Buckcherry

Buckcherry is a Grammy-nominated hard rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1995. The band released two albums, Buckcherry (1999) and Time Bomb (2001), before dissolving in the summer of 2002. In 2005, lead vocalist Josh Todd and lead guitarist Keith Nelson formed a new band using the Buckcherry moniker and released a new album on April 16, 2006 titled 15 (2006), which contained Buckcherry's biggest crossover hits to date, "Crazy Bitch" and the band's first Billboard Hot 100 top ten hit, "Sorry". Their fourth album, Black Butterfly (2008), was released in September 2008.

Band history

Formation and early years

Buckcherry was formed after lead vocalist Josh Todd met lead guitarist Keith Nelson through their tattoo artist after discovering a common love of AC/DC. The duo made a few demos before being joined by bassist Jonathan Brightman and drummer Devon Glenn, calling themselves Sparrow. Sparrow began performing around the Hollywood club scene, receiving a strong, local following due to their old school rock and roll vibe, and were signed to DreamWorks Records shortly after. The group changed its name to Buckcherry after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from a record label called Sparrow, with Buckcherry being a spoonerism of Chuck Berry, however, the group said it was inspired by a drag queen acquaintance of theirs named Buck Cherry. The band released its self-titled debut in 1999 to critical praise and certified gold sales. The album, produced by Terry Date (Soundgarden/Mother Love Bone/Pantera/Steve Jones), included three modern rock chart hits in "Lit Up", "For the Movies", and "Check Your Head".

Commercial success

After adding rhythm guitarist Yogi Lonich to the lineup in 1999, Buckcherry toured nonstop in support of the debut album, including opening for Lenny Kravitz on his Freedom Tour (1999), before going back into the studio in 2000 to work on a follow-up, Time Bomb (2001)

. The second album was considered a disappointment by many critics,allmusic ((( Time Bomb > Overview ))) and it didn't fare as well on the charts. Allmusic noted that "For a second record, it's surprising how jaded and nihilistic they are already.
Buckcherry performed opening dates for AC/DC in the spring 2000. In August 2001 after tension over the musical direction started to set in, Jonathan Brightman, Yogi Lonich, and Devon Glenn each successively left Buckcherry. However, Josh Todd and Keith Nelson planned to continue Buckcherry, and even began the writing process for a third album. It was during those sessions that Josh Todd unexpectedly left the band in July 2002, seemingly leading to Buckcherry's demise.

Later years

Josh Todd and Keith Nelson did perform together along with ex-Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum (also of The Cult) at the Randy Castillo tribute concert. Speculation ensued that Josh Todd would become the lead vocalist of the Project headed up by Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum. Josh Todd spent a month in the studio, reportedly completing 10 songs, but was abruptly dropped from the project by Slash. Todd was quoted as saying, "It was amazing, the band was slamming, and then Slash just came in one day and just shit-canned the whole thing." Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots was eventually chosen to helm the band that would become known as Velvet Revolver. Keith Nelson was given a songwriting credit on Velvet Revolver's track "Dirty Little Thing". Nelson then went on to write and produce on various records including Capitol Records artist Huck Johns single "Oh Yeah" on Huck released in 2006.

Recent events

Back on September 11, 2006, another lawsuit had been filed against the band, their current record label, and other related companies on behalf of a sixteen-year-old girl who claimed she was coerced into appearing topless and in various sexual scenarios at a concert while the band was playing a sexually-related song. According to sources, however, all participants in the video had to show proof that they were over eighteen years old and sign a release form further reaffirming their age. Band attorney Skip Miller is quoted in several news stories as stating, "This woman filled out a release form with false information. And once it was determined this woman was underage, the video was removed."

On April 15, 2008, Buckcherry announced they would be touring as part of Mötley Crüe's Crüe Fest, along with Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M., and Trapt. The tour began July 1, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

On September 16, 2008, the band released their fourth album, Black Butterfly, which debuted at number 8 on the top 200 charts. It was the number one rock album that week.

In May 2009 Kiss announced that Buckcherry will be the opening band in their 2009/10 US and Canadian tour. Here is a recent interview app.synclive.com?show/29396 with the band from May 2009 at Rock on the Range. On July 30 2009, Buckcherry featured in the Kerrang! Week Of Rock Tour with The 69 Eyes and Dear Superstar at the HMV Forum in London. Other bands in the Week Of Rock included Limp Bizkit, Youandmeatsix, and Lacuna Coil. DragonForce were also supposed to play during the Week Of Rock but pulled out.

On September 29, 2009, Buckcherry released their first live album, "Live & Loud 2009", which they played some of their biggest songs such as "Sorry," "Lit Up," "Talk To Me," and much more. The album was recorded in May 2009 during their Canadian tour in Edmonton, Calgary, and Medicine Hat.

Other projects

In April 2008, Buckcherry founding member Jonathan Brightman entered the studio to record a new record with producer Dave Cobb and former Buckcherry members Devon Glenn and Yogi Lonich. Using the name Black Robot, it features tracks written & performed by JB, Devon, Yogi, Dave Cobb, and Huck Johns. Executive produced by JB, Black Robot blends musical influences from AC/DC, The Black Crowes, and Led Zeppelin. The first Black Robot record, featuring the singles "BADDASS", "I'm in Love", and a cover of the Eric Clapton/JJ Cale classic "Cocaine", was released on May 5, 2009 on Amazon.com and iTunes. Black Robot added guitarist Chris Glenn in June of 2008, He left the band in March of 2009, and was replaced by Swedish born guitarist Andy Andersson. Guitarist Eli Wulfmeier was also added , as well as drummer Daxx Nielsen, son of guitar legend Rick Nielsen

Band members

Current

Josh Todd – lead vocals, occasional guitar, piano (1995–2002, 2005–present)
Keith Nelson – lead guitar, backing vocals (1995–2002, 2005–present)
Stevie D. – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)
Jimmy "Two Fingers" Ashhurst – bass guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)
Xavier Muriel – drums, percussion (2005–present)

Former

Yogi Lonich – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1999–2002)
Jonathan Brightman – bass guitar, backing vocals (1995–2002)
Devon Glenn – drums, percussion (1995–2002)

Discography

Buckcherry (1999)
Time Bomb (2001)
15 (2006)
Black Butterfly (2008)
Live & Loud 2009 (2009)

Signed Music Artists