(FAN) Is there a future for the Buck Dharma Band? Have you remotely considered putting out a CD with the "Band". Was Flat Out a one deal project or did you think of doing more than one solo album at the time?

(Buck) Yep, the BDB is an ongoing thing. The Video and Audio from the Ricky Browning Benefit Concert will be available when post production is complete, and that's just the beginning. After the BOC EWheel record is finished, the BDB band will play some area (NE) dates and work on new material. The goal is a commercial BDB CD of all new material, and tour dates, existing concurrently with BOC commitments.

(FAN) Buck has been playing Steinberger guitars for quite a while. What influenced his decision to switch from Les Pauls and would he ever consider playing them again?

(Buck) I like Steinberger guitars ever since they created the wood bodied bolt on neck models. The size, action, neck profile and cosmetics all suit my sytle. I'll always use what I feel is necessary to get the sound I want, however. I've played the Tobacco Brown Les Paul Special I used for much of the late 70's and early 80's as well as Paul Reed Smith guitars on the EWheel record.

(FAN) I was wondering if Buck takes or has taken any lessons at all, (ie. singing lessons, etc...) and if he does, what differences and/or advantages it has made in his performance/career?

(Buck) I'm self taught on guitar, and have studied voice for the last year or so. I continue to develope guitar technique and the instruction in voice gives me capacity I couldn't get by myself.

(FAN) What made you pick up your first guitar and learn how to play?

(Buck) I started playing guitar when I had a cast on my left wrist after breaking it playing basketball. I was a drummer at the time, and I started playing lead guitar, picking melodies on just the first (bottom string). After the cast came off, I hired a friend of mine as a drummer and became a guitar player. I never looked back.

(FAN) How does Buck feel about the Bouchard brothers these days, in particular, Albert? What is Bucks thoughts on the possibility of the Bouchard brothers ever playing with BÖC again?

(Buck) My current relations with the Bouchard brothers are cordial if a bit distant. I respect the music that Albert's creating with tBS. Aside from making the fans 'feel good', I don't see much value for me in reforming the original BOC. I don't think we can recreate the personal/creative dynamic we had in the early days, and frankly, there isn't enough crass/commercial incentive to do it.

(FAN) Why did Buck quit playing his white three pickup sg gibson?

(Buck) That guitar was a '69 cherry red SG standard, with two pickups, refinished white. I started playing Les Pauls, then Humbucking pickup Strat, during the BOC glory years. The guitar was later stolen.

(FAN) What is Buck's take on Ezekiels Wheel? - Is it completely recorded/mixed/ready-for-pressing? What is the latest status of the record deal?

(Buck) The Ezekiel's Wheel record will be finished this fall (small amount of recording and mixing) and released in the new year. It couldn't have been finished before now. It'll be out when it's out, but It's definately coming.

(FAN) Does that instrumental you play before DFTR have a name?

(Buck) No, it doesn't. Want to name it?

(FAN) What was your worst, most embarrassing experience on stage?

(Buck) Oh I probably am forgetting it, but what comes to mind was the time at Bill Graham's Day on the Green when I whipped my Les Paul off at the end of the show and slammed it into my forehead, gushing blood and seeing stars. I tried to look cool....

(FAN) What does your pre-show warm-up involve?

(Buck) I do a forty minute vocal warmup and play acoustic guitar for the same amount of time, or on my electric if I don't have an acoustic.

(FAN) Which do you prefer soundwise, a transistor or a tube amp?

(Buck) It all depends. The classic tube guitar amp sound can't be replicated exactly, but there is virtue in Transistor sounds, too. My current live setup uses a transistor pre-amp (ART Powerplant) and a tube output section (Crate Blue Voodoo 120 watt heads [2]) into one or two 4X12 cabs. On the record, I used a great Mesa Boogie Mark II head for much of the lead work.

(FAN) There is a large variety of styles in BÖC music. Songs like The Red And The Black, The Reaper and Take Me Away, for example, differ very much from each other. What is your favorite type of BÖC music? What is your #1 live song?>>

(Buck)Oh, I can't pick a fave. I take pride in pulling off difficult material with grace and style, but I also like slamming the easier more primitive stuff too. It's just gotta sound vital and never tired or rote. When I feel like I'm goin' through the motions, I'll stop playing.