Buckcherry
an interview with Stevie D
by Tina Hall
April 2010
Buckcherry's Stevie D
Buckcherry had a RIAA Gold debut album in 1999. The band went on hiatus in 2002. In 2005, they reformed with three new members; bassist Jimmy Ashhurst, drummer Xavier Muriel, and Guitarist Stevie D. In 2006, Buckcherry enjoyed renewed success with the album “15” garnering RIAA Platinum status and a Grammy nomination.Their newest offering is titled “Black Butterfly” and recently toured the U.S opening for KISS.
Maximum Ink: Can you tell us a little about where you are from? How did being fromthere influence you to become a musician?
Stevie D: Well, I’m from Chicago.. and I really don’t know that it had any influence on me becoming a musician as much as it did on what kind of musician I was going to be. There’s ALL types of music there but it’s mostly known worldwide for the blues. There’s few different sides to my playing, the blues and R&B side was influenced by Pete Cosey (Chess Records, Miles Davis, Earth, Wind & Fire) and my brother Gary Dacanay. The rock side was all the other people I grew up around and all the music they blasted in their cars and at parties
MI: Did you always want to be a musician?
SD: Yea as far as I can remember.. I’ve never been this passionate about anything else ..and I still love it as much I did when I started.
MI: What bands/projects where you involved with before Buckcherry?
SD: Since about ‘97 I’ve been a hired gun of sorts. Back then I was with a band on Warner Bros., which led to groups on Wind-Up and Arista Records. I would come in and do a record, then start touring.. and the band would end up being dropped. All decent groups I suppose, but ultimately ill-fated because of a fucked up record industry. Just before I joined Buckcherry I also played guitar for Josh Todd’s solo band
MI: What was it like to be asked to join them?
SD: It was a God-shot, really. I was bottoming out in the California/Arizona desert wondering if I’d ever play music again when I got the call. It was more about getting to make music with people that I already knew and loved rather than strangers, something I had been doing for a few years at that point. I had been friends with Josh Todd since ‘92 and known Keith Nelson since about ‘97 or ‘98.
MI: How did working with them most differ from you past work?
SD: At that point I had only been with groups to make immediate money or not have to work a day gig.. which ended up never being the case. When I got the call from Keith, I knew it was going to be about MUSIC. Also this band has a relentless work ethic. No one i’ve met works harder. And one of the first things he said about re-forming Buckcherry is that it HAD to be fun. He was right, it’s years later and we’re still having fun.
MI: What was it like touring with KISS this summer?
SD: What can I say? I had the time of my life.. KISS and the audiences treated us like kings. This whole record cycle has been a blast, we’ve spent the last year and a half touring with bands like Mötley Crüe, Avenged Sevenfold and Papa Roach.
MI: What are some of your hobbies when you are not working in the industry?
SD: It’s feels like I’m never not working hahaha:) But when there’s time, I’ve been obsessed with photography. My hotel rooms and even my loft at home are usually scattered with cameras, film, books.. you can see more of that at www.stevied.tv
MI: What aspect of the music industry appeals to you most?
SD: Not much these days, unfortunately. It’s in a real bad state. Although Buckcherry is truly blessed. We’ve been successful through a struggling economy..
MI: What can fans look forward to in the months ahead? And where can they
go to get the latest information on the goings on?
SD: Right now it’s January and we’re in Keith’s studio working on Buckcherry’s 5th album. So far this album feels a bit more effortless than the previous. I’m not just saying this but it’s sounding amazing already. That may be because we’re just that much more comfortable with each other as players or we’re more on the same page as far as what we want the outcome to be. As far as info? Always check with www.buckcherry.com. As far as the months ahead? We’ll be touring worldwide by spring or summer with the best album Buckcherry’s ever had.
• Wiki
Buckcherry
CD: Black Butterfly Record Label: Eleven Seven Music
• Purchase Black Butterfly on Amazon