What is Buckfast? It depends on who you ask. If you're in Ireland, the likely answer is a syrupy tonic wine made by Benedictine monks with a reputation for a devastating amphetamine-like inebriation. Ask that same question up and down the California co

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What is Buckfast? It depends on who you ask. If you're in Ireland, the likely answer is a syrupy tonic wine made by Benedictine monks with a reputation for a devastating amphetamine-like inebriation. Ask that same question up and down the California coast, and the certain answer is a band that plays a kind of driving, narcotic rock and roll that intoxicates the listener, an effect all-too similar to their namesake.

The band's nucleus was formed in 2000 when fellow musicians introduced Buckfast's original members and chief songwriters, Vic Belonogoff and Nick Forte, at a rock bar. The two found common ground in a lively discussion of musical topics ranging from '80's rock bands to Radiohead, Stone Roses and The Pixies. Before long, a friendship was born. A band soon followed.

As songwriters, Belonogoff and Forte compliment each other well. Vic crafted his grinding yet melodic guitar style while playing the Los Angeles rock scene in the late 90s. Nick is a Detroit native who brings to Buckfast the Motor City's signature driving bass sound.

Over the next two years, Belonogoff and Forte ran through the standard rotation of members and band names. Finally, in mid-2002, the pair got fed up: They broke it all down, refreshed themselves, and began the long, exhaustive search for new members. An ad placed in a local San Francisco paper for a lead singer brought them into contact with a litany of sub-par vocal rejects. They were nearing their wit's end when the extraordinary happened: Riddler. With his aggressive, undaunted stage presence and pulverizing, rip-roaring voice, Belonogoff and Forte knew Riddler was the right man for the band.

With singer, guitarist, and bassist in place, all they needed now was a drummer and a new name. Through friends they met the formidable Cormac Breslin. At his audition, Breslin sat down at the drums, gave a quick nod, and blew the roof off the place. It didn't take long for Belonogoff and Forte to realize he would be a sensational fit. The band was formed, and through the suggestion of Irishman Breslin, they found the perfect name.

Buckfast went right to work, writing new tunes and honing their chops playing live as often as possible. The hard work and dedication paid off: By early 2003, the word on Buckfast had spread down to Los Angeles. Their demo found its way into the hands of producer / engineer, Dave Schiffman who had worked with acts such as Audioslave, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Mars Volta. The result was a six-track EP recorded at Sausalito's famed Plant Recording Studios and released in early 2004.

Following the release of the EP, the band took to the road to build up their following, grass-roots style. Today the band's fan base easily fills, if not sells out, live music venues such as San Francisco's Great American Music Hall, Slim's and Bottom of the Hill. The band is also featured every month at Los Angeles' Viper Room. Just finishing up a month-long tour of the West Coast, buckfast is back in the studio with Dave Schiffman preparing for their first full-length release. The band has plans for a nationwide tour as well as a tour of the U.K. in 2005.