"We're into all those naughty pleasures
nobody likes to talk about," says
Buckcherry guitarist Keith Nelson. "We
were living and breathing rock 'n' roll when
it wasn't in style, and 10 years from now,
when it's out of style again, we'll still be
doing it." Adds singer Joshua Todd: "For a
while there, it wasn't cool to be happy
about sex because people were terrified by
it. Now, people have been dealing with
AIDS for a while and they've learned how
to live with it and be sexy again-they're not
afraid to express their dirty little minds."
With Lit Up (due in 1999 on DreamWorks
Records) serving as their calling card,
Buckcherry may well be the much-needed
black eye on the woe-is-me musical
outlook of the 90's. Ditching contrived
angst in favor of streetwise attitude and
rowdy fun, the 11-track disc spews a
glorious blast of trashy garage punk and
whiskey-drenched rock swagger.
Producers Terry Date (Pantera,
Soundgarden, White Zombie) and Steve
Jones (of the Sex Pistols) helped Lit Up a
short fused scorcher reminiscent of
Buckerry's combustible live show.
"Steve Jones is a rock 'n' roll animal."
Nelson testifies. "He brings an amazing
vibe. This record wouldn't be what it is
without him. Also working with Terry
brought out the heavier side of us. There's
an immediacy, an attack, an explosion
when we play live, and I think Terry
captured that."
Buckcherry formed in Los Angeles during
the summer of 1995 when Nelson and
Todd met through their tattoo artist. The
duo hammered out a few demo tapes on a
cheap four-track recorder, drawing on
influences as diverse as KISS and Smokey
Robinson for inspiration. "I used to listen to
punk rock and then got turned on to Prince
and Billy Idol." Todd explains. "I always had
this weird mix of music going on, but it was
the best of all worlds."
The band was completed by bassist
Jonathan (J.B.) Brightman, drummer
Devon Glenn and guitarist Yogi. J.B. met
Todd and Nelson at a downtown Los
Angeles rehearsal space. He'd been
listening to them through the wall and was
intrigued by what he heard. Glenn's arrival,
too, seemed fated-he was the first and last
drummer the group considered. Yogi is a
more recent addition, but his diverse
musical background clicked immediately
with that of the other members. He was
also quick to join in his new mates'
collective approach to songwriting.
With assistance from Hollywood recording
studio owner Bruce Bouillette, the fledgling
band gained invaluable experience and
encouragement and was soon generating
a buzz around LA thanks to a heavily
bootlegged demo tape and a swelling
reputation as a must-see live act.
"I was always inspired by live
performance," says Todd. "The energy
loud music gives me allows me to get out
what's inside of me. I like to dance. This
band is all about movement, garb and
style. It's all about ripping your fucking
head off."
And the name? "Our LA shows were
getting packed," Nelson recalls, "and there
was this transvestite name Buckcherry who
always used to bum cigarettes off me
outside the shows. He was a nice buy, but
a complete Hollywood freak." Which, to
Buckcherry, is a good thing.
