The Buck Pets
Encyclopedia
Formed in the late 1980s in Dallas, Texas
, The Buck Pets were clearly influenced by earlier bands such as The Replacements, Buzzcocks
and The Jesus and Mary Chain
but incorporated better production values and more overt nods to classic rock than their college rock/punk predecessors.
The band seemed to get a degree of support from their record label, Island
, for their first two LPs, the hard edged "The Buck Pets," and the more melodic follow up "Mercurotones."
On the eve of the release of Mercurotones, Island was bought by Polygram Records
- A&R staff were let go and projects were shelved while the new owners evaluated their new property. Support for The Buck Pets was now almost non-existent.
The band also had opening spots on tour with larger acts such as Neil Young
(Ragged Glory Tour) and Jane's Addiction
, but in the end The Buck Pets failed to see commercial success.
As a coda, The Buck Pets released the more restrained, melancholy "To The Quick" in 1993 on the independent label Restless
.
On April 10, 2010, The Buck Pets reunited for a one night show at Trees in Deep Ellum and released "RARES (and unreleased)" a collection of rare and previously unreleased material.
Ian Beach, bass
Ricky Pearson, drums (To the Quick)
Chris Savage, guitar/vocals
Chuck Smith, bass (The Sound of Deep Ellum)
Andy Thompson, guitar/lead vocals
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, The Buck Pets were clearly influenced by earlier bands such as The Replacements, Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton in 1976, led by singer–songwriter–guitarist Pete Shelley.They are regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock. They achieved commercial...
and The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid...
but incorporated better production values and more overt nods to classic rock than their college rock/punk predecessors.
The band seemed to get a degree of support from their record label, Island
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
, for their first two LPs, the hard edged "The Buck Pets," and the more melodic follow up "Mercurotones."
On the eve of the release of Mercurotones, Island was bought by Polygram Records
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
- A&R staff were let go and projects were shelved while the new owners evaluated their new property. Support for The Buck Pets was now almost non-existent.
The band also had opening spots on tour with larger acts such as 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...
(Ragged Glory Tour) and Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
, but in the end The Buck Pets failed to see commercial success.
As a coda, The Buck Pets released the more restrained, melancholy "To The Quick" in 1993 on the independent label Restless
Restless Records
Restless Records was started in El Segundo, California in 1981 by Enigma Records and primarly released alternative, metal and punk records. Restless also licensed and released records from Bar/None Records, Metal Blade Records and Mute Records...
.
On April 10, 2010, The Buck Pets reunited for a one night show at Trees in Deep Ellum and released "RARES (and unreleased)" a collection of rare and previously unreleased material.
Members
Tony Alba, drumsIan Beach, bass
Ricky Pearson, drums (To the Quick)
Chris Savage, guitar/vocals
Chuck Smith, bass (The Sound of Deep Ellum)
Andy Thompson, guitar/lead vocals
Albums
- The BuckPets (IslandIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
, 1989) - Mercurotones (IslandIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
, 1990) - To The Quick (RestlessRestless RecordsRestless Records was started in El Segundo, California in 1981 by Enigma Records and primarly released alternative, metal and punk records. Restless also licensed and released records from Bar/None Records, Metal Blade Records and Mute Records...
, 1993) - RARES (and unreleased) (Self-publishedSelf-publishingSelf-publishing is the publication of any book or other media by the author of the work, without the involvement of an established third-party publisher. The author is responsible and in control of entire process including design , formats, price, distribution, marketing & PR...
, 2010)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Modern Rock | |||
| 1991 | "Libertine" | 25 | Mercurotones |
External links
- Official website: http://www.buckpets.com/
- Mic The Tiger: http://www.micthetiger.com/
- Atlas Throat: http://www.myspace.com/atlasthroat