Travis Dickerson
Encyclopedia
Travis Dickerson is an American musician and producer, best known for his work with Buckethead
and Viggo Mortensen
. He also runs TDRSmusic, a recording studio with its own record label that has recorded and released albums by Bill Laswell
, Jethro Tull
, Linda Ronstadt
, and Vince DiCola
. Dickerson can be heard playing keyboards on many albums he recorded or produced.
, where his father, Burton Dickerson
, was an arts teacher at the Central Michigan University
. When Travis was ten years old, his father exchanged a painting for an old piano and Travis got it to work again.
Together with his brothers he early made some musical experiments, first recordings and later moved to Los Angeles
where he met the punk band X. In his new studio in Chatsworth
a bunch of the band's releases as well as some solo projects were recorded.
Singer Exene Cervenka introduced Dickerson to Viggo Mortensen, starting a long friendship. Nearly all of Mortensen's albums since then were recorded or distributed by TDRS.
In 1994 Dickerson played keyboards on County Fair 2000, an album by Phil Alvin (of The Blasters
) and in 1998 he appeared on Shocking Pink Banana Seat by singer–songwriter Susan James. He also wrote the liner notes for the anthology Beyond And Back by X in 1997.
Buckethead
and Dickerson met in San Francisco, and Buckethead being disappointed of major record labels found a new home for his many releases in TDRS. Dickerson played keyboards on several Buckethead recordings and in 2001 they formed Thanatopsis
, a band combining jazz and rock styles. Released as a Buckethead album, Population Override
likewise featured a large contribution from Dickerson in both composition and performance in 2004. Chicken Noodles
, a series of jazz-influenced jams, followed in 2006. Additionally Dickerson remastered the early Cornbugs
albums, a fun project Buckethead ran with actor Bill Moseley
and played on the last two recordings of the band before they split up.
In 2009 Travis released his highly anticipated solo album which has been said to have been in the works for years. On one of Buckethead.tk's annual Binge Support Days, Travis included a special CD with two unreleased tracks, one of those two tracks will be released on this album under the name of Legerdemain. Some participating artists include Buckethead
, Bryan "Brain" Mantia, and Cameron Stone.
Buckethead
Brian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists...
and Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The...
. He also runs TDRSmusic, a recording studio with its own record label that has recorded and released albums by Bill Laswell
Bill Laswell
Bill Laswell is an American bassist, producer and record label owner....
, Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
, and Vince DiCola
Vince DiCola
Vince DiCola is an Italian-American composer, keyboardist, and arranger best known for his work on the The Transformers: The Movie, Staying Alive and Rocky IV soundtracks...
. Dickerson can be heard playing keyboards on many albums he recorded or produced.
Life and work
Travis Dickerson was raised in MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, where his father, Burton Dickerson
Burton Dickerson
Burton Dickerson is an American artist and World War II veteran living in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. He served in the 47th Infantry, 9th division, which was deployed in North Africa, Sicily, and France. His work includes large abstract expressionist paintings, dancing figures, and cartoons...
, was an arts teacher at the Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
. When Travis was ten years old, his father exchanged a painting for an old piano and Travis got it to work again.
Together with his brothers he early made some musical experiments, first recordings and later moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
where he met the punk band X. In his new studio in Chatsworth
Chatsworth
-Places:Australia* Chatsworth, Queensland* Electoral district of Chatsworth, Queensland, AustraliaCanada* Chatsworth, Ontario, a township* Chatsworth, Ontario , located within above townshipSouth Africa* Chatsworth, Durban* Chatsworth, Western Cape...
a bunch of the band's releases as well as some solo projects were recorded.
Singer Exene Cervenka introduced Dickerson to Viggo Mortensen, starting a long friendship. Nearly all of Mortensen's albums since then were recorded or distributed by TDRS.
In 1994 Dickerson played keyboards on County Fair 2000, an album by Phil Alvin (of The Blasters
The Blasters
The Blasters are a rock and roll music group formed in 1979 in Downey, California, by brothers Phil Alvin and Dave Alvin , with bass guitarist John Bazz and drummer Bill Bateman. Phil Alvin explained the origin of the band's name: "I thought Joe Turner’s backup band on Atlantic records – I had...
) and in 1998 he appeared on Shocking Pink Banana Seat by singer–songwriter Susan James. He also wrote the liner notes for the anthology Beyond And Back by X in 1997.
Buckethead
Buckethead
Brian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists...
and Dickerson met in San Francisco, and Buckethead being disappointed of major record labels found a new home for his many releases in TDRS. Dickerson played keyboards on several Buckethead recordings and in 2001 they formed Thanatopsis
Thanatopsis (band)
Thanatopsis is an American progressive rock band comprising prolific guitarist Buckethead, keyboardist Travis Dickerson and drummer Ramy Antoun...
, a band combining jazz and rock styles. Released as a Buckethead album, Population Override
Population override
Population Override is the twelfth studio album by Buckethead, but it could be seen as his first full collaboration with keyboardist Travis Dickerson...
likewise featured a large contribution from Dickerson in both composition and performance in 2004. Chicken Noodles
Chicken Noodles
-Credits:*Buckethead - guitars and bowls of soup.*Travis Dickerson - keyboards....
, a series of jazz-influenced jams, followed in 2006. Additionally Dickerson remastered the early Cornbugs
Cornbugs
- Track listing of Cornbugs 2001 "Cemetery Pinch" album :- Track listing of Cornbugs 2004 "Brain Circus" album :- Track listing of Cornbugs 2005 "Rest Home for Robots" album :...
albums, a fun project Buckethead ran with actor Bill Moseley
Bill Moseley
William "Bill" Moseley is an American film actor and musician who has starred in a number of cult classic horror films, including House of 1000 Corpses, Repo! The Genetic Opera and The Devil's Rejects. His first big role was in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 as Chop Top...
and played on the last two recordings of the band before they split up.
In 2009 Travis released his highly anticipated solo album which has been said to have been in the works for years. On one of Buckethead.tk's annual Binge Support Days, Travis included a special CD with two unreleased tracks, one of those two tracks will be released on this album under the name of Legerdemain. Some participating artists include Buckethead
Buckethead
Brian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists...
, Bryan "Brain" Mantia, and Cameron Stone.
Discography (partial)
- 1994: County Fair 2000 - Phil Alvin
- 1997: One Less Thing to Worry AboutOne Less Thing to Worry About-Credits:*Players:** Ahmed Abdullah** Andy Armer** D.J. Bonebrake** Brigit** Buckethead** Exene Cervenka** Margaret Comer** Travis Dickerson** Danny Krieger** Luck** Duke McVinnie** Henry Mortensen** Viggo Mortensen** Sara P...
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The... - 1998: Recent ForgeriesRecent ForgeriesRecent Forgeries is the third studio album by the actor Viggo Mortensen, released in 1998.The album features songs from his last album One Less Thing to Worry About, released in 1997, but there are two new songs called "1/2 Red" and "Massage School"...
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The... - 1998: Shocking Pink Banana Seat - Susan James
- 1999: The Other ParadeThe Other Parade-Credits:* Buckethead - guitar, bass, robot, weeping, and shuffling* D. J. Bonebrake - drums, chorus, vibes, ropes, telephone, marimba, and vocals* Exene Cervenka - guitar, chorus, flags, and dog chorus* Brigit - vocals...
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The... - 1999: TunnelTunnel (album)Tunnel is Buckethead's third album under the name Death Cube K and the first to not feature Bill Laswell. Instead, it is one of the first collaborations of Buckethead and keyboardist Travis Dickerson...
- Death Cube KBucketheadBrian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists... - 1999: 13th Scroll13th Scroll-Personnel:Musicians* Buckethead – guitars, bass, production* Pinchface – drums* Bryan "Brain" Mantia – programming* DJ Disk – programmingAdditional personnel* Travis Dickerson – production, engineering* Jerry Mano – production...
- Cobra Strike - 1999: One Man's MeatOne Man's Meat (Viggo Mortensen)-Credits:* Brigit* Buckethead* DJ Bonebrake* Exene Cervenka* Travis Dickerson* Adrian Esparza* Lysa Flores* Zak Marmalefsky* Hank Mortensen* Viggo Mortensen* Pilar Perez* Donita Sparks* Recorded live at Track 16 Gallery in Santa Monica...
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The... - 2000: Cobra Strike II - Cobra Strike
- 2001: ThanatopsisThanatopsis (album)-Personnel:*Buckethead – guitars*Travis Dickerson – keyboards, production*Kaedon Rye – drums...
- ThanatopsisThanatopsis (band)Thanatopsis is an American progressive rock band comprising prolific guitarist Buckethead, keyboardist Travis Dickerson and drummer Ramy Antoun... - 2001: Somewhere Over the Slaughterhouse - BucketheadBucketheadBrian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists...
- 2002: Funnel Weaver (album) - BucketheadBucketheadBrian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists...
- 2003: AxiologyAxiology (album)- Personnel :* Buckethead – guitars* Travis Dickerson – keyboards* Ramy Antoun – drums...
- ThanatopsisThanatopsis (band)Thanatopsis is an American progressive rock band comprising prolific guitarist Buckethead, keyboardist Travis Dickerson and drummer Ramy Antoun... - 2003: PandemoniumfromamericaPandemoniumfromamerica-By Song:* "Den gang jeg drog afsted" - Buckethead , Viggo Mortensen , and Travis Dickerson * "Back to Babylon" - Henry Mortensen , Viggo Mortensen...
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The... - 2003: The Other ParadeThe Other Parade-Credits:* Buckethead - guitar, bass, robot, weeping, and shuffling* D. J. Bonebrake - drums, chorus, vibes, ropes, telephone, marimba, and vocals* Exene Cervenka - guitar, chorus, flags, and dog chorus* Brigit - vocals...
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The...
(re-issue) - 2004: Please TomorrowPlease TomorrowPlease Tomorrow is the seventh studio album from the actor Viggo Mortensen and the fifth collaboration with the avant-garde guitarist Buckethead, released in 2004. The album tells the story of a single "long night's journey into day". It is completely instrumental and written by Mortensen except...
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The... - 2004: Carry Me Away - Lindy Dickerson
- 2004: Brain Circus - CornbugsCornbugs- Track listing of Cornbugs 2001 "Cemetery Pinch" album :- Track listing of Cornbugs 2004 "Brain Circus" album :- Track listing of Cornbugs 2005 "Rest Home for Robots" album :...
- 2004: Donkey Town - CornbugsCornbugs- Track listing of Cornbugs 2001 "Cemetery Pinch" album :- Track listing of Cornbugs 2004 "Brain Circus" album :- Track listing of Cornbugs 2005 "Rest Home for Robots" album :...
- 2004: Population OverridePopulation overridePopulation Override is the twelfth studio album by Buckethead, but it could be seen as his first full collaboration with keyboardist Travis Dickerson...
- BucketheadBucketheadBrian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists... - 2004: This, That, and The OtherThis, That, and The OtherThis That and The Other is the first compilation album by the actor Viggo Mortensen, released in 2004. The album compiles songs from five of his albums: One Less Thing to Worry About from 1997, One Man's Meat from 1999, The Other Parade from 1999, Pandemoniumfromamerica of 2003, and Please Tomorrow...
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The... - 2005: GorgoneGorgoneGorgone is a jam project featuring Buckethead, Travis Dickerson and Pinchface. It was recorded during the sessions for Buckethead's album Population Override, but with music not entirely similar to what was featured on that album....
- Gorgone - 2005: Intelligence FailureIntelligence FailureIntelligence Failure is the eighth studio album of the actor Viggo Mortensen and seventh with the avant-garde guitarist Buckethead, released on 2005. The album combines traditional and original compositions, as well as clips of public speeches, most notably of George W. Bush and members of his...
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The... - 2006: AnatomizeAnatomize-Personnel:*Buckethead – guitars*Travis Dickerson – keyboards*Ramy Antoun – drums-External links:* at TDRS Music...
- ThanatopsisThanatopsis (band)Thanatopsis is an American progressive rock band comprising prolific guitarist Buckethead, keyboardist Travis Dickerson and drummer Ramy Antoun... - 2006: Crime Slunk SceneCrime Slunk Scene-Notes:*Track 1, "King James", is dedicated to basketball player LeBron James.*Track 2, "Gory Head Stump 2006: The Pageant of the Slunks", is a reprise of the song "Hook & Pole Gang" which can be found on Bucketheadland....
- BucketheadBucketheadBrian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists... - 2006: 3 Fools 4 April3 Fools 4 April3 Fools 4 April is the first CD/DVD made by the actor Viggo Mortensen, released in 2006. The album was recorded at Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center in Venice, California on April Fools Day of 2005.The album features the reading of Viggo Mortensen, his son Henry Mortensen, and Scott...
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The... - 2006: Chicken NoodlesChicken Noodles-Credits:*Buckethead - guitars and bowls of soup.*Travis Dickerson - keyboards....
- BucketheadBucketheadBrian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists...
& Travis Dickerson - 2007: Chicken Noodles IIChicken Noodles IIChicken Noodles II is a collaborative album by Buckethead and Travis Dickerson, and is the follow-up to 2006's Chicken Noodles album.It features Buckethead on guitar and Travis Dickerson on keyboards, and was released on the 15th of December through tdrsmusic.com.-Track listing:-Credits:*...
- BucketheadBucketheadBrian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists...
& Travis Dickerson - 2007: Time Waits for EveryoneTime Waits for Everyone-Credits:* Viggo Mortensen - piano, voice, and producer* Travis Dickerson - producer, engineer, mastering, and mixing-References:...
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The... - 2008: At AllAt AllAt All is the tenth album by the actor Viggo Mortensen, released in 2008. The album was recorded before his last album Time Waits for Everyone of 2007 and released on the label TDRS Music along with his last album....
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The... - 2008: Running After DeerRunning After DeerRunning After Deer is the first album by filmmaker Alix Lambert and producer Travis Dickerson.It was released in mid August 2008, and was conceived by Lambert with music provided by Dickerson. The album also features the collaborations of Buckethead on guitar, D.J Bonebrake on drums, Paul Eckman on...
- Alix Lambert & Travis Dickerson - 2008: The Dragons of EdenThe Dragons of Eden (album)The Dragons of Eden is an album made by guitarist Buckethead, producer and keyboardist Travis Dickerson and drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia. It was released September 17, 2008 through Dickerson's label TDRS Music....
- BucketheadBucketheadBrian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists...
, BrainBryan MantiaBryan "Brain" Mantia is a contemporary rock drummer. He has played with bands like Primus, Guns N' Roses, Praxis and Godflesh, and with other popular performers such as Tom Waits, Bill Laswell, Bootsy Collins and Buckethead...
and Travis Dickerson - 2008: Albino SlugAlbino Slug-Trivia:* The drum track of the song "The Redeem Team" is used on the song "Broken Mirror" from the 2009 album A Real Diamond in the Rough.-Credits:* Buckethead – Guitars and slug decoloration* Dan "Brewer" Monti – Programming & production...
- BucketheadBucketheadBrian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists... - 2009: IconographyIconography (album)Iconography is the debut album of the keyboardist Travis Dickerson. Released December 30, 2009 on his label TDRS MusicThe album also features the collaboration of several artist's that have worked with him over the years, including drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia, guitarist Buckethead, keyboardist...
- Travis Dickerson - 2010: Left HangingLeft HangingLeft Hanging is a collaborative album by Buckethead and Travis Dickerson, to be released in December, 2010.The album consists of unreleased tracks from previous sessions by Dickerson and Buckethead and features other musicians, including Pinchface, Ramy Antoun and Bryan "Brain"...
- Travis Dickerson, and Buckethead
Sources
- Interview with monkeybe, Dezember 2003
- Interview with Veruca Salt, Juni 2007
- Interview of Buckethead with Riffage, 1999