In Search of Buckethead: Dispelling myths (and creating some new ones) | The Source Weekly - Bend, Oregon

In Search of Buckethead: Dispelling myths (and creating some new ones)

A rare shot of the Buckethead species (kentuckyfriedus bucketenius) in its natural environment.There are really only a few things we know for sure about Buckethead.

A rare shot of the Buckethead species (kentuckyfriedus bucketenius) in its natural environment.
There are really only a few things we know for sure about Buckethead. One: he wears a bucket on his head. Two: he doesn't do interviews and if he does he provides largely nonsensical answers by way of a demented hand puppet. Three: He can play the shit out of a guitar.

Buckethead is also the man behind the song "Jordan" which is largely considered one of the most difficult tracks to play on "Guitar Hero." In addition to his new fame within the ever-expanding "Guitar Hero" stratosphere, Buckethead has long been respected by fans of metal as well as funk, and many styles in between. He's a true student of the axe and also wields a pretty mean pair of nun chucks - but more on that later.
As previously mentioned, the towering, masked man doesn't do many interviews and even if we could arrange something with his camp, the idea of speaking to a hand puppet over the phone really doesn't appeal. What we can do is give you some unconfirmed, susceptive, allegedly true facts about one of the weirdest, mysterious, and downright shred-tastic guitarists in the realm of rock and roll.

Upbringing: According to his website: "Buckethead was raised in a chicken coop by chickens. And possibly due to the unusual circumstances surrounding his upbringing, he is a very private person."

Theme Park: Buckethead claims to operate his own theme park, at least on the Internet (www.bucketheadland.com) and many of his songs sound like rides at the park.

Weapons Training: Buckethead is surprisingly proficient with nun chucks and often whips them out during his shows. And neither he, nor Napoleon Dynamite, seem to think that this seemingly out-of-place display of martial arts is by any means dorky.

Movie Career: In addition to collaborating with everyone under the sun - from Les Claypool to Bootsy Collins - Buckethead has contributed to film soundtracks including Mortal Kombat. Is that where he honed his nun chucking skills? Possibly.

Dancing skills: He prefers a robot style of pop-and-lock break-dance movements. Is he actually a robot? Research into this query has come back inconclusive. But if you ask us, only a robot could play the sort of sixteenth-note tapping that B-head lays down.

Guns N' Roses: Buckethead played in the 21st century edition of Guns N' Roses before eventually leaving the band in 2004. Rumors say that he left after playing a solo so wicked that it unbraided Axle Rose's cornrows. Rose could not be reached for comment.

We gladly invite you to the Domino Room on Friday to join us in our ongoing search for the truth - or at least the truth about Buckethead.

Buckethead, That One Guy

9pm Friday, March 21. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave, 388-1106. $20/advanced, $23/door. All ages.

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