The Story of Rustbucket
in 2019, bassist Chris Barry had a vision of a band that had the skills and drive to recreate the biggest and best grunge and alt-rock radio hits of the '90s. So he joined forces with rhythm guitarist/vocalist Aaron Miller (later of Landline), lead guitarist Mick Kanyuh (previously of Screamin' Cucumbers), and John Christianson (formerly of The Flavor of the Weak) on drums. Unfortunately, John found himself having to depart a few months in, and was replaced by Jim Schweitzer (founding skinsman of Random Maxx). This early iteration of the band was christened Crunchhead, and set about rehearsing the best in alt-rock.
Unfortunately, just as Crunchhead were considering looking for gigs, Jim got a job offer on the west coast and regretfully had to step down. With drummers being in somewhat short supply, Crunchhead sadly scattered to the four winds.
Still, Chris was persistent. So, once the pandemic started to wane in late 2020, he once again sought to assemble a squad of seasoned Milwaukee musicians to bring authentic renditions of '90s rock to the masses.
Take two saw Chris bringing peerless scene veteran John "Doc" Hinz (formerly of Black Sheep) into the fold on lead and rhythm guitar. Remembering the percussion prowess of John Christianson (then keeping the beat with LUCID), Chris reached back out to him to see if he'd be interested in reassuming the throne — which he was. Wunderkind axeman TJ Koch (formerly of ID90) rounded out the guitar roster with searing proficiency on lead and rhythms.
Although the core four of what would eventually become Rustbucket was then locked down, the members came to the agreement that they'd need to find a lead vocalist. Ideally, someone comfortable with the era's wide range of tonalities ranging from Eddie Vedder's guttural growl, to Chris Cornell's plaintive pitch, to Layne Staley's soaring scream.
The burgeoning band turned to Craigslist, and solicited interest in auditions for the lead vocal spot. After a series of disappointing tryouts where nobody quite seemed to fit, Chris remembered how much Jim (now working remote at that west coast gig, and back in town) had enjoyed singing backups from behind the kit in the erstwhile Crunchhead...
Initially, Jim assumed he was being recruited for the drummer's seat, and was surprised to hear that Chris thought he might have some facility out front. But after an initial trial run, everyone seemed happy with his potential — as well as the fact that he could supplement the arrangements with some solid rhythm guitar chops, and even fill in on drums (in case JC ever wanted to jump out front so sing a tune or two). And the fledgling lineup of Rustbucket was on its way.
With the pieces in place in as of mid-2021, Rustbucket started putting their first set together, ultimately playing their first full-length show at Waukesha's Mad Steintist (now Maddy's Bar & Music Lounge) in February 2022.
The next two years would see Rustbucket taking Milwaukee's stages by storm, playing in front of thousands of grunge and '90s alt-rock fans all over Southeastern Wisconsin. And gig after gig — at venues like Cue Club of Wisconsin, Paulie's Pub and Eatery, and even a powerhouse set at the Harley-Davidson Museum for the Harley 120th Homecoming — Rustbucket wowed audiences (as well as fellow road-tested musicians) with their faithful recreations of the biggest hits of music's last truly great era. And one by one, every stage Rustbucket has played has asked them back for return engagements.
2023 saw Rustbucket entering a new era. In the late summer, the band and founding guitarist TJ Koch found themselves parting ways due to scheduling demands, leaving a gap in a band that had not only gelled as musicians, but as friends. Thankfully, new lead and rhythm virtuoso JJ Hansen (most recently with The Widows and Orphans) was available to step in, ensuring that Rustbucket could move forward seamlessly, and continue to bring the greatest hits of the modern rock era to the biggest stages in the Midwest.
See you out there as we keep on keepin' on, building our future by bringing you the hottest hits of the past.
