Buckethead
| Buckethead | |
|---|---|
 Buckethead performing live, April 2006 wearing the famous bucket stating "KFC FUNERAL"
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Brian Patrick Carroll |
| Also known as | Death Cube K |
| Born | 1969 (age 39) |
| Genre(s) | Avant-garde music, jazz fusion, funk, instrumental rock, hard rock, progressive metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, guitarist, songwriter, bassist, drummer, pianist, banjoist |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Associated acts | Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains, Guns N' Roses, Praxis, Deli Creeps, Science Faxtion, Cornbugs, El Stew, Arcana, Thanatopsis |
| Website | Bucketheadland |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| Gibson Les Paul Jackson Y2KV |
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Brian Carroll,[1] better known as Buckethead, is an American guitarist and songwriter.[1] He is a prolific composer, having released 24 solo albums and performed on over 50 more. He has also made guest appearances on 44 different albums by various artists. His music spans such diverse areas as progressive metal, thrash metal, funk, electronica, jazz, bluegrass and avant-garde music.
Buckethead wears a bucket on his head and a white plastic mask similar to that of Michael Myers. He was inspired to wear both items on the night he watched Halloween 4.[1] Whenever dressed like this (most of the time during performances) he represents a character who was "raised by chickens, and has made it his mission in life to alert the world to the ongoing chicken holocaust in fast-food joints around the globe". [1]
Although a multi-instrumentalist, Buckethead is best known for his electric guitar playing. Guitar One voted him number 8 on a list of the "Top 10 Greatest Guitar Shredders of All Time".[2]
Buckethead now works primarily as a solo artist. He has collaborated with a wide variety of high profile artists such as Les Claypool, Tony Williams, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Iggy Pop, Serj Tankian, Guns N' Roses, Saul Williams, Mike Patton, Viggo Mortensen and with Bill Laswell in Praxis. Buckethead has also written and performed music for major motion pictures. Some of the films he has worked on include: Saw II, Ghosts of Mars, Beverly Hills Ninja, Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Last Action Hero and the soundtrack of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie.
Contents |
Career
1988–1994
In 1988, Buckethead entered a song called "Brazos" into a Guitar Player Magazine contest; it was a runner up, This is what was said about him:
| “ | An astonishingly skilled guitarist and bassist, he demonstrates post–Paul Gilbert speed and accuracy filtered through very kinky harmonic sensibilities. His psychotronic, demonic edge is very, very far removed from the clichés of classical metal and rock. A real talent to watch, also known as "Buckethead." | ” |
In the same year the editor of Guitar Player Magazine, Jas Obrecht came to know of Buckethead when Brian and his parents left a demo at the magazine's reception desk for Obrecht. Impressed with his demo recording he rushed into the restaurant where Buckethead and his parents were having lunch and encouraged him to make the most of his talent,[3] they soon became friends. Jas, in his introductory note for the Young Buckethead DVDs, says that Brian was around 16 at that point, placing his year of birth at roughly 1972. In 1991 Buckethead moved into Obrecht's basement (this is also where the "Buckethead in the Basement" footage for the Young Buckethead DVD was filmed). The song "Brazos" was eventually released on the 1991 demo tape of his band Deli Creeps, titled "Tribal Rites", and again as bonus material in Buckethead's Secret Recipe DVD in 2006.
After the 2 demo tapes, Buckethead released Bucketheadland on John Zorn's Avant record label in 1992. Though available only as a pricey Japanese import, the record received positive reviews and earned some attention. At about this time, Buckethead fell into the orbit of prolific bassist/producer Bill Laswell (himself an occasional Zorn collaborator); as either a performer, producer or composer, Buckethead was introduced to Laswell with the help of the drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia who gave Laswell a video of Buckethead playing in his room[4]. Laswell was involved in many of the albums listed in the discography below, and Buckethead made many more appearances on albums by Laswell's collaborators.
In 1992 Buckethead, with Bill Laswell, Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins and Bryan "Brain" Mantia, formed the supergroup, Praxis. Their first album Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis), released in 1992, was well received. The project was Bill Laswell's concept, and has since involved other guests such as Serj Tankian of System of a Down, among others. Buckethead did not participate in all the albums.
1994–1995
Death Cube K is an anagram of "Buckethead" created by Tom "Doc" Darter to circumvent legal complications with Sony Records. About his style, Buckethead answers in his FAQ:
Many believe, however, that Death Cube K is a separate entity that looks like a photographic negative version of Buckethead with a "black chrome mask, like Darth Vader." This apparition haunts Buckethead and appears in his nightmares.
– [5]
Science fiction author William Gibson later borrowed "Death Cube K" as the name of a bar in his novel Idoru (1996). Gibson explained the reference in an interview for Addicted To Noise:
| “ | Death Cube K is actually the title of an album. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the group but Bill Laswell who I don't really know but out of the kindness of his heart occasionally sends me big hunks of his output, groups that come out on his label. And Death Cube K was the title of some vicious ambient group that he had produced. And when I saw it, I thought: a Franz Kafka theme bar in Tokyo. | ” |
Also in 1994, Buckethead released his second studio album entitled Giant Robot which features many guest appearances by artists such as Iggy Pop and Bill Moseley, the name of the album came from the Japanese series Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot of which Buckethead is a fan.[6]
According to Anthony Kiedis' autobiography, Scar Tissue, Buckethead once auditioned to play guitar for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, shortly after John Frusciante left the band, without having heard any of their songs. The band's bassist Flea told that:
When he finished the band applauded raucously. He was "sweet and normal," but they wanted someone "...who could also kick a groove"
– [7].
1995–1998
In 1995, Buckethead didn't release any solo albums, but between 1995 and 1998 he collaborated with several artists like Jonas Hellborg and Michael Shrieve in the album Octave of the Holy Innocents and Bill Laswell in Ambient Compendium. Also during that time Buckethead collaborated in several movie soundtracks like Johnny Mnemonic, Mortal Kombat.
Later in 1996, Buckethead released a solo album called Day of the Robot with the collaboration of DJ Ninj and another album in a small label called NTT Records, called Giant Robot with the collaboration of Brain, both are out of print.
In 1997 Buckethead began work on the album titled Buckethead Plays Disney, but the album has never been released. According to his web page:
This highly anticipated album, once listed in an Avant catalog, has yet to be completed. It is Buckethead's most precious personal project so he won't record or release it until he knows he is ready.
– [8]
Also in the same year Buckethead continued to collaborate on Movie Soundtracks like Beverly Hills Ninja and the sequel of Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, also in this year Buckethead joined Praxis and released two albums Transmutation Live and Live in Poland.
Death Cube K released an album that year called Disembodied.
Buckethead in 1998 released Colma, an album dedicated to his mother who was sick during this time.[9]
1998–2004
In 1999, Buckethead released his fifth album, a collaboration with Les Claypool from the band Primus entitled Monsters and Robots, currently the best-selling album of his career.[10]
Also this year Buckethead started 3 new projects, the first is called Cornbugs with Bill Moseley, Pinchface, and Travis Dickerson, they released their first album called Spot the Psycho. Another project is called Cobra Strike with Pinchface, "Brain", DJ Disk, and Bill Laswell, they released the album 13th Scroll. The last project was with the actor Viggo Mortensen and released 3 albums called One Man's Meat , One Less Thing to Worry About , and The Other Parade.
In 1999 Death Cube K released an album entitled Tunnel.
Buckethead achieved a higher public profile as a member of Guns N' Roses from 2000 to 2004; however, the band only toured in 2001 and 2002 during this era. Guns N' Roses response to Buckethead's departure was:
During his tenure with the band, Buckethead has been inconsistent and erratic in both his behavior and his commitment, despite being under contract, creating uncertainty and confusion and making it virtually impossible to move forward with recording, rehearsals, and live plans with confidence. His transient lifestyle has made it near impossible for even his closest friends to have nearly any form of communications with him whatsoever.
– [11]
Despite this, Buckethead's guitar parts were found intact on leaked Chinese Democracy tracks "I.R.S.", "There Was a Time", "Better" and "Madagascar." However, it is uncertain if they will be present on the final product.
Since that time, his cult following in the underground music communities has steadily increased. He frequently performs at festivals and in clubs nationwide, and often tours as the feature performer.[12][13]
During the time Buckethead was with Guns N' Roses he released several solo albums as well as more collaborations with Cornbugs, Viggo Mortensen, Cobra Strike, Praxis, and started a new project with Les Claypool, "Brain", and Bernie Worrell called Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains releasing their only album The Big Eyeball in the Sky.
In an interview with Revolver, Ozzy Osbourne stated that he had offered to have Buckethead play guitar in his band at Ozzfest. Ozzy quickly changed his mind after meeting with him, and realizing that Buckethead would not remove his costume to be accepted by Ozzy:
I tried out that Buckethead guy. I met with him and asked him to work with me but only if he got rid of the fucking bucket. So I came back a bit later and he's wearing this green fucking Martian's-hat thing! I said, 'Look, just be yourself'. He told me his name was Brian, so I said that's what I'd call him. He says, 'No one calls me Brian except my mother'. So I said, 'Pretend I'm your mum then!'. I haven't even got out of the room and I'm already playing fucking mind games with the guy. What happens if one day he's gone and there's a note saying, 'I've been beamed up'? Don't get me wrong, he's a great player. He plays like a motherfucker.
– [14]
2005–2006
In 2005, Buckethead released an album as Buckethead & Friends called Enter The Chicken. Released by Serj Tankian's label Serjical Strike, the album features Tankian, Maximum Bob, Death By Stereo singer Efrem Shulz, Bad Acid Trip, and others. The album is marked by its leaning towards more traditional song structure, while still featuring Buckethead's guitar skills.
In 2005 Buckethead released his first DVD "Secret Recipe", originally sold only on tour; the only places for other fans (those who either didn't go to a show or who live abroad) to obtain it were auction sites such as eBay. Bootleg copies were also sold on eBay for a short period of time. Eventually Travis Dickerson held a raffle for copies of the DVD on his website. Those who wanted to "win" a copy had to enter their name and email address. When entries were closed he picked 200 names at random from those who entered and they were allowed to buy a copy of the DVD from his website. In March 2006 the DVD was finally made widely available.
Released in November 2006, the cross-console video game Guitar Hero II features Buckethead's song “Jordan” as an unlockable bonus track. Although the song has been performed live in the past, the video game version is the only known studio recording of the song. Also, the live version almost always contains just the verse and chorus of Jordan, then goes into Post Office Buddy, and returns to the verse and chorus of Jordan. However, the Guitar Hero II version contains a special solo specifically for the game.[15] Since late 2007, Buckethead has been known to perform the Guitar Hero version of Jordan within his concerts, including the solo.
In late 2006 Buckethead released a two-volume DVD entitled Young Buckethead featuring rare footage from 1990 and 1991. The DVD also contains three complete Deli Creeps shows, a sound check, backstage footage and solo footage of just Buckethead. All the artwork was drawn by Buckethead himself.
2007–present
In 2007, Buckethead released 28 albums. In February tdrsmusic.com announced the release of a new Buckethead CD, entitled Pepper's Ghost which was released on the 1st of March.
Later in February tdrsmusic.com began shipping In Search of The, a 13-CD set of original music that is said to be handcrafted, numbered, and monogrammed by Buckethead and contains over 9 hours of music.
In May the label Avabella released Acoustic Shards, an album of acoustic improvisations made in 1991.
In August, Buckethead released a reissue of the demo tape Bucketheadland Blueprints, with either a hand-drawn cover made by him or as a standard CD.
Finally, in October he released 2 new albums:Decoding the Tomb of Bansheebot and Cyborg Slunks. Cyborg Slunks was originally only available as a CD-R, but in mid December a standard CD was being printed.
2007 also saw a couple of Death Cube K releases. In August 400 limited-edition, hand-numbered albums were released as DCK , and in mid December he released a 5-CD box set called Monolith,[16] which consists of 1 unbroken track per CD of about 45 minutes each.
Also in 2007, Buckethead released albums with other artists; the sequel to Buckethead and Travis Dickerson's Chicken Noodles was released in mid-December 2007, entitled Chicken Noodles II.[17].
He also released an album with Praxis entitled Tennessee 2004, a live recording made in Tennessee in the year 2004. Buckethead also released an album with Shin Terai called Light Years, as well as Kevin's Noodle House with drummer Bryan Mantia.
In July 2007, it was revealed that Buckethead is working on a project by the name of Science Faxtion, a band featuring bassist Bootsy Collins and drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia. Greg Hampton will supply lead vocals.
Buckethead also released 5 paintings, limited to 100 reproductions each, that were sold through Travis Dickerson's website TDRSmusic.com.[18]
In January 2008, Buckethead along with the supergroup, Praxis released the album Profanation (Preparation for a Coming Darkness). In the same month Buckethead appeared on the documentary, American Music: Off the Record.[19].
In March, Avabella released the album From The Coop, that consist of songs taken from the demos that Buckethead gave to Jas Obrecht in 1988. The CD also included the first biography of Buckethead.
Later in the year the Serj Tankian label Serjical Strike re-issued the album Enter the Chicken with an extra song. Buckethead also collaborated with actor Viggo Mortensen on the album At All, and with Travis Dickerson and filmmaker Alix Lambert on the album Running After Deer.
Current projects
The first album of Science Faxtion called Living On Another Frequency was to be released on 10/27/08, but has now been delayed until March 2009.
Serj Tankian has stated that his label Serjical Strike will release a new Buckethead album; although there is no date specified for this release. [20]
Buckethead will collaborate on a new album from Freekbass called "Junkyard Waltz" that is set to be released on October 28.[21]
On September 17, Travis Dickerson announced that 3 CD's are going to be released: a Buckethead solo album named Albino Slug, an album from the duo Frankenstein Brothers (consisting of Buckethead and That 1 Guy) called Bolt on Neck. These two albums are tour only CD's that will later be made available for online purchasing. The third album is a collaboration between Buckethead, Travis Dickerson and Bryan "Brain" Mantia called The Dragons of Eden.
Discography
Buckethead's bands
Note as well as being a solo artist since 1992, Buckethead often releases albums as Death Cube K — he has used this name as an alias since 1994 (most recently used in 2007).
Bands
- Current
- Praxis (1992–present)
- Shine/Shin Terai (2001–present)
- Thanatopsis (2001–present)
- Buckethead & Friends (2005–present)
- Science Faxtion (2007–present)
- Former
- Deli Creeps (1991–2005)
- Zillatron (1993)
- Cornbugs (1995–2007)
- Giant Robot (1996)
- Pieces (1997)
- Cobra Strike (1999–2000)
- El Stew (1999–2003)
- Moonraker (2000)
- Guns N' Roses (2000–2004)
- Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains (2002–2004)
- Gorgone (2005)
with artists
- Current
- with Viggo Mortensen (1999, 2003–2005, 2008-present)
- with Travis Dickerson (2006–present)
- with Brain (2007-present)
- with K.J.R. (2005-present)
- Former
- with Jonas Hellborg and Michael Shrieve (1995)
Equipment
Buckethead has a number of guitars, notably a custom guitar made for him by Gibson. The guitar has a larger chambered body than usual for such guitars and features a killswitch. The bridge pick-up is a DiMarzio Tone Zone with a DiMarzio Air Norton in the Neck.[22]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Loder, Kurt (2002-11-21). "Beneath The Bucket, Behind The Mask: Kurt Loder Meets GN'R's Buckethead". MTV. Retrieved on 2007-12-09.
- ↑ "Top Shredders of All Time". RandyCiak.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
- ↑ http://youngbuckethead.com/ young buckethead page in the section "about"
- ↑ http://www.tedkurland.com/pbuild/linkbuilder.cfm?selection=doc.271 Bill Laswell taking about Praxis and when he met Buckethead
- ↑ Buckethead FAQ v 1.0
- ↑ http://www.bucketheadland.com/faq/index.html#anchor6301 in the lower part were it says " Acknowledgments"
- ↑ FAQ 2.0
- ↑ FAQ 2.0
- ↑ Buckethead
- ↑ FAQ 2.0
- ↑ "Axl Cancels Rock In Rio Show, Blames Buckethead". ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
- ↑ Metroactive Music | Buckethead
- ↑ Buckethead @ Bingebuddies.Com - Binge Goodies
- ↑ "OZZY OSBOURNE Says Ex–GUNS N' ROSES Guitarist BUCKETHEAD Auditioned For His Solo Band". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
- ↑ Guitar Hero's Marcus Henderson: The Guitar World Interview, Guitar World, June 20, 2007, Accessed September 25, 2008
- ↑ Monolith
- ↑ Chicken Noodles 2
- ↑ Buckethead Painting
- ↑ American Music: Off the Record (2008)
- ↑ "Iann Robinson Interviewing Serj Tankian". Soadfans.com.
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Horowitz, Steven, Masked Prodigy Buckethead to Shred at the Picador, Corridor Buzz, May 27, 2008, Accessed September 26, 2008
External links
- Bucketheadland – official website
- Travis Dickerson Recording Studio website
- Young Buckethead
- Buckethead and Friends at MySpace
- Buckethead wiki
- Buckethead at the Internet Movie Database
- Binge and Grab's extensive Buckethead discography
- Buckethead on MusicBrainz
- Listing of Buckethead's guitar gear
| Preceded by Slash |
Guns N' Roses Lead Guitarist 2000–2004 |
Succeeded by Bumblefoot |
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