Josh Todd
Encyclopedia
Josh Todd is an American musician and actor, best known as the lead singer of the rock band Buckcherry
.
. He attended high school at Trabuco Hills High School
in Orange County, California
and graduated in 1989. Prior to his days in Buckcherry
, Todd fronted the Hollywood glam rock
band Slamhound. Slamhound was signed to Skydoor Records, an independent record company that was unsuccessful in releasing a Slamhound album even though the band recorded over a dozen songs with Josh as the lead singer. While in Slamhound, Josh honed his musical style, moving away from glam and more towards punk. In 1995, Josh met guitarist Keith Nelson through his tattoo artist. The two agreed to meet because of their shared love of AC/DC
. They soon formed the band Sparrow, which later changed its name to Buckcherry. He later married Mitzi Martin
, an American actress and model.
In 1999, Buckcherry released their debut self-titled album
, featuring the hit "Lit Up
". The album had a very commercial sound, far away from the glam punk music of his earlier bands.
In 2001, the band released their second album Time Bomb
. Josh and Keith went on to play a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
/Mötley Crüe
drummer, Randy Castillo
, alongside former Guns N' Roses
members Slash
, Duff McKagan
, and Matt Sorum
. The band, for that show, was named Cherry Roses. The band went on to record about ten songs under the name "The Project" before the others decided to replace Todd and Nelson with Scott Weiland
and Dave Kushner
, respectively. The band went on to become Velvet Revolver
. One song, "Dirty Little Thing
", was written during the time with Josh and Keith and gives the latter co-writing credits.
In 2005, Josh Todd reformed Buckcherry with Keith Nelson and new members Stevie D., Jimmy Ashurst, and Xavier Muriel.
In 2008, Todd was one of the four backing vocalists for the hard rock
band Mötley Crüe
for the gang vocal version of "Saints of Los Angeles
".
Todd has released 5 albums with Buckcherry and one solo album. He also performed at the Canadian Live8 venue in Barrie, Ontario in 2005. He first joined Darryl McDaniels
, Tom Hamilton
and Joey Kramer
of Aerosmith
, and others on stage for a rendition of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way
" and then later joined all other performers on stage for a version of Neil Young
's "Rockin' in the Free World
".
He has appeared in several movies in both credited and uncredited roles including playing the part of "Rudy" in the 2002 teen comedy The New Guy
and several small parts in xXx
and The Salton Sea
. He has also appeared in the 2008 thriller Eagle Eye
.
In 2008 Josh appeared on Escape the Fate
's album This War Is Ours
in the song "10 Miles Wide" and "Harder Than You Know". He was featured in the music video for "10 Miles Wide" in 2009.
Buckcherry
Buckcherry is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1995. The band released two albums, Buckcherry and Time Bomb , before partially dissolving in the summer of 2002. In 2005, lead vocalist Josh Todd and lead guitarist Keith Nelson reformed Buckcherry and released a new album...
.
Background
Josh Todd grew up in Anaheim Hills, California and later moved to Lake Forest, CaliforniaLake Forest, California
Lake Forest is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 77,264 at the 2010 census.Lake Forest incorporated as a city on December 20, 1991. Prior to a vote of the residents in that year, the community had formerly been known as El Toro since the 1880s...
. He attended high school at Trabuco Hills High School
Trabuco Hills High School
Trabuco Hills High School is a high school in Mission Viejo, California, United States. It is the largest school in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District in terms of attendance, with over 3,400 students enrolled as of the 2010-2011 school year....
in Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
and graduated in 1989. Prior to his days in Buckcherry
Buckcherry
Buckcherry is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1995. The band released two albums, Buckcherry and Time Bomb , before partially dissolving in the summer of 2002. In 2005, lead vocalist Josh Todd and lead guitarist Keith Nelson reformed Buckcherry and released a new album...
, Todd fronted the Hollywood glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
band Slamhound. Slamhound was signed to Skydoor Records, an independent record company that was unsuccessful in releasing a Slamhound album even though the band recorded over a dozen songs with Josh as the lead singer. While in Slamhound, Josh honed his musical style, moving away from glam and more towards punk. In 1995, Josh met guitarist Keith Nelson through his tattoo artist. The two agreed to meet because of their shared love of AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
. They soon formed the band Sparrow, which later changed its name to Buckcherry. He later married Mitzi Martin
Mitzi Martin
Mitzi Martin in Los Angeles, California is an American actress and model, most notable for her roles in the films Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, Joe Dirt, Dude, Where's My Car?, and The Island. Her likeness and image were also used for the character Cate Archer in the computer game No One...
, an American actress and model.
Career
In 1999, even before the debut Buckcherry album had ever been released, Josh was featured in one of Rolling Stone's last issues of 1999 as "What's Hot In The New Millennium," which included a center-fold photograph of him.In 1999, Buckcherry released their debut self-titled album
Buckcherry (album)
Buckcherry is the eponymous debut album by the rock band Buckcherry. It was released on April 6, 1999 by DreamWorks Records. "Lit Up", "For the Movies", "Dead Again", and "Check Your Head" were released as singles...
, featuring the hit "Lit Up
Lit Up
"Lit Up" is the debut single by Buckcherry, taken from their debut album, Buckcherry.-Lyrics and riff:The song is about using cocaine, with the lyrics and tempo describing the high felt from the drug. There are 2 guitars on the track, one plays power chords in standard tuning and the other plays in...
". The album had a very commercial sound, far away from the glam punk music of his earlier bands.
In 2001, the band released their second album Time Bomb
Time Bomb (album)
Time Bomb is Buckcherry's second album and the last with the original line-up. It was produced by John Travis [] and released on March 27, 2001 by DreamWorks Records.-Release and reception:...
. Josh and Keith went on to play a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
/Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
drummer, Randy Castillo
Randy Castillo
Randolpho Francisco Castillo was best known as Ozzy Osbourne's drummer during the mid 1980s to the early 1990s, and later as drummer for Mötley Crüe, from 1999-2002.-Early years:...
, alongside former Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
members Slash
Slash (musician)
Saul Hudson , known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N'...
, Duff McKagan
Duff McKagan
Michael Andrew "Duff" McKagan is an American musician and writer. He is best known for his twelve-year tenure as the bassist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s...
, and Matt Sorum
Matt Sorum
Matthew William Sorum is an American rock drummer and percussionist. Sorum is most famous for his 7-year stint in Guns N' Roses and supergroup Velvet Revolver , which is comprised in part of former Guns N' Roses members Duff McKagan and Slash .-Early career :Matt Sorum was born Matthew William...
. The band, for that show, was named Cherry Roses. The band went on to record about ten songs under the name "The Project" before the others decided to replace Todd and Nelson with Scott Weiland
Scott Weiland
Scott Weiland is an American musician, lyricist, and vocalist, most notable for his work with Grammy Award-winning rock band Stone Temple Pilots. Weiland is also known for his five-year career with supergroup Velvet Revolver as well as his own solo career...
and Dave Kushner
Dave Kushner
David "Dave" Kushner is an American musician perhaps best known as the rhythm guitarist for the hard rock supergroup Velvet Revolver...
, respectively. The band went on to become Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver is an American hard rock supergroup consisting of former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, alongside Dave Kushner formerly of punk band Wasted Youth. Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland was Velvet Revolver's lead singer from their formation until...
. One song, "Dirty Little Thing
Dirty Little Thing
"Dirty Little Thing" is a hard rock song by the supergroup Velvet Revolver, released as the fourth single off the band's debut album Contraband...
", was written during the time with Josh and Keith and gives the latter co-writing credits.
In 2005, Josh Todd reformed Buckcherry with Keith Nelson and new members Stevie D., Jimmy Ashurst, and Xavier Muriel.
In 2008, Todd was one of the four backing vocalists for the hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
for the gang vocal version of "Saints of Los Angeles
Saints of Los Angeles (song)
"Saints of Los Angeles" is the Grammy-nominated first single from Mötley Crüe's album of the same name. It was released on April 11, 2008, and started airing on radio stations on April 15 and charted at #5 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. In the original Gang Vocal version, found on the album,...
".
Todd has released 5 albums with Buckcherry and one solo album. He also performed at the Canadian Live8 venue in Barrie, Ontario in 2005. He first joined Darryl McDaniels
Darryl McDaniels
-Video game appearances:*The Warriors - Scopes*Guitar Hero: Aerosmith - Himself- External links :* * * * * http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/12/entertainment/la-et-people-speak12-2009dec12...
, Tom Hamilton
Tom Hamilton (musician)
Thomas William "Tom" Hamilton is an American musician, best known as the bassist of hard rock band Aerosmith. He has co-written two of Aerosmith's hits, "Sweet Emotion" and "Janie's Got a Gun". Hamilton occasionally plays guitar and sings backing vocals Thomas William "Tom" Hamilton (born...
and Joey Kramer
Joey Kramer
Joseph Michael "Joey" Kramer is the drummer for the American hard rock band Aerosmith....
of Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, and others on stage for a rendition of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way
Walk This Way
"Walk This Way" is a song by American hard rock group Aerosmith. Written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, the song was originally released as the second single from the 1975 album Toys in the Attic. It peaked at Number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1977, part of a string of successful hit...
" and then later joined all other performers on stage for a version of Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
's "Rockin' in the Free World
Rockin' in the Free World
"Rockin' in the Free World" is a song by Neil Young, released on his 1989 album Freedom. Two versions of the song were released, similar to the song "Hey Hey, My My " of Young's Rust Never Sleeps album, one of which is performed with a predominantly acoustic arrangement, and the other with a...
".
He has appeared in several movies in both credited and uncredited roles including playing the part of "Rudy" in the 2002 teen comedy The New Guy
The New Guy
The New Guy is a 2002 American teen comedy directed by Ed Decter. The film tells the story of high school loser Dizzy Gillespie Harrison. Dizzy is an unpopular, high school band geek going through a hellish senior year...
and several small parts in xXx
XXX
XXX may refer to:* The number 30 in Roman numerals* The year 30 AD* Games of the XXX Olympiad, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England* Super Bowl XXX, held on January 28, 1996* A mark indicating "extra strong"* Alcoholic beverages...
and The Salton Sea
The Salton Sea
The Salton Sea is a 2002 American neo-noir film starring Val Kilmer and Vincent D'Onofrio directed by D. J. Caruso.-Plot:While playing the trumpet in a burning room, the protagonist's voice is heard in narration. His story begins with him posing as "Danny Parker", a speed freak addicted to...
. He has also appeared in the 2008 thriller Eagle Eye
Eagle Eye
Eagle Eye is a 2008 thriller film directed by D. J. Caruso and starring Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan. The two portray a young man and a single mother who are brought together and coerced by an anonymous caller into carrying out a plan by a possible terrorist organization...
.
In 2008 Josh appeared on Escape the Fate
Escape the Fate
Escape the Fate is an American post-hardcore band from Las Vegas, Nevada formed in 2005 and originally from Pahrump, Nevada. They have released three EPs and three full-length studio albums. Dying Is Your Latest Fashion was the band's debut album and only album to feature vocalist Ronnie Radke...
's album This War Is Ours
This War Is Ours
-CD:-Deluxe special edition:-Chart positions:-Personnel:This War Is Ours album personnel as listed on Allmusic.Band* Craig Mabbitt – lead vocals* Bryan Money – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, acoustics guitars, keyboards, vocals...
in the song "10 Miles Wide" and "Harder Than You Know". He was featured in the music video for "10 Miles Wide" in 2009.
Pending lawsuits
Buckcherry and Josh Todd along with their manager Allen Kovac are all parties to several lawsuits filed by Todd Meagher and TODD Entertainment, LLC. These lawsuit were still pending as of 2011. One of the suits include a violation of the RICO Act claiming that Allan Kovac conspired with several individuals to "poach" Josh Todd and the Buckcherry name from Meagher and TODD Entertainment, LLC in 2004. Due to these lawsuits Buckcherry has been unable to trademark the Buckcherry name.Tattoos
Josh Todd is known for his multitude of tattoos including a full backpiece, full sleeves and heavily inked chest, stomach and legs. A partial list of his tattoos follows:- A suicide King of Hearts with the word "Love" above it and "Desire" below it covering his entire back.
- The word "CHAOS" above his navel and a black widow spiderBlack widow spiderLatrodectus mactans, the Southern black widow, is a highly venomous species of spider in the genus Latrodectus. They are well known for the distinctive black and red coloring of the female of the species and for the fact that she will occasionally eat her mate after reproduction. The species is...
below. - The word "Willow" in script across his upper-chest/collarbone area. Willow is the name of his youngest daughter. His other daughter is Sutherlan and is 16. She lives in Ga.
- The word "STAY" on his right knuckles and "GOLD" on his left knuckles, spelling out "Stay Gold" when put together, a reference to The OutsidersThe Outsiders (novel)The Outsiders is a coming-of-age novel based in 1965 by S. E. Hinton, first published in 1967 by Viking Press. Hinton was 15 when she started writing the novel, but did most of the work when she was sixteen and a junior in high school. Hinton was 18 when the book was published...
. - Matching spiral tattoos on his shoulders, sometimes referred to as "Spiritual Headlights".
- Matching skulls over spider webs on his kneecaps.
Singles
| Year | Song | US Mainstream Rock Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Shine" | 42 | You Made Me You Made Me You Made Me is the solo album by Buckcherry's frontman and lead singer Josh Todd.-Track listing:#"Mind Infection"– 3:04#"Broken" – 3:40#"The Walls" – 3:59#"Flowers And Cages" – 3:45#"Shine" – 3:45#"Afraid" – 3:39#"Blast" – 3:22#"Burn" – 3:08... |
| 2008 | "Lovely Bones" | - | |
Guest appearances
- 2002 – "The New Guy" the movie. He played the character Rudy.
- 2002 – "The Shield" series. Episode 1.6: "Cherrypoppers".
- 2003 – "Rain" – DJ Muggs – DustDust (DJ Muggs album)Dust is a 2003 album released by Cypress Hill producer DJ Muggs. It is a departure from his previous works, as it is more of a trip hop, rock, electronica based CD. The album was originally released on ANTI- Records, then re-released on ANTI-'s sister label, Epitaph Records, on May 8, 2007...
- 2006 – "Watchtower" – D.M.C. – Checks Thugs and Rock N RollChecks Thugs and Rock N RollChecks Thugs and Rock n Roll is the first solo album from Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels. He was inspired to put out this album when, at age 35, he found out he was adopted-Track listing:...
- 2007 – "Blow" – AtreyuAtreyu (band)Atreyu is an American rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 1998. The band consists of vocalist/lyricist Alex Varkatzas, guitarists Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel, bassist Marc McKnight and drummer/vocalist Brandon Saller...
– Lead Sails Paper AnchorLead Sails Paper Anchor-Album:-Singles:-Personnel:* Dan Jacobs– lead and rhythm guitars* Alex Varkatzas – lead vocals, lyrics* Brandon Saller – vocals, drums, percussion* Travis Miguel – rhythm and lead guitars* Marc McKnight – bass guitar, backing vocals... - 2008 – "Saints of Los AngelesSaints of Los Angeles (song)"Saints of Los Angeles" is the Grammy-nominated first single from Mötley Crüe's album of the same name. It was released on April 11, 2008, and started airing on radio stations on April 15 and charted at #5 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. In the original Gang Vocal version, found on the album,...
" – Mötley CrüeMötley CrüeMötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
– Saints of Los AngelesSaints of Los Angeles-"Saints of Los Angeles":The first single, "Saints of Los Angeles", was released on April 11 and started airing on radio stations on April 15, 2008. The song was given further promotion through the music video game Rock Band, being released as downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace and... - 2008 – "10 Miles Wide" and "Harder Than You Know" – Escape the FateEscape the FateEscape the Fate is an American post-hardcore band from Las Vegas, Nevada formed in 2005 and originally from Pahrump, Nevada. They have released three EPs and three full-length studio albums. Dying Is Your Latest Fashion was the band's debut album and only album to feature vocalist Ronnie Radke...
– This War Is OursThis War Is Ours-CD:-Deluxe special edition:-Chart positions:-Personnel:This War Is Ours album personnel as listed on Allmusic.Band* Craig Mabbitt – lead vocals* Bryan Money – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, acoustics guitars, keyboards, vocals... - 2010 – Bones (TV series). Episode 5.19: "The Rocker in the Rinse Cycle"