6

THE SCENE

THE TARTAN Sept. 14, 2011

Buckethead shreds in Roanoke

CALVIN JAMES PYNN
cpynn@radford.edu
The night of Thursday, September 8th, 2011, was unlike any other night Roanoke had ever experienced. While the city has welcomed live music from the likes of various country artists such as Kenny Chesney and chart topping rock bands such as 3 Doors Down, little could be done to prepare for the one-man, electric guitar ripping force known as Buckethead. The show took place that night at Awful Arthurs Seafood Company, located at Towers Mall in Roanoke, Virginia. For the past two decades, Buckethead, whose actual name is Brian Patrick Carroll, has created an extensive reputation as a prolic contributor to various musical projects, as well as both underground and mainstream recognition as a guitar god. His otherworldly skills as a guitarist, as well as an overall multi-instrumentalist, have earned the artist a great deal of attention from a wide variety of musicians. Buckethead is virtually one of the most highly respected and soughtafter in-studio collaborators and live performers. His rsum includes collaborations with Iggy Pop, Serj Tankian (from System of a Down), Les Claypool (best known for his work in Primus), the musical endeavors of actor Viggo Mortensen, and inclusion as a full-time guitarist for Guns N Roses from 2000-2004. He has also composed and performed music for various lms, including the Mortal Kombat series, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, and Saw II, among others. Aside from his collaborations, Buckethead has released over 29 solo albums since 1992. Naturally, considering his achievements, Bucketheads stop in Roanoke was an event to behold. The show was played to a full house, and was opened by female indie artist, Lynx. While carnival music was played over the PA system as intro music, hundreds of heads turned away from the stage towards the bar, where Buckethead made a rather unexpected entrance. He took the stage completely solo, devoid of the usual bassist, drummer and rhythm guitarist that would make up the backup band. Buckethead was accompanied only by a Gibson Les Paul, drum machine, and various sound effect apparatuses, and for the next hour and a half, both chaos and virtuosity took over the Awful Arthurs stage. While most would probably not recognize Bucketheads music, his presence is unmistakable. Standing at 6 6 with noticeably large hands, the guitarists appearance is as eccentric as it is theatrical. His most prominent feature is the namesake Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket he wears atop his mane of curly black hair, which refers to his ctional origin, as he was raised by chickens, and dons the bucket to spread awareness of the chicken holocaust in fast food restau-

St. Vincent gives stellar performance on Actor

MEGAN ZALECKI
mzalecki@radford.edu
Actor, the second album by St. Vincent, was released in 2009 by 4AD Records, a studio that has recorded artists such as Bon Iver, Blonde Redhead, and Camera Obscura. The songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist, Annie Clark (a former member of the Polyphonic Spree) composed this album using the Apple recording software, Garageband. Despite this, the arrangements throughout the album are lush and beautifully complex. The band is comprised of many different instruments, ranging from the electric guitar to violin, ute, timpani, clarinet, saxophone, and piano that contribute to the depth and texture of this album. At rst listen, the melodies are reminiscent of classic Disney fairy tale movies, full of delicate trills and grand crescendos. As it progresses, however, there grows a subtle, yet disconcerting, feeling of uncertainty and maybe even a hint of danger (all served with whipped cream and sprinkles-which is to say Annies sweet voice-on top). What is great about this album is such a paradoxical approach: juxtaposing something seemingly safe and familiar with undercurrents of churning angst, thanks to her fantastic ability to shred the guitar to pieces. Just when I think I understand the intent of one song, the tone changes and the vapor of understanding is gone; its very ghost-like. Annie Clark commands all aspects of these dark narratives with a gently eerie voice that is, at once, pleasing and unsettling. Somehow, it expresses an other-worldly fashion. The subjects and moods with which we are all too familiar here on Earth, leaving us with the startling feeling of waking up from one of those intense falling-from-a-cliff dreams. The album opens with spectral notes oohed and aaahed by a chorus that leads into a chime-lled song titled, The Strangers that asks questions we all ask ourselves at some point in romantic relationships: What do I share? What do I keep from all the strangers who sleep where I sleep? She concludes that she must paint the black hole blacker. This seems to impress upon listeners the feeling the rest of the album will create, one of simultaneous paranoia and beauty. The songs vary from mostly woodwind and string arrangements to primarily electric guitar-focused pieces. The mood and emotion of each song become tangible yet subtle things thanks to such variations. For instance, the single Actor Out of Work is an uninching wall of sound that does not wait to begin.

Calvin James Pynn | The Tartan

Buckethead plays a solo at Awful Arthurs Towers in Roanoke, Virginia.

rants around the world. The bucket is emblazoned with the word funeral, and an eerie white costume mask completes his overall outt. While in character, Buckethead is mute, moves robotically, and expresses only through the notes played on his guitar. As a musician, Bucketheads playing style is as offbeat as his appearance, and equally as complex. As a guitarist, his style spans various genres from progressive rock to funk, jazz, avant-garde, and heavy metal. Throughout the show, Buckethead incorporated various effects, including tremolos, the classic wah, and others. Essentially, there were points where he made noises that one would never expect to come from a guitar. At the same time, Buckethead played soothing, ambient passages, as well as blistering leads, which solidied his reputation as a shredder. While Buckethead is known more for his playing skill than his individual songs, he managed to deliver a set of crowd-pleasing favorites. This included songs such as the bizarre Night of the Slunk, the distortion heavy Help Help Help, and Soothsayer, his melodic show closer. At one point, Buckethead even played an improvised bass guitar solo, followed by a medley of themes from the Star Wars lms, garnering an overwhelmingly positive reception from the crowd. The theatrical stage show also included Buckethead whipping around a pair of nunchucks, robot dancing, and taking a pause at one point to walk around the stage and hand out toys to the audience from a giant sack. It is safe to say that while Roanoke generally tends to stick to safe and familiar territory when inviting musicians to play, Bucketheads appearance was a treat of magnicent proportions. Regarded as one of the worlds 50 fastest guitarists, and a universally known musician behind the scenes, seeing his performance in Roanoke can now be crossed off the bucket list for over 400 residents in Southwest Virginia.

amazon.com

St. Vincents Actor contains the singles Actor Out of Work, and Marrow.

MITCHELL: Array of art comes to

Campus
From page 4
(For Gasper) features a beluga whale named Gasper. He was sick, and it was a way to wish him a get-better-soon. Creativity and ideas come from different places for Mitchell. She uses fabric from her childhood, her dogs, and even her sons drawings. She paints images from her memories and her pieces feature leaves, past homes, flowers, bubbles, paper boats and other images that are uniquely beautiful. All of her work catches your eye and no matter how long you admire it, there are still details that you might not notice. There is depth to Mitchells work, as it looks outward to embrace not only the beauty and color of the world, but also looks inward at the artists hopes, dreams and fears. Some of her pieces are dark, full of pain and bad memories, and some of her pieces are bright, colorful and full of happy times. Mitchells paintings have so much depth, that you get a different look depending on how close you are. From far away, you can see the piece in its entirety, but up close, you start to notice the smaller details. For example, Quartet: Rhino features a rhino in the middle of four colored squares. At first you only notice the rhino, pansy and other flowers, but when you examine it up close, you start to notice other elements in the painting. There is a lake house that re-

From the beginning notes, the distorted, buzzing guitar as well as relentless drums pair with Annies assault on the actor in question to end up with a stinging interrogation: Youre a supplement, youre a salve / Youre a bandage, pull it off /I can quit you, cut it out / Youre a patient iron lung. Whoever this is, they are a crutch, an unnecessary thing. She resigns at the end of the song, however: I think I love you, I think Im mad. Her calm, taunting delivery paired with delicious riffs and a catchy chorus makes for an oddly addictive view of an unhealthy but thriving relationship. Other highlights of the record include the song Marrow, another tune that surprises and delights with its sudden appearance of raunchy guitar through the plea Help me. Many songs on this album seem to be performed from the perspective of women who feel they are trapped by their daily lives, trying to make sense of and express themselves through the patterns of unsatisfactory complacency and suppressed anger. There is still a sentimental side to the journey as seen in the lyrics of The Party. Paired with gentle, jazzy guitar strums and a gorgeous violin and ute, this song is a bit more tender than the others. St. Vincent is pure musicianship. After a few listens it becomes clear that Actor is an album full of characters that were painstakingly created with precise idiosyncrasies that make them relatable and, in a way, real. Rock guitarists will be more than pleased with what they experience as they listen, as well as those who are turned on by more orchestral arrangements. There are no predictable progressions or recycled expressions. It is certainly an album that is in constant rotation as I paint, drive, or just sit and listen. St. Vincent is releasing a new album titled Strange Mercy on September 13th. I cant wait to see what Annie does next.

DRAPER: The Merc showcases

Southwest Virginia
From page 4
area, featuring Wayne Henderson, a locally reknowned guitarist and luthier, who has built guitars for artists such as Eric Clapton. Although the stage is located in a limited seating area, it is progressively advancing, being outtted with the capability to produce instant recordings of performances. As the Merc caters to the familiar Pulaski crowd, it also has its eye on attracting the Radford University community. Essentially, students and staff are encouraged to experience the center, as well as its local fare and art. The Merc also welcomes local talent from RU to share their skills with the community. The Gardners daughter, Kate, a senior at Radford University studying Parks and Recreation, hopes to draw in the college crowd. As of now, our crowd consists of older people, says Kate. Targeting younger people is our challenge. As things seem to be set in motion, The Draper Mercantile & Trading Company continues to grow while maintaining its original old time feel. With the concert series taking off, as well as an outdoor recreation component on the way, the Gardners have no plan to lay down their load any time soon. There is always room for development says Gardner. Think of it as working with a blank canvas and ask yourself: what are you gonna do with it? The Draper Mercantile Exchange is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and is located just off exit 92 on I-81 in Draper, Virginia. More information can be found on the Mercs Facebook page, or at www.drapermerc. com. All are encouraged to come down for an experience described as authentic, real, and alive.

Photos by Laura Enderson | The Tartan

Be Okay (For Gasper) is a piece painted in honor of a sick beluga whale. sembles Mitchells own, as well as a toy and other scenery. The composition for the rhino began with the idea of the four color panels working together as a quartet of images to form the rhinomuch like four instruments playing one song, Mitchell said about Quartet: Rhino. In each color, I included things I find beautiful, such as the lake house and pansy. The rhino image on top of all four panels pulls the structure together with an image of an amazing creature that we are fortunate enough to still coexist with, a reminder of our vanishing wilderness. Mitchell combines humor with unexpected beauty, such as my personal favorite piece, Birthday. This piece features a mouse and a dinosaur-like creature wearing birthday hats. The mouse holds out owers with blue and grey surrounding mountains. The piece is truly unique, with a pallet of blues and oranges. Mitchells artwork is better viewed in person, so take the time to examine her pieces. The depth and details of her paintings are truly a wonder and not something you would want to miss.

Recipe of the Week

Norwegian
Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs - 3 tbs butter - 1 cup milk - bit of vanilla - 1/8 cup sugar -1 & 1/8 cup flower
STIRRINGITUPWITHPAM.COM

Directions:
1. Mix together all ingredients. 2. Melt butter completely in the pan. 3. Pour batter into individual circles in the pan. Cook on 7. 4. Flip pancakes when slightly browned. 5. When done, move pancakes onto serving plate. 6. Garnish with fruit, powdered sugar, or anything else you prefer, and enjoy!

This piece, Play Nice, is one of her more unique pieces. It features a rabbit-like creature and a snake.