Who is Buckethead?

Buckethead is the masked, inverted KFC bucket wearing, "mutant guitar virtuoso" that stunned audiences during Primus's set at OzzFest '99, toured the world with Praxis and GR2, and graced many a movie soundtrack/score. His major label debut as a member of the avant-funk outfit Praxis in 1992 opened ears and minds to his unique character and musical stylings. He has since released several solo albums (under his name and Death Cube K) and participated in many group settings (most notably the Deli Creeps, Praxis, Zillatron, Giant Robot, Giant Robot 2 and Cobra Strike) and performed/recorded numerous collaborations with other adventurous musicians and artists.

There has been much speculation as to the identity of Buckethead. We do know that he was raised in a chicken coop by chickens. And possibly due to the unusual circumstances surrounding his upbringing, he is a very private person. He doesn't grant many interviews, and shuns most conventional means of contact. The mask and bucket add an eerie air of mystery to his activities and serve as a harbinger for his otherworldly musical stylings and sensibilities. He would prefer that his fans accept his eccentricities, focus on his art and enjoy the wonderland of joy that is Bucketheadland.

He draws inspiration from science-fiction and horror movies, musicians, artists, writers, athletes and has bizarre fixation on Disneyland. His dream is to complete his own park--Bucketheadland, "Where all your dreams and nightmares can come true." This theme runs through many of his recordings and was first introduced to the public through his Psychobuddy columns in Guitar Player magazine back in 1991

02) What albums has Buckethead released?

Solo:

Bucketheadland (1992 Avant)
Giant Robot (1994 Sony Japan)
Day of the Robot (1996 Sub Meta)
Colma (1998 Cyber Octave)
Monsters and Robots (1999 Cyber Octave/Higher Octave Music/Virgin)

As Death Cube K:

Dreamatorium (1994 Strata)
Disembodied (1997 Ion)
Tunnel (tba)

With Praxis:

Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) (1992 Axiom)
Sacrifist (1994 Subharmonic)
Metatron (1995 Subharmonic)
Transmutation Live (1998 Douglas)
Collection (1998 Douglas)
Warzsawa (1999? InnerRhythmic)

With Giant Robot:

s/t (1996 NTT Records)

With Zillatron:

Lord of the Harvest (1994 Black Arc/Rykodisc)

With Cobra Strike:

13th Scroll (1999 Ion)

With Arcana (Tony Williams):

Arc of the Testimony (1997 Axiom)

With El Stew:

s/t (1999 OM)

03) What does Buckethead sound like?

Buckethead's musical stylings range from raw-power riffing and hyper-speed metal licks to idyllic, yet edgy chordal passages and heartrending melodic lines. His music is very difficult to categorize because each release tends to have its own flavor and context. Heavy Metal and Funk styles figure formidably in the mix, but he's not limited to the cliches of either genre. He's equally at home chicken pickin' country or re-creating the sound of a roller coaster with his guitar.

Compositionally speaking, many of his tunes are initially conceived to be soundtracks for rides at his imaginary theme-park--Bucketheadland. Brutal, grinding rhythms suddenly give way to serene floating passages, like you're inside a video game or experiencing an out of this world thrill ride.

04) What are Buckethead's influences?

Buckethead has cited Michael Jackson, Paul Gilbert, Shawn Lane, Yngwie Malmsteen, Bootsy Collins and Angus Young (AC/DC) as major inspirations as well as the experience of playing with Bill Laswell, Bernie Worrell, John Zorn, the Invisibl Skratch Picklz and other artists he has played and collaborated with. He also finds inspiration in books, sci-fi/horror movies and athletes, most notably Michael Jordan.

05) What videos have been released?

The video for "The Ballad of Buckethead," directed by Dave McKean, will be released in conjunction with the forthcoming Monsters and Robots album due out in September '99 on Cyber Octave.

The "Animal Behavior" video from Praxis Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) was aired on MTV Amp #113. It is also included on Binge Clips Vol. 2.

The "If 6 was 9" video from Axiom Funk (featuring Bootsy Collins) is rumored to have been played domestically on BET and has a Buckethead appearance.

The Binge Clips series available from Buckethead's Toystore features Buckethead and his pals in his different projects in performance and at play.

06) Does Buckethead have any hobbies?

Taxidermy, Sports, Martial Arts (Nunchukas), break dancing (robot-style), and visiting Disneyland. He has been there over 500 times. "I like Disneyland. I want to be buried there--parts of me in It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean, plus parts in Tokyo Disneyland, Euro Disneyland, and Florida Disney World. There are enough bones to go around."

07) Where is Buckethead from?

Some say outer space, others say southern California. He currently resides in the San Francisco Bay area.

08) How old is Buckethead?

By most accounts he is in his late 20s.

09) When is Cobra Strike coming out?

This often delayed release is now available from Buckethead's Toystore and Norman's Sound and Vision.

10) Has Buckethead won any awards?

He regularly placed in the top three in the "Best Experimental Guitarist" category when Guitar Player magazine held its annual readers poll and was named one of the "Top 30 Trailblazers" by the same magazine in the January 1997 issue.

11) What are the lyrics for "Binge and Grab?"

This question is brought about by the instrumental version on the Buckethead Giant Robot (Sony/Japan) CD. Most people in the know aren't aware of a recorded vocal version existing. It is purported to be an old Deli Creeps song, so the lyrics may actually turn up further on down the line.

12) Did Buckethead audition for the Red Hot Chili Peppers?

Yes. One journalists account reported that the lead singer picked Buckethead up at the airport and found out that Buckethead had not heard any of their tunes. The audition proceeded anyway, and Buckethead played in his inimitable fashion (i.e., robot dance, hyper-metal licks etc...) and when he finished the band applauded raucously. Flea confirmed that they auditioned BH saying that he was "sweet and normal" but they wanted someone "...who could also kick a groove."

13) What articles/information is available?

The most authoritative article appeared in the November 1996 issue of Guitar Player magazine. It is a ten page feature written by James Rotondi, which also includes an in depth lesson which unmasks elements of Buckethead's guitar style, written by Rotondi and Jesse Gress.

14) Does Buckethead endorse any products?

Buckethead hasn't endorsed any products thus far, probably due to wanting to keep control over his image and likeness. This FAQ contains a listing the musical equipment he uses.

15) Which monsters and robots has Buckethead battled?

Buckethead is believed to have fought and defeated Bansheebot, Aquabot, Double Man and Tekadon D. He has also sparred with Slipdisc henchthings such as Centipede Woman, Broiler and Chickenhawk as well as the Haddonfield killer Michael "The Shape" Meyers.

16) What bands or artists has Buckethead recorded/performed with?

This ever increasing list includes Deli Creeps, Henry Kaiser, Bill Laswell, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Praxis, Jonas Hellborg, Michael Shrieve, MCM and the Monster, Tony Williams (w/ Arcana), Giant Robot, Giant Robot 2, Primus, Zillatron, Painkiller, John Zorn, Company Week '91, Anton Fier, Julian Schnabel, Insvisibl Skratch Piklz, Michael Kamen, George S. Clinton, Pieces (Buckethead and Brain), Cobra Strike, Viggo Mortensen, El Stew, Ben Wa, Mike Keneally, Iggy Pop, Banyan, phonosychographDISK, DJ QBERT, William Ackerman, Jon Hassell and Bluescreen... There are several discographies available at Bucketheadland.com.

17) Who are the Deli Creeps?

The Deli Creeps are Buckethead's first band that gained notoriety in the SF Bay area. Mike Patton (Faith No More/Mr. Bungle) was once quoted as saying, "They're so good they make me want to puke." Patton later went on to co-found Ipecac Records.

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