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 Best known for their smash hit “Lit Up” (you know, “I love the cocaine”) off their self-titled debut album, Buckcherry released a new CD this year titled Time Bomb. The album continues to keep the flame alive that has been passed by such acts as the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Aerosmith. And with songs such as “Porno Star” and “Drinking Whiskey in the Morning,” the lyrics are as eye-popping as those on the band’s previous release. NY Rock recently met up with singer/songwriter Joshua Todd before the band’s show at Irving Plaza, July 31, 2001. Josh talked about the inspiration behind his provocative lyrics and his views on the current state of rock ’n’ roll. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
How's life on the road? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOSH: | We'll be out here eight months tomorrow. It's good, a steady flow. I like playing live. Living out of a bag can be a drag but the shows make up for all of that. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
What are the changes that transpire over the years from starting out as new comers to becoming an established rock act? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOSH: | There's a maturity level where you're a lot more consistent every night. That comes from being a baby band and having to prepare your shows without a whole lot of production. I'm better as a performer. More mature songwriter. All that. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Do you have a preference between headlining or being with a group of acts on the bill? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOSH: | Headlining our own shows is the best place for Buckcherry. I think this is the best way to get the Buckcherry experience. When we have total control over what goes on in the show. When you play with other bands, you're not on your time, you're on somebody else's time. This way is a lot more fulfilling, I think. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
How do you think your music fits in with the current music scene? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOSH: | I don't think it fits in that well at all. It's unfortunate that rock bands are having a bit of a struggle at this time. We've managed somehow to overcome that and exist out here. Not at a grand level, at some point I hope it gets to that place. It's much better than being in a flavor-of-the-month band. I would never want to be that. I've never been that. I'm very happy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
What do you think of the music out there right now? What new acts do you listen to? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOSH: | I think there are some really great records. You just have to search for them. I've been listening to Nikka Costa's record. I love her record. I still listen to that PJ Harvey record that came out last year. What do I think of music right now? It's really fuckin' in a bad place. It's just really boring. You got all these B-grade Blink-182 bands. Then you've got rap rock that's so played out. Then you have all these pop acts that I'm personally over. I can't believe they've lasted as long as they have. There aren't really these characters or people with a whole lot of talent. It's kind of a drag. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Let's talk about your music, your lyrics. They're very provocative. What's it based on: fact, fiction, fantasy? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOSH: |
But I'll observe the lives around me. It'll rub off on me. Before you know it, I'll see some of it lyrically in what I'm doing unconsciously. I'll see a documentary and I'll write it in the third person like "Porno Star." Or "Dirty Mind" was about Norma Jean Baker (Marilyn Monroe); I really like her. There are all kinds of things. I've had a very colorful past so I always write about that. Love. Struggles. Relationships. Everything. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
What direction are you taking the band? What's slated for Buckcherry's future? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOSH: | We just want to make great records from beginning to end. That's really all we shoot for. We're constantly growing, so I always know the record's going to be a little different. Even Time Bomb is sonically much different [from Buckcherry]. It's more melodic. You hear more of my voice in the record. It's much different from the first one even though it's a rock record. We don't want to throw anybody for a total 180. That would just be a little strange. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Do you write on the road? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOSH: | All the time. There's a lot of spare time during the day. We have a little studio in the bus. A little eight track where we record ideas. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
It's a while back, but what did you think of the whole Woodstock '99 experience? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOSH: | We played the first night and then left so we didn't see all the stupid shit that happened eventually. But, personally, there was so much hype that by the time we got on stage it was like, "This is it?" I just wanted to move on, you know. It was a little too much for one show. But it was fun to be a part of it and to be able to say, Hey, we played Woodstock. Was it our best gig? No. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
What was your best gig? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOSH: | There's been a lot. A good show has to do with the combination of band and audience. Sometimes it clicks and it's really fun. And sometimes it's just not there, not quite like one of those evenings when you go: Wow, that was fuckin' crazy. Every now and again I have one of those out-of-body experiences live where I go: Wow, this is so amazing! I still have that. August 2001 More Photos from the Irving Plaza Show, 7/31/01 More Buckcherry: CD Review, Concert Review, Interview, News, More Send this page to a friend • Mailing list • Current stories • Classifieds
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