Buckcherry frontman Josh Todd has openly discussed his band’s deliberate incorporation of AC/DC influences across their discography. He shared insights about their creative process in an interview with Belgian Jasper.
Todd explained how AC/DC’s sound has been a consistent element in Buckcherry’s music throughout their career.
“There’s always AC/DC flavors on every Buckcherry record,” Todd said. “It goes all the way back to our first one, with ‘Lit Up’ and stuff.”
Todd detailed his approach to ensuring this influence appears on each album. He described his collaboration with the band’s production team.
“And I’m a huge AC/DC fan,” he continued. “I will always put it to [Buckcherry producer] Marti [Frederiksen] and [Buckcherry guitarist] Stevie [Dacanay, a.k.a. Stevie D.], once we’ve written a bunch of songs, I’ll always come in and say, ‘Where’s my AC/DC track?’ And then finally they’ll throw me a composition, like ‘Come On’, which is a really great song that we just dropped and we’re playing live. And it sounds a lot like AC/DC.”
Todd emphasized that despite the clear influences, the songs ultimately become distinctly Buckcherry through their own musical interpretation.
“But once you put my voice and our melodies and the words behind it, it’s a Buckcherry song,” he explained. “But that happens with all bands. You sometimes bring up artists or a song that you kind of wanna reference to get the creative juices flowing, to get everybody in the right direction. And then you just write — you write your own song.”
Todd’s candid admission about AC/DC’s influence reflects a broader pattern in Buckcherry’s musical approach. This pattern has shaped their sound since their formation.
Kent Tamplin Vocal Academy reported that Buckcherry’s style blends hard rock, punk, and classic rock elements. The band draws inspiration from iconic acts like AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Guns N’ Roses. This diverse range of influences has helped establish their distinctive sound within the rock landscape.
The band’s connection to AC/DC runs deeper than just musical inspiration. Louder Sound revealed that Todd’s personal relationship with AC/DC’s music dates back to his earlier days. He listened to the band during his pizza delivery job, and the music energized him. This personal connection has clearly translated into his professional work with Buckcherry.
Fans have also recognized these influences in Buckcherry’s catalog beyond the songs Todd specifically mentioned. AC/DC Fans Forum noted that listeners have identified similarities between Buckcherry’s hit “Crazy Bitch” and AC/DC’s classic “Back In Black.” This demonstrates how these influences manifest across different tracks.
The systematic approach Todd describes for incorporating AC/DC elements into each album shows how established bands can honor their influences while maintaining their own identity. Blabbermouth explained that this creative process reflects how many successful rock bands use musical references to spark their creativity and guide their songwriting direction.
The band recently released “Come On.” Todd specifically cited this track as an example of their AC/DC-influenced material.
