Buckethead fans share stories, collections and give thanks to Buckethead
Good evening everybody, in our 2nd of this 2 part video, buckethead fan’s show us their awesome merchandise, share their favorite stories and memories, and give thanks to our guitar hero, Buckethead. Bucketbots unite. Woo!!
What is your favourite piece of Buckethead merch that you own?
(Vince)
Lots of shirts, lots of paintings. Here’s one of a chicken he did this year. Buckethead painting robots. Here’s an artist that painted him, and here I am on his Bucket. One piece that’s very dear to my heart is these nunchucks that he gifted me in back in 2017. December 17th2017 is when he handed me nunchucks after a show. Completely surreal moment. He was also handing out comics with these personalized messages on them. This one reads “happy holidays, may you always have good health and good fortune”.
(Kevin)
My favourite Buckethead merchandise is a lot of the stuff that came in the mail back in the 1990’s that I’ve saved, some of it is autographed. One thing that came was a black and white picture of Leatherface chasing a girl with a chainsaw and then Buckethead playing guitar on the side of it. And it’s autographed. I have a baseball cap that was signed by Buckethead. My brother went to a Buckethead show in the 90’s before I was old enough. He snuck backstage and hung out with him and Brain for a while and got this cap autographed by a mask less buckethead. And the signatures are the same. That’s really crazy and it’s an awesome item. I’m envious that I wasn’t there.
This used to be a Deli Creeps T-shirt but I don’t really wear white shirts, so I cut it out to be a patch.
I have this awesome hoodie from C2B3. I got to see them play and I got this hoodie that I wear almost every day.
And of course this canvas drawing that he made is a prized possession.
(Chris)
My favourite piece of Buckethead merchandize right now is my Bucketheadland newsletter. Which is all about Bucketheadland. I believe that at one point you could request these. Very interesting stuff. I’ve never been so happy to own a piece of paper.
My 1996 Giant Robot NTT promo cassette. Very little is known about this cassette except hearsay. Not too many people have seen a copy.
My 2000 ‘From the Coop’ test pressing cassette. This was made 8 years prior to the CD’s release.
(Shayne)
My favourite Buckethead merc would have to be this painting. We’ve been collecting for over a year. When I saw this on his website it caught my eye and I wanted it.
(Anthony)
We love collecting his art, we have quite a few. My favourite would have to be (for value sake) Pike 13. But on a different note it would be my Pepper Pig playing cards. When we saw him live I was in the front row. And eye to-eye was given this by Buckethead. It was one of the most amazing concert experiences ever. It’s not open yet because someday I hope to meet him one day and play a game.
(Sebastian)
My favourite Buckethead merchandize? Well, I have this behind me. It’s not official. But this painting is done by a girl from Portugal, her name is Diana Silva. I asked her to do the painting because I wanted to see Buckethead expressed by someone who does this for a living.
(Jeffrey)
My favourite merchandize item is his paintings. I have a lot of them. I’ve been collecting since I’ve had credit cards. They really suit me well. I can really relate to the characters and I can make a story in my head of what they’re doing.
One of my other favourite objects is the severed hand that was given at toy time to my best friend. He gifted me the hand.
(Stacy)
He gave me this at my first show of his. I love this shirt, this is my favourite Buckethead shirt. I’ve got this comic, I love this. And I have Pike 275, the only one I’ve been around for and it’s the last one he did. I have number 47.
(Alexus / Benjamin)
The Sigil stuff, because I’m a big gamer.
Didn’t you play the original?
I did.
That is pretty cool. My favourite has to be the ‘Island of Lost Minds’ CD. With the original cover and its signed. There’s no special story behind it. I was just on ebay at the right time.
(ZQ)
My favourite piece of merchandize would be the 5 prints that he released years ago. I bought the 5 prints along with the Bucketheadland blueprints print and made a 6 piece set. Then had it framed in museum glass. I’m very happy with that set. It meets me in the living room every day when I come home.
There so many, the ‘In Search of the’ CD set, all the limited editions. His paintings. I’m not one to settle on a favourite because I love everything.
(Douglas / Jennifer)
It would have to be the 90’s KFC bucket. Of course it is just super iconic. It’s the bucket! It’s what he wears all the time. The strangest part about the character is the KFC bucket on his head. These are extremely hard to find and super awesome and I would love him to sign it.
My favourite would be my set of ‘In Search of the’ albums. 13 volumes and they all have drawings on them. I love this set. It’s rare and it’s an awesome thing to have. There was also a personal touch he put into it. I will cherish this for a long time.
There’s also another reason they should be special to you because on the cover of one of these, Buckethead does his personal signature and I have the exact same one tattooed on my wrist here. This is the same one. We had stencil made and I got it tattooed.
It is very cute!
(Josh)
Signed Pike. Pike 95, Northern Lights. Definitely one of my prized possessions. Obviously, the 1986 ceasar mask. But my favourite is this Les Paul Buckethead studio guitar. My most prized possession right here!
What piece of Buckethead merch would you love to own that you don’t already have?
(Vince)
It would probably his Gibson Les Paul. A tour used Gibson would be awesome.
(Alexus / Benjamin)
We both agree, a Les Paul. That is a gorgeous guitar.
Yeah the Les Paul is a guitar that I would love to own. Every time there’s one for a sale she’s like “buy it!” she’s very supportive of me wanting that guitar.
(Shayne / Anthony)
Recently wanting to get into playing guitar because I love his music, I thought of having a replica of his guitar. That would be cool. But it would have to be made for left handed people. Because I’m left handed.
The only piece of merch I would like to own is one of the self-drawn bucket’s he made, those were really cool.
(Stacy)
I want Pike 13 really really bad! I would love to have it, one of my favourite songs, Track number 6 is on there. And if I can ever find a painted bucket that’s what I want.
(John)
One thing I don’t have which I really need to get is a Herbie. Im dying to get a Herbie, I just haven’t yet. But I’ll be getting one soon!
(Kevin)
I really regret never buying the Deli Creeps cassette tape which was in the mailing list. I already had a copy of the song but I didn’t have the actual tape. And I always regret that. If anyone’s got one of those that would be really cool to have
(Chris)
One piece of merch I would love to own is a 1991 Giant Robot demo cassette, that or the 1991 Blueprints demo cassette.
(Sbastian)
The thing I wih for the most in the world…is a memory. A hug from Buckethead!
(Amy)
What I would really love to have is guitar strings that he’s actually played on. I think that would be really cool.
(Jeffrey)
I would like to own the 2007 painting (probably the prints) of the black background with the 5 spirit guys painting. That would be really cool. I also wouldn’t mind owning one of the chainsaws or grabber toys that he gives out at toy time.
(Patricia)
It would be a painting, I love his paintings.
(Douglas / Jennifer)
Well, as far as the masks go, I kind of have everything. Having some t-shirts would be cool. I’m always down to collect his music or signed pikes or artwork. They are very personal and great pieces of art. So any of that would be cool. But If I had to choose, it would be a stage used mask or bucket, something like that.
One thing I would like to own would be Kaisers gift, the guitar. A lot of people have heard of it, for those who haven’t, it’s a Steinberger GS.
NatterNaet actually have a video on it.
Yes, he does. Check that out. It’s a beautiful guitar and it’s one of the pretty ones I’ve seen.
(ZQ)
The Soothsayer Live DVD. I had a lot going on during that time. My brother was very sick and I was concentrating on him. He was my best friend and I loved him very much. He died unexpectedly that November and I wasn’t aware of the Soothsayer DVD live.
When was your first Buckethead show?
(Vince)
I still have the ticket stub. It was April 21st 2006 at the Fonda Theater. He had Pinchface on drums, Brewer on Bass. A bunch of guest vocalist like Serj Tankian. It was aSurreal night, blown away. Still my favourite show. I get goose bumps thinking about it.
(Shayne / Anthony)
Our first show was in Minnessota 2018 March 22nd at the Cabooze. When we discovered he was playing, we were on our way there and we had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know if it was a big event, how many people were gonna be there. I didn’t even know how his shows were. When we got there and watched, we were pretty close to the stage, not front row but enough to experience the whole concert. And we were amazed by it. When he was giving the toys, I was really confused. I was like ‘what is he doing?’ And then when I saw him giving out all different things I thought ‘wow, he’s a very nice man for giving away stuff’.
That was obviously my first show too. But the reason we went to it was because earlier that year I had been talking with my son and I asked him ‘what is your favourite band?’ and his answer was ‘Buckethead’ and we had both known who buckethead was and we were surprised he would pick that person out of all the bands he could’ve said. So, we really got talking about why and he had said he liked instrumental music. And I thought that was odd at the time because I wasn’t aware of Buckethead’s music. So a few months later his tour was announced and my son was turning 18, so I bought him tickets for us to all go and see him. It was a really cool turn of events and an awesome experience.
(Josh)
My first show was when I was 13 years old back in 2002 at Bonnaroo. I saw him with Les Claypool when he had the KFC KV guitar and the yellow raincoat. The only thing I remember is how damn hot it was at the place. It was incredible and I’ve seen him multiple times since.
(Kevin)
My first Buckethead show was July 23rd 2004 in New York City. Rammelzee was actually performing with him at that show along with a live band. I remember ‘Peelander Z’ opened the show. My friend who was with me almost go into a fight at the show. Thankfully that was avoided because that would have been a crappy experience for our first Buckethead show.
(Chris)
My first Buckethead show was November 4th 2008 at the Workplay theaterin Birmihgam, Alabama.
(Sebastian)
One day I will get to see in full view the images I keep making in my head as I go through his music. Because he never came to Romania. I have a dream that one day I will live in America only for the sake of following him to every concert. Wherever I see Buckethead will play, I’ll be there a day before!
(Amy)
The first show I ever saw was Madison Theater 2018. It was amazing.
(Jeffrey)
First time I saw Buckethead was in Boston in 1999 opening for Primus and Incubus. I don’t even know what the hell was going on. He was a giant. I don’t even know what he played. I don’t know anything. It was just marked in my head, the yellow raincoat.
(Patricia)
The first time I ever saw Buckethead was June 3rd 2018 at the Red Room in Little Rock, Arkansas. My daughter and I attended. It was awesome. My favorite moments was when he gave my daughter the special toy. It was awesome. I didn’t even know he did that. He’s a great person and I can’t wait to see him again.
(Stacy)
My first Buckethead show was June 6th 2018 here in Tulsa, Oklahoma at ‘Cains ballroom’. It was me and my 3 kids. We were blown away. It was the wildest show. It was their very first show and they were going crazy. We were open mouthed the whole time. He kept coming over and playing my little son, Dax. He would use the Herbie and I remember Dax looking at me and saying “mom, is he a zombie?” My other son didn’t know he had a mask on, he though his face was painted. So they were like “what is this guy doing with the bucket?” And then we went to Dallas, Texas last year and we had the best time. My little son got a chainsaw from him.
(Alexus / Benjamin)
Our first show together was April 7th 2018 at higher ground, Vermont. That was her first show. That was the same one where buckethead bought Oscar onstage to play ‘Soothsayer’. Which was a magical moment.
And my first show was August 30th 2011 at showcase, fox borough. To finally watch my hero in front of me playing all my favorites songs was otherworldly. I have nothing but good things to say.
(Douglas / Jennifer)
My first one I believe was March 13th or 14th, and that was the first time we met. That was an amazing show, everything about it was awesome. He took the bucket I painted for him. Most of the blog about that is on my channel.
My first Buckethead show was June 8th 2016. It was a magical time, it was wonderful. I cried, I laughed. I’d never seen him live before, didn’t watch any youtube videos. I’d heard about him passing out toys and the killswitch thing. So I went into it fresh and it was amazing. I’ve seen him 3 times since. Amazing.
(ZQ)
My first Buckethead show was in March 2006. I was disappointed the friends I went with didn’t wanna go to the front row. After that show I made up my mind to go to the very next show. I was in the navy, I traveled. But this was different. I was gonna travel to see Buckethead at the house of blues, during Halloween. What could be better than that?
If Buckethead is watching what would you like to say to him?
(ZQ)
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. From my gory head stump. Every amazing piece of music. Imagination. For Bucketheadland. The Park. The camaraderie of the bucket bots. And how you bring us together. I hope you liked that doll I made you and gave to you at the Picador in the grey box. I’ll never know. But thank you.
(Josh)
Thank you for many years of incredible music. I hope we get many more years of incredible music and touring and paintings and all things Buckethead.
(Chris)
Thank you for everything you’ve done, have done and continue to do for us all. I and other wouldn’t be the same if it weren’t
for you and your music.
(Amy)
Thank you. Thank you for your amazing music and all of the emotion that you put into your songs. You can feel all of it. He’s my muse.
(Amy)
Please take care of yourself. I know you will. Don’t be a stranger to Arkansas we, do love you here.
(Jeffrey)
Thank you. I appreciate everything you’ve done. You’ve given me endless hours or joy. If I ever saw you walking in a grocery store, I’d like to think I’d know it was you. But I would not approach you, I respect your privacy greatly.
(Douglas / Jennifer)
I would wanna say Thank you for everything. You’ve devoted so much of your life to your art. As an artist I appreciate that. He’s put himself into everything he’s done. He’s been true to himself, it’s not about money or fame. It’s about the music. And I greatly appreciate that. We got to know eachother through the buckethead group and his music. The first time we met was at one of his concert. And that is a great thing we get to share together. Truly, thank you. I hope to meet you one day and shake your hand. I hope all the best thing in the world for you.
We all love you, Buckethead. We very much appreciate everything you do. I’m very happy for him and I hope he is attaining everything he wants in life. We all hope his health is great.
(Vince)
Thank you for your gift of music. You’ve gotten me out of some pretty dark times in my life. Your music is an escape. Thank you for making me laugh. Your amusement park is open 24/7. I can always listen to your music, it’s an amazing escape. And I’m so happy that you exist. And that you’re able to share your talent and your mazing gift with all of us.
(Shayne / Anthony)
I would have to say Thank you for putting out so much music and time for the things you do. I am a big fan of most of your music. And I hope that you keep producing more.
Me too. The one thing I have to say is Thanks because you bring me and your fans so much joy and happiness. Thanks, bud.
(Benjamin)
I just wanna say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything. The music, the art. Coming to play shows in the area we live in. I’ll always be front row supporting you and showing my love for you. There’s so many words, but I don’t think there’s enough for to convey my thanks to you for everything you’ve done. Also inspiring my guitar playing. Inspiring me to keep going with that.
(Stacy)
Thank you for saving my life. I was in a really bad place when I found you. I lost my mom and I didn’t think I could go on anymore. I was on my last legs. I couldn’t do it anymore. And your music brought me back. And you do that for tens of thousands of people around the world. I’ve seen it, I’ve made a bunch of friends from it. You’ve brought us all back. We wouldn’t be here without you and your music. So, thank you.
And thank for inspiring all of us. You inspire people to play and draw (you can see my crap right there). You’ve inspired my middle son to start playing. He got his heart broken when his guitar was stolen by someone really close to him. He quit and he didn’t wanna play anymore. And after he saw you, he started playing again. He's been playing for almost 2 years now and he’s getting really good. He can play some of your songs. I’m proud of him. You’re a big influence. And Bootsy Collins too! We love all of you. We love you so much!
Any final thoughts or stories you’d like to add?
(Vince)
Thank you very much NatterNet for inviting me to be part of this video. What you do for the Buckethead community is nothing short of amazing and im very honored to be in this. Experiences include, him and I having a tug of war with his Michael Myers mask in Santa Cruz in 2017. He is one strong dude.
(Benjamin)
I just wanna give a shout out to NatterNet. Thank you for inviting me. Also thank you Alexus for agreeing to do this video. And shout out to all our friends we’ve met because of Buckethead, we love you. Some we’ve met and some we haven’t. We hope to meet you at a show someday. Even if we have to travel.
(Kevin)
It’s been about 25 years since I got into Buckethead. It’s been quite a journey watching him evolve. Literally releasing hundreds of albums. I support everything you do Buckethead…and NatterNet! Buckethead, I love you. Buckethead and NatterNet, Woo!!
(Sebastian)
Thank you very much for inviting me to do this. It’s a big honor. Remember Bucket bots, everything will work out. You’re a lovely crazy bunch.
(Jeffrey)
Buck, if you need any favors, if you need to sleep, borrow 20 dollars, if you need a ride, just give me a call. I’ve got your back.
(Chris)
Last year on the 2018 tour. He went on by and finished with us but came back and reached his hand out for a handshake. I don’t know why. But in that moment, that handshake and connection was all that mattered.
(Amy)
My son Nicholas. His first concert ever, the only person he asked to go see in concert, was Buckethead. Nick has autism. Music is everything to him. Everything. He thinks that Buckethead is just amazing. And when I took him to see Buckethead last year at Bogarts in Cincinnati, from the moment Buckethead walked out, Nick was in awe. The look of pure joy on his face. That was the best experience I’ve had at a concert, my son watching him enjoying the same music that I enjoy. Especially with it being Buckethead. That was amazing.
(Douglas / Jennifer)
I had a very wonderful time at the first show. We had a lot of interactions. He appreciated the bucket I painted for him. The second show, he loved my Colonel Herbie. Buckethead if you’re watching and you want this, he’s yours. I made him for you. I work on painting stuff and converting masks. This was some work but it’s an art for art thing. I have an appreciation for you and wanted to make you something nice.
The night we met I remember talking to you before the show and was hoping to stand near you. It was cool meeting you. We took a picture together, it was hilarious because my head is so small and the bucket I had kept falling off my head. It was neat. You let me hold the guitar pick that Buckethead gave you. We were like ‘wow’ afterwards. It was pretty cool. That night resonates with me especially now that we’re together.
Overall, anytime I’m listening to Buckethead is a good time.
(ZQ)
After I saw the James Brown tribute, I got to meet Buckethead. I was speechless. That morning I checked my email and I had an invite to the show in Las Vegas, which was a hush hush deal. From there I went from Vegas to Flagstaff, Flagstaff to San Francisco. And I was able to spend 4 days in the cemetery. I love cemeteries! Then I watched Buckethead 2 nights at the Great American Music Hall. A wonderful time. That tour was 2008. I made it to Madison to Chicago to Omaha to Iowa to Townsend to Falls Church and many more. There is a funny story about Townsend. Midway during the show I realized I locked my keys in my Jeep. We went to the parking garage and called the cops. Well, the cops were a little bit unorganized and by 4.30am they got my keys out of my car. I made it to the next show and that’s all that mattered to me. Being a Bucket bot means all the positive energy. I didn’t have any fear whatsoever. Thank you bucketheadland, thank you NatterNet, Thank you Bucket Bots.