That 1 Guy and Buckethead-Aggie Theater, Review
by Hannah Lintner
Photo Credit: Max Giffin
That 1 Guy is completely unique, unlike any other artist in this modern era. Mike Silverman created his own instrument, otherwise known as ‘The Magic Pipe,’ using electronically rigged steel pipes connected by adjustable joints. Each pipe houses an orchestral bass string. He slaps, plucks, and even uses a bow and drumstick to play the seven feet tall harp-shaped instrument. That 1 Guy’s ‘orchestra’ also consists of ‘The Magic Boot’ and ‘The Magic Saw.’ Silverman plays the cowboy boot as a percussive instrument by tapping on the sole, while also pinching the opening of the boot to create a wide variety of noises.
That 1 Guy, who began in the 1990s, takes experimental music to a completely new level. He actively involves the audience by initiating participation, such as chanting ‘butt machine’ along with him in his popular song, “Butt Machine.” Spaces in between songs are filled with magic tricks involving his talking duck puppet. The show itself feels like a magic show, and Silverman uses his intrigue to enchant the audience with his mystical presence and array of tricks. His image fits his music; Silverman has an Amish feel to his appearance, with his plain black t-shirts, long hair and sideburns, and wide rimmed black hat.
With a solid white expressionless mask, and a KFC bucket on his head, Buckethead is also an enigma of mystery. While he has collaborated with artists such as Bill Laswell, Iggy Pop, Les Claypool, Serj Tankian, as well as being part of Guns N’ Roses, Brian Patrick Carroll now plays as a solo artist. Carroll has quite a following. The crowd was eager to dance to his music in the packed theater. Like That 1 Guy, Buckethead has perfected an image that effectively enhances his music. He has perfected the robot dance to fill time between pieces, and is notorious for being silent. In interviews, he has been recorded having his zombie head puppet speak for him, and even the zombie doesn’t have very much to say. Carroll uses the severed head throughout his set to fill the silence caused by lack of any lyrics. Truly, his guitar riffs are enough. The intricate, complicated guitar pieces can portray his talent without the need of a band or vocalist. Who ever thought that a set consisting solely of guitar solos could be so much fun?
In 2008, the two artists collaborated to create the band the Frankenstein Brothers. Their first collaborative album, Bolt on Neck, contains six songs, two of which are over ten minutes long. The dynamic duo performed songs at the end of the show, coming together perfectly to create a jumpy, danceable sound. The beauty in the two is that neither overwhelms the other, even though both are used to, typically, playing alone. The Frankenstein Brothers harvests both Buckethead and That 1 Guy’s intrigue and simplicity, to create a purely perfect sound.
Online: That1guy.com
Bucketheadland.com
Category: Noco Music Scene
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