Buckethead

For other uses, seeBuckethead (disambiguation).

Brian Patrick Carroll(born May 13, 1969), known professionally asBuckethead,is an American guitarist. He has received critical acclaim for his innovative and virtuosic electric guitar playing.

Buckethead
Buckethead performing in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Brian Patrick Carroll
Also known as	Death Cube K Big B
Born	(1969-05-13)May 13, 1969 Pomona, California,U.S.
Genres	Experimental rock progressive metal funk bluegrass avant-garde metal alternative rock alternative metal ambient heavy metal
Occupations	Musician songwriter
Instrument	Guitar
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Shrimper/PSST TDRS Hatboxghost Bucketheadland Avant Day Eight Sony CyberOctave Sub Meta Metastation City Hall Stray Gonervill Catalyst Ion Disembodied Tzadik Avabella Serjical Strike
Formerly of	Deli Creeps,Praxis,Cornbugs,El Stew,Guns N' Roses,Thanatopsis, Primus,Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains,The Frankenstein Brothers,Science Faxtion
Website	bucketheadpikes

Buckethead's extensive solodiscographycurrently includes 31 studio albums. In 2011, Buckethead began releasing albums in the "Pike" series, mini-albums usually around 30 minutes in length, each with a sequential number similar to acomic book.As of October 2024, Buckethead has released 662 Pike albums, including almost 300 live recordings.

Buckethead has also released seven studio albums under the alias Death Cube K (ananagramof Buckethead). He has released collaborative albums withBrain,Travis Dickerson,Melissa Reese,Viggo Mortensen,Shin Terai,DJ Disk,Bootsy Collins,That 1 Guyand albums with the bandsPraxis,Cornbugs,Science Faxtion,Guns N' Roses,Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains,andDeli Creeps,in addition to many other collaborations with bands and artists. From 2000-2004, Buckethead was a lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses, recording on the long-delayedChinese Democracy(2008) album and performing with the band on the first legs of theaccompanying tour.

Buckethead performs wearing aKFCbucket on his head, sometimes emblazoned with an orangebumper stickerreadingFUNERALin block letters. This is accompanied by an expressionless plain white mask inspired by the 1988slasher filmHalloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.He also incorporatesnunchakuandrobot dancinginto his stage performances.Buckethead staysin characterin performances and interviews, and does not appear without some sort of mask.

Buckethead was credited byGuitar Worldas "ushering in [a] new era of virtuosity" while ranking the release of his 1992 debut albumBucketheadlandthe 45th greatest moment in electric guitar history.The magazine has also listed him among the "25 all-time weirdest guitarists"and the "50 fastest guitarists of all time".

Early and personal life

Brian Patrick Carroll was born on May 13, 1969, to Tom and Nancy Carroll; he is the youngest of five siblings along with Lynn, Lisa, Lori, and John.His father was the athletic director atDamien High SchoolinLa Verne, Californiafrom 1973 until his retirement in 2013.

Carroll grew up in a Southern California suburb nearDisneyland.In his youth he was an introvert and spent most of his time in his room with books, games, martial-arts movie memorabilia, and toys. He also spent a lot of time at Disneyland.

Carroll began playing guitar at the age of 12. He learned to play from an elderly man down his road. He is quoted saying that he became serious a year later after moving fromHuntington Beach, California,toClaremont.His playing improved with lessons from various teachers at a local music store. His early teachers included Max McGuire, Johnny Fortune, Mark Hammond, Pebber Brown,Joey Tafolla,andPaul Gilbert.In 2003, Buckethead played a tribute to all his early teachers as the Deli Creeps played a show at Styles Music's 25th anniversary. He then began making demo recordings of both his playing as well as his writing styles, which would later be released in 2007–2008.

The Buckethead persona came to be when Carroll saw the 1988 slasher filmHalloween 4and was inspired by the film. He went out right after seeing it and bought aMichael Myers-like white mask. The bucket idea came later that night while eating chicken:

I was eating it, and I put the mask on and then the bucket on my head. I went to the mirror. I just said, 'Buckethead. That's Buckethead right there.' It was just one of those things. After that, I wanted to be that thing all the time.

— Buckethead, 1996,Guitar PlayerMagazine

In October 2017, Carroll gave a rare out-of-character interview discussing all ranges of his life, the Buckethead character, his parents' deaths, his health problems, and how he copes with overcoming fear.During the podcast, he revealed he has been diagnosed with the potentially life-threatening condition ofheart arrhythmia.He stated he had acardiac ablationperformed and uses medicine to control the problem.

Career

1988–1994: Early solo career and Praxis

In 1988, after leaving the band Class-X, Carroll entered a home recording of his song "Brazos" into aGuitar Playermagazine contest. It was a runner-up, with editors writing:

An astonishingly skilled guitarist and bassist, he demonstrates post-Paul Gilbertspeed 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 magazine's editor, Jas Obrecht, came to know of Buckethead when Carroll and his parents left a demo recording at the magazine's reception desk for Obrecht. Impressed with this demo, he rushed into the restaurant where Buckethead and his parents were having lunch and encouraged him to make the most of his talent.They soon became friends. In 1989, a song called "Soowee" by Buckethead got honorable mention in another song contest. In 1991, Buckethead moved into Obrecht's basement. The song "Brazos" was eventually released on the 1991 demo tape of his bandDeli Creeps,titled "Tribal Rites", and again as bonus material in Buckethead'sSecret RecipeDVD in 2006. Luke Sacco was his teacher.

In 1991, Buckethead contributed toDerek Bailey'sCompanyproject alongside, among others,John ZornandAlexander Bălănescu,resulting in a triple album calledCompany 91.

After his first two demo tapes, calledGiant RobotandBucketheadland Blueprints,Buckethead releasedBucketheadlandonJohn Zorn's Japanese Avant record label in 1992. Though available only as a pricey import, the record received positive reviews and earned some attention. At about this time, Buckethead fell into the orbit of prolific bassist/producerBill Laswell,himself an occasional Zorn collaborator; Buckethead was introduced to Laswell by Limbomaniacs drummerBrain,who gave Laswell a video of Buckethead playing in his room.Buckethead soon became Laswell's second staple guitar player, besidesNicky Skopelitis.

In 1992, Buckethead, with Bill Laswell,Bernie Worrell,Bootsy Collins,and Brain, formed thesupergroupPraxis.Their first album,Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis),released the same year, was well received. The project was Bill Laswell's concept, and has since involved other guests such asSerj TankianofSystem of a Down,among many others. Buckethead participated in every release except the initial1984release andMold(1998).

In 1993, Buckethead auditioned to play for theRed Hot Chili Peppers.The band eventually ended up withArik Marshall,and laterDave Navarro.After some legal complications withSony Music Entertainment,Buckethead decided to release his 1994 albumDreamatoriumunder the name of Death Cube K (ananagram).

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.

Buckethead released a second studio album that year,Giant Robot,which features many guest appearances by artists such asIggy PopandBill Moseley.The name of the album came from the Japanese seriesJohnny Sokko and his Flying Robot,of which Buckethead is a fan.He also released two other albums withPraxis,their second and third studio efforts:SacrifistandMetatron.

1995–1999: Collaboration work, movie soundtracks and Praxis

In 1995, Buckethead did not release any solo albums but collaborated with several artists likeJonas HellborgandMichael Shrieve(Octave of the Holy Innocents). He also contributed to several movie soundtracks, such asJohnny MnemonicandMortal Kombat.

Later, in 1996, Buckethead released his solo albumThe Day of the Robotwith the help of English producer DJ Ninj and Laswell, plus another album withBrainand keyboardist Pete Scaturro on the small Japanese label NTT Records, calledGiant Robot.Both albums were printed only in small quantities and are collectors' items now. A second demo tape by theDeli Creepswas also recorded.

Also in 1996, severalSega Saturntelevision ads featuring a screaming mask-like face pressing through the blue orb of the Saturn logo was released, with music by Buckethead.

In 1997, Buckethead began working on the albumBuckethead Plays Disney,but the album has not yet 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.

Also in 1997, Buckethead continued to contribute to movie soundtracks, appearing onBeverly Hills NinjaandMortal Kombat: Annihilation,the sequel toMortal Kombat.

Further releases wereArcana'ssecond and final studio albumArc of the Testimonyin which he played with noted drummerTony Williamsand the one-off projectPieces,withBrain.Two live albums by Praxis, calledTransmutation LiveandLive in Poland(featuring recordings from European concerts) were also issued.

Death Cube K released an album that year calledDisembodied.

In 1998, Buckethead releasedColma,an album dedicated to his mother, who at the time was suffering fromcolon cancer.A compilation album by Praxis calledCollctionalso came out that year.

In 1999, Buckethead released his fifth album, a collaboration withLes Claypoolfrom the bandPrimus,titledMonsters and Robots—currently the best-selling album of his career. The album includes the song "The Ballad of Buckethead",for which his first music video ever was made. Buckethead began three new projects that year, the first being the bandCornbugs,a collaboration with actorBill Moseley,drummerPinchface,and later keyboardistTravis Dickerson.Another project, Cobra Strike with an album calledThe 13th Scroll,featured Pinchface,Bryan "Brain" Mantia,DJ Disk,andBill Laswell.Buckethead also began a collaboration with actorViggo Mortensen,whom he first met through a recording project calledMyth: Dreams of the Worldin 1996. Together they releasedOne Man's Meat,One Less Thing to Worry About,andThe Other Parade.Buckethead contributed to the 1999 albumDevil Dubby the San Francisco Bay Area bandBen Waconsisting of "Dr. Ware" and "House" (Limbomaniacs,Tommy Guerrero,Buckethead's Giant Robot, MCM & the Monster).

2000–2004: Guns N' Roses and other projects

Buckethead achieved a higher public profile as lead guitarist forGuns N' Rosesfrom 2000 to 2004.He recorded the often-delayed albumChinese Democracywith the band and appeared live on stage in 2001 and 2002, includingRock in Rio 3,MTV'sVideo Music Awards,and parts of theChinese Democracy Tour.His guitar solo on "There Was a Time"received acclaim, with several publications listing it amongst the best solos of the decade.

Despite being a member of GN'R, Buckethead released his sixth studio album, calledSomewhere Over the Slaughterhousein 2001, and also his onlyEP,calledKFC Skin Piles.He also released two albums with his bandCornbugs,and a third under his 'Death Cube K' pseudonym. In 2000, Buckethead released the second and last album by Cobra Strike, calledCobra Strike II - Y, Y+B, X+Y.He joined two new projects during this period. The first was the progressive rock band Thanatopsis (named after a poem byWilliam Cullen Bryant) with Travis Dickerson and drummer Ramy Antoun;this group went on to release four albums. Some Thanatopsis material has also appeared on albums released by Buckethead and Dickerson. Buckethead's second side project during this period was with Bill Laswell and Japanese producerShin Terai,released as the albumUnison.

In 2002, Buckethead released three studio albums:Funnel Weaver,a collection of 49 short tracks,Bermuda Triangle,and finally,Electric Tears,a calming album that is similar to his earlier release,Colma. When Laswell was not able to play with Praxis at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts festival, Les Claypool asked to jam with Brain, Bernie Worrell, and Buckethead, forming a newsupergroupcalledColonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains.Thejambandexperiment was successful enough to do some further live dates.

Later, in 2003, marking the release of his tenth studio album, Buckethead released the sequel of his debutBucketheadland,simply calledBucketheadland 2.Together with actorViggo Mortensen,he didPandemoniumfromamerica,and with Thanatopsis, its second release, calledAxiology.

Buckethead's relationship with Guns N' Roses was somewhat erratic in its last year, despite contractual obligations. According to an interview with Rose, he seemingly 'left' the band in January 2004 without telling anyone, and 'rejoined' in a similar manner in February. "His transient lifestyle has made it impossible for even his closest friends to have nearly any form of communication with him whatsoever."In March 2004, Buckethead left Guns N' Roses. His manager cited Guns' inability to complete an album or tour.

Since that time, hiscult followingin theunderground musiccommunities has steadily increased. He frequently performs at festivals and in clubs nationwide and often tours as the feature performer.

The year 2004 saw the release of three new studio albums:Island of Lost Minds,which was his first tour-only album being later re-released by TDRS Music;Population Override,a blues-rock tour de force with Dickerson; andThe Cuckoo Clocks of Hell,considered his heaviest effort to date. The latter includes "Spokes for the Wheel of Torment,"for which Syd Garon and Eric Henry made a music video based on the famoustriptychsbyHieronymus Bosch.Buckethead also recorded the final two albums by theCornbugs,Brain CircusandDonkey Townas well as another release withViggo MortensencalledPlease Tomorrowand a second withShin Terai,titledHeaven & Hell.C2B3also released their only album,The Big Eyeball in the Sky,and toured it in North America.

In an interview withRevolver,Ozzy Osbournesaid that he had offered to have Buckethead play guitar in his band atOzzfest,but changed his mind after meeting with him and realizing that he would not remove his costume:

"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 beenbeamed up'? Don't get me wrong, he's a great player. He plays like a mother fucker. "

Ozzy Osbourne,Revolver.

2005–2006: Buckethead & Friends

Buckethead and That 1 Guy, performing as The Frankenstein Brothers in 2006

In 2005, Buckethead released the albumEnter the ChickenthroughSerj Tankian's record label,Serjical Strike.The album features Tankian himself,Maximum Bob(of theDeli Creeps),Death by StereosingerEfrem Shulz,Bad Acid Tripand others.It is marked by its leaning toward more traditional song structures while still featuring typical Buckethead guitar skills. "We Are One"was released as a single and also appeared on the soundtrack ofMasters of Horror."Three Fingers"was used for the soundtrack of the horror movieSaw II.The final track, "Nottingham Lace", was first made public via his home page and soon became a concert staple and one of his most popular songs. Buckethead also released two further solo albums in 2005,KaleidoscalpandInbred Mountain—the latter being the first album as a solo artist released on the label TDRS Music. Both albums originally were sold exclusively at concerts and only later got an official release through the label's website.

Buckethead released albums with other bands that year: withCornbugs,he released two compilation albums, calledRest Home for RobotsandSkeleton Farm.Gorgone'sself titled albumwas released that year' itself based upon recording sessions from the albumPopulation Overridethat Buckethead released in 2004.

In 2006, the cross-console video gameGuitar Hero IIwas launched, featuring 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. When playing it live, Buckethead would almost always simply perform the verse and chorus of" Jordan "before transitioning into the next song. However, theGuitar Hero IIversion contains a special solo created specifically for the game.

Also the same year, Buckethead released two DVDs, titledYoung Buckethead Vol. 1andYoung Buckethead Vol. 2,featuring rare footage from 1990 and 1991. The DVD also contains three completeDeli Creepsshows, a sound check, backstage footage, and solo footage of just Buckethead. He also released the albumsThe Elephant Man's Alarm ClockandCrime Slunk Scene,both sold on his tours but later sold on the TDRS Music website. The last album has the song "Soothsayer (Dedicated to Aunt Suzie)"; this song (along with "Jordan" and "Nottingham Lace" ) is one of his most popular songs and is often played live. Buckethead released his final compilation album with the bandCornbugs,calledCelebrity Psychos.He also released an album withTravis Dickerson,calledChicken Noodles,a move that would see the start of a four-year long collaboration with the keyboardist. Buckethead's band Thanatopsis would also releaseAnatomizethat year.

2007–2010: Continued solo work and Michael Jackson tribute

The massiveIn Search of Thebox set, a set of 13 albums by Buckethead, along with each copy's cover being hand-drawn differently

In 2007, Buckethead released an unprecedented amount of new material. In February, a box set titledIn Search of The,containing 13 albums of original material, was released. It was handcrafted, numbered, and monogrammed by Buckethead and contained over nine hours of music. A regular solo album, calledPepper's Ghost,was released in March. A disc of acoustic improvisations calledAcoustic Shardswas also released, becoming the twentieth studio album that the artist had released so far in his solo career. In midyear, he reissued his demo tapeBucketheadland Blueprints,with two alternative album covers: a special edition with a hand-drawn cover made by him, or a standard edition with the original cover art. In October, he released his final two albums of the year, calledDecoding the Tomb of BansheebotandCyborg Slunks.The latter again came in both a hand-drawn limited edition and (some weeks later) as a normal CD. Buckethead wrote three songs dedicated to Aunt Suzie in 2006-07: the aforementioned "Soothsayer" (Crime Slunk Scene), "Aunt Suzie" (Cyborg Slunks), and "Sail On Soothsayer", (Decoding The Tomb Of Bansheebot).

AsDeath Cube K,Buckethead released two albums in 2007: an album called DCK, limited to 400 hand-numbered copies and released in August; and in December, the 5-CD box setMonolith,which consisted of one unbroken track per CD.

During 2007, Buckethead also collaborated and appeared on numerous albums with other artists. The sequel toChicken Noodles(a collaboration withTravis Dickerson), simply calledChicken Noodles II,was issued by TDRS in December.A live record byPraxis,titledTennessee 2004;the third album withShin Terai,calledLightyears;and another album with drummerBryan Mantia,calledKevin's Noodle House,were also released through the year.

That same year, it was revealed that Buckethead joined a project by the name ofScience Faxtion,a band featuring bassistBootsy Collinsand drummerBryan "Brain" Mantia,withGreg Hamptonsupplying lead vocals. Their first album, calledLiving on Another Frequency,was delayed several times and was finally released in November 2008.

Buckethead live atWakarusa,2008

On January 1, 2008, the bandPraxisreleased the long-awaited albumProfanation (Preparation for a Coming Darkness)in Japan. The album had actually been recorded in 2005, but had to be put on hold when the original label went bankrupt. That year Buckethead releasedFrom the Coopthrough the label Avabella (where he releasedAcoustic Shards), consisting of the demos Buckethead gave to Jas Obrecht back in 1988. This CD also included the first ever "official" biography of/by the artist. Later that same year, he announced the release of the album calledAlbino Slug(a tour-only CD until official release on December of the same year). Along with this album, he appeared on the albumThe Dragons of Eden,with Dickerson and Mantia, and in collaboration withThat 1 Guyas theFrankenstein Brothers,an album calledBolt on Neckwas released.That 1 Guyand Buckethead toured together through fall 2008, playing songs from this album.

Buckethead also appeared in thedocumentaryAmerican Music: Off the Record,in which he appears only playing.Serj Tankian's label,Serjical Strike,reissued the albumEnter the Chickenwith an extra song. Furthermore, Buckethead contributed to one track of actorViggo Mortensen's albumAt All,and with Travis Dickerson and filmmaker Alix Lambert on the albumRunning After Deer.

Buckethead appeared withBootsy CollinsinCincinnati,Ohio,to promote the vote for the2008 United States presidential electionfor the organizationRock the Vote. He also joined Collins onFallen Soldiers Memorial,an album with proceeds going to theNational Fallen Heroes Foundation.

More than four years after his departure from the bandGuns N' Roses,Chinese Democracywas made available. Buckethead appears on all but two songs and was given writing credits on "Shackler's Revenge" (which appeared in the popular video gameRock Band 2); "Scraped"; and "Sorry", which features guest singerSebastian Bach.The album features eleven of Buckethead'sguitarsolos.

On December 30, 2008, Buckethead released two new tracks via his website to honor basketball playerLeBron James's24th birthday.These tracks were later made available on the album,Slaughterhouse on the Prairie,which was released a month later through TDRS Music. In 2009, he released the albumsA Real Diamond in the Rough,andForensic Follies,which was first sold at some of his tour dates but later released on TDRS. He also released the trackThe Homing Beaconthat year; the song is a tribute toMichael Jackson,who had been an early influence on him. The song was later included on his 2012 albumElectric Sea.

On February 5, 2010, Buckethead released an album calledShadows Between the Skyand later that month,Gibsonreleased the Buckethead SignatureLes Paulguitar.

On April 29, 2010, Buckethead's website was updatedwith a picture with the message "Greetings from Bucketheadland... Buckethead wants you to know he appreciates your support all these years, it means so much to him. Buckethead is having some animatronic parts replaced, Slip Disc snuck into the park and caused some mayhem." The mention of Slip Disc is a reference to a Bucketheadland nemesis found on theBucketheadlandalbum. Bootsy Collins continued to update his Twitter Web site about Buckethead's condition, stating that he had recently gone into therapy for a few months.

Nevertheless, after returning from injury on July 15, 2010, Buckethead, along with Brain and Melissa Reese, released the first of a series of three 5-CD box sets calledBest Regards.On August 25, 2010, Buckethead announced his 28th studio album titledSpinal Clock,which showcased his banjo skills. In October, two albums with Brain were released in collaboration, the first calledBrain as Hamenoodle,and the second installment of the "Regards" series with Brain and Melissa Reese called,Kind Regards.Eventually, both projects were released on October 13. That month also saw a new solo album titledCaptain EO's Voyagefirst available only oniTunes.It was later announced that a physical edition would be released on December 1.This, along with Buckethead's final Travis Dickerson album were released on November 29.In May 2010, Buckethead started to release albums as part of the concept of a kiosk within Buckethead's fictional "abusement" park called "Buckethead Pikes". The albums released under this concept were to resemble a comic book style and be shorter in length than his previous works - around half-an-hour each.

2011–2015: Focus on soloPikes

Buckethead live in Syracuse, 2011

Buckethead left Praxis in 2011, the Frankenstein Brothers in 2012, and Brain in 2013. He contributed to two tracks onLawson Rollins's albumElevationin 2011.He also departed from his live touring schedule, with his final performance taking place on December 31, 2012.During his absence from touring and other projects, Buckethead's solo release schedule increased speed dramatically- reaching a peak in 2015 with 118 albums, around one every three days on average. Notably, the cover ofPike 13contains a photograph of Buckethead unmasked; the first such image released to the public. The cover ofPike 13does not feature the common elements of the Pikes series, and is simply a photograph of Buckethead during his teenage years, carrying an acoustic guitar and hugging his father. Buckethead continued to release albums throughout the year, breaking the numerical order occasionally (for example, Pike 34Pikeswas released three weeks after Pike 35Thank you Ohlinger's). The final album of the yearWisheswas released on December 24, free of charge for a limited time.

Solo albums released each year

Year
2010	4
2011	4
2012	6
2013	31
2014	60
2015	118
2016	24
2017	30
2018	2
2019	0
2020	10
2021	9
2022	26
2023	119
2024	42

During 2014, Buckethead continued releasing albums at an even faster pace. Sixty albums were released throughout the year, averaging one album every six days. The sixty-fifth installment,Hold Me Forever (In memory of my mom Nancy York Carroll),honored Buckethead's mother, who had recently died.The final release of the year, Pike 101In the Hollow Hills,took place on December 31.

Buckethead's release schedule increased in speed again, almost doubling his output during 2015. The 150th release in the series and 180th overall,Heaven is your Home (For my Father, Thomas Manley Carroll),was released free on June 21 (Father's Day) and in dedication to his late father.

On October 1, Buckethead startedThe Silver Shamrock Series,a Halloween-themed series in which the guitarist released one dark ambient album per day.Starting with Pike 176,31 Days Til Halloween: Visitor From The Mirror,each subsequent album continued the countdown to Halloween's eveculminating with Pike 206,Happy Halloween: Silver Shamrock.Buckethead's next release,365 Days Til Halloween: Smash(released on November 1) referenced the countdown, but is not considered part of series.A physical edition of the series was released in October 2017 on a pumpkin-themed USB key that contains all 31 albums on it.

The last album of the year was Pike 219, "Rain Drops on Christmas". The album originally released as a free digital download on December 24 (Christmas Eve), included a dedication "to those who lost loved ones" in the title track.

2016–present: ContinuedPikes,return to touring, and reissues

Buckethead letting fans use thekill switchon his guitar during his show at theGranadainLawrence, Kansason April 15, 2016

Throughout 2016, Buckethead's release output declined sharply, with only 24 albums being released. Pike 226, "Happy Birthday MJ 23" was released on the 53rd birthday of basketball playerMichael Jordan.2016 also saw Buckethead return to touring, after a four-year absence.

2017 saw a slight increase in pace compared to the previous year, with 30 albums being released in total. In addition, Buckethead began to repress part of his older catalogue in vinyl format, the first time in over a decade that his albums have been pressed in a physical format other than CD. Inbred Mountain, The Elephant Man's Alarm Clock, Crime Slunk Scene, Decoding the Tomb of Bansheebot, Albino Slug, Slaughterhouse on the Prairie, A Real Diamond in the Rough, and Shadows Between the Sky have all been announced so far. Several reissues come in a variety of different packages, unique to each release. Some of these included signed copies, limited-edition posters or photographs, personalized recordings, among other things. As part of these reissues, the albums Albino Slug andDecoding the Tombs of Bansheebotunderwent major changes with songs being re-recorded, and their album cover and title changed as well. Pike 241 "Sparks in the Dark" has also been announced on vinyl.

Also announced was the release of "Bucketheadland 5-13 10-31", an entirely new album to be released on Halloween 2017 exclusively on vinyl. It was the first album since 2012'sElectric Seanot to be a part of the Pike series.In addition,Bootsy Collinsannounced he was working with Buckethead once again on a collaborative album set to be released in that year.

In August 2017, Buckethead announced his fall US tour would be in September and October.Buckethead played with a live band consisting ofBryan "Brain" Mantiaon drums andDan Montion bass during the tour, departing from his traditional touring routine in which Buckethead was the only performer on stage.Shortly after the tour announcement, Buckethead also announced the release of "Live from Bucketheadland", his first live album, was released on vinyl in January 2018.Buckethead's tour continued in 2018, reverting to a solo show.Buckethead also toured in 2019 across theUnited States.

Influences

Buckethead wearing aMichael Jordanjersey, a major influence on his songs

Buckethead cites a wide variety of musical influences, includingMichael Jackson,Parliament-Funkadelic,Shawn Lane,Michael Schenker,Uli Jon Roth,Paul Gilbert,Yngwie Malmsteen,Joe Satriani,Eddie Hazel,Randy Rhoads,Larry LaLonde,Mike Patton,James Cutri,Louis Johnson,Jimi Hendrix,Jennifer Batten,The Residents,Eddie Van Halen,andAngus Youngas well as the many artists he has collaborated with over the years.

In addition to his musical influences, Buckethead cites a diverse range of non-musical influences, out of which dedicated songs to said inspirations have been a staple of Buckethead's discography, with particular attention to basketball players likeMichael Jordan(songs "Jordan"and"Jump Man",album" Happy Birthday MJ 23 "),George Gervin(on "Iceman" ),Blake Griffin(on "Crack the Sky" and "Griffin's Spike" ),"Pistol" Pete Maravich(on "The Mark of Davis" ),LeBron James(with four songs dedicated to him), andKareem Abdul-Jabbar(album "Kareem's Footprint" ). Other influences include martial artist and actorBruce Lee(on "The Game of Death" song and inspiration behind the use of nunchakus on stage), authorH. P. Lovecraft(on the "Lurker at the Threshold" suite, and his 55th Pike,The Miskatonic Scale), numerousscience fictionandhorrorTV shows and movies includingLittle House on the Prairie,Alejandro Jodorowsky'sThe Holy Mountain(onKaleidoscalp), andGiant Robot(mentioned on several songs, albums, and episodes shown on stage).DisneyandDisneylandare also major influences on Buckethead's career.Buckethead is also inspired by Japanese filmmakerTakashi Miike,to whom a song on Pepper's Ghost is dedicated.The Texas Chain Saw Massacrefranchise of movies is also a big inspiration to him and he has written many songs such as Jowls, which are heavily inspired by those movies. The song "To Infinity and Beyond" fromOut Orbitwas dedicated to then-recently deceased basketball reporterCraig Sager.

Equipment

Guitars

• Gibson Buckethead Signature Les Paul
• JacksonBuckethead SignatureRoundhorn V
• GibsonSST
• Gibson1969 Les Paul Custom
• Custom builtJacksonDoubleneck

Effects

• BOSSNS-2 Noise Suppressor
• Electro-HarmonixMicro Synthesizer
• MXRPhase 90

Amplifiers

• Mesa/BoogieTriple Rectifier
• Marshallcabinets

Bands and projects

Brewer,Brain,and Buckethead in 2017.

• Solo career (1987–present)
• with Class-X (1987–1988)
• with Limbomaniacs (1990)
• withDeli Creeps(1990–2007)
• withPraxis(1992–2011, 2022)
• withZillatron(1993)
• asDeath Cube K(1994–1999, 2007–2009, 2022–present)
• withJonas HellborgandMichael Shrieve(1995)
• withCornbugs(1995–2007)
• with Giant Robot & Giant Robot II (1996–1998, 2004–2006)
• withDJ Disk(1996–2001)
• withBrain(1997–2013)
• with El Stew (1999)
• with Cobra Strike (1999–2000)
• withShin Terai(1999–2007)
• withViggo Mortensen(1999, 2003–2005, 2008–2013)
• withGuns N' Roses(2000–2004)
• with Thanatopsis (2001–2006, 2016)
• withColonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains(2002–2004)
• withTravis Dickerson(2004–2010)
• asThe Frankenstein Brothers(withThat 1 Guy) (2006–2012)
• withScience Faxtion(2007–2008)
• withLawson Rollins(2011)
• withBrewerandBrain(2017)
• with Madeline Cyrille Miller (2024)

Discography

Main article:Buckethead discography

Buckethead has released 31 solo studio albums, as well as over 650 albums in the "Pike Series."

Solo studio albums

• Bucketheadland(1992)
• Giant Robot(1994)
• The Day of the Robot(1996)
• Colma(1998)
• Monsters and Robots(1999)
• Somewhere Over the Slaughterhouse(2001)
• Funnel Weaver(2002)
• Bermuda Triangle(2002)
• Electric Tears(2002)
• Bucketheadland 2(2003)
• Island of Lost Minds(2004)
• Population Override(2004)
• The Cuckoo Clocks of Hell(2004)
• Enter the Chicken(2005)
• Kaleidoscalp(2005)
• Inbred Mountain(2005)
• The Elephant Man's Alarm Clock(2006)
• Crime Slunk Scene(2006)
• Pepper's Ghost(2007)
• Decoding the Tomb of Bansheebot(2007)
• Cyborg Slunks(2007)
• Albino Slug(2008)
• Slaughterhouse on the Prairie(2009)
• A Real Diamond in the Rough(2009)
• Forensic Follies(2009)
• Needle in a Slunk Stack(2009)
• Shadows Between the Sky(2010)
• Spinal Clock(2010)
• Captain EO's Voyage(2010)
• Electric Sea(2012)
• Bucketheadland 5-13 10-31(2017)

Pike Series

Further information:Buckethead discography § Pike Series

Buckethead Pikesare mini-albums. Over 650 have been released since 2011. They have an average runtime of 30 minutes.

See also

• List of ambient music artists
• Lord Buckethead

External links

• BucketheadatAllMusic
• Bucketheaddiscography atDiscogs
• Bucketheadland official musical adventures website (Pikes for sale)