Buckethead fans talk about Buckethead (Ladies Edition)

Good evening everybody, today we’re back with the  third installment of our ‘fans talk about Buckethead’ series. And today, its ladies night. So, fembots unite. Woo!!

How or when did you first hear of Buckethead?

(Estelle)
I actually heard of Bucethead through my brother who plays guitar. He became a huge fan of his around 2015. His album that he really loved was ‘Cuckoo Clocks of Hell’. So I think that was the first one I heard. Then in 2016 I stared getting into Buckthead more on my own. I’m so happy my brother introduced me to him. I don’t know if I would have heard of him otherwise.

(Harriet)
I first heard about Buckethead when I was a teenager. I was really into Primus and had seen some of their videos with Buckethead. I didn’t know who it was at the time. I just thought it was some crazy guy who was amazing on guitar. I don’t think I started looking into him until I heard the song ‘watching the boats with my dad’. It was so different that what I’d seen heard him do with primus, which was crazy funky shred stuff. It was the complete opposite direction with this really meaningful song with loads of feeling. It was from there I thought ‘there’s a lot to this guy and he seems really interesting’. And obviously guitar hero Jordan was the most fun to play too.

(Sya)
I first heard of Buckethead in 2007. I was really into rock music and playing bass guitar at the time. I first saw a tour video of his and really liked the songs he was playing. I was shocked by his skill. My bandmate told me his name was Buckethead and he used to be a member of Guns N Roses. I was a little confused because I thought he seemed too out there to fit in with Guns N Roses. And then I listened ‘Enter the Chicken’ ‘Colma’ and many other albums he’s released. And I got hooked. Later I just found him to be a good guy with a kind personality. So, I become a loyal fan. A bucket bot!

(Jennifer)
I first heard of Buckethead about a year and a half ago. I was searching Youtube for Slash solos and it kept recommending Buckethead. And I finally clicked on it, thank goodness I did!

(Amanda)
I actually heard him on the first date I ever went on with my eventual husband. So, if that tells you anything, I married the guy who showed me Buckethead! We were both in his car listening to music and he put on Buckethead, and he said “you like Buckethead right?” And I was like “who?” And he said “Oh my god, you don’t know Buckethead?” and he put on ‘Colma’ and that was the first album I heard. I was instantly like ‘Oh my god, what is this?’ And I went home that night and basically thought about Buckethead all night instead of my date. And then I looked at him online and listened to his music and learned that he’s like my long lost twin. Because he loves everything that I love. My favourite movie since I was 8 years old is ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’. Here’s leatherface on my shirt and I have as much hair as Buckethead. I’m glad I finally discovered him in 2013. It’s made my life better since!
 
(Barb)
I first of Buckethead in high school when guitar hero was massive! Naturally this goes to guitar hero 2. My boyfriend at the time was really into it and played every song on expert, except for Jordan, he couldn’t finish Jordan. Later I got the game and we took it into practice mode so I could hear the whole song. Freaked out and then I started following him religiously after that, especially when I saw him play it live.

(Sunny)
In October 2015 I saw a suggested video on youtube called ‘soothsayer at the gothic theater’. My jaw dropped. I made the video bigger and saw that this Buckethead peron was wearing a mask and bucket, I was hooked instantly and have listened to only buckethead 95%of the time since.

What is your favourite piece of Buckethead merchandise that you own?

(Sya)
My favourite piece of Buckethead merch is the painting I recently bought. It hasn’t arrived yet but I really like it because it reminds me of an evil looking Homer Simpson.

(Estelle)
I found this old cut up T-shirt in my drawer and I thought it would be cool to draw Buckethead on it. It’s pretty cool. My bag, when I first got it looked boring. So I thought why not make a Buckethead patch for it. So I made this thing, it says ‘save the chickens’.

(Jennifer)
‘Live from Bucketheadland’ CD and the ’10 31’ DVD. And also, Babu. From Buckethead’s birthday show.

(Amanda)
I have this awesome custom Buckethead piece that my husband actually got commissioned for me for last Christmas by a local artist that we really love, Jesse Jackson. I just really love it. The style is really cool and it captures Buckethead’s essence. We hang it up over our couch so when guests come they’re like “who is that?” and we’re like “It’s Buckethead! Duh”.
I have the ‘Shadows between the Sky’ Vinyl. My favourite. It’s signed so this is the first signed one I got. I was really excited because I was like ‘Oh my god, Buckethead touched this’.

(Barb)
My favourite piece of Buckethead merchandise I own is something he gave me at his birthday show. It’s the tiny little guitar that he bought out from behind his amp. I didn’t even see him pull it out of his six bags. Six bags! He walked back after he was finished handing out the toys and I saw a little box. This thing. He walked over where I was, held it out and the guy to my left tried to grab it and Buckethead went ‘nope’. Yeah it was fun, his 50th birthday show!

(Sunny)
My small Buckethead drawing right there. If you can see it. I love that it’s a one of a kind piece that I own. That it’s a person on a path or journey which means a lot to me.

What piece of Buckethead merchandise would you love to own and why?

(Sunny)
I would love to be able to afford one his big paintings one day. I feel that I’ll be getting a priceless art from my favourite person. And a little piece of him is in every work of art he does. And being an artist myself I appreciate that.

(Harriet)
I would really like to own a vinyl of Pike 65. It’s the pike that speaks to me the most. I listen to it the most, so that would be cool.

(Barb)
A physical copy of Pike 65. I hadn’t listened to Buckethead in years and I was in a dark place when I found it and he was like ‘Hey!’ and grabbed me. And here I am now.

(Sya)
I don’t have a piece of Buckethead merchandise that I’d like to own. Instead the thing I would like most is to shake his hand and say thank you.

(Jennifer)
I’m just really content and happy in Bucketheadland. I don’t want anything. I have everything that I’ve felt that I had to have, like ‘Crime Sunk Scene’. I have that now.

(Estelle)
I would love to own one of his paintings. I love his paintings. They’re so unusual and bizarre yet so simple. They portray these bizarre characters that could have these incredible back stories. I think that is a valuable talent to have. As a painter myself, I’ve been trying to work on it and it’s difficult to put all the emotion into a painting. It really is. I value his paintings and talent and would love to own one. Fingers crossed, one day I will.

(Amanda)
Definitely his artwork. His paintings. I love every single piece of art that I see that he’s done. I feel like they capture his playful, endearing, weirdo soul so well. So, hopefully someday I will be able to start collecting his art.

What is your favourite on stage Buckethead moment?

(Sya)
It’s hard to choose one favourite because I love all of his moments. But, I have to choose one. And it’s kind of weird. I love to see him turning the buttons on his guitar (not just the killswitch). And pushing the pedals. He’s very creepy when he’s doing it. It looks kinda hot too.

(Harriet)
I like any on stage moment where he cracks out some martial arts moves. I done martial arts since I was a kid and loved Bruce lee growing up. So two of my favourite things together. Buckethead cracking out the nunchucks is perfection.

(Estelle)
Generally my favourite on stage moment is when he puts the giant gloves on his hands and does the robot. I think it’s so entertaining to watch. He does it so well. It’s so cool.
Specifically my favourite moment is when he was with Les Claypool in 2002. He’s wearing this big yellow raincoat and puts these gloves on his hands, these grey gloves with long goofy fingers. And he does the robot with them on and it looks so bizarre and strange and funny. That’s what I love about
Buckethead, just how totally unique and out of the box he is. I love watching that.

(Jennifer)
My favourite on stage moment is when he waved at me, a gesture of thanks for the gift I got him. I got him a really nice journal and had it engraved that said ‘do not fear, just believe’ and that was a great moment.

(Sunny)
When he invited Oscar Lopez up on stage to play ‘Soothsayer’. To allow a huge fan of his to play his most popular song is an unbelievably kind and giving thing for any performer to do and that’s why I love him so much.

(Amanda)
I always think to the first time I saw him live. I had never watched a video o him doing toy time before, so when he started doing it I was like “what is he doing?” I was like ‘oh my god, is he giving people toys right now?’ I couldn’t have expected it less but it was so typical of Buckethead. And I was just completely charmed and fell in love with him even more. Because of course he gives us toys! Of course that’s what he would do.
And letting people press the killswitch on his guitar. It was like ‘we’re all buckethead’ he’s so good at engaging the crowd. He knows we’re not this sea of money, because it’s not about money with him, it’s so much more personal than that. He’s good at inserting himself into our lives in so many ways. I love that he connects with his fans. I’ve seen so many concerts, I’ve spend so much more money on bigger concerts with huge pyrotechnics but it’s $20 to see Buckethead at a venue down the street and they’re always the best shows. He makes every single live performance unforgettable which these big huge bands with all their pyrotechnics never could. I love that about him.

(Barb)
My favorite moment is when I gave him the Death Cube K doll box made of papier-mâché. I was holding it up with 2 hands and then with 1 massive Buckethead hand he grabbed it and I was like ‘You’re a monster of a man!’ He walked over to his amps, walked around to the other toys, waved P-sticks over and they were talking to each other about it. And the mystery of that haunts me to this day. I wish I knew what they were talking about.

What Buckethead song or album would you recommend to new Buckethead fans?

(Jennifer)
I guess I would recommend Pike 218. I say that today but that could be different tomorrow.

(Sya)
I would definitely recommend the song ‘Welcome to Bucketheadland’. Don’t ask me why, just go and listen to it and rock out to it!

(Estelle)
I would recommend Pike 125 ‘Along the Riverbank’. It was the first Pike I ever got into. It’s got gentle stuff in there, some epic guitar pieces. Some of my favourite of his ever. And It’s got a bit of weird stuff but not too weird in the song ‘Viewmasters’.

(Barb)
Definitely Pike 65. I went through an emotional roller-coaster with that song. But it depends what they’re into, there’s so many genres he does.

(Harriet)
Obviously the go to would be Soothsayer. All Buckethead fans know it. There’s a reason for that. It’s perfection. Other than that, my favourites at the moment are ‘Beginning Putrification’. I really like ‘Cuckoo Clocks of Hell’. It’s really heavy, dark and sinister. On the other end of the spectrum, if I wanna chill out I’d listen to Cavernous or the Patrolman.

(Amanda)
My go to, like most people is probably ‘Soothsayer’. There’s a reason why it’s such a popular song. It’s really easy to listen to for most people. I love ‘Albino Slug’ it’s one of the most fun albums he’s done. Obviously ‘Colma’ ‘Electric Sea’ and ‘Electric Tears’ are great. My favourite ever is ‘Hold me Forever’. I think it’s the most beautiful assemblage of music ever written. So if I have a friend who’s really feeling some of the first stuff I’ve shown them then I’ll be like ‘Okay, I think you’re ready for ‘Hold me Forever’. Because I don’t know anyone who dislikes that Pike. It’s gorgeous.

(Sunny)
I’d recommend Pike 15, View Master. It has heavy and soothing songs on it and shows his ability to play many different genres.

If Buckethead is watching, what would you like to say to him?

(Sya)
I would like to say, keep in good shape and make sure you get enough sleep. It’s good for your heart. And, I’m not sure I will see you someday but I’m pretty sure I’ll stay with you in Bucketheadland forever!

(Jennifer)
If you’re watching, thank you! From the bottom of my heart and from all bucket bots in the world, thank you.

(Harriet)
Thank you so much for the music, it’s definitely opened my mind to different types of music and sounds. I play guitar so you’ve really inspired me to try and pick up some harder techniques and do things I’d never thought I’d be able to do before. You’ve really inspired me to keep going.

(Barb)
Keep working on Bucketheadland. And, more music please. Paintings are super cool, I love them. But more music please! Selfishly.

(Estelle)
Thank you, Buckethead. Thank you so much for all you have done. Your talent is just incomprehensibly amazing. All the music you’ve released, many hours of listening you’ve given us. As well as just your kindness. Obviously you don’t talk much but you seem like a really genuine sweet person. Thank you for your creativity with your paintings and your whole character. It’s rare to have that creative talent. You’re very inspiring to me, as someone who loves art. I don’t think I would be the same person I am today if I hadn’t discovered your music. You’re like the backing track to my life. No matter what I’m doing, Buckethead is playing. If I’m driving or working out or studying or anything, Buckethead is always playing. There’s always music of yours so suit the situation. Sometimes after a long day I’ll come home and I won’t be feeling great and honestly, I put your music on and it all gets better, I feel normal again. I feel normal. It feels like I’m coming home.
Thank you so much. We all love you. Take care of yourself as well. I really hope I can see you live someday. As someone who lives in New Zealand, it’s difficult. We live far from the rest of the world but hopefully one day I’ll see you. Fingers crossed.
Also, fun fact. You and I have the same birthday, May 13th. Woo!!

(Amanda)
Buckethead has a way of always knowing what to say without any words. So, that’s why it’s so hard to think of words. He has the ability to somehow know what it feels to be like everyone in the world. Anyone can relate. It’s nice that videos like this exist because he can hear us talk about him and hear all the things about him that we notice and appreciated. I think these videos that Natternet puts together they say enough. Of course, thank you doesn’t even begin to sum it up.

(Sunny)
Buckethead I would love to say, thank you. Thank you for being my constant companion for 4 years. Your music has comforted, calmed, soothed and energized me and all the other fans. Your music is incredibly healing for me, it releases old wounds I’ve been carrying for years. It courages me to face difficult and tough times. I don’t know how I lived this long without your music and presence in my life. Please take care of yourself and all the fans, love you!

Any final thoughts or stories you’d like to add?

(Estelle)
Thank you so much Natternet for having me. I love your videos so much. You put so much effort and research into them. It’s amazing. I don’t think I could find any of that information to that extent myself so I appreciate it. And I’m sure the other fans do too, we appreciate it.
I haven’t been a fan for long relative to other fans, so I’m grateful to be involved in this video. And remember that ‘things are not always as they seem, sometimes balloons will spell your doom but a gory head stump can mean good luck’. Woo!!

(Amanda)
I’ve only recently started to meet people in the Buckethead community and I’m super appreciative of Natternet for everything that he does. Part of the reason I know so much about Buckethead is because of him. So I’m super thankful to be involved, and have the opportunity to talk about Buckethead and meet more people. Hopefully I’ll see him on tour again soon and meet more people. Thank you so much for the opportunity.

(Sya)
I wrote Buckethead a letter a few days ago but before I posted it I sent a message to Natternet to ask if his mail address is available. He told me it’s no longer in use and gave me another address. And then he invited me to be in this video. So I’ve talked about the contents of the letter in this video.
I never understood what Buckethead said at the beginning of the song ‘Peesez monologue’ I was going to ask my American friend to listen to it and tell me what he said. But then Natternet made subtitles for it in a new video, so that helped me a lot.
I’ve been getting a lot of help in all things Buckethead. So, thank you Natternet, thank you Bucket bots. And love you, Mr Buckethead!

(Sunny)
I wanted to say I’ve made awesome and kind friends through the Buckethead groups, especially my own. And from meeting other fans at shows. They’re incredibly kind and loving people. Also, my dream came true on May 7th this year when I shook Bucketheads hand and he gave me his guitar pick. I cherish it. Thank you Natternet for doing this for all of us, we really appreciate it.

(Harriet)
Thank you again for letting me part of the video, I loved the last one. Hope this is good. Oh and lastly, I’d say come to Europe. Please!