Featured Artist #34: Buckethead

[PinkFreud]

Featured Artist #34: Buckethead

DISCLAIMER: Not much is actually known about Buckethead, making it difficult for me to flesh this FA out with useful information about his personality in real life or about his early recording years and initial attempts at music. So, like the man himself, I’m going to put the emphasis on his music. This is also my first FA and I’m quite simply a less talented writer than Med and the others who have done great jobs with these. I also tend to be long-winded, as you can tell. Don’t be too hard on me. Hope you enjoy.


The enigma known as Buckethead has confused many a person. Even as an avid fanboy, I can honestly say that I understand why people are so off-put by him. It’s a freakishly tall man with long curly hair wearing an upturned KFC bucket on his head and a Michael Myers-esque mask. While he is known as a very talented multi-instrumentalist he’s just as prone to manic, high energy solos as he is to breaking out his nunchuks and robot dancing. A lot of people just know him as the ex-guitarist for the “new” Guns ‘n’ Roses. If one looks deeper, however, they’ll find that Buckethead’s not just incredibly technically talented but he’s also one of the most creative, versatile, and quirky musicians out there today. I beseech all of you to keep an open mind. If you’ve heard one of his albums and have been turned off by it, keep reading and give an album that sounds more your style a chance. If you only know him from Guns ‘n’ Roses, keep reading and step into his world. If you’ve only vaguely heard of him, keep reading as you might find something that you love. Plus you can act pretentious when people have never heard of him! High-fives all around!

Not much is known about the boy who would grow up to don the white mask and chicken bucket. We know that he was born Brian Carroll in Southern California, close to Disneyland. At an early age, he developed a penchant for horror movies, martial arts, and comic books. This minute detail is nonetheless important as these become some of his biggest inspirations. During his teenage years, Brian began teaching himself the guitar. He set out to learn everything he could about the instrument, not only technique, but how to express himself through it; How to make it sing. Some of his idols at this time were Randy Rhoads and Yngwie Malmsteen. Like his heroes, Brian begins to incorporate many elements of classical music. Eventually, he moved on to jazzier players as well. The late, great Shawn Lane was a spiritual mentor to Brian and heavily influenced him.

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers came out in 1988. It was not well received by critics nor by fans of the genre. It did, however, affect one person. This was when Brian Carroll became Buckethead. Up until then, he was an amazing guitarist, no doubt, but that was his whole personality. This made him unique. He picked up a mask at a local Halloween store and took it home. Later that night, eating from a bucket of fried chicken, another inspiration struck him. He overturned the bucket and put it atop his head. He had been changed and so had his musical output. He has mastered many difficult guitar techniques that he puts to use whenever he feels they'll fit. He chicken-picks, 8-finger taps, and can switch confidently from crushing chords to lightning fast sweeping runs.

The following sections will be about Buckethead’s career. I, however, am only one man and considering the amount of side projects and guest appearances, some may be forgotten or simply omitted.

Solo Career
Buckethead’s first solo album, Bucketheadland was released in 1992 on John Zorn’s Avant imprint. It’s an odd concept for an album, an amusement park that’s based around Buckethead’s twisted mind. Even in this album Buckethead mixes dirty funk, shred, and obscure horror movie references. Though it’s a rough album, a tough listen really, it perked peoples’ ears up and he had many early fans, some of whom would show up on his sophomore effort, Giant Robot.

Giant Robot is in the same vein as his debut but much stronger. Bolstered not only by the guest appearances of Iggy Pop and odd skits but by Buckethead’s insane playing. In just two years, he had matured into a great songwriter and comes even further into his own sounds. Highlights of this album include the borderline funk of “Aquabot,” the intense “Binge and Grab (Instrumental Version),” and the beautiful “I Love My Parents.” The album is very diverse and is not only a showcase for his guitar but for his great ear for hooks and melody.

1996’s Day Of The Robot benefited greatly from Bill Laswell’s production. Laswell, a staple in the New York City underground music scene, transformed the album into Buckethead’s most consistent at that point. DJ Ninji supplies endlessly interesting beats. Buckethead’s growing songwriting means that the highlight of the album isn’t the lightning-fast breaks but the songs as a whole.

Colma and Monsters and Robots came out in 1998 and 1999 respectively. Colma showed his tender side. All acoustic, Buckethead shows his typical prowess and dexterity in a different setting. “Machete” is pure, unadulterated acoustic energy. The latter album still stands with Buckethead’s best. It’s like an amalgamation of all of the albums leading up to it in that it incorporates all of the good elements. Les Claypool guests on “The Ballad of Buckethead” and Brain drums throughout the album, the beginning of a bond that still remains today. The closer, “Nun Chuka Kata,” remains as one of his finest moments.

A string of solid, if not revolutionary, albums followed. Of them, 2002’s Electric Tears is the only one that is worth getting if you’re not a die-hard Buckethead fan. It features “Sketches of Spain (For Miles).” He reworks Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez,” most famously performed by Miles Davis on his Sketches of Spain. Delicately finger-picked, “Sketches” showed flashed of Buckethead’s versatility to come.

In 2004, Buckethead released his most well-rounded, well-written, and conventional album to date. Population Override is one of the most perfect instrumental albums I’ve ever heard. His guitar playing is never over the top here, it’s tasteful and soulful. It has a very bluesy feel and his tone isn’t the acidic, barbed-wire tone of Bucketheadland or Monsters and Robots. It’s smooth and has many textures and layers. I can’t praise this album enough. If you were to get only one Buckethead album, this would be it.

Not content to stay idle for long, Buckethead has released 5 new solo albums since Population Override. Cuckoo Clocks of Hell is Buckethead in speed-metal mode once again. This is his heaviest album, though not his most creative or sonically interesting. Still some great stuff on it. Enter The Chicken was released late last year and is Buckethead’s attempt at a more commercial sound. Produced by Serj Tankian of System of a Down, Buckethead’s guitar serves more as a vehicle for his songwriting skills and support for the multiple guest vocal spots. Tankian himself appears as does rap-poet Saul Williams, and Death By Stereo vocalist Efrem Shulz. Kaleidoscalp, Inbred Mountain, and The Elephant Man’s Alarm Clock are all only available for sale on his tour.

[PinkFreud]

One cannot comprehend everything Buckethead offers from merely his solo career and these next sections are my attempts to sum up his various other projects.


Praxis
Praxis is a super-group compiled Bill Laswell. In 1992, their debut, Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) came out. The line-up for the album is a stunner. With Buckethead on guitar, Bootsy Collins on bass, Brain on drums, Bernie Worrell of Funkadelic and Parliament fame on keys, and Afrika Babybam from the Jungle Brothers on the turntables, this album couldn’t possibly fail. And it does not disappoint in the least. A mix of electronica, thrash-metal, and funk, the album is a highlight of Buckethead’s career. There’s no shortage of anything on it. Metatron came next with only the core band of Buckethead, Brain, and Laswell. Not as strong as the debut but an excellent showcase for Buckethead’s ability. Following this, they released Sacrifist featuring guest vocals by the Boredoms’ Yamatsuka Eye. Sacrifist is heavier than its predecessors. It’s pure sonic assault and is a very solid release. By Warszawa the band was merely a shell of what it used to be but were still pushing boundaries. Recorded live, Warszawa is more hip-hop oriented. Still only the core three members, the group is fleshed out by three D.J.s who add their own twists to the sound.

Deli Creeps
Buckethead’s first group was the Deli Creeps. Based out of San Francisco, the band gained early supporters, among them was Mike Patton. I’m going to be honest and say that I have never heard this band. It’s extremely hard to find material by them. The band is comprised of Buckethead, Pinchface on drums, and Maximum Bob on vocals.

Colonel Claypool’s Bucket of Bernie Brains
This super-group was born at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee. Les Claypool, one of the most creative bassists in years, brought them together for an unscripted jam. Buckethead, Les Claypool, Bernie Worrell, and Brain all have an equal part in this band, making it my favorite Claypool side-project. They released their first album, The Big Eyeball In The Sky in 2004. It’s a very good album. All of the members absolutely shine in it. The solo on the opening track, “Buckethead,” gives me shivers every time I listen to it.

Death Cube K
Death Cube K, other than being an anagram for Buckethead, is his attempt at ambience. Supported by Bill Laswell, they released 3 albums, all of which are solid ambience. Though not ambience isn’t my thing, I can respect their intentions.

Cornbugs
Buckethead’s group with Pinchface on drums again and actor Bill Mosely (Choptop from the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Otis in House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects). Horror-rock with the two musicians setting the eerie backdrop for Mosely’s odd spoken-word pieces. Weird stuff.

Moonraker
As Mike Patton had been a long-time admirer of Buckethead and both have a penchant for being completely off the wall, it was only a matter of time before they collaborated. With no officially released material, one would have to search bootleg sites for this. They performed one show at California’s The Knitting Factory. Patton makes weird noises with his voice like only he can while Buckethead plays his *** off. I wish they would release an album together.

Zillatron
Once again working with a long-time collaborator, Buckethead plays guitar for Bootsy Collins’ group Zillatron on their Lord Of The Harvest album. With Bootsy’s driving basslines and Buckethead playing funkier than he ever has before, the album is a complete success. It’s clear that the two have a great chemistry together.

Jazz
For the sake of your attention-spans (too little, too late I know) I’m compressing three of his side-projects into this final section. Arcana’s Arc Of The Testimony is one of the last recordings of the amazing jazz drummer Tony Williams. It is a testament to Buckethead’s skill that he was invited along for the ride. He plays on three tracks on the album and absolutely rips it up. Like his idol Shawn Lane, he melds metal tones and playing and jazz sensibilities and feel.

Mike Shrieve, the original drummer for Santana (he was also the youngest musician to perform at the original Woodstock), decided to go in a different direction than his former group. He went into jazz-fusion. He began collaborating with notorious “punk-jazz” bass virtuoso Jonas Hellborg in the 90’s. In 1995 they brought Buckethead along to play on the album Octave of the Holy Innocents. With only his acoustic guitar, Buckethead floats away from shredding solos and instead melds with his two companions to create an excellent ambient jazz album. Those looking for outright guitar insanity will be disappointed but those willing to open their minds to a slightly more sophisticated Buckethead will be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.

Lastly, Thanatopsis is a bit rockier than the two bands I just mentioned but still retains the jazz feel. With Travis Dickerson on synthesizers, Buckethead explores all sorts of auditory possibilities. It’s moody, it’s unpredictable, and it’s all around good stuff.

And that’s it. That’s a rough summary of Buckethead’s prolific career. Hope you enjoyed the novel (:p) and if you leave your e-mail addresses, I’ll send out a sampler of what I consider to be his best work sometimes tomorrow. Below, you’ll find a general discography of his main releases. I left his multiple guest appearances (including the ones on Viggo Mortenson’s albums) because it would be even more tedious to type those out and my hands are killing me already.

Discography (Courtesy of Wikipedia and Allmusic.com as well as my noggin)

Solo:
Bucketheadland – 1992
Giant Robot – 1994
Day Of The Robot – 1996
Colma – 1998
Monsters and Robots – 1999
KFC Skin Piles – 2001 (Compilation)
Somewhere Over The Slaughterhouse – 2001
Funnel Weaver – 2002
Bermuda Triangle – 2002
Electric Tears – 2002
Bucketheadland 2 – 2002
Island Of Lost Minds – 2004
Population Override – 2004
Cuckoo Clocks Of Hell – 2004
Enter The Chicken – 2005
Kaleidoscalp – 2005
Inbred Mountain – 2005
The Elephant Man’s Alarm Clock – 2006
Secret Recipe – 2006 (DVD)

Arcana:
Arc Of The Testimony – 1997 (Tracks 2, 4, and 6)

Cobra Strike:
13th Scroll – 1999
Y Y+B X+Y <hold> ← - 2000

Colonel Claypool’s Bucket Of Bernie Brains:
The Big Eyeball In The Sky – 2004

Cornbugs:
Spot The Psycho – 1999
Cemetary Pinch – 2001
How Now Brown Cow – 2001
Brain Circus – 2004
Donkey Town – 2004

Death Cube K:
Dreamatorium – 1994
Disembodies – 1996
Tunnel – 1999

The Deli Creeps:
Dawn Of The Deli Creeps – 2005

Devil Dub
Devil Dub - 1998

El Stew:
No Hesitation – 1999
The Rehearsal – 2003

Giant Robot:
Giant Robot NTT – 1996

Gorgone:
Gorgone – 2005

Guns ‘n’ Roses:
Chinese Democracy – 2006 (Questionable)

Jonas Hellborg/Mike Shrieve/Buckethead:
Octave Of The Holy Innocents – 1995

Moonraker
Live Only

Pieces:
I Need 5 Minutes Alone – 1997

Praxis:
Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) – 1992
Sacrifist – 1994
Metatron – 1994
Transmutation Live – 1997
Live In Poland – 1997
Warszawa – 1999

Shine:
Heaven and Hell - 2004

Thanatopsis:
Thanatopsis – 2001
Axiology – 2003

Zillatron:
Lord Of The Harvest – 1994

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Buckethead

Some Google videos for you guys. Check out the GuitarOne tutorial and his cover of Machine Gun. The other clips that are actually him (Rock In Rio, Short Shred Solo, various music video) are ok but not very representative of his talent. The Rio one DOES put his dancing prowess on display. So yeah, actually, check that one out too.

:wave: :chug:

PS: His new DVD comes out on the 14th.

[Jom]

Stuck :thumb:

[PinkFreud]

Thanks, bud.

[Jom]

Okay, done reading!

This was very well-written. Going in, I was hoping that I'd learn about how he became Buckethead, and you delivered admirably. And you did a swell job with everything else, especially since there isn't much known about him. Dug the structure/organization - it made for a very good and engaging read :)

[PinkFreud]

Thanks, a lot! I had a lot of fun writing it despite the inevitable Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and bleeding fingertips.

Edit: In hindsight, posting this at quarter to 1 was a poor choice. Haha.

[StreetlightRock]

Wow, that was an awsome FA. I remeber trying to find info about him after I heard he was playing for GnR, and it was like near impossable! So Kudos to you man for going out there. As for Bucketead himself...

Ive heard two songs, one I really liked, Nottingham Lace. The other, Cuckoo Clocks Of Hell i think it was, I liked, but during the song he puts in these totally stupid, annoying children like rhyme thing that totally disrupts it, totally put me off. Gar.

[PinkFreud]

Wow, that was an awsome FA. I remeber trying to find info about him after I heard he was playing for GnR, and it was like near impossable! So Kudos to you man for going out there. As for Bucketead himself...

Ive heard two songs, one I really liked, Nottingham Lace. The other, Cuckoo Clocks Of Hell i think it was, I liked, but during the song he puts in these totally stupid, annoying children like rhyme thing that totally disrupts it, totally put me off. Gar.
Thanks to you, sir.

Nottingham Lace is widely believed to be among his best solos. Personally, I don't think it fits as well as it could with the song, I prefer the stuff off of Population Override. I'm not too hot on the Cuckoo Clocks Of Hell album as a whole but it has its moments.

Either of you want some songs? I'm planning on sending them out tomorrow.

[DarkScoot]

I wonder if the chicken coop thing is just part of his image and never actually happened?

[G_Mac07]

Well written PinkFreud. Short and sweet really, just the way I like it.

To be honest, the only time I've ever heard any Buckethead was from a video I got off my college network last year (which also included the Robot Dancing and Nun-Chucks), and from a perfomance I saw on TV with him in Guns N' Roses. I did however, have a guy from another forum telling me I should give him a look at some point the other day, so this should help greatly with that. He strongly recommended Kaleidoscalp, but I think the Praxis album Transmutation sounds pretty cool as well. I'll have to check it out.

Again, great work. :thumb:

/suddenly wants KFC chicken pieces

[-The Frank]

wow, that was really great.
Good Job :thumb:

i would like a sampler: dr_homely@hotmail.com

[StreetlightRock]

Sure, wouldnt mind a sampler of his work.

streetlightrock@gmail.com

[PinkFreud]

Well written PinkFreud. Short and sweet really, just the way I like it.

To be honest, the only time I've ever heard any Buckethead was from a video I got off my college network last year (which also included the Robot Dancing and Nun-Chucks), and from a perfomance I saw on TV with him in Guns N' Roses. I did however, have a guy from another forum telling me I should give him a look at some point the other day, so this should help greatly with that. He strongly recommended Kaleidoscalp, but I think the Praxis album Transmutation sounds pretty cool as well. I'll have to check it out.


Again, great work. :thumb:

/suddenly wants KFC chicken pieces
Thanks a lot. If you're more inclined towards metal, I would recommend the first Praxis album as well as Sacrifist. But I would also recommend Population Override to anyone.

Also, here's a link to so me Google videos of him. For sheer ridiculous shred, check out the GuitarOne tutorial video. It's him demonstrating many of his techniques, among them his 8 finger tapping and chicken-picking. It's mindblowing.


http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Buckethead

I'll try to get those samplers out tomorrow.

[Sph]

Very nice job! :thumb:

I'd love to gear some of his work.

boneseekr@gmal.com
Cheers! :chug:

[G_Mac07]

Thanks a lot. If you're more inclined towards metal, I would recommend the first Praxis album as well as Sacrifist. But I would also recommend Population Override to anyone.

Ok, I'll try and get my hands on Praxis as well.

Also, tomorrow night after uni I'll try and find that video I have and upload it. It's kind of cool. (it's on a CD around here somewhere)

EDIT: Put me down for anything being sent out as well, please. gregbyers@gmail.com

[PinkFreud]

Sure will. You might also like Cuckoo Clocks of Hell. There'll be a track or two off it in the emails.

[repcak]

i great FA!
i have three albums, but i never liked his style, though he is one of the top guitarists out there... is shredding ist amazing. and he changes his style on every album.

[PinkFreud]

Apologies to those who have a slow internet and want the sampler. Looks like it's gonna be pretty big. Around 100 MB. If necessary, I can make a smaller one, he just has so much stuff.

Track List For The Sampler:
Buckethead - Nottingham Lace
Buckethead - Unrestrained Growth
Buckethead - For Mom
Buckethead - Sketches Of Spain (For Miles)
Buckethead - Population Override
Buckethead - Woods Of Suicides
Buckethead - Nun Chuka Kata
Buckethead - Big Sur Moon
Buckethead - Jump Man
Buckethead - Binge and Grab (Instrumental Version)
Buckethead - Scapula
Buckethead - Caution Drop
Arcana - Illuminator
Zillatron - Fuzz Face
Praxis - Dead Man Walking
Jonas Hellborg/Mike Shrieve/Buckethead - Death That Sleeps In Them
Colonel Claypool's Bucket Of Bernie Brains - Buckethead

Yep. You guys didn't know what you were getting into.

[Jacaranda]

Good FA, too bad the person you did it on sucks so bad.

Just kidding, I had Population Override it was alright. I think the guy is definatly a character though.

[repcak]

ah, forgot about the sampler :) repcak@gmx.at and i have a fast connection. 100mb are not a problem :p

[PinkFreud]

Good FA, too bad the person you did it on sucks so bad.
Yeah, I'm still waiting on your FA on Britney Spears or Kelly Clarkson. :thumb:

[Jacaranda]

Yeah, I'm still waiting on your FA on Britney Spears or Kelly Clarkson. :thumb:
Nah, Madonna first, then I think I'll do 3 Stones FA's.

I'm thinking you didn't get much sleep last night? You posted at 3:44 my time and its now 6:46, I think you should get some rest PF, don't want you to be grumpy for work/school/whateva.

I think I might have to check out Death Cube K. Its the most appealing sounding thing, seeing as Les Claypool drives me insane and I hate jazz.

[PinkFreud]

Nah, Madonna first, then I think I'll do 3 Stones FA's.

I'm thinking you didn't get much sleep last night? You posted at 3:44 my time and its now 6:46, I think you should get some rest PF, don't want you to be grumpy for work/school/whateva.
I actually didn't sleep at all last night/tonight and got minimal sleep the night before. I just feel so much better doing something at late hours than sleeping. It's such a waste of time. No worries. I have aderrall.

3 Stones FA's might be a good idea. You could cover their good years in the first one, their mediocre years in the second one, and their slow descent into what they are now in the third! :amaze:

Edit: You might enjoy Praxis or Buckethead's mellow solo albums, Colma and Electric Tears. I neve can tell with you, though.

Edit 2: I forgot to put in that he actually took lessons from the one and only Paul Gilbert. Maybe that'll entice some people to listen to him.

[Jacaranda]

Ya, you should do a FA on Jeff Buckleys' career now days. Oh wait...

Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) thats the Praxis you recommend? It has Bootsy in it so it shouldn't be that bad.
Do any of his solo albums have singing?
I'll see if I can get Praxis off slsk then I'll tell you how bad it is.

[PinkFreud]

Ya, you should do a FA on Jeff Buckleys' career now days. Oh wait...

Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) thats the Praxis you recommend? It has Bootsy in it so it shouldn't be that bad.
Do any of his solo albums have singing?
I'll see if I can get Praxis off slsk then I'll tell you how bad it is.
Featured Artist #35: Jeff Buckley Today
Dead. Stay away from water.

Yeah, Transmutation is the one to get. Bootsy AND Bernie Worrell, original keyboardist for Funkadelic and Parliament/P-Funk. Try to look into Colma or Electric Tears too. Ambient, mellow stuff. I can always send you some if you want.

Actually, one of his newest, Enter The Chicken, is full of guest vocal spots. I said it in the FA you didn't read.... :p

I still don't know if you'd like it though. I have yet to hear it. Serj Tankian and Saul Williams among others.

[Jacaranda]

Actually, one of his newest, Enter The Chicken, is full of guest vocal spots. I said it in the FA you didn't read....
I read it! I ment like Colma? It was acoustic and I didn't think I saw anything about singing but I'm known to miss stuff.
Jesh accusing me of not reading it. I don't comment on stuff I don't read, I like to circle jerk on the internet but not that much.

Ya no one has Praxis so I might have to hit you up for something else.
Featured Artist #35: Jeff Buckley Today
Dead. Stay away from water.
Just thought I should let you know I laughed at that.

[PinkFreud]

I read it! I ment like Colma? It was acoustic and I didn't think I saw anything about singing but I'm known to miss stuff.
Jesh accusing me of not reading it. I don't comment on stuff I don't read, I like to circle jerk on the internet but not that much.

Ya no one has Praxis so I might have to hit you up for something else.

Just thought I should let you know I laughed at that.
I was just kidding, pal. Other than Enter The Chicken and a few skits and odd spoken word parts scattered on other albums, no solo vocals. CCBBB has Claypool on them, Zillatron has Bootsy's vocals, the Moonraker bootleg of course has Patton (man-crush), the Deli Creeps has Maximum Bob, and Cornbugs has Bill Mosely's odd monologues.

It's exeedingly hard to find a lot of this stuff. I've been collecting his stuff for a while, record stores and downloading online, and I've still only built a modest amount.

What I Own:
Solo:
Bucketheadland – 1992
Giant Robot – 1994
Day Of The Robot – 1996
Colma – 1998
Monsters and Robots – 1999
Somewhere Over The Slaughterhouse – 2001
Electric Tears – 2002
Island Of Lost Minds – 2004
Population Override – 2004
Cuckoo Clocks Of Hell – 2004
Kaleidoscalp – 2005
The Elephant Man’s Alarm Clock – 2006
A bootleg video

Arcana:
Arc Of The Testimony – 1997 (Tracks 2, 4, and 6)

Colonel Claypool’s Bucket Of Bernie Brains:
The Big Eyeball In The Sky – 2004
2 Bootlegs

Cornbugs:
Spot The Psycho – 1999
Cemetary Pinch – 2001
How Now Brown Cow – 2001
Brain Circus – 2004
Donkey Town – 2004

Death Cube K:
Tunnel – 1999

Guns ‘n’ Roses:
Chinese Democracy – 2006 (Questionable)

Jonas Hellborg/Mike Shrieve/Buckethead:
Octave Of The Holy Innocents – 1995

Moonraker
Live Only

Praxis:
Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) – 1992
Sacrifist – 1994
Metatron – 1994

Shine:
Heaven and Hell - 2004

Thanatopsis:
Thanatopsis – 2001
Axiology – 2003

Zillatron:
Lord Of The Harvest – 1994

And most are downloaded. In the Borders where I worked, we had a lot of hard to find stuff but for Buckethead I could only find Population Override, Electric Tears, Giant Robot, and The Big Eyeball In The Sky. I ordered Warszawa once but I ended up not buying it.

[Iron Bars]

I own CCBBB album and it's very good, also heard Population Override some time back. Very informative write up and I'll sign up for the uploads jvm360@hotmail.com.

[PinkFreud]

Awesome. I love spreading the gospel of Buckethead.

[Shattered_Future]

Great writeup on a great guitarist. Buckethead may be one of the best, simply because of his versatility. He does frickin EVERYTHING.

[PinkFreud]

Great writeup on a great guitarist. Buckethead may be one of the best, simply because of his versatility. He does frickin EVERYTHING.
Very true. It's what sets him apart from so many other players.

[robo2448]

Great write-up. I snagged Population Override from one of the YSI threads back in the day. I've actually never gotten around to listening to it, but I will now.

[PinkFreud]

Great write-up. I snagged Population Override from one of the YSI threads back in the day. I've actually never gotten around to listening to it, but I will now.
Excellent. And remember, if it doesn't hit you right away, give it a break and then come back to it. Buckethead's music is stuff that usually takes a few listens to get into.

[Jacaranda]

Heeeeeeey PF would you mind sending Colma or what not my way? I started thinking about it and I think it'd be really interesting to hear. Whenever you get the chance is fine :)

[I'm Charming]

I liked the write up. Good job on that! :thumb: It was a good read.

I wasn't amused by "buckethead" though. I watched a couple videos on google.video and he seems pretty good. I wasn't digging it nor his dance moves.

He just seems like the rock/metal version of Michael Jackson.

[PinkFreud]

Heeeeeeey PF would you mind sending Colma or what not my way? I started thinking about it and I think it'd be really interesting to hear. Whenever you get the chance is fine :)
Yeah well, whenever you get the sam hill on aim I can!

I'mCharming: He's actually said that Michael Jackson is one of his influences. If you post your email, I'll send you the sampler too. Like I said, those videos really arent representative of his style all the time. I just never cease to be blown away by the tutorial. And even if it's not your thing, you can't deny that his dancing skills are pretty tits.

[Treebeard]

Pretty cool. Buckethead is by far my favorite guitarist and probably my favorite musician. I could ramble on and on about how much I love him. :)

[temporary]

Great write up, Buckethead is an increadible guitarist. I actually was going to see him earlier this year, but something came up and I couldn't go. I love his work in Claypook's Bucket of Bernie Brains, too. I really need to get Praxis' debut, it sounds increadible.

I'm curious, though, can just anyone write an Featured Artist?

[PinkFreud]

Pretty cool. Buckethead is by far my favorite guitarist and probably my favorite musician. I could ramble on and on about how much I love him. :)
Well, for now we'll just let your user name do the talking. :thumb:

Obi Wan Kenodi, check his website. He's touring again. He came here a few months ago and is coming again in April. Also, I asked Med if I could do this one. I'm not sure if it's standard procedure. I kind of want to start my own series but there's already quite a few.

[Treebeard]

Let the knife do the talking.


...



Guess who wrote that song and win a prize.

[I'm Charming]

Yeah well, whenever you get the sam hill on aim I can!

I'mCharming: He's actually said that Michael Jackson is one of his influences. If you post your email, I'll send you the sampler too. Like I said, those videos really arent representative of his style all the time. I just never cease to be blown away by the tutorial. And even if it's not your thing, you can't deny that his dancing skills are pretty tits.

I guess I was right on with the Michael Jackson then. That was my first thought with the dance moves. It looked like Joey from slipknot with a bucket on his head, dancing like Michael Jackson. :p ..........Except he had talent. haha.

roguewarheart@yahoo.com A sampler would great. It's hard to judge from a couple clips on google.

I'd think his studio recordings would be different, as you said.

Thanks!....

PS: Good job on the write up. :thumb:

[HazMan]

I groan at anything related to KFC cause i used to work there lol. Buckethead is awesome though. Listening to Binge and Grab right now.

[PinkFreud]

Sampler was just sent out to the people who posted their email addresses. Anyone else who wants it, just post yours and I'll send it to you too.

Treebeard, I'm drawing a blank here. No prize for me. Haha.

[Crysiss]

great write up, i enjoyed reading it. I just skimmed through the discography though.

[thunderzstruck]

I got Colma and it's a really nice album

just havent heard any of his other stuff though
(didn't he write to power rangers theme song?)

[Kurrpt]

i had colma, but i didnt really like the album. I realized it was some excellent guitar-age, just nothing that could break through into my heavy rotation



mckeepa@fhsc.com

[PinkFreud]

I got Colma and it's a really nice album

just havent heard any of his other stuff though
(didn't he write to power rangers theme song?)
It's a rumor that he did the Power Rangers theme. I believe it's not him. He DOES have another song on the Power Rangers soundtrack somewhere.

Leave your email address and I'll send you the sampler.

Che_Guevara: Sent to you.

[Kurrpt]

thx bro :thumb:

[Deconstruction]

I loved the writeup and the artist and I get to see him on Tuesday for Free!!!

[The Minstrel in the Gallery]

He sounds awesome. Can you send me the sampler Kral6666@aol.com

[PinkFreud]

Sent to you.

Deconstruction, you jerk. Live Buckethead for free? That's like Christmas.

[Shattered_Future]

Buckethead's playing in a few days at B.B. Kings. Pity I can't go...

I just realized I have almost no Buckethead. I'd like that sampler if ya got a minute.

anemiate@yahoo.com

Thanks much. :thumb:

[PinkFreud]

Sent to you.

Did everyone else get them?

[thunderzstruck]

It's a rumor that he did the Power Rangers theme. I believe it's not him. He DOES have another song on the Power Rangers soundtrack somewhere.

Leave your email address and I'll send you the sampler.

Che_Guevara: Sent to you.

mowracer211@gmail.com thanks a lot dude! :)

i had colma, but i didnt really like the album. I realized it was some excellent guitar-age, just nothing that could break through into my heavy rotation



mckeepa@fhsc.com

I LOVE colma. I didn't like it at first but its such a nice album to relaxe to IMO

[PinkFreud]

Sent to you, too.

[I'm Charming]

Thanks alot. I have to listen to it tonight when I'm completely relaxed and chilling.

[thunderzstruck]

haha wow

the song buckethead is sooo weird. :lol: an opera dude and stuff.. with some piano then a kickass guitar solo out of nowhere

[PinkFreud]

Isn't that solo ridiculous? Typical Claypool oddness, too. But at least his bass doesn't overpower all the other instruments like it does in everything else he does.

[thunderzstruck]

:eek: omg nottingham lace has got to be one of the best songs ever

[Jacaranda]

I just listened to the first 7 tracks of Colma right now. It reminds me of Royksopp so much, minus the whole words thing. Its ambient, but sounds like electronica-ish, meh I'm bad with describing. Its pretty good. I'll probably through it on the Pod and listen to it during tests and the such. Its pretty sounding too.

I'll listen to the rest later. Keef' is calling. :P

[Demon_King]

I've seen Buckethead a few times and by far the best part is when he starts to break dance.

[PinkFreud]

I just listened to the first 7 tracks of Colma right now. It reminds me of Royksopp so much, minus the whole words thing. Its ambient, but sounds like electronica-ish, meh I'm bad with describing. Its pretty good. I'll probably through it on the Pod and listen to it during tests and the such. Its pretty sounding too.

I'll listen to the rest later. Keef' is calling. :P
Awesome. Based on that, you'd probably like Electric Tears, too.

[Jacaranda]

Ya I ended up listening to it all and the first track is my favorite. Its sorta haunting sounding yet not scary. I might have to check out another el Bukohed album. Perhaps Electric Tears to see if maybe you're on a roll with recommendations? I was suprised that I wasn't hitting the forward button either usually with guitarist like him (no vocals... etc.) I usually listen to a song and then quickly change songs but I didn't feel like changing songs at all.
I'll give it a 3.25/5!

[PinkFreud]

Not bad for someone with your musical tastes! :p

Glad you enjoyed it. Hit me up sometime for the other album.

Edit: My favorite off of Colma is "For Mom." Beautiful song.

[penelope weird hands]

Awesome write-up, man.
Possibly one of the hardest artists to talk about too, he is quite the enigma.
You have done very well(!), considering.

I have only seen Buckethead on some of the Primus DVDs my friend has.. but I've always been intrigued by him, and now that you've shed more light on him I now definately have to check out his works and collaborations.
His acoustic works on Colma, in particular, sound very interesting.

Huzzah! :chug:

EDIT: penelope_weird_hands@yahoo.com.au
Thanks a bunch..!

[PinkFreud]

If you post your email address I can send you the sampler I sent out. Glad you're intrigued.

[BigTrav415]

i l u Freud :-*

If you've still got that link, BigTrav415@gmail.com :)

I always heard his name/saw him in a picture and assumed he was just a generic metal shredder or something. Thou hath opened mine eyes, O Freud!

[sgrevs]

He's such a nut that crazy man. I wish I was friends with him though, that would be sweet.

What a champion.

*Puts on some Buckethead*

[PinkFreud]

Sent out to you guys. Glad I could open your eyes, Trav.

[StreetlightRock]

Actually, you know who Buckethead reminds me off? A more talented, more quirky and versitle John 5.

[Iron Bars]

Great sampler, you really got me in the mood to listen to CCBBB with the first song and then it keeps on getting better. I'm almost through it now and I like the Population Override songs best.

[PinkFreud]

Glad you like it. Like I said, I think the Population Override material is the most accessible.

[Father_Jack]

Could I get a couple of those uploads?


jackramsden2003@hotmail.com

[PinkFreud]

Sent to you.

[Deconstruction]

Sent to you.

Deconstruction, you jerk. Live Buckethead for free? That's like Christmas.
:) What did you think of the albums I sent you? Ill get pics/hopefully an autograph!

[PinkFreud]

They're pretty good. I think "Monsters and Robots" and "Population Override" are still my favorites. I'm actually watching my bootleg dvd of his right now while preordering his new official dvd. Can't wait till tuesday!

[thunderzstruck]

One of the complaints against Colma is the drums on that cd are so fake and sometimes they drone out the guitar from what I hear

[GOme]

Great write up. I'm going to see Buckethead on the 25th! I have a Deli Creeps demo i could post it if you wanted.

[Supreven]

Thanks for that, never really knew much about this guy before, it was an interesting read.
I'm in the process of downloading Population Overdrive right now, before this I've only heard a bit off Cuckoo Clocks of Hell, it definately takes getting used to, but an interesting listen nonetheless.

[YDload]

Yeah, the rumors about him playing the Power Rangers theme song are false. Although it's certainly within his ability to do so, it's just not true. That's like saying Les Claypool did the Seinfeld theme song!

[Fire Away]

Buckethead rules.






/is GN'R fan.

[Sph]

I think I messed up my email, can you send (or someone forward) me those samplers?

boneseekr@gmail.com

Thanks. :)

[repcak]

i just listen to the Buckethead Sampler...some songs are really great.
i love the riff from Jump Man... WOW

[PinkFreud]

I think I messed up my email, can you send (or someone forward) me those samplers?

boneseekr@gmail.com

Thanks. :)
Sent to you again. :thumb:

Jump Man's a great song. Very cool riff with the little solo breaks thrown in.

[Musical_Nerd]

Great write up! Bucketheads crazy!

Heres a little something I made when I was bored lol:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f308/NerdOfMusic/bucketheadbg.jpg

[Sph]

I just got around to listening to that sampler. Damn! This stuff is awesome!
Great write up! Bucketheads crazy!

Heres a little something I made when I was bored lol:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f308/NerdOfMusic/bucketheadbg.jpg
Cool, nice job. :thumb:

[PinkFreud]

Glad you guys like it. I should be getting the new dvd sometime tomorrow or maybe wednesday. I shall report back with how amazing it is.

[Jetpack]

Hey guys, thanks for the writeup it was very well written!!!

I was wondering if i could also get a sampler of buckethead's material, I would love to hear some of his metal, as well as ANYTHING from the Colma album as i love acoustic music and would love to check it out... thanks a lot!!

tuckyou@gmail.com

[Treebeard]

Sampler was just sent out to the people who posted their email addresses. Anyone else who wants it, just post yours and I'll send it to you too.

Treebeard, I'm drawing a blank here. No prize for me. Haha.

The song is by Hypocrisy.

You lose.

[PinkFreud]

Hey guys, thanks for the writeup it was very well written!!!

I was wondering if i could also get a sampler of buckethead's material, I would love to hear some of his metal, as well as ANYTHING from the Colma album as i love acoustic music and would love to check it out... thanks a lot!!

tuckyou@gmail.com
Sent to you.

Treebeard, there's the problem! I don't listen to Hypocrisy.

[LifeofMusic]

Exelent review for an exelent guitarist. IF its not too much trouble could you send me some of those songs. The videos are amazing and i just need more.
tytycox@comcast.net

[Treebeard]

I don't listen to Hypocrisy.

That is indeed a problem.

[Jetpack]

"Whats up Slobbies!!!?!"

[PinkFreud]

Great write up. I'm going to see Buckethead on the 25th! I have a Deli Creeps demo i could post it if you wanted.
That'd actually be pretty cool. Think you could?

[HarryFletersnatch]

buckethead is the man, i saw him on a guitar one dvd, it's amazing

[PinkFreud]

Just got the Secret Recipe dvd. Very cool. Weird stuff. The first disc is a bunch of home videos and early clips of him playing along with some typical Buckethead oddness like illustrated guides to nunchuku and dancing. The second disc is two official bootlegs. Very good stuff. Unfortunately for me, the dvd made me overdraw in the bank. I now have a balance of negative 64 dollars. Great.

[Mechanix72]

He would have been so much cooler if he just stuck with Brian Carroll as his name. He looks like a dumbass on stage prancing around with a bucket on his head.

[PinkFreud]

I disagree. I'd rather have him like this than just stationary like a John Petrucci or Joe Satriani. His persona sets him apart from other virtuosos and quite frankly, if his appearance prevents people from listening to him, they aren't the kind of fans he wants or deserves anyway.

[Britney Diva]

Heh, I finally got around to reading this. Excellent work, Mr. Freud but perhaps you should edit it so that it's entirely about Guns N' Roses :cool:

I like a few Buckethead tracks, actually. For Mom is a particular favourite; I like his slower songs mainly. How would you feel about posting this (minus the discography) as his bio on Sputnik?

[PinkFreud]

Heh, I finally got around to reading this. Excellent work, Mr. Freud but perhaps you should edit it so that it's entirely about Guns N' Roses :cool:

I like a few Buckethead tracks, actually. For Mom is a particular favourite; I like his slower songs mainly. How would you feel about posting this (minus the discography) as his bio on Sputnik?
Oh, you'd love that wouldn't you?

Posting just the FA writeup on Sputnik? What for? Honestly, I never visit there so I have no idea what you speak of.

[Britney Diva]

Hehe.

Umm on Spuntik there's a page for each artist in the database where you can submit a biography for each. If you want to submit this for Buckethead, it would be pretty awesome.

[PinkFreud]

Hmm. This idea intrigues me. You mean the little band/album synopsises too?

[Britney Diva]

Yes. There's currently no description for Buckethead :(

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands.php?bandid=459

[PinkFreud]

Just tried to put this on Sputnik and it ain't workin'.

[Britney Diva]

What did it say? Usually you have to wait until it's approved before it appears, that may be the dillio.

[PinkFreud]

I see....It just went to the Buckethead page again sans writeup. I did manage to put up a picture. I shall await its approval.

[Britney Diva]

It's up now, take a look :)

[Jom]

Yeah, sorry about that, I was just able to get onto MX/Sputnikmusic about ten minutes ago. My apologies!

[PinkFreud]

Not a problem. Like I said, I'm unfamiliar with Sputnik.