Buck began
playing guitar at the tender age of 12. Influenced by all the rock n roll
greats, he spent his teens playing and singing the songs of his heroes.
As time moved
on his interest in country and roots music developed. This lead to the
formation of his first band, The Russian Rockabillies, with Bernie Nolan
(bass) and Tony Clarke (drums). Joined by several guest members along the
way, the band took the live scene by storm. Happy to sing and play anywhere,
the guys would often take the act to the streets! They were joined by a
succession of fiddle players, saxophonists and percussionists as they busked
their way around the country.
Moving on to
the more modern psychobilly sound of the time, Buck formed
The Outer Limits
with Deny D (slap bass) and Barry Shales (Drums). The early 80's saw them
filling the warm-up slot at Liverpool's Larks In The Park festival for an
unknown band destined to do slightly better than The Outer Limits...
Frankie Goes To Hollywood!
Moving away
from Liverpool to study in London, Buck met up with Tony McMillan and Paul
Bushell to form The Krewmen. The band went on to get a part as Elvis’s
backing band in the touring version of
Elvis The Musical. The show took the
20-strong cast (including three Elvis's) all over the UK and Canada, playing
80 Elvis numbers every night to packed houses!
After the
tour, Buck moved back to Liverpool and met Davy Jones (now photographer to
the stars!). Davy introduced him to Mart Nixon (bass) and Paul Levick
(drums) and took a totally tangental musical direction with
One Last Fight.
Mixing the influences of all the band members, the band had one of the most
original sounds around and courted a dedicated, loyal following. Tipped by
many at the time to be the 'next big thing' to come out of the City, the
band fell at the last hurdle. Their legacy is a much sought after EP 'Menage
a Trois' (vinyl of course!) and a track on the 'Ways To Wear Coats'
compilation of Liverpool bands. But beware; One Last Fight were not for the
faint-hearted!
The late 80's
saw Buck retiring to the studio and selling his prized Gretsch Double
Anniversary guitar to buy a drum machine! Hooking up with a couple of guys
from Liverpool's neo-funksters, Ryan, Buck formed
'56 Kiss with Phil Armagie
(drums) and Bill Frank (bass). Their funked-up-rock mix of live drums and
bass over sequenced keyboards being way ahead of its time.
Throwing all musical credibility aside, Buck joined forces with Trav of The
Jactars and moved over to Mallorca in the early 90's. Performing everything
from The Drifters to Status Quo, the guys had a ball entertaining the
holidaymakers of sunny Santa Ponsa!
Returning to
the UK, Buck has spent last 15 years as DJ and promoter in the clubs and
pubs of North West England and North Wales. The break has enabled him to go
back to his roots and put together his own studio. He is currently
rehearsing and recording a fantastic catalogue of songs old and new all with
the big, country flava! Get ready to dance again!
The journey has
only just started, but Buck would like to thank the following good people
who he has met so far along the way..
Hank-Williams-Hamish (a true genius)
Barry Jenkins (i'm still not sure...)
Greg 'handy' Hannah (you will never know...)
Gary Ford (for that brilliant coat!)
Nick Belger (thanks for believing)
Jane Buchanan (Scouser Jane!)
