I grew up on BOC's music. I met Eric and Buck on the US tour with Nazareth and April Wine. He noticed my Iron Maiden shirt and started talking to me about music. Super cool guy.!
I'll be 71 years old in July 2024. I am most definitely an ORIGINAL FAN! I saw them 3 years in a row in my Texas hometown, but it was the Nov. 10, 1977 show that became one of the PEAK experiences of my life! It is the ONLY CONCERT I ever saw, where the audience was so stunned at the end of "Dominance & Submission" that it was at least 5 to 10 seconds after the last "note" before the speechless audience could even make a sound! But once they came out of their collective hypnosis, the ovation was THUNDEROUS and lasted seemingly forever. That was the only show I saw them with the laser light show! Absolutely mind-blowing!! Fantastic memories!
@@BelgianJasper Thanks for reading and commenting! Yes, it truly is one of my fondest memories, especially when it comes to concerts. But actually, MOST of my fondest memories involve music!!😉
Buffalo, NY 1982. Drum solo with strobe lights, reptile head, broken snare drums, drum stick to the back neck of his brother. Foghat opened. Unforgettable!!!!! B.O.C.!!!!!
I remember seeing BÖC a couple times at the Spectrum in Philadelphia during the 70’s. They were in their prime and ascendant then. Years later, I caught one of their shows at a club right after 9-11. I was about to walk in when I noticed Eric approaching. I opened the door for him and he thanked me. He was gracious and not at all pretentious. Definitely a really cool guy.
Original fans in their 50s? I'm 69 and bought the first album when it came out in 72 and first saw the band in 74 with KISS opening. I've seen the band every time they were somewhere I could get to.I love the new/old album. I hope you come to the Bay Area again. Saw you at the Marin County Fair last year in the second row. Excellent as always.
Ya, I was going to comment on that too! LOL! I was 14 yrs old, so one of their younger fans probably in 1973 and I'm 65 now! Fans in their 50s got on board late! Have to give Eric a break, he's getting old too! LOL!
@@BelgianJasper They did a show with Foghat at the Spyglass Winery, July 9th 2011 that was incredible.Foghat played for 90 minutes and then BOC came out and did 10 songs with Buck and Richie trading off some guitar solos.I still remember them sharing the spotlight on Then Came the Last Days of May,then using,Hot Rails To Hell as the encore.
Blooms vocal on Don’t Come Running is outstanding! It’s obviously him singing in a high register. Heavy Metal and Goin Thru The Motions are obviously not females either. Sweet interview! 👍
Discovered BOC when I was fifteen with the Specters album just before the release of Fire of Unknown Origin and been a big fan ever since. I've listened to Ghost Stories about four or five time now, it's a solid album and happy to ad it to my collection. I think there is only a few bands where I have every album. Eric, if you do read some comments here and happen to see this, it would be so cool to have a contest for BOC fans to submit original songs to be chosen and recorded for one last album, just a thought. An album written by fans has never been done before.
@@BelgianJasper Probably Don't fear the reaper. But I also really like Burnin for you, Godzilla, Flaming Telepath, in the last days of May, take me away, Shooting Shark, Cities on Flame, Astronomy, etc. The list goes on. Lol.
I started picking up on BOC as soon as I discovered Rock n Roll in 79, as a HS freshman. They have been one of my top 5 bands since. Thanks for the interview.
A little late seeing this, im 61 and been a fan since i heard DFTR in 76 at 13 years old. Went down to the local head shop n bought agents, then the guys turned me on to the earlier stuff. I was hooked immediately and have seen them around a dozen times over the years!
Yes, that IS Eric singing on my original recording: unchanged and not tampered with in any way. Good backstory on the process. Over time Ampex 456 tape was NOT your friend.
Eric says some fans have a "love-hate" relationship with the band, but I wouldn't say it's ever "hate"... "occasional concern," possibly... 🙂 Fact is, BOC fans LOVE BOC, and if they DO happen to moan about something every now and then, it's only because they care...
True fan, 14 years old when Cultosorius Erectus came out, first tape of them I bought. Favorite 1 Specters 2 Erectus 3 Agents. Favorite live albums 1 Extraterrestrial live 2 Hard Days night 3 Some enchanted evening. Finally got to see them up close at Roseland in Portland in 2020, Old funkers still rock and roll live better than anyone I’ve seen in a long time.
@@BelgianJasper Absolutely! The Black and Blue tour was Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult in Salt Lake City Utah. Black Sabbath didn't show and B.O.C played both shows to cover for them! They earned my lifelong respect for this! The Symbol Remains always and forever B.O.C!
Been listening to BOC, aka Soft White Underbelly since the mid 70s. Not an avid fan, but "now I'm a seasoned veteran of 1000 psychic wars" is one the most profound verses ever! Rock on!🤘
@@BelgianJasper I first heard Don't Fear The Reaper in the mid 70s on the radio and then I heard Godzilla through the same medium. Imo, the song was too short. Still love that song. In 1980 (?) I bought the Heavy Metal soundtrack and listened to 1000 Psychic Wars tirelessly. BOC is obviously one of those underrated bands of the era, kinda like Thin Lizzy. Rock on!
We have a surf band in Chicago, The Breakers, and BOC is still a huge influence, oddly enough, although you probably wouldn't be able to tell. I've seen the band twice, and from way back when, always a fan of the melodicism, and easy blending of genres to create tunes that are tonal and melodic emotion / packed earworms!
48 Showa since ‘74! We were at a show at Paso Robles a few years back and met this Family They had come from all over the US and merged in Paso Robles to see BOC. I think only two of the group had ever seen the BOC Play. It turned out their brother”Met the Reaper”in an auto accident after a show many years ago. And they all turned up for the show to celebrate their long lost family member. I wanted to get word to the band, but. I got their story too late. It was pretty poignant. The BOC did two shows with a break in between. So they got a double dose of the reaper. They seemed to really enjoy themselves. Cheers.
I loved the first album the first time I heard it in 73'. Been a fan ever since and have seen them dozens of times. It was a little before my eighth birthday, which makes me 59.
I saw two shows that I am pretentious enough to say Eric will also remember: 12/31/79 Cow Palace, San Francisco. Because why would anyone not remember the NYE of the decade from 70s to 80s. And 02/04/85 in Redding CA, because Albert was back for the first night of one short lived week. Albert wasn't supposed to talk to the audience or approach the front of the stage, but he did at the end and we ate it up.
I believe Eric's mistaken regarding Joe's vocals on So Supernatural. The vocals on that particular track are as originally recorded. Joe DID re-record vocals for two other tracks (Gun, Money Machine) because the lyrics were unfinished, but NOT SS.
Am I the only one that thinks the first three albums blow all subsequent albums far away? Not to disparage those albums, but those three were insanely deep, mesmerizing, masterfully written and played and unGodly original.
I agree they are my favorites, I think that happens a lot. Bands early work they are living together and doing nothing but trying to get a music career going. So all their focus is on music and performing. Once they have some success they have a thousand other things to think about.
oct 12 1974 i have the ticket stub around here somewhere. i had the wrong date it was the 12 th not the 20 th. i do not recall the opening act, not sure they had one.
I saw BOC in 1982. They were great! Eric was never my favorite vocalist, but he did okay. He did the job and wasn’t terrible. Buck was always the smooth voice. It’s God given, you can’t hold it against anyone. Just like his guitar playing, Buck is the man, Eric just gets by. BOC (or 2OC as the fans call them now) is a shadow of the band they used to be. Buck’s guitar playing is sad and his vocal is just barely passable. I’m surprised they’re still playing gigs. I guess they still need the money? Last time I saw Buck play (with the Band Geeks) I was so disappointed and felt shame to see one of my guitar heroes bust the solo in a few of my favorite songs.
That's an interesting question. I know the guy from Ghost tries to play down the similarities to BOC but to me some of their stuff, like the keyboard stuff in the middle of Square Hammer, could totally be 80's era BOC.
@@valis992000I’ve seen them dodge that as well, but it’s undeniable. The fingerprints of BOC are all over songs on nearly all Ghost albums. Think about the bridge of Golden Age of Leather - the fast part. Those Buck harmony vocals absolutely influenced someone in the Ghost songwriting camp. Nosferatu’s chords and vibe could be mistaken for Ghost’s hit Cirice. I could go on but Ghost liberally borrowed BOC’s vibe and to suggest less is crazy.
This man does NOT look 79 years old, and still has those killer pipes. Legend🤘
Eric Bloom should write his autobiography. Memory works and he is a great story teller.
Yep, but if you can sing and play an instrument at the same time well you can certainly speak well.
15 yrs old, 1974 I heard Tyranny and Mutations and have been hooked since. OD'd on Life Itself!
I saw BOC in Chicago in 1978 and many time's since.... Long Live BOC
I was there chicago international amphitheater that shoe kicked ass
BOC My all time favorite band
What's your favorite album? 🤘🤘🤘
I like how Eric takes time out for his fans.
I grew up on BOC's music. I met Eric and Buck on the US tour with Nazareth and April Wine. He noticed my Iron Maiden shirt and started talking to me about music. Super cool guy.!
That's awesome! What's your favorite Maiden album?
@@BelgianJasper I have to go with "Piece Of Mind" followed closely by "Killers".
@@kenfrederick6223 wow, those are mine too!
I'll be 71 years old in July 2024. I am most definitely an ORIGINAL FAN! I saw them 3 years in a row in my Texas hometown, but it was the Nov. 10, 1977 show that became one of the PEAK experiences of my life! It is the ONLY CONCERT I ever saw, where the audience was so stunned at the end of "Dominance & Submission" that it was at least 5 to 10 seconds after the last "note" before the speechless audience could even make a sound! But once they came out of their collective hypnosis, the ovation was THUNDEROUS and lasted seemingly forever.
That was the only show I saw them with the laser light show! Absolutely mind-blowing!! Fantastic memories!
Thanks for sharing that wonderful memory!
@@BelgianJasper Thanks for reading and commenting! Yes, it truly is one of my fondest memories, especially when it comes to concerts. But actually, MOST of my fondest memories involve music!!😉
Wow I'm so jealous! Sounds like a show of a lifetime!
@@jonathanhudak2059 - I definitely was up there in the Top 10 best concerts I ever saw!
@MissAstorDancer you're so lucky! And to see them with the original classic lineup.I'm so jealous! I bet it was fantastic!
Been a fan for 50 yrs.57 yrs old! Love Ghost Stories! Thanks for all the great music!!! There's cool then there's Eric Bloom cool 🤘😎🎤🎸🎹
Buffalo, NY 1982. Drum solo with strobe lights, reptile head, broken snare drums, drum stick to the back neck of his brother. Foghat opened. Unforgettable!!!!! B.O.C.!!!!!
I remember seeing BÖC a couple times at the Spectrum in Philadelphia during the 70’s. They were in their prime and ascendant then. Years later, I caught one of their shows at a club right after 9-11. I was about to walk in when I noticed Eric approaching. I opened the door for him and he thanked me. He was gracious and not at all pretentious. Definitely a really cool guy.
Eric Bloom is A F#% Rock n Roll Living Legend ❤. ✅✅❤️. I just Love his Vocals & Complete Stage Presence is Absolutely Amazing 😎😎
“original” fan here, bought Treaties when it came out. Saw them in the UK in ‘78. I’m 68!
Awesome! Thank you for sharing :)
Original fans in their 50s? I'm 69 and bought the first album when it came out in 72 and first saw the band in 74 with KISS opening. I've seen the band every time they were somewhere I could get to.I love the new/old album. I hope you come to the Bay Area again. Saw you at the Marin County Fair last year in the second row. Excellent as always.
Oh wow that must have been an amazing experience! Any highlights from that show?
Ya, I was going to comment on that too! LOL! I was 14 yrs old, so one of their younger fans probably in 1973 and I'm 65 now! Fans in their 50s got on board late! Have to give Eric a break, he's getting old too! LOL!
@@dominiczito7567 👊😅
I consider myself an "original fan", came in during Fire in 1981, now in my 50s
Saw them there back in late nineties and early 2000s.
Have seen them 44 times.I wouldn't expect to hear the same type song for a full CD.Variety keeps the interest.
Well said! What has bee your absolute favorite show out of those 44?
@@BelgianJasper They did a show with Foghat at the Spyglass Winery, July 9th 2011 that was incredible.Foghat played for 90 minutes and then BOC came out and did 10 songs with Buck and Richie trading off some guitar solos.I still remember them sharing the spotlight on Then Came the Last Days of May,then using,Hot Rails To Hell as the encore.
@@kingmrfone5604 that is for sharing!
Blooms vocal on Don’t Come Running is outstanding! It’s obviously him singing in a high register. Heavy Metal and Goin Thru The Motions are obviously not females either. Sweet interview! 👍
Glad you liked it!
Original fan, in my 50s, still listen to B.O.C. all the time, one of my favorite bands!!
I 1st saw the beginning of BÖC as SWU in July 1968. I appreciate EVERYTHING they have done since.
Discovered BOC when I was fifteen with the Specters album just before the release of Fire of Unknown Origin and been a big fan ever since. I've listened to Ghost Stories about four or five time now, it's a solid album and happy to ad it to my collection. I think there is only a few bands where I have every album. Eric, if you do read some comments here and happen to see this, it would be so cool to have a contest for BOC fans to submit original songs to be chosen and recorded for one last album, just a thought. An album written by fans has never been done before.
B.O.C. is such a great American band. They're music is so versatile and very rememarable lyrics and songs. Love BOC.🤘🎸🎸🤘
What is your favorite song of all time by them?
@@BelgianJasper Probably Don't fear the reaper. But I also really like Burnin for you, Godzilla, Flaming Telepath, in the last days of May, take me away, Shooting Shark, Cities on Flame, Astronomy, etc. The list goes on. Lol.
@@metalhead7181 awesome! Mine would be Godzilla 👊
The two songs I’ve heard from Ghost Stories are great. My CD is on back order. Hope it gets here soon. 🤘
👊👊👊
Eric, the great sun jester ....Saw these guys on 79, been a fan since On Your Feet 👍
Saw em in ‘79! One of the best shows I’ve seen. Still love their music!
I started picking up on BOC as soon as I discovered Rock n Roll in 79, as a HS freshman. They have been one of my top 5 bands since. Thanks for the interview.
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for this outstanding interview, well done!! Margaret my wife and I have always love chatting with Eric! Go Mets!!!!!!
You're most welcome! Hope you also enjoy the new release
A little late seeing this, im 61 and been a fan since i heard DFTR in 76 at 13 years old. Went down to the local head shop n bought agents, then the guys turned me on to the earlier stuff. I was hooked immediately and have seen them around a dozen times over the years!
Yes, that IS Eric singing on my original recording: unchanged and not tampered with in any way. Good backstory on the process. Over time Ampex 456 tape was NOT your friend.
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Eric says some fans have a "love-hate" relationship with the band, but I wouldn't say it's ever "hate"... "occasional concern," possibly... 🙂 Fact is, BOC fans LOVE BOC, and if they DO happen to moan about something every now and then, it's only because they care...
Exactly ;)
Love this new album of the oldies revamped… Thanks Blue Öyster Cult. Thanks Eric for the interview
Do you have a favorite track on the album?
On tour forever. 🎸
🤘
Legend!
I'm an original BOC fan and I'm almost 67 years old.
👊👊👊
nice to see Hot Rails to Hull on screen !
👊👊👊
The album is great! I love the videos and it's nice to hear Eric singing in a different register, great range
True fan, 14 years old when Cultosorius Erectus came out, first tape of them I bought. Favorite 1 Specters 2 Erectus 3 Agents. Favorite live albums 1 Extraterrestrial live 2 Hard Days night 3 Some enchanted evening. Finally got to see them up close at Roseland in Portland in 2020, Old funkers still rock and roll live better than anyone I’ve seen in a long time.
Thanks for sharing your picks!!
Thanks for the interview. Love BOC 💕
FAN FOR 50 YEARS HERE...SEEN B.O.C many many times live! 59 years old here. My two favorite LPs are a tie...Mirros and Cultasaurs Erectus!
Awesome! Is there one show amongst those the truly stood out?
@@BelgianJasper Absolutely! The Black and Blue tour was Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult in Salt Lake City Utah. Black Sabbath didn't show and B.O.C played both shows to cover for them! They earned my lifelong respect for this! The Symbol Remains always and forever B.O.C!
@@markbirchette8740 that's awesome!
Been listening to BOC, aka Soft White Underbelly since the mid 70s. Not an avid fan, but "now I'm a seasoned veteran of 1000 psychic wars" is one the most profound verses ever! Rock on!🤘
How did you discover the band? 🤘
@@BelgianJasper I first heard Don't Fear The Reaper in the mid 70s on the radio and then I heard Godzilla through the same medium. Imo, the song was too short. Still love that song. In 1980 (?) I bought the Heavy Metal soundtrack and listened to 1000 Psychic Wars tirelessly. BOC is obviously one of those underrated bands of the era, kinda like Thin Lizzy. Rock on!
@@sillymanblues thank you for sharing 🤘
We have a surf band in Chicago, The Breakers, and BOC is still a huge influence, oddly enough, although you probably wouldn't be able to tell. I've seen the band twice, and from way back when, always a fan of the melodicism, and easy blending of genres to create tunes that are tonal and melodic emotion / packed earworms!
48 Showa since ‘74! We were at a show at Paso Robles a few years back and met this Family They had come from all over the US and merged in Paso Robles to see BOC. I think only two of the group had ever seen the BOC Play.
It turned out their brother”Met the Reaper”in an auto accident after a show many years ago. And they all turned up for the show to celebrate their long lost family member. I wanted to get word to the band, but. I got their story too late. It was pretty poignant. The BOC did two shows with a break in between. So they got a double dose of the reaper. They seemed to really enjoy themselves. Cheers.
@@MarcusRefusius thanks for sharing that story!
Great Stuff!!!
Awesome! Is there a specific song on the new release you like most?
Eric and Buck signed my first press ST, behind the bleachers and through the fence at Ribfest.
AWESOME!
Glad you like it!
"Original" fans would also be in their 60s and 70s by now. Not just in their 50s.
Careful, I resemble that remark 😆
I loved the first album the first time I heard it in 73'. Been a fan ever since and have seen them dozens of times. It was a little before my eighth birthday, which makes me 59.
I saw two shows that I am pretentious enough to say Eric will also remember: 12/31/79 Cow Palace, San Francisco. Because why would anyone not remember the NYE of the decade from 70s to 80s. And 02/04/85 in Redding CA, because Albert was back for the first night of one short lived week. Albert wasn't supposed to talk to the audience or approach the front of the stage, but he did at the end and we ate it up.
Thanks for sharing that!! 🤘
Eric says their oldest fans are in their "50"'s !!?? Sheesh. How about I'm 65? LOL
I believe Eric's mistaken regarding Joe's vocals on So Supernatural. The vocals on that particular track are as originally recorded. Joe DID re-record vocals for two other tracks (Gun, Money Machine) because the lyrics were unfinished, but NOT SS.
Am I the only one that thinks the first three albums blow all subsequent albums far away? Not to disparage those albums, but those three were insanely deep, mesmerizing, masterfully written and played and unGodly original.
I agree they are my favorites, I think that happens a lot. Bands early work they are living together and doing nothing but trying to get a music career going. So all their focus is on music and performing. Once they have some success they have a thousand other things to think about.
oct 12 1974 i have the ticket stub around here somewhere. i had the wrong date it was the 12 th not the 20 th. i do not recall the opening act, not sure they had one.
Awesome!!
if i saw this guy walking down the street, i would turn and go the other way, these guys scare the heck out of me.
I saw BOC in 1982. They were great!
Eric was never my favorite vocalist, but he did okay. He did the job and wasn’t terrible. Buck was always the smooth voice. It’s God given, you can’t hold it against anyone. Just like his guitar playing, Buck is the man, Eric just gets by.
BOC (or 2OC as the fans call them now) is a shadow of the band they used to be. Buck’s guitar playing is sad and his vocal is just barely passable. I’m surprised they’re still playing gigs. I guess they still need the money? Last time I saw Buck play (with the Band Geeks) I was so disappointed and felt shame to see one of my guitar heroes bust the solo in a few of my favorite songs.
Why did they fire Jimmy Testergross(roadie)? Did George fire him? I am still on the fence if I really like this album.
What does BOC think of Ghost
That's an interesting question. I know the guy from Ghost tries to play down the similarities to BOC but to me some of their stuff, like the keyboard stuff in the middle of Square Hammer, could totally be 80's era BOC.
@@valis992000I’ve seen them dodge that as well, but it’s undeniable. The fingerprints of BOC are all over songs on nearly all Ghost albums. Think about the bridge of Golden Age of Leather - the fast part. Those Buck harmony vocals absolutely influenced someone in the Ghost songwriting camp. Nosferatu’s chords and vibe could be mistaken for Ghost’s hit Cirice. I could go on but Ghost liberally borrowed BOC’s vibe and to suggest less is crazy.
I always wonder why rock stars like sports? A bunch of goons chasing a ball, my take
There's a reason they've been able to be "on tour forever"