Buccaneer -

Buccaneer was an American hard-rock band from Indiana that released a 1980 self-titled album on the DIY label Blunderbuss.

Members: Jay Wilfong [aka William Bonney] (vocals, electric guitar), Gary Dunn [aka Lord Vendetta] (bass), Jerry DeRome [aka Madjack] (drums)

Background

Buccaneer formed in 1979 in Greenfield, Ind., when singer-guitarist Jay Wilfong reunited with drummer Jerry DeRome and teamed with bassist Gary Dunn. Wilfong started guitar at thirteen after brief childhood piano lessons and three guitar lessons from Jack Davis. DeRome previously played in the Temperance Union.

Wilfong and DeRome first played together in the Poverty Programme, a central Indiana school band formed in summer 1967 from students at New Palestine, Eastern Hancock, and Warren Central high schools. The group placed third among roughly 150 entrants in a statewide battle of the bands and won a recording session. The band cut the unreleased “Two Years Ahead of My Time” at that session and sent a tape to Mercury Records.

Wilfong later joined Primevil, which recorded the 1974 album Smokin’ Bats at Campton’s at Moe Whittemore’s 700 West Recording in New Palestine. Along with former Poverty Programme guitarist Dave Scott, Wilfong co-owned Programme Audio, a local label for country and bluegrass releases.

Wilfong and DeRome revived their partnership around a pirate-themed rock project, and Dunn completed the trio. Wilfong performed as William Bonney; Dunn and DeRome used the names Lord Vendetta and Madjack. The musicians ran PA systems for bluegrass bands for seven years and directed their savings into Buccaneer. The trio then booked 700 West Recording to record the self-titled album for the band-owned Blunderbuss Records.

Discography: