Musician Interview with Josh Todd by Florida Entertainment Scene.

Josh Todd Interview at Boomerz Boiler Room in Seminole, FL

Q: What was your reason for leaving Buckcherry?

JT: I'm getting that (question) a lot. There were a lot of reasons, ya know? There were a lot of pieces of that puzzle that started falling apart. Mainly, it wasn't a band anymore. When we got off tour in 2001, I think our last show was in Tokyo, Japan. We got home and one of the guys had quit. Our Bass player had quit prior to going to Japan. We had a guy fill in. Devon and Yogi quit when we got home. So it was just Keith and I. Keith and I had started the band so it's funny how it came full circle. We tried to keep the band together for about seven months after that. We wrote about twenty songs for our third record. It just wasn't going in the direction I thought it needed to go in to be really successful. I had to make a decision for myself. That's really it.

Q: Your album "You Made Me" was released last month. What are you thoughts on the album and what are some of your favorite
tracks off the album?

JT: The album is great. It's a beautiful piece of art. We worked really hard. We wrote about thirty songs for the record. I love the record it came out exactly the way I wanted it to. I think big reason why, there wasn't a lot of chiefs in the tribe. As far as big record labels. Big management trying to disrupt the creativity process. My favorite song off the record probably is "Blast" and "Lovely Bones."

Q: How did you decide which songs you wrote and recorded will make it onto the record?

JT: Whenever you get into the writing process usually there's about eight songs that everybody kind of agrees is the core of the record. it's the songs that keep reoccurring and everybody keeps talking about. You let your camp listen to everything not just the band. Your manager and producer. You try and talk it out. So it was really kind of arguing over the last five (songs). it's kind of a voting process actually. We get together and throw in our favorites and the majorities got on the record.

Q: Your shows on this tour can fans purchase the CD before it is released on March 9th?

JT: They can purchase the CD at the show or they can purchase the CD right now at joshtodd.com, along with Merch and they can find out touring information. There's a message board and everything on there.

Q: Do you have a personal favorite song you like to perform live?

JT: yeah, "The Walls." It's very personal to me. It's a great place to go. It's a vocal rest for me a nice time to relax.

Q: You have a lot of tattoos. I wanted to ask you about the one on your back that says love and desire. Why did you get that tattoo?

JT: Well it's a suicide King of Hearts. Which is the only King that has a knife through his head. So that's unique for me. I love the king aspect what it represents. Because that's what I feel I represent in my world. Love and desire are two of my favorite words. It's passion. Love is my god.

Q: Do you have a favorite place to get your tattoos?

JT: I get it done mainly by one guy. Kevin Quinn, did most of my (tattoos) in Los Angeles. A few other people have tattooed my legs. But mainly it's Kevin Quinn.

Q: On your website you have a message board. How often do you read it and answer questions fans ask?

JT: I actually responded to one today. I try to read it at least once a week and answer a few questions.

Q: How can a fan join your street team?

JT: They just have to get on the message board. Tell us where they're at and what they want to do. We will get them in the process. Usually when we're on the road we'll have people to help out in those areas. So less costly. We don't want to take people on the road.

Q: If you weren't a musician what would you be?

JT: Boxer.

Q: Do you have any pre show rituals to get amped up your shows?

JT: I listen to the first Rage Against The Machine record all the way through.

Q: Who are some of your favorite bands?

JT: I like PJ Harvey, I'm listening to that Maroon5 record a lot right now. I like all kinds of stuff. Prince, Stevie Wonder, 50 Cent, NWA and Public Enemy.

Q: Do you have any memorable moments from this tour that you'd like to share with our readers?

JT: Memorable moments? Yeah The Culture Room, (in Fort Lauderdale, FL), I really have memorable moments every now and again, I'll do a show and the energy will be just right. The sound will be just right. You kind of have that out of body experience, you know? Where your just like man this is great. This is why I do this. That happens usually once a week for me. Rarely do we go a week without a show does not have that magic. There was one at the Culture Room. There wasn't a lot of people there necessarily, it was just everybody was really excited about life, which is cool for me.

Q: It's your dream concert. You can play with any band or artist past or present at any venue in the world. Who would you perform with and where would your dream concert be?

JT: Already done it. we played with AC/DC in Madison Square Garden in New York. Such a dream come true. I played with Aerosmith in Osoka, Japan which is a very sacred place for me. Those are really great bands for me. I would love to play with Rage Against The Machine but they are no longer around. Playing with PJ Harvey or Skunken Nancy another band that broke up would have been great. Playing with them in London would have been cool.

Q: Do you have anything to say to the fans of Josh Todd?

JT: Go to Joshtodd.com and check out "You Made Me." You won't regret it.

Q: Josh thank you for your time I wish you much success.