I’ve got a fever…
By Steven Patrick
The true watershed moment for the Blue Öyster Cult’s reemergence came on April 8, 2000 when the world was introduced to “Saturday Night Live’s” “Cowbell Sketch.” For the pop culture deficient, the “Cowbell Sketch” featured Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell performing in a parody of VH1’s “Behind the Music” series. The sketch portrayed the 1976 recording sessions for BÖC’s album “Agents of Fortune,” and, more specifically, the recording of the band’s biggest hit, “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” Ferrell played the over-zealous cowbell player Gene Frenkle, and Walken played his enthusiastic record producer Bruce Dickinson, who just had to have “more cowbell, baby!” If you are unfamiliar with this sketch, do yourself a favor and check it out. BÖC + Walken + Ferrell = comedic GOLD.
On account of the “Cowbell Sketch”, BÖC began to rise again in popularity amidst a younger generation. College-age music aficionados were now turned on to this legendary band and catching them live when BÖC rolled through their town. In addition to this, Rob Zombie also made a point to once again feature the song “Don’t Fear the Reaper” in his remake of the movie that made the song famous, “Halloween.” The band has recently been getting more attention due to the AutoTrader.com commercials featuring their hit, “Godzilla.” The bottom line is, BÖC is staying considerably more visible than most of their contemporaries.
The band is currently in the middle of their summer 2008 tour, and touring stronger than ever. They will be making a stop in Columbus as part of QFM96’s “Red, White, and Blue Öyster Cult” on July 3 (same night as Red, White, and Boom). Lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser took the time to answer a few questions concerning the tour and BÖC’s legacy:
UW: Have you guys been working on any new material?
Uh, I’ve got some tunes in the can. The band is sort of in the middle of a weird situation with the music business right now. The CD business is basically going away for…for most acts now. After making two CDs and a DVD in the ‘90s and ‘00s, I think we’re a little uncertain as to what to do at this point.
UW: How are your digital music sales holding up?
Our Legacy catalog is actually selling quite well. At this point, more than half of it is downloads as opposed to physical media. The problem with recording a new record is it is hard for us to get a record company to give us enough of an advance to really make it worth our while. So, I’m confident that something will present itself in terms of opportunity, but right now we’re just content to perform live.
UW: Well, fans are definitely still content to see you live, and that’s the important thing.
Well, for whatever reason, this year and last year we’ve seen a real increase in demand and reward. I’d say we’re a lot more popular now than we were five years ago. I don’t really understand why, but I’m not questioning it. I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to play.
UW: Did you have any advance notice that SNL was going to do the “Cowbell Sketch”?
*laughs* Oh, we had no clue. I wasn’t watching it at the time, but I got a phone call from a friend about twenty seconds after it started, saying, “Turn on Saturday Night Live right now!” *laughs*
UW: Do you acknowledge the sketch when you play “Don’t Fear the Reaper” live?
Yeah, one of our crew guys plays the cowbell. *laughs* Depending on our mood, we’ll bring him out in front of the band.
UW: You’re personally responsible for some of the most recognizable guitar riffs in classic rock history — Godzilla,” “Burnin’ For You.” “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” What comes first for you in the writing process? Does the riff come first?
More than likely the riff just comes as a stream of conscience from my fingers and then it becomes an intentional thing after that. It doesn’t come from practicing in an organized sense.
UW: Have you noticed more young people at your shows?
Oh yeah. I remember when I was college-age, I would go see a lot of blues acts and stuff. A lot of the guys were already middle-aged at that time. I just wanted to see these legendary performers, and I suppose there’s a little bit of that going on with us as well as other acts from our era.
UW: Well, I think a lot of what is passed off as rock music today just doesn’t hold up to the same standards of the ‘60s and ‘70s.
I’d have to agree. A lot of music today is formulaic and uninspired. It’s never a chore with us. We’ve always taken the road less travelled.
Blue Öyster Cult will be performing at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion on July 3. Gates open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $4.96. For more information, please visit www.promowestlive.com or call 614-461-5483.
Originally Published: Issue 657 - July 2, 2008
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