge compilation of live videos from their website: http://www.buckcherry.com/video

[bigguy]

great write up chris, i think that you do an amazing job at all of these write ups

[Cabinjammer]

Nice job on this one Chris! Buckcherry has a way of cranking out songs that will continue to play over and over in your head for days after you hear the song. So far, this is the band I am most looking forward to seeing. Not to take anything away from others announced, but these guys should provide some great energy and freshness, while holding on to true rock sound.

[kansas666]

Read Slash's book. Actually both Josh Todd and Keith Nelson joined Velvet Revolver. Slash listened to the demos and thought Todd was singing off-key so he dumped him. Nelson stuck around. Slash thought they were a team and was surprised when he didn't split with Todd. Eventually Slash canned Nelson too.

I've been a fan of Buckcherry since the beginning. We have ben to a number of their concerts. We are really looking forward to the show.