(c’85-’90) Jerry Morgan (drums); Kevin Mann (guitar), Phil Leahy (bass/vocals), and Ben Bennett (guitar).

Proud to be loud, Rusty Bucket were from the Hawley area and changed their line up a few times with departures and the addition of Jim ? (?), Pam ? (vocals), Paul Marshall (bass) and others. Morgan approached New in Town vocalist Miles Brant to audition with the band, with Brant jpining the band shortly after. We know the band took part in the Battle for the Limelight at Princes Hall, Aldershot in ’89, just before the venues refurbishment began, and appeared several times at The George, Ash Vale, notably on 30 December ’89. The next year they performed 14 times in August ’90 and maintained a similar cadence in September, returning to The George, Ash Vale on 25 November ’90.

1989: Rusty Bucket at Battle for Limelight. Prince Hall, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett.

They went on to rename themselves Little Bones, after The Tragically Hip track. Mann, after playing with Mr Stixx for a brief time, emigrated to Australia and we found Leahy touring with Laid Back Country Picker in 2024. Bennett sadly passed in 2023.

Gallery:

Rusty Bucket c’85 departing from New Inn Hawley for gigs on South Coast. Source: Jerry Morgan via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia
Rusty Bucket clipping from Farnham Herald, Sept 1990. Picture courtesy of Steve Hack.
1989: Rusty Bucket at Battle for Limelight. Prince Hall, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett.
1989: Rusty Bucket at Battle for Limelight. Prince Hall, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett.
1989: Rusty Bucket at Battle for Limelight. Prince Hall, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett.
1989: Rusty Bucket at Battle for Limelight. Prince Hall, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett.
Rusty Bucket at the Charity Barn Bash. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett.
Rusty Bucket at the Charity Barn Bash. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett.
Rusty Bucket at the Charity Barn Bash. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett.
Rusty Bucket at the Charity Barn Bash. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett.