Buckcherry And Fuel Crank Up The Heat At Venue’s Debut

Concert Review
Buckcherry
Fuel
Gratwick Waterfront Park
North Tonawanda, NY
Sunday July, 15, 2012
Review/Photos By: Joseph Suto

Buckcherry and Fuel played Gratwick Park in North Tonawanda Sunday afternoon to an overwhelming response. The show was what promoters hope will be the first of many at the new concert grounds. With the weather cooperating, temperatures were the lowest they’ve been all week, the rain held off as well making it an enjoyable experience.

The lineup for Buckcherry has remained the same since they reformed in 2005. Founding members singer Josh Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson were joined by drummer Xavier Muriel, Jimmy Ashhurst on bass and guitarist Stevie D.

Buckcherry took the stage with a pair of tracks taken from their Black Butterfly release, “Tired Of You” and “Rescue Me”. Singer Josh Todd was his usual self full of energy bouncing all over the stage especially during “Next 2 You”. As usual, “Lit Up” stood out as one of the highlights as well as “Dirty Mind”, both taken from the 99’ debut album. The band managed to mix in songs from all five of their studio releases, although for a while it appeared the band was going to skip playing anything from Time Bomb until Todd introduced the last song of the event “Whiskey In The Morning”. In my critical analysis of the set I could only find one blemish. During “Crazy Bitch” the need to extend it into an elongated version was not necessary. I do realize that this is the song that helped fuel their comeback in 05’, but they could’ve slipped in another gem instead. If I want to see a jam band I would’ve gone to Dave Mathews or something.

Buckcherry has been working on recording their latest effort entitled Confessions which will be released this fall. It had been a few years since they had last played the Buffalo metro area. This is one of those bands that seem to play better when they are headlining where the fan can experience the whole enchilada.

Fuel is back as singer and guitarist Brett Scallions, the lone original member left, led drummer Ken Schalk, guitarist Andy Andersson and bassist Brad Stewart through a torrid set of songs. Kicking off with “Last Time” the band also dealt out a new song entitled “Never Be The Same” which should be on their upcoming new release. Despite a few issues with the sound, the performance of the band was good. It was a short set but by the time the band ripped into their final song, “Hemorrhage (In My Hands), they left the crowd hoping they return to play a headlining set very soon.

In all a promising start to the Gratwick Waterfront Park Concerts. Perhaps next year the promoter’s can turn it into a series like the Labatt Concert Series out in Lockport.

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Buckcherry Set List
Tired of You
Rescue Me
All Night Long
Dead
Everything
Oh My Lord
It’s a Party
Next 2 You
Lit Up
Dirty Mind
Wherever I Go
Sorry
Crazy Bitch
Encore
Out of Line
Whiskey In The Morning