BUCK 65

'Richard Terfry' (b. 1972), better known as 'Buck 65', is a Canadian hip hop artist, MC and turntablist. However he has recently moved away from Hip Hop in a stylistic context, and moving closer to blues, country, rock, folk and avant garde genres. That said, his new direction is seemingly still underpinned by an extensive background in abstract hip hop, his trademark rhyme-phrasing and lyrical aspiration evident in the altered timbre vocal delivery displayed in his more recent releases.

Contents

Biography

Early career and influences

Early releases

Critical acclaim

''Kerrang!'' “Controversy”

Stage names

New Releases

Partial discography

Albums

Singles, 12"s, EPs

Videos

Awards

2006

2005

2004

2003

Trivia

See also

Notes

External links

Biography

Early career and influences

Terfry was born in 1972 and raised in Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia, a rural community outside of Halifax. He was first exposed to rap music in the mid-1980s while listening to CBC Radio's late night show Brave New Waves, and then by listening to Halifax campus community radio station CKDU. CKDU then broadcast at only 33 watts, and he had to climb a tree in his yard to hear the station's hip hop show on his cheap transistor radio. Fascinated by hip hop, the young Terfry taught himself how to rap, DJ, and, later, to produce records. His musical influences include MC Shan, David Lynch, Gitche Manitou, and Kool Keith.
Using the moniker 'DJ Critical', he later hosted a hip-hop show on CKDU called "The Bassment" (later renamed "The Treatment Program", when he assumed the stage name 'Jesus Murphy'), which aired for several years. This period overlapped with many of his non-major-label releases.

Early releases

In 1993, he released his first cassette of rap tunes while performing under the alias 'Stinkin' Rich' on the Halifax label No Records. The five song cassette was titled ''Chin Music'', which was a reference to his past interest in baseball. The release brought Stinkin' Rich to the attention of members of Halifax alternative rock band Sloan. Sloan signed him to their independent record label Murderecords and released a 7" single and a full length cassette called ''Game Tight'', again featuring a reference to baseball. (Terfry has often stated in interviews that in his teens he had been scouted to play for the New York Yankees but that the death of the talent scout coupled with an injury had caused the deal to fall through. [1].
After a brief break, Terfry returned reconstituted as 'Buck 65', releasing ''Language Arts'' on cassette and the 12" single ''Wildlife Trilogy'', followed by ''Vertex'', which included his popular song "The Centaur." He recorded ''Sebutonedef'' (released in 1996 by Funtrip Records) as a collaboration with fellow Halifax artist Sixtoo. Other releases by the duo, known as the Sebutones, are ''Psoriasis'' and ''50/50 Where It Counts''. While still far from mainstream success, he received several odd jobs in Canada's entertainment industry, including making soundtrack music and providing narration for a TV commercial for NBA apparel, and song lyrics for the popular children's program Sesame Street.
''Man Overboard'', originally released on the anticon. label, was a significant turning point in his career. The record, and the entire anticon. collective (of which Sixtoo was also a part), were considered hallmarks of a new avant-garde movement in underground hip hop. It was at this time that Buck met Cincinnati DJ Mr. Dibbs who inducted him into the 1200 Hobos, a loosely-knit hip-hop collective named for their proficiency in manipulating the Technics 1200 turntable.

Critical acclaim

Many of his early projects attracted attention after they were re-released, first on the independent Metaforensics label and subsequently by Warner Music Canada [2]. While Buck 65 has gained critical acclaim [3] and worldwide exposure through his major label deal, commercial success has escaped him. Although Warner's worldwide affiliates distribute his records, Warner USA does not. After a deal was signed with V2 USA, ''This Right Here Is Buck 65'' was released in the States, a sort of "Best of" that was marketed as an introduction to his work [4]. However after V2 chose not to release his next effort, ''Secret House Against the World'', the deal was amicably dissolved. Buck 65 is now looking for a new label in the US.
Buck's most recent albums have gradually moved away from his original pure hip-hop sound into territory influenced by folk, blues and electronica, with some even comparing elements of his sound to Tom Waits [5]. His most recent record is ''Secret House Against The World''. Some of Buck 65's music is used on the Canadian show ''Trailer Park Boys'', frequently in the character Julian's car. He gained additional recognition in 2006 when he appeared at the national Juno Awards with aging sex symbol Pamela Anderson [6].

''Kerrang!'' “Controversy”

In August 2004, he sparked controversy in the underground hip-hop world over comments he made to an interviewer in ''Kerrang!'' magazine. Buck was quoted as saying:
In response, former anticon. label-mate Sage Francis (in a post on his website) stated that "Buck has had his head up his arse for many years now." [7] Buck later wrote in a letter to Exclaim!:

Stage names

Buck 65 has also used a number of other stage names including 'Johnny Rockwell', 'DJ Critical', 'Jesus Murphy', 'Stinkin' Rich', 'Haslam', and 'Uncle Climax'. These pseudonyms typically represent different characters in his raps (as in Uncle Climax, Johnny Rockwell and Stinkin' Rich) or different aspects of Buck's creativity (as noted above, DJ Critical was his DJ name on CKDU.)
Rumours abound that Buck 65's alias comes from his childhood nickname of Buck and his weight of 165 pounds; possibly the pseudonym comes from the weight of the first buck he shot or the $1.65 standard bus fare for Halifax Regional Municipality riders. Buck 65's website mentioned previously that he was named after his uncle's 1965 Buick automobile ("'65 Buick" is a track on the Synesthesia album); he performed a show under that name but the promoter mistakenly wrote the name as it is now spelled.
Recently Buck 65 has recorded an EP under the name of Dirk Thornton alongside Irishman DJ Flip, it is scheduled for release early 2007 but a date has not yet been set.
The first release under Dirk Thornton will be a 7" single with the tracks "Yesterday's News" and "Catwalk".

New Releases

The latest music released by Buck 65 was a 5 song digital EP called "Dirty Work". It was released over a month long campaign, adding one song per week for free download via his MySpace page. All five tracks are still available for download on his official website. The EP comes with artwork drawn by Buck himself, and the tracks are all b-sides from his upcoming full length record.
On March 29th in a post on his blog, Buck 65 announced that in two weeks mixing on his next album Situation would begin with a release date set for October 30th, 2007. The cover for the album is currently viewable on the site's entrance page. On August 7th, it was announced on Pitchfork Media that "Situation" would be released in the US on Strange Famous Records. [8]

Partial discography

Albums

★ '''Weirdo Magnet (Re-release Artwork)'''
double cassette
1996
Independent/Metaforensics

★ '''Language Arts (Re-release Artwork)'''
Language Arts Part 1
1996
Independent/Metaforensics

★ '''Vertex'''
Language Arts Part 2
1997
Independent/Four Ways to Rock/Metaforensics

★ '''Man Overboard (Re-release Artwork)'''
Language Arts Part 3
1999
anticon./Metaforensics

★ '''Square (Re-release Artwork)'''
Language Arts Part 4
2002
Warner

★ '''Synesthesia (Re-release Artwork)'''
Language Arts Part 5
2002
Endemik

★ '''Talkin' Honky Blues'''

2003
Warner

★ '''This Right Here is Buck 65'''
2004
Warner

★ '''Secret House Against The World'''
2005
Warner

★ '''Strong Arm'''
Language Arts Part 7
2006
Self released downloadable mixtape [9]

★ '''Situation'''
2007
Warner Music/Strange Famous Records
Buck 65 - Shattered Dreams & Broken Crossfaders
Label: Unknown
Catalog#: Unknown
Format: Cassette, Album, Tape To CD
Country:
Released: 1995
Genre: Hip Hop
Notes:
Tracklisting:
1 Intro (1:10)
2 All About Me (4:00)
3 You Can't See Me (4:38)
4 Daisy (1:22)
5 Killy Nem See (3:55)
6 Who You Frontin' For (3:25)
7 Chin Music (3:44)
8 Success Without College (3:01)
9 Memories Of The Passed (4:51)
10 Kick The Poop (3:41)
11 Son Of 30,000 Feet (4:26)
12 Carefully By Hand (2:46)
13 The 1 Take Wonder (2:50)
14 We Are Men Who Eat Boiled Owls (2:53)
15 The Bum Rap (2:16)
16 Year Zero (3:16)
17 The Crossfader (3:08)
18 Connecting (1:54)
19 Siclimax (4:00)
Featuring - Sicsexed
20 Keep Your Hand Off My Girl (3:32)
21 Taking Breaks (3:18)
22 Michelle (Live) (2:35)
23 Formal Or Casual (2:20)
24 The Big Chief (2:46)
25 Yes Yes Ya'll (2:19)
26 Fucking Chicks (2:41)
Buck 65 Cage - CBC Live Studio Session
Label: Unknown
Catalog#: Unknown
Format: File, MP3, Ripped From Live Radio
Country: US/Canada
Released: 2002
Genre: Hip Hop
Notes: 03-11-2002 Radio Session
Tracklisting:
1 The Anthem (3:39)
2 Trees (02:52)
3 Shoes (3:02)
4 The Light (3:41)
5 Dad (3:03)
Buck 65 - Year Zero
Label: Unknown
Catalog#: Unknown
Format: Cassette, EP, Tape To CD
Country: Canada
Released: 1996
Genre: Hip Hop
Notes:
Tracklisting:
1 Here Is (1:08)
2 Style 386 (2:17)
3 In A Bad Way (Remix) (3:03)
4 Urine Trouble (2:22)
5 Hit The Breaks (2:00)
6 Porno Groove (0:58)
7 Keep Your Hand Off My Girl (3:39)
8 The Bassment Show (3:44)
9 Year Zero (1:58)
10 You Know The Science (3:39)
11 Who You Frontin' For (Remix) (4:02)
12 Speak Of The Devil (0:36)
13 Chiliwack (3:19)
14 Cat Piss (2:53)
15 A Mic In A Fist (2:14)
16 State Of The Art (1:28)
Buck 65 - Game Tight

Label: Murder Records
Catalog#: Unknown
Format: Cassette, Album, Tape To CD
Country:
Released: 1994
Genre: Hip Hop
Notes:
Tracklisting:
1 Three Up Three Down (3:27)
2 Easy To Be Hard (3:35)
3 Kick Up A Stink (3:55)
4 Caught Lookin' (1:35)
5 You're Pissin' Me Off (3:29)
6 Jackie Robinson (0:36)
7 Work To Do (3:13)
8 Mantenance (2:04)
9 Pennies From 87 (0:48)
10 Fully Equipped (3:09)
11 I Just Laugh (0:57)
12 Get Lost (2:53)
13 Ten Miles (3:36)
14 Thought So (3:40)
15 Killy Nem See (3:58)
Buck 65 - Chin Music EP
Label: Unknown
Catalog#: Unknown
Format: Cassette, EP, Tape To CD
Country: Canada
Released: 1992
Genre: Hip Hop
Tracklisting:
1 Intro (1:12)
2 All About Me (4:03)
3 You Can't See Me (4:47)
4 Daisy (1:24)
5 Killy Nem See (4:03)
''NOTE:''All Language Arts records prior to his major label signing were repackaged with new artwork, remastered, and re-released by Warner Music in 2002.

Singles, 12"s, EPs

★ '''Chin Music'''
Vinyl 12"
1993
No Records
performing as Stinkin' Rich

★ '''Stolen Bass'''
vinyl 7" single
1994
Murderecords
performing as Stinkin' Rich

★ '''Sebutonedef'''
Vinyl 12" single
1996
Four Ways To Rock

★ '''The Wildlife'''
Vinyl 12" single from ''Weirdo Magnet''
1998
Hand'Solo Records

★ '''The Centaur'''
Vinyl 12" single
1999
anticon.

★ '''Pants On Fire'''
from ''Man Overboard'' (video only)
2001

★ '''Phil'''
from ''Square'' (video only)
2003
Warner Music

★ '''Wicked & Weird'''
maxi single from ''Talkin' Honky Blues''
2003
Warner Music

★ '''4-6-3'''
cd single from ''Talkin' Honky Blues''
2004


★ '''Sore'''
7" single from ''Talkin' Honky Blues''
2004
Warner Music

★ '''Kennedy Killed The Hat'''
(video only) single from ''Secret House Against the World''
2005
Warner Music

★ '''Devil's Eyes'''
10" single from ''Secret House Against the World''
2005
Warner Music

★ '''Dirty Work EP'''
2006
Self-released download[10]
#"The Centaur" (1999) from ''Vertex'' (12" vinyl only)
#"Pants On Fire" (2001) from ''Man Overboard'' (video only)
#"Phil" (2003) from ''Square'' (video only)
#"Wicked & Weird" (6 October 2003) from ''Talkin' Honky Blues''
#"4-6-3" (5 April 2004) from ''Talkin' Honky Blues''
#"Sore" (4 October 2004) from ''Talkin' Honky Blues''
#"Kennedy Killed The Hat" (Summer 2005) from ''Secret House Against the World''
#"Devil's Eyes" (Autumn 2005) from ''Secret House Against the World''

Videos

#"To Mock A Killingbird" (1998) from ''Sebutonedef 12" vinyl''
#"Pants On Fire" (2001) from ''Man Overboard''
#"Phil" (2003) from ''Square''
#"Wicked & Weird" (6 October 2003) from ''Talkin' Honky Blues''
#"4-6-3" (5 April 2004) from ''Talkin' Honky Blues''
#"Kennedy Killed The Hat" (Summer 2005) from ''Secret House Against the World''
#"Devil's Eyes" (Autumn 2005) from ''Secret House Against the World''

Awards

2006

★ ''Devil's Eyes'', 'Winner' of the Juno Award for Video of the Year.

2005

★ 'Nomination' for the Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year.

2004

★ ''Talkin' Honky Blues'', 'Winner' of the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year.

2003

★ ''Square'', 'Nomination' for the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year.

Trivia

★ In 2005, he contributed to the UNICEF benefit song, "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?" along with Feist.

★ Appeared in the music video for "One Evening", dancing with Feist. Youtube clip

★ Raps in the song, "The Unthinkable" by Boom Bip, on the album, ''Seed to Sun''. AMG review

★ Performed a song called "Grocery Store Rap" on an episode of ''Sesame Street''. Youtube clip

★ Raps in the song, "When the Angels Make Contact", by Matt Mays, on the album ''When the Angels Make Contact''.

★ Buck 65's influence is starting to show in bands such as Will Teather's Birthday Letters and The Streets.

★ Appeared in the music video for "Got Up This Morning" by Sage Francis YouTube clip

See also

★ List of musical artists from Canada

Notes

External links

★ Official Buck 65 website

★ BBC collective session

★ Hand'Solo Records - early label with soundclips and interviews with Buck 65, plus message board

★ Buck 65 - Who he's worked with + discography

★ StolenBass.com - unofficial Buck 65 archive

★ Interview concert de Buck 65 Video Report 2006 on OC-TV.net

★ Buck 65 in Concert at CBC Radio 3, "Poet Overboard" article by James Graham

★ Streaming music and videos by Buck 65 on CBC Radio 3's New Music Canada
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