Biography
Rhino Bucket channels the precise sound and swagger of Bon Scott-era AC/DC with zero remorse. What might register as straightforward imitation instead registers as an intentional homage, fueled by the group’s unapologetic stance and a string of consistently strong tracks. They also merit notice for devising one of rock’s most singular and eccentric monikers.
The quartet came together in Van Nuys, California, in 1987 when Finnish-born Georg Dolivo joined lead guitarist Greg Fields, bassist Reeve Downes, and drummer Liam Jason. Their self-titled debut faithfully reproduced the raw, three-chord boogie of their heroes. While the U.K. and European press quickly embraced the record, American audiences and industry figures largely dismissed the band as copyists, offering scant promotional backing from their label. Even after “Ride with Yourself” appeared in Mike Myers’ hit film Wayne’s World, the aptly named 1992 follow-up Get Used to It made no commercial impact, prompting Reprise to drop the act.
The musicians persisted, however, and in a notable twist enlisted former AC/DC drummer Simon Wright in place of Liam Jason for the independently issued third album Pain in 1994. Rhino Bucket disbanded the next year yet resurfaced in 2001 intent on making new music. Following another extended pause, they delivered And Then It Got Ugly in 2006, with Kix guitarist Brian Forsythe handling lead guitar duties. In 2008 the band contributed to the soundtrack of Darren Aronofsky’s Oscar-winning drama The Wrestler, and the following year issued its fifth studio album, The Hardest Town. Who’s Got Mine? arrived in 2011, after which the group embarked on an intensive schedule of performances across the U.S. and overseas. Returning to the studio after a brief interval, Rhino Bucket completed its seventh full-length, The Last Real Rock N’ Roll, in 2017.
The quartet came together in Van Nuys, California, in 1987 when Finnish-born Georg Dolivo joined lead guitarist Greg Fields, bassist Reeve Downes, and drummer Liam Jason. Their self-titled debut faithfully reproduced the raw, three-chord boogie of their heroes. While the U.K. and European press quickly embraced the record, American audiences and industry figures largely dismissed the band as copyists, offering scant promotional backing from their label. Even after “Ride with Yourself” appeared in Mike Myers’ hit film Wayne’s World, the aptly named 1992 follow-up Get Used to It made no commercial impact, prompting Reprise to drop the act.
The musicians persisted, however, and in a notable twist enlisted former AC/DC drummer Simon Wright in place of Liam Jason for the independently issued third album Pain in 1994. Rhino Bucket disbanded the next year yet resurfaced in 2001 intent on making new music. Following another extended pause, they delivered And Then It Got Ugly in 2006, with Kix guitarist Brian Forsythe handling lead guitar duties. In 2008 the band contributed to the soundtrack of Darren Aronofsky’s Oscar-winning drama The Wrestler, and the following year issued its fifth studio album, The Hardest Town. Who’s Got Mine? arrived in 2011, after which the group embarked on an intensive schedule of performances across the U.S. and overseas. Returning to the studio after a brief interval, Rhino Bucket completed its seventh full-length, The Last Real Rock N’ Roll, in 2017.
Albums
