Why The Bouchard Brothers Left Blue Oyster Cult - Interview

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[@fivestring65ify]

One of the most enigmatic bands in history. They are one of the few bands who sound like themselves and no one else.

[@tubetea]

They are so good live also.

[@markskubal844]

Had to shut it off…. YA KNOW, YA KNOW, YA KNOW! I can’t take it any more!

[@derhandtrommler]

In 1976, My ex wife and I were in the car returning from planning her father's funeral. On the radio, came "Don't Fear The Reaper" and I was hooked. Under the circumstances, My ex wasn't so enamored. Our divergent music tastes became a major issue. Besides, her father hated me.

[@georgegeranios2918]

The band wives made made it clear that Albert's girlfriend" was unwelcome. Albert, fatefully, rented a car and the two travelled separately. When Albert arrived late for several gigs the die was cast for conflict. I was mixing under a plastic tarp at that Jones Beach show.

[@davethewave62]

BOC are the GOAT!!! Not the same without the brothers Bouchard👍❤ RIP Allen and Sandy❤

[@annunacky4463]

A drummer friend got pancreatic cancer. At a local bar, folks held a fundraiser / jam and he only played one song due to being very tired. It was Don’t fear the reaper. He passed a few months later.

[@davidrobertson5881]

You know you know you know you know you know you know you know….how many times did they say that ? You know……

[@garymack8070]

I don’t know , yknow ?

[@Davy.J.Y]

I love the album, Fire of Unnown Origin . It is such an enjoyable listen , one of my all time fave rock albums.

[@charlesivey100]

I first saw BOC at the Warehouse in New Orleans on their Agents of Fortune tour and Rush was their opening act. They had the light show and all that night. Later, I saw them on other tours, with opening acts like Head East, Foghat and a few others. Great band to see live and they always played for a long time.

[@boomer3150]

I saw BOC, Jan 2, 1976, and Rush opened for them. This was at the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago. Great concert.

[@andrews527]

Always a long set, but the second half was jams and covers. You wish for more songs hearing a BOC boot.

[@richardclark.]

I have seen them soo many times. My group had a rule that you had to see them three times to be an official cult member. Lol. Remember the big Godzilla head with the light up eyes and the fire and smoke breath! One night in Carbondale Ill. Albert tried to bounce his sticks off the snare and stick it in the Godzilla head and he missed every one. They stopped the song and we all counted up to like 20 until he finally hit one and then the whole place went nuts! Man, to be stoned and 16 again!

[@steev11]

I saw BOC on the 1986 Club Ninja tour in Philly when they opened for Rush. Crazy how the roles flipped.

[@user-yn1sf9mq3z]

i was lucky enough to see them play a free show at south park amphitheater in 2008, i believe. they were the only band and they played for a couple hours. it was awesome! rudy sarzo was playing bass for them.

[@KennyCamaro2364]

Great to hear from Al and Joe! Thank you!

[@markbirchette8740]

B.O.C! I've seen them countless times live since the Fire Of Unknown Origin tour. I loved it when they wrote with the author and Hawkwind member Michael Moorcock.

[@pault151]

Their collab songs were often great! Black Blade with Moorcock, then Golden Age of Leather (Bruce Abbott), the Meltzer songs, Patti Smith, and many of the John Shirley songs are excellent.

[@terryking2217]

They were the second concert I had ever seen. Mahogany Rush and Starz opened the show.

[@waffalobill]

Gotta mention. BOC was my first concert. I seen them like 5 or 6 times in the 70s and early 80s. Seen the full Lazer light show to. I lived in upstate NY in a small town. Some real big bands didn't play our arena cause it only had 5000 seats, 7000 capacity. Tickets was always like $5 or $6. They never disappointed. Thanks for stopping in our tiny town and rocking us out. Very much appreciated. Never will forget it.

[@mr.snicker-doodles7081]

Saw them open up for Sabbath in 1980, they were great! Albert sang Dr. Music....they were REALLY good, I was blown away!

[@jornfox3545]

Albert's drumming on the song 'I love the Night', still gets me everytime. On some of the greatest songs, the drummer can be the star of the show.

[@richardclark.]

There are a million players that everyone calls the most under rated. I am better than quite a few of them. Buck IS under rated and a serious MONSTER player!

[@guitarsnstuff93422]

Got to hang out with Albert in Detroit. Cold nasty blizzard and nobody showed up but us really. Iroc lounge. They got done playing and came and partied with us. Cool folks for sure.

[@JMarinelli]

Just saw Albert Bouchard playing drums for the Dictators. Dude is 77 years old and he was as powerful and precise as ever.

[@russellj.s.257]

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame wake up!!!!

[@user-fs6by7xb7i]

Soft White Underbelly, saw them @ my father's place in Syosset, NY around 1978 🇺🇲

[@clydekimsey7503]

How was their sound different than BOC?

[@davidferrara1105]

I've been teaching guitar for 35 years and people DO notice how f'n great Buck is. I love his playing!

[@Maxid1]

Some serious 'you knowing' going on here.

[@russellj.s.257]

Buck Dharma is a way better guitar player than most guitar players that are considered the best.

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

lol

[@78Mustang]

Amen, Brother.

[@angelarecamier]

Fluent and well melodic for a guitar player, certainly. The best? That title is in the eyes of the beholder.

[@ricenglish4556]

I have wondered for years why the Bouchard brothers left BOC and now I know. Albert and Joe formed an incredible rhythm section and Albert was huge in his songwriting abilities. For that matter, Joe also wrote his share of songs. And I love the fact they collaborated on "Astronomy," a BOC staple and Rock Classic. Great interview.

[@MrFrikkenfrakken]

Check out ‘The Brain Surgeons’ and ‘Blue Coupe’ both interesting bands.

[@TruthOnly2day]

Saw BOC as an opener for original Deep Purple as headliner. BOC put on such an exciting show that we were all too exhausted to enjoy DP, who were angry about that, lol.

[@MissingMars]

Pure gold here John -thanks brother!

[@stlrockn]

Saw the classic lineup in Nashville in August 1973. The 4 song live EP known as "Live In New York" (released to radio stations only) is a sought after collectable. It trounces any of the commercial live albums.

[@thomaskotch4770]

The Bouchard brothers are so cool.

[@michaeltaylors2456]

They tried to blind me with their industrial grade green laser beam and disco ball . So glad they didn’t succeed. Freaking FDA ! What a cool show. Las Vegas Convention Center 1977

[@Darrylizer1]

Same at the Cap Center in Largo MD.

[@michaelzell5905]

Love this series. When do we get the Eric Bloom interview?

[@mariskacandice890]

This is a case where I never thought of Blue Oyster Cult crossing genres. Just as I never thought of Eminence Front as soulful funk. But as soon as I heard you say these things Professor it was like ding ding ding! That’s true! All the years I have been a music fanatic and listened to these legends and I still discover and realize new things! That’s why music is so amazing!

[@ruperterskin2117]

Appreciate ya. Thanks for sharing.

[@atlantaguitar9689]

Nice interview - good to get some direct information. I had heard some of this over the years through various sources but always better to hear it directly.

[@isaacshaver6218]

Burning for you always brings a tear to my eye.

[@crisrose521]

I must’ve heard the words “ you know “ 4000 times in this clip . Some peeps just don’t give good interviews, you know

[@mariskacandice890]

They sound fried! Coming up in the 70’s it’s a very good possibility.

[@mariskacandice890]

Thank you! I always wanted to know! I read that Sandy is a Sci-Fi writer who wrote a series of stories about aliens living among us and causing much of the war and chaos which many of the early songs are about like Subhuman 12:25 . Later around Agents they tried to distance themselves from that. Albert began a solo album trilogy of the Imaginos stories that Eric and Buck joined in because they felt they owed it to Sandy. But in Eric’s words they ran out of money and the final album became very different than what was planned.

[@huppophonic]

"yinnow" - that's my takeaway, too.

[@gregmark1688]

You know, I think you're um, you now, what we would call, you know, correct. You know?

[@charlesbrown9749]

I know, ya know. Like saying “literally “ wears me down too

[@johnn58]

In the very early 80s I saw these guys play in front of thousands. Just two years later they pulled in less than 500 people at the old Pine Knob Music Theater west of Detroit.

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Thanks I love the songs I've heard from your band 👍🇺🇸

[@jmalen123]

This was interesting as hell and involved some of the most talented musicians at the time. Me likey.

[@fritzbender5050]

These guys were a huge part of my youth, I still follow Albert. God bless Bouchards.

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Fantastic band! A band which i only started getting into a few years ago unfortunately, but really loving their music and aquiring all their stuff on cd. The Bouchard brothers and Alan Lanier were also key ingredients of the classic line up for sure!

[@douglayman1843]

"Aaaahhhhh you know" lol....love these guys!

[@denniswilliams2385]

I literally thought I was going to lose my mind if I heard the term “you know” one more freaking time during those interviews 🤪

[@Riazor1370]

Albert Bouchard is an underrated drummer, his live drums solo on the middle of Gozzila was awesome.

[@johnryan3913]

When they came out they were viewed as Heavy Metal, and the lyrics were frequently hilarious. Always thanks to Patti Smith.

[@gkirms]

The casual fan of BOC would never know how many of the band members actually sang in the group. They would hear the radio staples with maybe Buck singing or Donald singing and that must be the lead vocalists if they could distinguish between the two. But, BOC was so much more. The group always provided an eclectic variety of songs to each album.

[@neumann57]

Joe's bass lines on Cultasaurus Erectus are on par with Chris Squire and Geddy Lee......AMAZING!!!!!!

[@keithknechg3217]

I saw bouchard boys ,touring smaller venues as the cult brothers.on my birthday and the boys signed a metal cassette recorded off a spotless album.still have it.

[@keithknechg3217]

Who remembers the BOC tour with sabbath and uncle ted.?

[@brianfavaron4782]

Saw them in the superdome 1981 the third day of rock n roll they came on last about midnight .

[@FarrellMcGovern]

Great interviews! My favourite BOC song is "Black Blade", with lyrics by Science Fiction/Fantasy writer Michael Moorcock..

[@guymangotree2185]

In 1985 Yngwie Malmsteen was asked in a short interview: "What Guitarist impresses you the most ?" He said: "Buck Dharma"

[@BBaldwin]

For my money, “Black Blade” is their signature piece, yet it’s a deep track. Killer tune.

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

Most "everyday listeners" never understood Albert's brilliance at arrangement (& the perfection of his drum parts - whether complex or simple!)!! Albert's contributions (both musical and otherwise), really, "made" B.Ö.C., in a major way! He is brilliant (and the band has NEVER equalled their work WITH him, without him! 🤘🤘] ...and Allen Lanier, also, gets overlooked (quite-a-bit!)! Severely brilliant (and missed!😭😭). [plus: Bringing Patti Smith into the fold! 💜]

[@kbradford2270]

Flaming cities of rock and of the best concerts I've ever seen and rush.And Reo speedwagon opened up great light show

[@samiam5557]

BOC had the best lazer lightshows in the 70s. Secret Treaties is my favorite BOC album.

[@ekardnnam897]

I first became aware of Cult during the Secret Treaties era when I was still pretty much just a kid. Loved it. Seemed like they played every other week at the War Memorial in Johnstown, PA, near my home, and we were always bumming rides with older kids to the shows, especially after the release of OYFOOYK. "I know Lucifer so well I can call him by his first name...Hey Lu, uhh Loverboy." Hah! I wouldn't say they were one-dimensional in those days, but it really wasn't until Spectres and beyond that they began to demonstrate their incredible range. Godzilla; Fireworks; Death Valley Nights...that's range, and it's for that reason that they are the most underrated band in History. Music reached its creative peak with those progressive rock bands of the 70's, and has plumetted ever since. Everyone thinks the sountrack of their youth was the greatest ever, but ours REALLY was.

[@Semprini537]

I love the band,respect the Bouchards, but if i hear "you know" another time,i kill myself

[@mikekeeler6362]

You know I know

[@mikez7669]

This is , ya know, an interesting,ya know ya know, interview. I feel like these guys are honest and just lay it out there.

[@lancetaylor8300]

I remember playing a show with a band around 2006 or 7 at a club in nyc andJoe Bouchard was on the bill doing an acoustic set of BOC songs, we went on a few acts after him and I felt I was having a good show playing my bass and he walked up to the stage and gave me a thumbs up, after our set I introduced myself to him and mentioned to him about a show I saw them at at Nassau coliseum in 1977 it was my brother and I we really went to Rush they were the opening act I never followed boc at the new some of their songs great stuff but went to see rush, anyway we drive out there in an ice storm, crazy high school kids and Joe and I Had a conversation about the storm he remembered the gig which was cool, I also played at a baseball stadium in nj around a year or 2 later were our band opened for blue oyster cult and foreigner

[@rubicon-oh9km]

When the Bouchard brothers left the band, BOC really never recovered.

[@Dave_Mayberry]

Watched UFO open for BÖC at the Forum, then left with everyone else halfway through their first song as Bloom sprayed the crowd with a green laser, which resulted in lawsuits from angry audience members.

[@user-or8en6he6w]

I agree that the happi😢people in Jefferson County are the musicians. Say Hi to Bill and Mary for me. I haven’t spoken to them 50+ years

[@cass7142]

What is the song at the beginning of this video? Love it but never knew this song... Please, sumone help me out...thx in advance 👍🏻

[@jimdukeproject]

The Bouchards started in my area (Upstate NY).

[@MichaelRowe-cv3oq]

Back in August 22nd 1981 here in the UK BOC played the Monsters of Rock festival,i believe that they got screwed by the sound mixer and Eric Bloom destroyed his commemorative trophy in retaliation.Rumours were circulating that Albert had been fired due to him bringing his girlfriend-"My Yoko" he called her-on tour while he was still married,that was the main reason for him getting the boot...They had to use lighting director Rick Downey as the drummer,who thankfully only lasted one album with them.

[@nicholaschapman6763]

i love the night best song from this band!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kennywolfe208]

Love that song 🎵

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

Nice call. If you have seen Blue Oyster Cult in concert Eric Bloom has said his favorite song is: I Love the Night. The day is ok/ the sun can be fun/ but I long / to see those rays ... slip away

[@FirebrandVOCALS]

This interview needs more cowbell 👍

[@leivhuns]

The Bouchards plays with ex Alice Cooper bassist Dennis Dunaway in Blue Coupe.

[@jacklbrt]

The only band that I was ever a member of their fan club

[@user-vi2uf7vc3j]

Its such a shame that such a cool song like dont fear the reaper is only remembered for being in a stupid saturday night live sketch pathetic

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

Don't Fear the Reaper has been in circulation on classic rock radio stations since the 1980's. At least in Ohio. It got to the point that too many people thought BOC just a one hit wonder ... even after a second hit Burnin for You found its way to consistent radio play and MTV in 1982. But, movies like Scream, Stephen King's The Stand, The Frighteners (1997) and Donnie Darko (made about the same time as skit , 2000) had also played noticeable versions of The Reaper by the time of We Need More Cowbell . I obviously agree it's a great song. I'm just pointing out Don't Fear didn't just suddenly reappear from the annals of obscurity because of an arguably overrated SNL skit. I'd say the song and the skit were helpful to the reputations of both Saturday Night Live and Blue Oyster Cult. Christopher Walken, too?. (By the way, I do wonder why people think Will Ferrell is SO funny. Until I remember thinking Bill Murray was hilarious ... at least in a few movies ... in the 80's and What About Bob? and, sometimes, opinions change). Anyways, cheers to all those who appreciate good music and knowing an original rocknroll metal boogie band when they hear it.

[@jcollins1305]

Most overrated skit in the history of that show!

[@FiveCedars]

Yes I know, ya know?

[@GaryDelabate]

I know, you know?

[@tfunk6077]

First concert I ever went to Blue oyster cult Fleetwood Mac and Alice cooper at the commack arena on Long Island great show probably saw them close to six times a with sabbath kiss and iggy and the stooges New Year’s Eve at the academy of music great times 👍🤪👍👏‼️

[@BobDennison]

by God , more cowbell .

[@jornfox3545]

LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheGadgettracker]

And take a shot of tequila for every "you know."

[@GaryDelabate]

You know, I really, you know, learned a lot, you know, about Blue, you know , oyster cult. Who you know, would have, you know, figured the band was, you know, so complex.

[@rogerwelsh2335]

They were like the hardest working band at one point

[@jimdukeproject]

BOC was one of the first bands to hook me on hard rock.

[@wc6564]

great group saw them in the 70s buck darma !!!!!!

[@bobfoutch5238]

Stephen King "Imaginos, by Blue Oyster Cult. A bed-time story the children of the damned." CD single of Astronomy.

[@wads_o_hair]

You know...

[@user-qt1rr5tk9i]

One of the greatest live tracks i know. Eti

[@thomaskotch4770]

Best band of my life

[@tworoaddogs]

I’ve seen BOC many times but only once in their original incarnation (Mirrors Tour in Baton Rouge w April Wine supporting). As a drummer and songwriter Albert has always been the fun one but I can honestly say that Joe Bouchard’s bass solo that night was every bit as powerful and entertaining as Billy Sheehan, John Paul Jones, Michael Anthony, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire and John Entwhistles. BOC was never the same after loosing the original guys. Good, of course. Great, not any more. The “Imaginos” album was friggin’ brilliant and politics should have never gotten in the way of that masterpiece. If that album had been handled properly they could have regained their lost footing and soared.

[@frankclary55]

They wrote the only song about a german war-plane, the me-262

[@dvaoa2910]

The “You Know” brothers 😆

[@BGCB261]

Reaper was in the original Halloween in 78.

[@troyelliott390]

Sharing

[@icuabc1235]

You know, I always liked Blue Oyster Cult, you know. 🤟😃🤟

[@Moment-14]

I don't want to spread here say rumors.... I had a friend that played drums a little bit with Buck... and I recall him telling me that Buck was still livid with Allen Bouchard and would never work with him. I don't know why.

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

I had assumptions (for decades) Al Bouchard had become unhappy with singing less and basically quit Blue Oyster Cult. Turns out younger brother Joe left because he wasn't playing guitar enough. Good to get that straightened out. Al seemed to hint the divorce really messed him up. Did it sound like the Record producer was trying to keep Albert's 'mind right' by having him help produce Fire Of Unknown Origin? hmm. It did not help in the big picture. But, I never got tired of BOC (unlike KISS for example). Spectres is the first album I ever owned, period. I still have the vinyl to this day. Spectres is my favorite BOC studio album. On Your Feet or on Your Knees is arguably my favorite/the best live album. Halloween Reapers is surprisingly good though. Live tracks from 1979, 1982 (right after Al Bouchard fired -- and roadie Rick Downey took over as drummer ... almost sounds like a Mark Wahlberg movie 😁), and 1986 when they were promoting Club Ninja album. I had heard BOC had lost 'their timeless sound' on the Club Ninja record, but the 4 songs played on Halloween Reapers were pretty cool and rocked with that BOC mystery and style.

[@jimdukeproject]

Personally (as a bassist), I think Joe should have stuck with and improved as a better bassist. I started also dabbling in guitar and realized my root (and primary love) is bass, so went back. Joe's "solo" and playing in Godzilla alone was influential for many of us.

[@cageycretin7357]

Fire of unknown origin was written by Patti Smith four Jim Morrison

[@Semprini537]

"You know" is a nasty habit

[@portopottybreath9375]

Agents of Fortune is one of the ten 10 a!bums ever made and the Bouchard brothers were a huge part of it.

[@clintstryder1131]

Last I heard. It costs a shit ton money to be inducted. Didn't steve Miller bring that up before.

[@gibsoneb3]

Tyranny and Mutation - fn brilliant in every way. No fluff.

[@simonagree4070]

So is Meltzer still with us? The last I heard, he was living in Portland, OR. I haven't seen a book from him in a lot of years. Dragnet used the Deteriorata test too. Jack Webb would make the actors run through their lines faster and faster, until the scene broke down. Then he would use the previous take.

[@duradim1]

Yes, I know! You know!

[@billlittle4247]

Everyone being careful not to diss Eric Bloom. Bloom is obviously the big bad boss

[@courtneyrogers7683]

BÖC is the greatest band ever!

[@triplejunction7073]

I’ve always heard that Albert got fired because was getting too wasted on tour and not showing up for gigs .

[@chrismcgovern6514]

Thanks for saying immigrants and not expats like they do about the cricket world cup. America is hosting because of our Latino immigrants and their children and grandchildren. Anglo-American soccer fanatics generally know less about the goings on in South American football than an Englishman does. But we appreciate the competition the COPA gives the USMNT and we're happy for our friends and neighbors who will get to see their home countries.