Earache Records
June 13
Words by Mark Polst
Buckcherry are at it again.
The Cali rock nutters are dropping their 11th bloody album, Roar Like Thunder, on June 13, and it’s exactly what you’d expect – loud, trashy, fun as hell, and packing more swagger than a pissed off chook on a trampoline.
The new single Set It Free just landed, with a flashy LA-shot lyric video (because why the fk not?), and it follows the previous tunes Roar Like Thunder and Come On, both of which sound like they were written in a strip club during a midlife crisis, in the best possible way.
Just like their last couple of records (Vol. 10 and Hellbound), this one was cooked up in Nashville with long-time mate and rock whisperer Marti Frederiksen, who’s worked with everyone from Aerosmith to Def Leppard, so you know he knows his shit. His son Evan is on board too now, so it’s a full family affair, just minus the awkward Christmas dinners.
Frontman Josh Todd and guitarist Stevie D still run the show, hammering out riffs and sleaze-drenched lyrics like they’re allergic to subtlety. Track names like Talking Bout Sex, I Go Boom, and Machine Gun tell you all you need to know. It’s all pub-rock bravado, no pretence – and honestly, bless ’em for it.
The boys prepped this beast for a whole damn year, demoing on the road and polishing it up with Frederiksen. Apparently, egos were left at the door, probably next to a crate of beer and a pair of leather pants. The result? Ten tracks of sweaty, unapologetic, middle-finger-up rock that’ll either make you bang your head or roll your eyes, depending on how allergic you are to fun.
Professional? Sure. Refined? Fk no. But Roar Like Thunder doesn’t give a toss about trends or taste – it’s a band doing exactly what they’ve always done, cranking it loud, singing about shagging, and having a bloody good time.
It’s dirty, dumb rock ‘n’ roll, and sometimes, that’s exactly what the doctor didn’t order, but you’re gonna take it anyway.
