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 Joëlle Phuong Minh Lê, 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! “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:
“I now hate hip hop, the more I’ve educated myself about music, the more I’ve grown to hate it. I don’t use that word lightly, either.”
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!:
“I’m 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 devil’s 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 don’t really believe any of that. I don’t think being able to read music is a concern. Most of my favourite music was made by non-educated musicians. It doesn’t matter. I still have heavy criticisms of most hip hop, but I really didn’t make them well on this particular day. I put my foot in my mouth and I’m 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 Joëlle Phuong Minh Lê, 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.
Shutter Buggin'
Buck 65 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hands that feed. A man's gotta make a living.
Charcoal barbeque. Station wagon. Nice dream.
Selling cigarettes and men's magazines and ice cream.
There's all kinds of hunger pains, enzymes and hormones,
500 flavors, hard drugs and pornos.
You want it, I got it. Low-life, high-strung.
I just wanna watch the game, get fat and die young.
I don't understand your needs and frankly I don't care.
He wants to be a cowboy and she wants to be an actress.
I just want to stash some money under my mattress.
Wine and candy, fine and dandy. Old and proper unity.
Community be damned, I see a golden opportunity:
Women with hips and brains instead of scrounging for tips and change.
Ships and planes. High heel shoes and whips and chains...
(2x)
Flashy-flash! Watch the birdy!
Trashy-trash! Wash the dirty
Mail order fantasies. Glamour for shipment.
I got a good eye for beauty and some camera equipment.
My sister's friends call me Mr. Lens. I'm focused.
The girl next door becomes a goddess like hocus-pocus.
Studio lights and bondage gear hangs on coat hooks.
Descriptions of fetishes written down in some notebooks.
The customer's always right even if you say it's wrong.
I don't always ask questions and the girls just play along.
Venus in furs, black nylon, go-go boots.
There's always an exuberant mood at the photo shoots.
Handcuffs and harnesses. Whatever else if it pleases.
Plus, some 8mm films of some strip teases.
Two pretty girls in broad daylight, they might
Play fight and tie each other up if the pay's right.
Senators and next door neighbours, it's a funny biz.
Not saying that I like it, it's just where the money is...
(2x)Flashy-flash! Watch the birdy!
Trashy-trash! Wash the dirty
Tore up the rule book. Flaunted convention.
Undaunted, drew some unwanted attention.
Weirdos and do-gooders, big shots and minimals.
Women with serious problems and criminals.
Fifty thousand names on the mailing list estimated.
Under attack, being tested and investigated.
Juvenile delinquency my ass! What is this shit?!
Fought by some of the same men that I do business with.
They focus on the negatives, treating us like common crooks.
I'm an artist goddammit! They said the same thing about comic books.
Who could have guessed it? Created a mob scene.
The demand is undeniable, but they say its obscene.
Spread eagle, American beauty: Stranger and splendid.
Major offended. Naked as nature intended.
Leaves a bad taste in some peoples mouths, maybe bitter.
Don't want your manure, I'm an entrepreneur not a babysitter...
Wash the birdy, Wash, Wash, Wash, Wash the birdy
Flashy-flash!
Trashy-trash! (wash wash)
....
....
....
Wash the dirty
The lyrics of Buck 65's song "Shutter Buggin'" explore the themes of consumerism, desire, and exploitation. The first verse touches on the idea of societal give and take, and the pressure on individuals to make a living. The line "there's all kinds of hunger pains, enzymes, and hormones" alludes to the overwhelming variety of products and services in modern society that people can become addicted to. The singer rejects this lifestyle and desires a simple life of watching sports and accumulating wealth. He has no interest in helping others or understanding their needs.
The second verse takes a darker turn and reveals the singer's profession as a photographer of erotic images. He has built a successful business by exploiting the desires of his customers, including senators and neighbors. The line "the customer's always right even if you say it's wrong" highlights the singer's willingness to go along with disturbing sexual fetishes to make money. Despite facing scrutiny and backlash, he defends his work as art and refuses to be compared to a common criminal.
Overall, the song is a critique on the hollow emptiness of consumer culture and the willingness of people to exploit others for personal gain.
Line by Line Meaning
Dog eats dog. Give and take - take and giving.
Life is full of competition and trade-offs.
Hands that feed. A man's gotta make a living.
People need money to survive.
Charcoal barbeque. Station wagon. Nice dream.
A nostalgic fantasy of the American Dream.
Selling cigarettes and men's magazines and ice cream.
A business that caters to people's vices and desires.
There's all kinds of hunger pains, enzymes and hormones,
People have different needs and desires.
500 flavors, hard drugs and pornos.
People crave variety, even if it's extreme.
You want it, I got it. Low-life, high-strung.
A merchant who caters to anyone, even those on the fringe.
I just wanna watch the game, get fat and die young.
A cynical desire for a simple life.
I go to church, pay my taxes, smile nice, won't swear
A typical outwardly law-abiding citizen.
I don't understand your needs and frankly I don't care.
A lack of empathy or interest in others' lives.
He wants to be a cowboy and she wants to be an actress.
Everyone has their own ambitions.
I just want to stash some money under my mattress.
The desire for financial security.
Wine and candy, fine and dandy. Old and proper unity.
A celebration of traditional indulgences.
Community be damned, I see a golden opportunity:
A willingness to prioritize personal gain over group welfare.
Women with hips and brains instead of scrounging for tips and change.
Ships and planes. High heel shoes and whips and chains...
A preference for sexually empowered women and luxury goods.
(2x)Flashy-flash! Watch the birdy!
Trashy-trash! Wash the dirty
The refrain of a call to attention.
Mail order fantasies. Glamour for shipment.
A business that sells sexual fantasies through the mail.
I got a good eye for beauty and some camera equipment.
The singer has the tools for his business.
My sister's friends call me Mr. Lens. I'm focused.
The singer is known for his photography skills.
The girl next door becomes a goddess like hocus-pocus.
The power of photography to transform people.
Studio lights and bondage gear hangs on coat hooks.
A glimpse into the artist's workplace.
Descriptions of fetishes written down in some notebooks.
The business of catering to people's unique sexual desires.
The customer's always right even if you say it's wrong.
A commitment to making the customer happy.
I don't always ask questions and the girls just play along.
A willingness to turn a blind eye to exploitation.
Venus in furs, black nylon, go-go boots.
Typical props for a fetish photo shoot.
Handcuffs and harnesses. Whatever else if it pleases.
Plus, some 8mm films of some strip teases.
More examples of BDSM and sexual fantasies offered by the business.
Two pretty girls in broad daylight, they might
Play fight and tie each other up if the pay's right.
A potential scenario in the business of fetish photography.
Senators and next door neighbours, it's a funny biz.
The contradiction of offering taboo services to those in power.
Not saying that I like it, it's just where the money is...
A willingness to do what it takes to make a profit.
(2x)Flashy-flash! Watch the birdy!
Trashy-trash! Wash the dirty
The refrain of a call to attention, repeated again.
Tore up the rule book. Flaunted convention.
A willingness to break the rules and traditional norms.
Undaunted, drew some unwanted attention.
The consequences of breaking norms and attracting scrutiny.
Weirdos and do-gooders, big shots and minimals.
The diverse range of people who either criticize or use the artist's services.
Women with serious problems and criminals.
An indication of the types of people the business caters to.
Fifty thousand names on the mailing list estimated.
An indication of the popularity of the business.
Under attack, being tested and investigated.
The artist is being scrutinized, possibly by law enforcement.
Juvenile delinquency my ass! What is this shit?!
The singer's response to being accused of contributing to delinquency.
Fought by some of the same men that I do business with.
Even people who use the singer's services can be against him.
They focus on the negatives, treating us like common crooks.
A perception that the business is unfairly stigmatized.
I'm an artist goddammit! They said the same thing about comic books.
The artist sees himself as an artist whose work is misunderstood.
Who could have guessed it? Created a mob scene.
The unexpected success of the business.
The demand is undeniable, but they say its obscene.
The legal and moral controversy around the business.
Spread eagle, American beauty: Stranger and splendid.
A description of the types of photos offered by the business.
Major offended. Naked as nature intended.
A recognition that some people find the business immoral or offensive.
Leaves a bad taste in some peoples mouths, maybe bitter.
Acknowledgment that people have negative reactions to the business.
Don't want your manure, I'm an entrepreneur not a babysitter...
The artist doesn't care for people's judgments or criticisms.
Wash the birdy, Wash, Wash, Wash, Wash the birdy
A repetition of the refrain, signaling the end of the song.
Contributed by Elena T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Adam B
He wants to be cowboy, she wants to be an actress, I just wanna stuff some money underneath my mattress.