Buckethead

He's half alive, he's half dead . . . folks just call him Buckethead!

What? You say you have never heard of Buckethead, one of America's strangest and most talented guitarist?

Remember when music was an experience? Let me introduce you to a musician who embraces a myth. No, he doesn't claim he was shot fifty times and survived. Rather Buckethhead claims he was raised by chickens and has an affection for his feathered friends.

He has worked with everyone from Les Claypool of Primus to Serj Tankian of System of a Down. He spent four years (2000 -2004) with Guns 'N Roses, but only rumors have circulated to his actual involvement with the now legendary unreleased album. He has now collaborated with Viggo Mortenson (yes that Viggo Mortenson) on seven albums. All ranging in style, from blues to techno/industrial with political commentary.

What makes him so weird? What makes him so talented? Well first off, as you might have guessed he wears a bucket on his head. To be more specific, a KFC bucket. In addition he wears a white mask. Why? Well that's the other problem -- he doesn't talk. He has on occasion used a hand puppet to get messages across, but overall he lets the music do the talking. Many claim he wants the emotions of his music to come out. Others just say he has a bad case of stage fright. And since his departure from Guns 'N Roses he has been on a tear putting out over four albums a year. Some solo, some as in the case with Claypool and Tankian, involving other musicians.

What makes him so talented? Without getting into the technical aspects of guitar playing. Each album is different. He challenges himself. One album - Population Override is filled with a theme of death and rebirth. With keyboards and one guitar. More blues. Another album Kaleidolscalp is filled with a darker atmosphere and borders on experimental hardcore. Fast and chaotic. He never leaves you bored.

Thanks to YouTube I can give you an example of his work. Here is his softer side from the album Colma : Whitewash

More on Buckethead later. Thanks for reading.

*Buckethead picture thanks to tdrsmusic.com. A wonderful site for exclusive Buckethead cd's and information.

~Seth