Gig Review and Live Photos : Robert Cavuoto
Buckcherry released one of their greatest albums to date, Roar Like Thunder. The album is filled with adrenaline-filled songs, each with a tempo of 180 beats per minute, and no ballads.
As surely as the sun will rise each morning, Buckcherry will be touring in a town near you in support of their latest release. The band’s relentless touring schedule has them performing on stage nearly every night. When they hit the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ, on July 18th, Josh Todd [vocals], Stevie D. [guitar], Kelly LeMieux [bass], Billy Rowe [guitar], and Francis Ruiz [drums] tore through it like a sonic hurricane. It was a no-holds-barred, high-energy show that only Buckcherry could deliver.
The band opened their 90-minute, 16-song set with the title track from Roar Like Thunder, then unleashed a knockout combo of “Lit Up” and “So Hott.” It was a statement that made one thing clear—they weren’t just here to play; they were here to dominate. With decades of hard-earned experience under their belt, Buckcherry has fine-tuned their arsenal of anthems designed to hit hard, fast, and leave a lasting impact. The band reimagined and delivered a gloriously unfiltered version of Icona Pop’s hit “I Love It” as “Say Fuck It,” which was featured on their 2014 EP Fuck. It was loud, proud, and pure Buckcherry.
With a voice that could ignite a riot, Josh owned the stage with his smooth, James Brown-inspired dance moves. Equal parts showman and fearless vocalist, he kept the sweaty crowd in the palm of his hands all night. Each song was dripping with soul, and the lyrics hit like a punch to the gut—raw, passionate, and authentic.
The guitar assault came courtesy of Stevie D. and Billy, who set fire to every riff. The pair are a well-oiled wrecking crew; they powered through the set with gritty precision and arena-sized attitude, with songs like “54321,” “Ridin’,” and “Let it Burn.” Their chemistry shone as they tag-teamed rhythms and melodies. Stevie, who took the spotlight on most of the solos, while Billy handled big riffs and slide guitar work on “Blackout.”
The unstoppable rhythm section of drummer Francis and bassist Kelly performed as if they shared a single heartbeat. Their intensity seemed supercharged. Francis was a machine behind the kit, blasting through fills with such force he left a trail of shattered drumsticks in his wake. Meanwhile, Kelly didn’t just hold down the low end—he commanded it, turning his bass into a weapon with edgy, descending runs that gave the songs their thunderous swagger.
The night ended just as it started, with an extended version of “Crazy Bitch.” No flashy props, no pyro, no gimmicks—just five guys locked in and letting it rip with pure, groove-inspired energy.
Tickets to catch one of their live shows can be found here: https://www.buckcherry.com/tour
About Author
