Buckcherry / Pistols At Dawn

Buckcherry Storms Into Cleveland, Ohio

***Buckcherry – House of Blues, Cleveland, Ohio***

Monday night in Cleveland, Buckcherry turned the House of Blues into a rock n’ roll furnace. Out in support of their fiery new album Roar Like Thunder, the band delivered a performance that was anything but routine. From the opening riffs to the final roar of “Crazy Bitch,” the night pulsed with high octane energy, gritty musicianship, and the kind of raw charisma only Buckcherry can bring.

On a steamy night in Cleveland, Buckcherry proved once again why they’re still a dominant force in rock. Playing to a solid crowd, aged 7 – 70, at the House of Blues, the band hit the stage in full throttle, opening with “Roar Like Thunder”, the adrenaline pumping title track from their brand new album released June 13. If you’re going to start a show with impact, this was the way to do it. And they didn’t let up. Rolling right into the classic “Lit Up” from their 1999 debut, the energy in the room doubled instantly.

Touring in support of Roar Like Thunder, their 11th, and arguably one of their strongest, releases to date, Buckcherry delivered the kind of high voltage, no holds barred performance fans have come to expect. They’ve always lived to play live, and it shows not only in their intensity but in their ever changing setlists, which keep each show fresh for both the band and their fans.

Frontman Josh Todd remains a magnetic force. Equal parts fearless vocalist and sharp showman, Todd moved across the stage with smooth, James Brown inspired swagger. His voice; still raw, soulful, and razor sharp, cut through each track with conviction. His crowd interactions were as lively as ever; at one point, he shared how he spent his day off catching a screening of Eddington the night before, and even dropped a humorous spoiler before dedicating the song “Good Time” to Joaquin Phoenix’s OMD.

Even after all these years, Buckcherry performances still feel spontaneous and alive. While the lineup has shifted over time, the current roster feels like a well-oiled wrecking crew. Joining Todd are longtime guitarist Stevie D., guitarist Billy Rowe, bassist Kelly LeMieux, and drummer Francis Ruiz. Together, they powered through the set with gritty precision and arena-worthy swagger.

Stevie D. handled most of the solos with flair, while Rowe brought heavy riffage and killer slide guitar work, particularly on “Blackout.” LeMieux and Ruiz were a thunderous rhythm section; tight, locked in, and relentless. Ruiz attacked the drums with explosive force, leaving behind shattered sticks as evidence, while LeMieux didn’t just anchor the bottom end, he made it growl.

Set highlights included crowd favorites like “Say Fuck It,” “Sorry,” and “Ridin,” but for me, the emphasis on newer material, such as “Let It Burn” and ” Come On” was a welcome surprise. Buckcherry has a deep catalog, and while crowd-pleasers like “Crazy Bitch” closed out the night in expected fashion (as part of a medley, no less), I personally wouldn’t mind seeing a few deeper cuts swapped in to keep the setlist even more adventurous.

***Pistols At Dawn – House of Blues, Cleveland, Ohio***

Another standout element of the night was the opening act: Pistols At Dawn, an up-and-coming American rock band featuring Jonathan Sookdew Sing (vocals), Will James (guitar), Gabriel Cuevas (bass), and Adam Jaffe (drums). They brought a modern energy to the stage, combining catchy, melodic songwriting with electronic and instrumental flourishes. Cuevas even busted out a keytar solo, and their raucous cover of Rage Against The Machine’s “Bulls on Parade” hit hard. They’re definitely a band to watch.

As road warriors, Buckcherry isn’t slowing down anytime soon—they’ve already announced a fall tour alongside the iconic Michael Monroe. As always, fans can expect another night of pure, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll wherever they play next.