Terfry is also a host at CBC Radio 3, with hosting a program on the CBC Radio 3 website's web radio station during weekdays. In addition, he will be the host of the weekday 3-6pm CBC Radio 2 show beginning in the fall of 2008.
Early career and influences
Terfry was born in 1972 and raised in Mount Uniacke, a rural community outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 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.
Stage Names
Buck 65 has also used a number of other stage names including Johnny Rockwell, 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. He has been known to say on stage, "They call me Buck 65... I don't know why." 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 was scheduled for release early 2007 but the date was not set.
The first release under Dirk Thornton will be a 7" single with the tracks "Yesterday's News" and "Catwalk".
He is also involved in an online collaboration with "Greetings From Tuskan" auteur Joรซlle Phuong Minh Lรช, as Bike For Three, though a release is yet unforthcoming.
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)
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. During a live performance Buck 65 told a story in which he attributed why he was chosen for Sesame Street to three things; his upstanding lifestyle of not drinking, smoking, or doing drugs, his intelligence that wasn't too intelligent for the kids, and Sesame Street's assumption that he was a virgin.
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. While Buck 65 has gained critical acclaim 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. However after V2 chose not to release his next effort, Secret House Against the World, the deal was amicably dissolved. Since then Buck 65 was signed onto Strange Famous Records where he's planning on taking over hip-hop with Sage Francis. His latest release is titled "Situation".
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. 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 Pamela Anderson.
Kerrang! โControversyโ
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:
โI now hate hip hop, the more Iโve educated myself about music, the more Iโve grown to hate it. I donโt use that word lightly, either.โ
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."
Buck later wrote in a letter to Exclaim!:
โIโm apologizing for all that. I lost my cool on tape which is never good. The journalist was provoking me, calling me a sell-out and a whore. I was trying to make a point by playing devilโs advocate, but I went way overboard. No hint of irony or role-playing or intelligence came across in the story. Now I just look like an idiot. I take it back. I donโt really believe any of that. I donโt think being able to read music is a concern. Most of my favourite music was made by non-educated musicians. It doesnโt matter. I still have heavy criticisms of most hip hop, but I really didnโt make them well on this particular day. I put my foot in my mouth and Iโm apologizing for that."
Dirty Work
Buck 65 released 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 the full length record 'Situation'.
Situation to present
Buck 65 released the album Situation on October 30th, 2007, on Strange Famous Records in the US and Warner Music worldwide. The album is a concept album based around the year 1957, and is a return to a more 'pure' hip-hop sound than the previous blues, country and avant-garde influences in Secret House Against the World. It was produced by fellow Halifax DJ Skratch Bastid, aimed at making a "classic hip-hop record that pulses with joy and clarity of purpose".
Buck 65 is currently working on a new album which, judging from live material, will feature much more prominent electronic beats than before. Additionally, Buck 65's collaboration project with "Greetings From Tuskan" auteur Joรซlle Phuong Minh Lรช, Bike for Three!, has its debut album completed for release in early 2009.
He has been a host of CBC Radio 3's web radio for the past year, and recently accepted daily hosting duties on CBC Radio 2's national radio beginning fall 2008.
[Untitled]
Buck 65 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The colder the ground becomes the closer I get I home
The planets not fit to roam but with all the chaos
But, when I saw the savages I played the law of averages
And when the river splits in half, I start to lose my wits and laugh
And cry at the same time, there's nothing I can do about it
Even though I wouldn't doubt it, if the winds began to blow
And carry the sounds of my voice to the lands below
That, wallows in the filth of its own drunken pity
And wait to see a signal but a signal is never seen
Eventually fatigue builds inside me exponentially and so I sleep
And dream that I'm able to FLY they will respect a man with wings!
Later I awake, in agony and learn
That while I was sleeping the city had burned
Shrugging my shoulders, I paused and gathered thoughts
Think twice about staying put, then decide I rather not
So I press on in my agnostic pilgrimage
Knowing that I can swim deeper than the grim reaper
Ready for whatever sea creatures may abound
When the water swallows me and not the other way around
Survival saw me through the mechanical district
Starvation lays to bay cannibalistic
I have to rely on cons and silence and on talking quick
Defending myself with nothing but this walking stick
I've never had friends and no parental guidance
I'm wild at heart and weird on top, I'm feared nonstop
Even though my rage is worn out
My life's a book with several pages torn out
I just, climb trees and look for rhythm everywhere
I used to be the town crier in a city of stone throwers
Until my soul was laid bare and displayed in the pearled square
Ignored, more than a lot, not less, no one understood my thought, process
I was gagged and bound over noise complaints
But, commanding the resolve that destroys constraints
I, found my escape in a melding of memories
The next thing I know, I'm rowing this boat
And blowing this note on an old tarnished trumpet
Ever since then I've been wondering lots
Watching the sky and pondering thoughts
Strange angel, music box genie
Behind for sometime and now I'm blind in one eye
And how this happened exactly will never be known
My thoughts take the shape of the hang-mans house
Never fails in time traveling salesman visit
The lyrics to Buck 65's song [untitled] tell the story of a man's agnostic pilgrimage through a chaotic world where he is forced to rely on his survival instincts. As he travels through various landscapes, he encounters savages, a sunken city, sea creatures, and a mechanical district, all while reflecting on his experiences and searching for a sense of belonging.
The singer is described as a wild and weird man who is feared and misunderstood by those around him. Despite his hardships, he finds solace in music and memories, which allow him to escape from the harsh reality of his existence. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and metaphor, painting a picture of a world that is both fantastical and brutal.
Line by Line Meaning
I wondered the fields and listen for the sound of drums
I meandered through the countryside and searched for the beat of a percussion instrument
The colder the ground becomes the closer I get I home
As the land freezes, I draw nearer to my place of residence
The planets not fit to roam but with all the chaos
The universe is unsuitable for exploration, particularly with its unpredictable nature
"But, when I saw the savages I played the law of averages
However, upon encountering the natives, I relied on statistical probability for survival
And when the river splits in half, I start to lose my wits and laugh
As the stream bifurcates, I become confused and delirious, leading to a manic outburst
And cry at the same time, there's nothing I can do about it
Simultaneously, I experience sorrow and despair, knowing my situation is out of my control
Even though I wouldn't doubt it, if the winds began to blow
Although it is unlikely, I would not be surprised if the winds suddenly picked up
And carry the sounds of my voice to the lands below
Those same gusts may transport my vocalizations to the territories beneath me
So I put my hands around my mouth and hollered to the sunken city
In response, I cupped my hands and shouted towards the submerged metropolis
That, wallows in the filth of its own drunken pity
The municipality that succumbs to its self-pity is steeped in the muck of its own inebriation
And wait to see a signal but a signal is never seen
I patiently anticipate an indication, but none is perceptible
Eventually fatigue builds inside me exponentially and so I sleep
Gradually, my exhaustion intensifies and compels me to slumber
And dream that I'm able to FLY they will respect a man with wings!
In my subconsciousness, I envision myself soaring through the air, believing it garners admiration
Later I awake, in agony and learn
Eventually, I rouse from my rest in significant discomfort and discover
That while I was sleeping the city had burned
During my nap, the populated area had been engulfed in flames
Shrugging my shoulders, I paused and gathered thoughts
I lift my shoulders apathetically, pause for consideration, and reflect
Think twice about staying put, then decide I rather not
After deliberation, I opt not to remain in that location
So I press on in my agnostic pilgrimage
Therefore, I proceed forward in my aimless journey
Knowing that I can swim deeper than the grim reaper
Confidently, I acknowledge my ability to dive lower than death itself
Ready for whatever sea creatures may abound
Prepared for any underwater fauna that may cross my path
When the water swallows me and not the other way around
When I am submerged in the liquid, and not the reverse
Survival saw me through the mechanical district
I persisted through the machine-filled area with only survival on my mind
Starvation lays to bay cannibalistic
Hunger prevented me from becoming like cannibals
I have to rely on cons and silence and on talking quick
To succeed in my mission, I must depend on trickery, quietness, and being tongue-tied
Defending myself with nothing but this walking stick
Protecting myself with only this crude stick for support
I've never had friends and no parental guidance
I've never had comrades, nor guidance from any adults
I'm wild at heart and weird on top, I'm feared nonstop
I possess a feral spirit, and my deranged exterior instills unending fear in others
Even though my rage is worn out
Although my fervor has waned
My life's a book with several pages torn out
My existence is a chronicle, though it lacks certain parts, which have been removed or destroyed
I just, climb trees and look for rhythm everywhere
All I do is scale trees and search for cadence in everything around me
I used to be the town crier in a city of stone throwers
Previously, I worked as a messenger in an area where citizens hurl stones
Until my soul was laid bare and displayed in the pearled square
Until my innermost being was exposed and exhibited in a place full of opulence
Ignored, more than a lot, not less, no one understood my thought, process
Disregarded frequently, without exception, individuals were unable to comprehend my ideas and methods
I was gagged and bound over noise complaints
As a result of commotion-related feedback, I was restrained and silenced
But, commanding the resolve that destroys constraints
Yet, my resolution ruled over the limitations imposed on me
I, found my escape in a melding of memories
I discovered freedom through a combination of recollections
The next thing I know, I'm rowing this boat
Suddenly, I realized I was navigating this watercraft
And blowing this note on an old tarnished trumpet
Furthermore, I am producing a sound from a former trumpet that is now corroded and dirty
Ever since then I've been wondering lots
Since then, I've been questioning a great deal
Watching the sky and pondering thoughts
Staring at the heavens and reflecting on my contemplations
Strange angel, music box genie
A peculiar celestial being, resembling a melody-creating spirit from a music box
Behind for sometime and now I'm blind in one eye
I am falling behind schedule, and currently unable to see from one eye
And how this happened exactly will never be known
The precise cause of my blindness may never be ascertained
My thoughts take the shape of the hang-mans house
My ruminations metamorphose into a representation of the abode of those who perform executions by hanging
Never fails in time traveling salesman visit
These musings always coincide with the arrival of salesman who traverse through time.
Contributed by Callie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Spind0k
still listening in 2023
@TimHaunFishing
This is the song that started it all for me.
@enednas801
MTV days ;)
@2drx4
It always amazes me that Buck 65 never took off. I can remember the first time I saw this music video, jaw on the floor, as I had witnessed music that actually spoke to me.
@Paowderlol
2drx4 12 years later and still jamming hard to this
@ilsonilson7113
Still good. Quality goods.
@icandleall
speaks to truckdrivers and ridesharedrivers on a deep level
@suzannebutler4652
You need to read his book. I just finished it, it's amazing.
@catsmeow374
So the Jiggle Jiggle song of Louis Theroux is viral now, and it reminds me so much of this.
@r.e.2101
Saw him live years ago. While waiting for the show to start, we see a guy come on stage, checking the equipment. The audience and myself were clueless that it was Buck 65. Only when he started did people realize and crowded the stage. Was the best one man show I ever witnessed.