INTERVIEW: BUCKCHERRY IN CONVERSATION WITH STEVIE DACANAY
Interview by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
No Barriers spoke to Stevie Dacanay from Buckcherry about their new album and more.
Buckcherry has released a new album ‘Roar Like Thunder’. It is a ten-track electrifying, “4 on the floor 1970’s guitar rock sounding” states guitarist Stevie D from Buckcherry. “It’s a pedal-to-the-metal blues rock ride”. The songs and that guitar sound captures the band’s raw energy and spirit. Buckcherry has been a band for 30 years and their mantra has been “to be the life of the rock ‘n’ roll party. It’s in our DNA,” says Stevie D. “We want people to come to our shows and enjoy the rock’n’roll and leave their problems behind for a while. We want to give people the Buckcherry escape – lose the negative side of life and offer some reprieve”.
And, with an album that has songs that swagger like: ‘Roar Like Thunder’, ‘Talking About Sex’, ‘I Go Boom’, ‘Let It Burn’ and ‘Blackout’. The whole record is designed to be the perfect soundtrack for a wild night of rowdy partying. “Well, we are a high energy and sometimes low IQ band,” says Stevie D. “We want our fans and rock music listeners to have a happy place where the big raw sound of rock makes you feel good. It encourages you to be who you are”.
Buckcherry have always been a band that edges around the heavier side of the rock kingdom, and they have always rebelled against expectations and trends while still maintaining excellence in delivering raw and powerful rock music. ‘Roar Like Thunder’ is their 11th studio album and “the pure, uncut, rock’n’roll music you’ve been jonesing for…” says Stevie D. “Yeah. ‘Roar Like Thunder’ rocks from the beginning to end. It has a deeper groove, it thumps with some punk rock, and there are relatable subjects in each song. It’s a balanced album. So, strap in and enjoy it”.
Stevie D said “the goal with this record was to deliver a straight-ahead rock album from start to finish” with no ballads. He credited long-time producer Marty Fredrickson, who has worked with the band on several past albums like ‘Vol.10’, for helping shape what he thinks are some of their strongest albums to date. Stevie D also reflected on Buckcherry’s evolution, both musically and personally, and he said: “We are just dads with our kids. We are stronger, more stable than we have been in years. We are enjoying what we are doing and touring has been fun”.
And Buckcherry has come out swinging with the title track ‘Roar Like Thunder’. “We have put the song in at the start of our touring setlist” says Stevie D. “We have been touring in the US with Steel Panther for the last few weeks. We have put three new songs into the set and fans have really taken to them. We are going on some new tours soon with Scorpion and Motley Crew. But first we head to Connecticut for a show in a few days”. Buckcherry, as a touring band, is Josh Todd (vocals), Stevie D. (guitar), Billy Rowe (guitar), Kelly LeMieux (bass) and Francis Ruiz (drums).
“We want to come back to Australia” says Stevie D. “But we just need to make sure the timing is right – so early 2026 – looks likely. We are really proud of the new album and we want to play it for our Australian fans. We think our sound is raw, dryer, mature – it’s a guitar riff album – it has the Buckcherry sound. We hope that people will enjoy the songs”.
If you love your rock ‘n’ roll being a sonic wall of aggression: huge, raw and blues-tinged with 1970’s guitar overtones that sounds up-tempo, fun and dangerous - like a runaway freight train coming at you – then ‘Roar Like Thunder’ will be for you. This album is pure vintage Buckcherry.
Buckcherry’s 11th studio album, ‘Roar Like Thunder’, is out 13 June 2025 through Round Hill Records.
