Bucket is a trio comprised of long-time friends who all write songs & sing. Their debut CD, "This Here's Bucket" consists of tunes that have become staples in their live performances & best represent of cross section of the band's eclectic style which ranges through folk, country, rock, & R&B influences - the common thread being the music is uniquely American - so if you've to call it something, call it Americana. The members are - Lee Rolfes (guitar & vocals) Lee hails from Harrison, OH, a small town 20 miles west of Cincinnati on the Indiana border & currently resides in Nashville. A long time solo performer with two full length releases under his belt, Lee's strong singing and organic songs have won him many followers in the Cincinnati area. His tune "Deep Freeze" is featured in Jeff Daniel's comedic film about life in Michigan's upper peninsula Escanaba In Da Moonlight. Rick "Bam" Powell (drums & vocals) Playing a unique drum kit of his own design (which incorporates a tin cans, saw blade, & a 5 gallon plastic pickle bucket as a bass drum - the source of the band's name) Bam is also a prolific songwriter and has played with Leblanc & Carr, the Raisins, the Bluebirds, and countless other projects. His solo release "Bam Powell & the Troublemakers" features a who's who of Cincinnati's musical community. Bob Nyswonger (bass, keyboards, vocals) Born in Binghamton, NY, Bob was a founding member of the Raisins, then joined Adrian Belew's Bears which evolved into Cincinnati's Psychodots & Graveblankets, all releasing CDs all along the way. This Here's Bucket marks Bob's debut as a producer/engineer and was recorded in his home studio, Chezbob. Bucket began playing dates in 1997. The trademark "low tech" stage lighting began soon after, with the traditional hanging of the "humping panther" & Elvis towels, and of course the band's totem "Sissy", the large & somewhat frightening ceramic cowgirl lamp who appears on the CD cover. The band will not perform until the stage is properly lit & decorated - reminiscent of, as one observer put it, a Juarez whorehouse motif. Bucket is a band that doesn't take itself too seriously, but is serious about having a good time and playing some good music. As such, they'll probably be around 'til one of them kicks off. [b]Review by Rick Bird, Cincinnati Post: Bucket: Roots rockers Bucket have released "This Here's Bucket," a great earthy collection of tunes from its three players Lee Rolfes and former Raisin Band members Bob Nyswonger and Bam Powell. The three have played around town for years with the group, but this is their first CD. Even though the three are very different writers, the project works great under their rootsy musical banner. Rolfes checks in with solid down-home twangy songs, Powell brings more bluesy, rugged songs and Nyswonger is pop-rock rooted. "This band is a throwdown. Everybody just comes in and throws down their stuff," said Nyswonger about the Bucket writing process. The album marks his debut as a producer and engineer at his home studio, Chez Bob. Nyswonger does add some nifty production techniques like organ and backing vocals, but doesn't mess with the band's rustic feel. The group's name comes from Powell's kick drum, which is actually a plastic bucket. Nyswonger said the band is a great change of pace from his other projects, such as the slick pop rock of The Bears. "Bucket is the most low pressure band I've ever done. Lee is real laid back. Bam's like the Buddha of rock. If it feels good he's fine with it. Lee will say, `Let's do this,' and it's some song I've never heard. He'll say, `It goes like this.' We don't waste a lot of time rehearsing."[/b]