Ready for a wild and badass new band and album to take over your playlists? Josh Todd and Stevie Dacanay’s intriguingly raucous and thrilling new project, Josh Todd & The Conflict, just might be what your ears need. Keep reading for news about the band’s new album Year of the Tiger, as well as a super fun chat with these hot, rockin’ dudes.
Josh Todd and Stevie Dacanay of Josh Todd & The Conflict at Pain in the Grass, Auburn, WA
Year of the Tiger
No dispute about it, the good, the badass, and the beautiful truth is that Year of the Tiger, the new Josh Todd & The Conflict album, is adventurous, intense, and awesomely fierce. The album blazes in and cruises out with a rocking roar, while riveting listeners with some groovin’ tunes in between. Listening to the music makes a person feel more pumped up and alive… or want to get in a car, drive fast, and take some chances.
Josh Todd & The Conflict at Pain in the Grass, Auburn, WA
Josh Todd’s goal was to make a “fucking great rock record,” and hands down, that mission was accomplished. The musical talent is audibly evident, as band members (Lead Singer Josh Todd, Guitarist Stevie Dacanay – aka Stevie D, Drummer Sean Winchester, and Bassist Gregg Cash) sound like they have been around the rock block a few times. Appealing to both Buckcherry and new fans, the music on the album Year of the Tiger is highly energetic and addictive.
Bassist Gregg Cash of Josh Todd & The Conflict at Pain in the Grass, Auburn, WA
Killer party tunes like Year of the Tiger (song), Inside, and Fucked Up conjure thoughts of jumping, head banging, loud singing, fast driving, and getting the rage out. Plus, the songs contain kickass lyrics, like in Rain (“trouble is my only friend”), Good Enough (“everybody wants to play it safe with a little bit of dangerous”), and The Conflict (“focus on the problem and that is what you’ll find”). For those not necessarily into the hard stuff, Rain provides an entrancing beat with unique sound, while Good Enough takes it down a notch to play a little bit vulnerable and little bit rock ‘n’ roll. Ooh, and, Erotic City is a wicked cool rendition of Prince’s famed tune. Must. Listen. To. This. Album.
The Chat
I was lucky enough to catch up with Josh Todd and Stevie Dacanay of Josh Todd & the Conflict this summer outside of Seattle in Auburn, WA at the ever-incredible Pain in the Grass Festival, while accompanied by my sister, Andi. We loved every minute of this memorable interview with two smokin’ hot, mega-talented rockers. Check it out…
Josh Todd of Buckcherry at HOB, Cleveland
Hey guys! Thanks for meeting with me today.
Josh: Where are you from?
Nici: I’m from the heart of rock ‘n’ roll, Cleveland, Ohio.
Josh: I love Ohio. We’ve had a lot of great shows there.
Nici: I saw Buckcherry in July 2016 when you were playing with Nonpoint at the House of Blues, and you had on the coolest pants I’ve ever seen.
Josh: They’re by a lady named Cody at Forgotten Saints LA.
We are excited to hear about your new project. How is Josh Todd & The Conflict different and what do we need to know?
Josh: It’s still a rock band, but I wanted to go back to my roots where I started out with four-piece bands… one guitar bands. Stevie and I wrote all the songs. It’s heavier and more reckless, and it’s got a lot of groove, and of course it’s melody-driven, as well. We just wanted something that was a little more along the lines of what we always wanted to do. We started this electronic project out on the road called Spraygun War. We started figuring out that we had good songwriting chemistry, and then I was like “Stevie, I want to make a fucking great rock record.” And so we just started writing songs and Year of the Tiger was one of the first we wrote. It’s the first single, and online right now. And, the record is really great.
Stevie D’s Killer Tattoos
Between the two of you, how many tattoos do you think you have?
Stevie: Two big ones. 😉
Josh: Oh, man. So many.
What a work of art. Do you have a favorite tattoo artist?
Josh: Yes. Kevin Quinn has done the majority of our stuff. I really love him. We go back a long way. He’s world class. A really good guy.
Stevie: There are two guys in Salt Lake, Thai Le and Mark John Lettig of Zen Tattoo. They’re both fantastic. If you’re not in LA and in the Salt Lake area, then that’s where you want to visit.
What do you guys like to do for fun or adventure outside of music?
Stevie: Well, he likes racing. Before we started this record, I was really into photography…. Getting out on the street and taking photos. I was also doing editorial for magazines. Once we started this band, that free time or shooting time went from a lot to none at all. This has taken up a lot of our lives, but in a good way.
Josh: We have kids, so we spend a lot of time with our kids. It’s a big priority.
How many kids do you have?
Josh: At the house, two, but I’ve got one that’s out of the house.
What was the first concert that you attended?
Stevie: The one that I connected with the most was Ozzie Osbourne at Poplar Creek, near my house, outside of Chicago. That was with Randy Rhoads.
Josh: The Ramones, Fenders Ballroom, Long Beach, California. That was my first. It was at a club, and I had never been to a club. I grew up in Orange County, so there were a lot of punk rock bands and records. It was really cool.
Super serious-looking interview with Josh Todd (left) and Nici (right)
My sister’s and my first concert was Donna Summer at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. One of the best shows we’ve ever seen. Lots of encores.
Josh: Nice!! She was such a great singer. A phenomenal talent. I’ve never seen her live, but I’ve heard a lot of her live footage. Back then, in disco, you had to perform yourself. There were no tracks running live, like all these pop artists are now… and rock artists. Have you ever heard Donna Summer live?!
Stevie: Yes! And, she has absolutely stunning daughters. And, if they read this, I would like to go have coffee….
Josh: You’d like to put it out there…?
Stevie: I’d like to put it out there that I am newly single, and I would love to have a coffee or something sometime. I think they’re all married, but…
Whether or not a love connection is made with the Summers’ girls, definitely check out new album Year of the Tiger. You might fall wildly in love.
Stevie D of Josh Todd & The Conflict at Pain in the Grass, Auburn, WA
Drummer Sean Winchester of Josh Todd & The Conflict at Pain in the Grass, Auburn, WA
Gregg Cash and Josh Todd & The Conflict at Pain in the Grass, Auburn, WA
Josh Todd of Josh Todd & The Conflict at Pain in the Grass, Auburn, WA
Gregg Cash lookin’ mean on the bass!
Andi, Nici, and Josh at Pain in the Grass in Auburn, WA
Really enjoyed this personal look at a high energy hard rock group. I listened to “Rain” and from someone who is not usually into this sound it was pretty OK. Yes, Gregg Cash absolutely does look mean! The pictures made these musicians come alive. I do hope that the Summers’ girls read this article!
Awesome! Thank you so much!!