Buckcherry

Buckcherry is an American hard rock band from Anaheim, California, active since 1995. Their sound is tagged across hard rock, heavy metal and rock, and they have also been associated with alternative rock, alternative and grunge.

Formation and early years

The group forms in Anaheim in 1995 around vocalist Josh Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson, who meet through a mutual contact and record demos before building a band with bassist Jonathan Brightman and drummer Devon Glenn under the name Sparrow. After a legal notice from another band with that name, they change to Buckcherry. The name is a spoonerism of Chuck Berry, although the band also says it is inspired by a drag performer known as Buck Cherry.

Todd previously fronts the band Slamhound. He grows up in Anaheim Hills and later lives in Lake Forest, California.

First albums and initial break-up

The band signs with DreamWorks Records and performs on the Los Angeles club circuit. Its self-titled debut album appears in 1999 and is produced by Terry Date. It includes the singles “Lit Up”, “For the Movies”, “Dead Again” and “Check Your Head”. The album is certified gold and becomes DreamWorks Records’ first album to reach that level.

Following the debut, rhythm guitarist Yogi Lonich joins the group. Buckcherry tours extensively, supports Lenny Kravitz, appears at Woodstock 99 and later supports AC/DC in 2000. The second album, Time Bomb, follows in 2001. It receives mixed critical reaction and sells less strongly than the debut. Several members leave between 2001 and 2002, and the band goes on hiatus in 2002 while work on a third album remains unfinished.

Reformation and commercial return

During the hiatus, Todd and Nelson work with former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum on the project that becomes Velvet Revolver. Todd records material during the early sessions but does not stay in the final line-up, and Nelson receives a songwriting credit on Velvet Revolver’s “Dirty Little Thing”.

Buckcherry reforms in 2005 with Todd and Nelson joined by Stevie D., Jimmy Ashhurst and Xavier Muriel. The band releases 15 in 2006, and the album restores its commercial profile. The singles “Crazy Bitch” and “Sorry” come from the record, with “Sorry” reaching the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100.

Later albums and line-up changes

The band appears on Crüe Fest in 2008 alongside Mötley Crüe, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M. and Trapt. Its album Black Butterfly reaches number eight on the Billboard 200 and tops the rock album chart in its release week. Todd also provides guest vocals on Escape the Fate’s This War Is Ours.

In 2009, Buckcherry tours with Kiss and plays international events. It releases the live album Live & Loud 2009, which contains recordings from its Canadian tour. All Night Long follows in 2010 and enters the top ten of the Billboard 200. The band continues to tour and issues further material, including the single “Christmas Is Here”, and contributes “Wherever I Go” to the Avengers Assemble soundtrack.

Confessions is released in 2013, followed by the EP Fuck in 2014, on which each track title contains the word in the EP’s title. Rock 'n' Roll follows in 2015. In 2016, “The Feeling Never Dies” features Gretchen Wilson.

Keith Nelson and Xavier Muriel leave in 2017 because of differences in direction. Kevin Roentgen and Sean Winchester join as replacements, and Roentgen later leaves in 2020, with Billy Rowe taking his place. Warpaint appears in 2019, and Hellbound, produced by Marti Frederiksen, follows in 2021. The album is supported by “So Hott” and a North American tour. The band records its eleventh studio album in Nashville with Frederiksen in 2024.

Recent work

Vol. 10 appears in 2023, and Roar Like Thunder follows in 2025. That album is preceded by the singles “Roar Like Thunder” and “Come On”. The band also signs recording plans with Endurance Music Group and F-Bomb Records, and its touring activity continues.

Members

Members associated with Buckcherry include Josh Todd, Keith Nelson, Jonathan Brightman, Devon Glenn, Yogi Lonich, Jimmy Ashhurst, Stevie D., Xavier Muriel, Kevin Roentgen, Sean Winchester and Billy Rowe. Other musicians linked with the group include Kelly LeMieux and Kelly LeMieux, as well as Kelsey, though the core line-up changes over time.