Buckcherry
Once upon a time in Los Angeles--during the infamous mid-'80sGuns N' Rosesera--the City of Angels was spewing forth dirty, blues-influenced rock bands.Little Caesar,Junkyard, theHangmen--even the names were redolent of dirty rock & roll, Harleys, and barroom brawls. A new breed of rebel rock has emerged in Buckcherry--sober, tattooed blues-metallers whose charismatic singer, Josh Todd, boasts a compelling Iggy Pop-Jim Morrison-Axl Rose persona. Buckcherry's 12-track debut album, produced by Terry Date (Pantera) with coproduction from formerSex PistolSteve Jones, kicks off with the nasty, aggressive groove of "Lit Up." While the song is irresistible, many might have a problem with the "I love the cocaine" chorus. Still, Todd's persona works well with the band's aggro, melodic stomp, and with bands such as theBlack Crowes,Nashville Pussy, andHonky Toastkeeping barroom rock alive, Buckcherry are a ballsy and bold entry into the fray, as suited to share a stage withHanoi Rocksas they would be withMotörhead.--Katherine Turman