Buckcherry

Buckcherry
Buckcherry
	File:BuckcherryPromo2005.jpg
Background information
Years active	1995-2002, 2005-present
Members	Josh Todd; Keith Nelson; Stevie D.; Xavier Muriel; Jimmy Ashhurst
Past members	Jonathan Brightman - Bass; Devon Glenn - Drums; Yogi - Guitar
Website	www.buckcherry.com

Buckcherry is a Los Angeles rock band, formed in 1995. The band released two albums (1999's self-titled debut and 2001's "Time Bomb") before dissolving in summer 2002. In 2005, Josh Todd (lead vocals) and Keith Nelson (guitarist) put together a new band using the Buckcherry moniker and released a new album in April 2006 called 15, and it spawned Buckcherry's biggest crossover hit to date, "Crazy Bitch".

History

Buckcherry was formed after Josh Todd met 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. Buckcherry began performing the Hollywood club scene, receiving a strong, local following due to their old school Rock N' Roll vibe. They got their name from an outrageous transvestite, Buck Cherry, who would bum cigarettes from Keith Nelson after gigs in Hollywood.

They were signed to DreamWorks Record shortly after. 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, ex-Sex Pistols Steve Jones), included three modern rock chart hits in "Lit Up", "Check Your Head", and "For The Movies".

After adding second guitarist Yogi to the lineup, Buckcherry toured non-stop in support of the debut album before going back into the studio in 2000 to work on a follow-up, 2001's Time Bomb. The second album was considered a disappointment by many critics^{[citation needed]}, and it didn't fare as well on the charts. All Music Guide noted that "For a second record, it's surprising how jaded and nihilistic they are already."[1]

Buckcherry performed opening dates for their heroes AC/DC in the spring and received increased fanfare. Shortly after, it was posted on Buckcherry's website that Brightman was no longer a part of Buckcherry, although no further details were given. Yogi and Glenn also departed the band in the following months. However, Todd and Nelson planned to continue Buckcherry, and even began the writing process for the third album. It was during those sessions that Josh Todd unexpectedly left the band in July 2002, seemingly leading to Buckcherry's demise.

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 Todd would become the lead singer of the "Project" headed up by Slash, McKagan, and Sorum. 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 shitcanned the whole thing." Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots was eventually chosen to helm the band that would become known as Velvet Revolver. Nelson was given a songwriting credit on Velvet Revolver's track "Dirty Little Thing."

Todd then created a partnership and company with Todd Meagher (TODD Entertainment, LLC), and released the album You Made Me. In 2004 Todd filed a lawsuit to release himself from exclusive recording, other agreements and to obtain the exclusive use of the Buckcherry name. Both Meagher and the company counter-sued. The litigation is still pending.

On September 11, 2006, A lawsuit has been filed against the band, their current record label and other related companies on behalf of a 16 year old girl who claims 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 18 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." [2]

As of June 2007, according to blabbermouth.net, a new album is in the works.

Band Members

Current Members

Josh Todd- Vocals (1995- )
Keith Nelson- Guitar (1995- )
Stevie D.-Guitar (2005- )
Xavier Muriel- Drums (2005- )
Jimmy Ashhurst- Bass (2005- )

Former Members

Jonathan Brightman - Bass (1995-2002)
Devon Glenn - Drums (1995-2002)
Yogi - Guitar (2000-2002)

Discography

Singles

Year	Song	US Mainstream Rock	US Modern Rock	US Hot Digital Songs	US Pop 100	US Hot 100	Album
1999	"Lit Up"	1 (3 weeks)	33	-	-	-	Buckcherry
1999	"For the Movies"	25	24	-	-	-	Buckcherry
1999	"Dead Again"	38	-	-	-	-	Buckcherry
2000	"Check Your Head"	29	-	-	-	-	Buckcherry
2001	"Ridin'"	9	-	-	-	-	Time Bomb
2006	"Crazy Bitch"	3	13	37	52	59	15
2006	"Next 2 You"	18	-	-	-	-	15
2007	"Everything"	6	23	-	-	-	15
2007	"Broken Glass"	33	-	-	-	-	15

"Crazy Bitch" also reached #2 on the hot ringtones chart.

Trivia

The band performed at Woodstock 1999.

Josh Todd and drummer Xavier Muriel performed at Live 8, performing a rendition of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" with D.M.C., formerly of Run-D.M.C. Josh Todd also was one of many singers in Neil Young's performance of "Rockin' in the Free World".

Josh Todd fronted the glam/punk band Slamhound in the early 90's.

Josh Todd has a small cameo in the movie The New Guy and the band appears in The Banger Sisters, playing the song Dead Again.

Josh Todd has a small role in the episode "Cherrypoppers" of the FX show The Shield

Josh Todd has a small cameo in the movie XXX (2002) with Vin Diesel.

Josh Todd has a role in the movie The Salton Sea (2002) with Val Kilmer.

Actress Tara Reid plays the video girl in Buckcherry's video for "For the Movies."

Former member, Yogi has played with Meredith Brooks, The Wallflowers, Sound Assembly and is currently the lead guitarist in Chris Cornell's band.

Buckcherry performed a cover of the Dramarama song "Anything, Anything (I'll give you)" for the movie Road Trip which is only available on the movie's soundtrack.

Their group name resembles Chuck Berry, one of the fathers of rock, instead the first sound of the letters are switched. This transformation is called a Spoonerism. The name however actually refers to a transvestite who used to bum cigarettes from the band when they were known as Sparrow. A Christian music label got them to change their name. Unfortunately, unlike the Misfits, they didn't get any studio time out of this deal.

Former Eighteen Visions guitar player Ken Floyd now works as a guitar tech for Buckcherry, following his own band's breakup. Both bands had previously toured together in 2006.

External links

Lyrics

Buckcherry Lyrics