Tim SchumannBuckcherry makes its return to Speaking Rock
Boy, what a hot time in the old town as in El Paso Texas we had last Saturday night as Buckcherry made its glorious return to Speaking Rock Entertainment Center. Of course, the 29th had been circled on my calendar as soon as this show was announced and to make it even better, the show was at Speaking Rock. This show is the first I’ve covered for On Tour Monthly at Speaking Rock, so with that said, let me take the opportunity to share a little bit about this outstanding venue. Personally, I have been only interested in the free shows they do on the regular, but they’re way more than that, the Tigua Indians are a huge part of our community here in El Paso, sponsoring special events, they have the Winners Circle to where they give away brand new vehicles, they do the half time show at the annual Sunbowl on New Years, free concerts, professional boxing matches and let’s not forget the State of the Art casino inside, this place has everything, fun, food and family.
I love the free shows they put on, I’m talking top national touring attractions such as, Cypress Hill, Staind, Sevendust, Steel Panther, Incubus, Slayer, HELLYEAH and this list goes on and on. To their credit, the staff at the shows are second to none, everything is run tight and on time, a well-oiled machine, if you will. A quick shout out to Manny, Juan, Matt, Maria and Karl, these guys make it happen and because of their undying efforts is the reason you’ll have the best concert experience ever, an experience you won’t soon forget.
Buckcherry has always been one of my favorites, first time I saw them was on the Time Bomb tour back in 2001 in Florida, I covered them back in 2015 at the Uproar Festival in Alburquerque and now twice here at Speaking Rock. Hailing from Los Angeles, the boys are going on 25 years together, cranked out 10 albums, the latest being Vol. 10, makes sense. Lineup changes, a 3-year hiatus, nominated and winning awards, taking the Best Pop Award via BMI Awards for the song Sorry in 2009. The current lineup and has been since Kevin Roentgen left in 2020 is Josh Todd doing Vocals, Stevie D, lead guitar, Kelly LeMieux on Bass, Billy Rowe on guitar and Francis Ruiz on Percussion.
The show started promptly at 7:30 with local support Aftermath. A super popular band here in the borderland, they played for a solid hour and a half of rock and metal covers to an eager crowd, got them really warmed up for the main event. Here’s a little fun fact, as long as I’ve been doing this never once had I heard the crowd scream for an encore to a cover band, yeah, I must admit, they were really good, could be the reason they’re so popular.
Buckcherry hit the stage at 9:30 sharp with Lit Up (A crowd favorite) and never took they’re foot off the gas for the next 90 minutes. Buckcherry is a band that never stops, they resemble an unstoppable rebel force, kickin’ ass and taking names is an understatement. These California hard rockers are seasoned veterans at putting on one fun loud sticky rock show, Josh Todd hasn’t changed one bit in all the years I’ve followed them, he gets the audience eating from the palm of his hand, he truly is the master and commander of the stage. Stevie D joined the band in 05 and what an addition he has made, talk about the perfect fit, it’s a sheer pleasure watching him perform, a true journeyman on a six string. These guys went through a 13-song set list like a hot knife though butter, it’s what they do, they serve up a helping of old-fashioned American rock and roll and that’s just what the rabid crowd at Speaking Rock got last Saturday night, I’m not sure it gets any better that. Buckcherry is forever on the road, my buddy shot them last Saturday at Summerfest in Milwaukie, one week later they’re in El Paso, needless to say, they’re everywhere, check those dates, this show comes highly recommended, you can tell Stevie D, I sent ya,
Photography and Story by Tim Schumann
Set List-
Lit Up
So Hott
Somebody Fucked with Me
Ridin’
Hellbound
Porno Star
Bent
Summer of 69
Let’s Get Wild
Sorry
Gluttony
Good Time
Say Fuck It
