Young Buckethead, Vol. 2 is arguably the superior of the two Young Buckethead DVDs. The sound is sharper, and it includes two complete Deli Creeps shows, including the best of the three offered between the two DVDs – a dark, gritty set from the Kennel Club on 4/3/91. A tight, searing performance, it stands out for the inclusion of a poppier, more upbeat number, two songs into the setlist (a lack of song titles is one of the few nagging complaints to be made about the Young Buckethead DVDs.) It hints at the sort of melodic rock the Deli Creeps might have pursued if they had happened upon mainstream success. As it is the last of the shows chronologically, it's fun to observe how the band refined and polished its act over the course of seven months.

The performance at the I-Beam from 9/1/90 is solid -- I would say a cut above the Cactus Club show on volume one -- but lacks a dirty diamond in the set like the poppy tune in the Kennel Club show. Still, it’s another tight performance with a healthy mix of bizarre stage antics from Maximum Bob, and plenty of heavy riffing and solos from Buckethead (who plays the show shirtless -- quite the odd sight given his usual onstage garb.)

The extras on volume two aren’t as interesting as those offered on the first volume (which included rehearsal footage and a 15-minute guitar solo in Buckethead’s backyard.) There’s some unrehearsed footage of the Deli Creeps hamming it up backstage, cracking a few jokes, and an outdoor interview wherein we get to hear the elusive guitarist speak (!) Both have good amusement value to them, particularly the interview, which features Buckethead sporting a Halloween mask and acoustic guitar. The two club shows though, particularly the Kennel Club one, are great fun, and demand repeated viewings.

While this two DVD set likely won't attract many new fans, it is a gem for those that have followed Buckethead's career over the years. The Deli Creeps material is a real find, and the grainy 8mm gives the collection a nice atmosphere, well in line with the gritty, cult/horror vibe of Bucket's stage persona and some of his studio output. Those who only discovered the guitarist through his involvement with Guns N' Roses would do well to check out Young Buckethead, starting with volume two.

Rating: A-

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