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We promise eclectic
rants, uninformed reviews and all around foolishness
revolving around that awe inspiring instrument, the guitar.
We won't fill your screen with meaningless schematics of
obscure holiday |
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Eddie Van Halen filed a
lawsuit against Nike for copyright infringement over his
trademark striped color scheme of his "Frankenstein"
guitars. According to MTV.com , ELVH, Van Halen's company, filed a cause of action for copyright infringement 
complaint last Friday in a Los Angeles court, alleging that
the design of some Dunk Low sneakers matches that of Van
Halen's famous guitars.Citing "irreparable harm and damage," ELVH is asking for the impoundment and destruction of all the shoes in question, as well as all profits from the sale of the shoes and damages. In 2001 Van Halen received a copyright for the design on the body of his "Frankenstein" electric guitar. 6/22/09 |
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Good news: The original
lineup of Dinosaur Jr. has a new album out. Not so good news: "Farm" sounds like another installment of J Mascis and friends. The great thing about the revival of one of indie rock's touchstone bands is the chance for guitarist Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph to spontaneously combust with another album like "You're Living All Over Me," the molten lava middle album of the three the original lineup put out in the 1980s.  "Farm"
is not that album. The band's latest is as close to mellow
as Mascis is ever likely to get. Acting as producer, Mascis
has things going just the way he likes. Barlow and Murph act
like a platform from which Mascis launches several extended
guitar solos and inspired noodling.There are some great moments here. Mascis' lazy delivery on "Ocean in the Way," his playful guitar intro on "Over It," the drama of "There's No Here" and the sugary sweet melody of "See You." But overall, the album sounds a lot like Mascis' work post-breakup. And that's a wasted opportunity. The most energetic moment on "Farm" comes in "Your Weather," one of two songs penned by Barlow. It's a reminder of how much energy the band once had, and may yet reclaim. CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Mascis' gift is that he can break your heart while he's blowing you mind, something he accomplishes on the melancholy "Said the People" with it's plaintive chorus, soaring guitars, unexpected keyboards and patient delivery. 6/22/09 |
| Another server meltdown and no backups. How wonderful.. Back to the drawing board. |
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Adding an eye-grabbing
standout to its line of US-made custom instruments, Gary
Kramer Guitar has introduced the new Illusionist solid body
guitar at the 2009 Winter NAMM show. The high-profile launch
includes The Illusionist and the other Crusader USA line models incorporate the Gary Kramer legacy while offering guitarists a truly 21st century instrument -- perfectly sculpted for shredding and extreme guitar styles. The timeless appeal invokes the sumptuousness and prestige of Gary Kramer's fine-polished Aluminum-era instruments, while offering boutique aesthetic touches and unparalleled sonic quality. 3/4/09 |
I’m about 100% positive
that I’m not the only sucker out there for some vintage
psychedelia. Radio Moscow is the type of down-home bred band
we all imagine. You know, the no name town (Story City,
Iowa), the direct influences (Peter Green, Nuggets
compilations, really any psychedelic guitar god), and the
boy prodigy (insert Parker Griggs). But make no mistake,
these boys are the real deal, and the proof is coming on
their upcoming album, Brain Cycles, releasing April
14th. 
Having the backing of
the Black Keys and Alive records, the band has recently been
able to find themselves in a perfect position to stone minds
all around the country and have a little fun in the process.
But hear, hear! Don’t come into this with a nasty attitude
against psychedelic music, because if you do, then a band
like Radio Moscow will never be for you. But if you want to
sit back and let the wah-wahs and blues-driven guitar solos
blow your mind, do yourself a favor, and check out the new
single “Broke Down”.
3/2/09 |
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Rocker John Mayer is
making two versions of his favorite guitar – so that fans
could gain access to his most
played axe. The
Daughters hitmaker has joined forces with Fender Guitars to
produce a replica of the guitar. He is also making
a cheaper version for
his fans to buy. In a video on his official YouTube channel, Mayer says, "I’m meeting with Mike Eldred and Justin Norvell from  Fender
Custom Shop and we’re talking about something we’ve kicked
around for two, three years. "We are going to recreate this black guitar, which I call The Black One... “We’re going to recreate this in two different ways, two different models. One of them: super limited edition, master built, custom shop, like dead-on balls accurate, as you see it." "And the other one - because I don’t want to say to fans, ‘Hey, you can own my guitar, it’s six grand, there’s 83 of them, go for it!’ I think I want to do 83 of the custom-shop master built version and then offer (a more affordable version), an unlimited production line version of it,” The Daily Express quoted him, as saying on the site. 2/27/09 |
What's George Lynch
been up to lately? Quite a bit actually. "The SOULS OF WE
record has been out for a couple of months. We're working on
a video for the song "January". We're also in the middle of
working on a
new LYNCH MOB record called "Smoke And Mirrors". We're doing
that at Sound City Studios in the San Fernando Valley in LA.
It's actually the first studio I ever recorded at in the mid
70s and they haven't changed anything. It's the same as it
was. METALLICA was just in there for six months. You name
any band and they've been through there. It's just an
awesome studio. It's so original and it's got so much mojo.
LYNCH MOB is going to be out this summer and fall touring
pretty extensively and we've got Oni Logan back in the band.
He's commuting from Switzerland back and forth if you can
believe it. We've got Marco Mendoza on bass and Scot Coogan
on drums."
2/26/09 |
In 1996, Gibson became
the first in the industry to make some of its instruments
using wood certified as “sustainably harvested” by the
non-profit Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). By 2006, some
42 percent of the
 wood
purchased by the company for its Gibson USA electric guitars
came from FSC-certified sources. By 2012, Gibson expects to
increase that to 80 percent. Gibson isn’t the only instrument maker greening up its footprint: Taylor, Fender, Martin, Guild, Walden and Yamaha, along with Gibson, have signed on as partners with the Music Wood Coalition, a project of the leading environmental non-profit Greenpeace. The coalition, which is also made up of a half-dozen tonewood suppliers, hopes its efforts will protect threatened forest habitats and safeguard the future of trees critical in manufacturing instruments of all kinds. Eco-advocates and guitar makers alike fear that the spruce, maple, mahogany, ebony and rosewood trees that have been the foundation of the wooden instrument industry for years are being cut down faster than they can be replaced. 2/23/09 |
British rock legends
UFO will release their brand-new studio album, "The
Visitor", in late May/early June via SPV/Steamhammer. UFO
composed more than 35 new tracks in the run-up to the
recordings, 13 of which were
short-listed and produced at the studio. 11 of these songs
are expected to make it onto the regular album, while the
other two are scheduled to become bonus tracks on the
limited-edition digipack. The current lineup continues to
consist of the three original members, Phil Mogg (vocals),
Paul Raymond (guitar, keyboards), and Andy Parker (drums),
as well as American world-class guitarist Vinnie Moore. Bass
legend and original member Pete Way is currently suffering
from a liver disease and was unfortunately not available for
the studio production.
2/19/09 |
Brother's fight over
guitar leads to arrest, charges. The
victim told deputies he was attacked by Kohler after Kohler
refused to stop playing amplified guitar in the living room.
Kohler began pushing and punching the victim in the face.
Authorities did not know if Kohler used a Kahler.
2/19/09 |
Houston we have a
problem! Serious meltdown of the server but we're back in
action! |
Disney Star Guitarist
will be available on for PC and Mac gamers, although no
release date has been set yet. It
 will
be packaged with a special set of strings, which can be
strung on any standard guitar. The package, including
software and strings will run gamers about $200, not to
mention players will have to have a standard guitar for the
included strings. A hefty price, one that many may find a
bit out of their price range.The game is sure to excite music enthusiasts, gamers, and those looking to learn a new instrument. It remains to be seen though as to whether the game alone will actually be able to teach someone how to play a guitar. 1/19/09 |
Martin Guitars invites you to visit the
Martin Guitar Museum and Visitors Center in Nazareth,
Pennsylvania, for a special unveiling of the new instruments
that we are introducing in January 2009. This rare
opportunity
coincides with Winter NAMM 2009 in Anaheim, California, and
we welcome you to see and play the company's latest
creations. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday,
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time.Some of Martin's new limited/special edition models include their 75th Anniversary Editions of the D-28 and D-18 historic model guitars. They also have 000 series in the 000-28M Eric Clapton & Eric Clapton Sunburst models. Other models include the 00-42 Linda Ronstadt, D-28 Museum Edition 1941 and the LX Elvis Presley. Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Players Choice Awards for 2008 named the Martin D-28 as their Acoustic Guitar of the Year. The "Player's Choice Awards winners are voted by the people who use and play the guitars making music. 1/19/09 |
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It is believed to have
been the 1830s and the workers were cowboys, brought to the
Waimea area of Hawaii's big island. "They were Spanish and
Mexican cowboys, and they taught the Hawaiians the art of
ranching, as well as guitar playing," said guitarist Jeff
Peterson, in a phone interview from his car while driving to
a gig in Hawaii.
Peterson was one of the stars of the first festival a year ago, along with other returnees, Jim (Kimo) West and Makana. They are joined this year by the group Maunalua, Barry Flanagan, John Keawe and Cyril Pahinui. There  also
will be two Hawaiian dancing groups performing to the music.SECOND ANNUAL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SLACK KEY FESTIVAL >When: 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. >Where: Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. >Tickets: $25 to $45. >Information: (562) 556-4824, www.socalslackkeyfest.com Love the slack brada! 1/16/09 |
| Hawaiian Blues for a Friday. Akaka Falls (One of the most beautiful places on earth I have to say) - Hawaiian Blues - Weissenborn instrumental 1/16/09 |
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May The Rock Be With You. Ever wanted
to combine your Star Wars obsession with your love of music? Thanks to the
Phoenix Guitar Gala, Skywalker aficionados will be able to out duel each other
for a chance to
become the proud owner of that one-of-a-kind Yoda guitar you see above, which
was designed by Star Wars mastermind George Lucas himself. Rather than a battle
of light sabers, you’ll just have to have the highest bid as the guitar will go
on the auction block on February 28th at the Phoenix Theatre in Petaluma,
California.
Luke SkyLinker
1/16/09 |
 Guitar
show: The California World Guitar
Show will feature guitars, amplifiers, banjos, memorabilia,
records and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15. O.C. Fair and Event
Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. (918) 288-2222 or
www.txshows.com
1/16/09 |
"We need a Drug Czar
who will commit to the American people to stopping at least
50% of the illegal drugs
flowing into the country within the first year of the Obama
Administration. That's the kind of leadership America wants
and deserves from its government.""Call me, President Obama. Hippies, dope heads, corrupt politicos and various other human debris hate me, which makes me the perfect man for the job." Linkskin Cowboy Ted Nugent 1/16/09 |
Kasha Amplifiers has
unveiled a quick, safe and simple device that now allows
guitar players to instantly
 modify
their tube amplifiers. Adding the patented technology of the
Quickmod® mini is faster than changing a string and as easy
as replacing a tube. In fact, that’s all that needs to be
done. Simply remove the appropriate tube and insert the
Quickmod® Mini. The device brings new life and tones to the
player’s arsenal and works perfect with amplifiers made by
Marshall®, Vox® and Fender®. The Quickmod® mini will work
with the majority of other tube amplifiers and a complete
list will be available soon.
1/15/09 |
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Honeyboy’s not-so-blue
gig: Inauguration party! From sharecropping childhood to the election of a black president, Mississippi bluesman Honeyboy Edwards 
has a long story.
Link 'Em On Down
1/14/09 |
 On
Wednesday's "The Howard Stern Show," Paul McCartney gave
Howard Stern a signed Hofner bass as a present for Stern's
55th birthday, which was Monday. Here's a very rough account
of the show. At the end, Fred Norris added, "Before anyone
has a heart attack," the guitar came from Guitar Center.
A Day in The Link
1/14/09 |
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Ted Nugent offers new
box set and celebrates 60 rockin' years. Very few personalities have rocked it like the Nuge. That's right, we're talking Uncle Ted, the conservative political activist, avid outdoorsman and bad-to-the-bone guitar shredder.  Amped up or what? How 'bout a six-set retrospective ("Nugent," "Penetrator," "Little Miss Dangerous," "If You Can't Lick 'Em ... Lick 'Em," "Spirit of the Wild" and "Full Bluntal Nugity") that will be reissued by Eagle Rock Entertainment on Feb. 3. Awesome, indeed. Teddy boy had a banner '08, releasing his book "Ted, White, and Blue: The Nugent Manifesto," dropping "Sweden Rocks" -- his performance at the Sweden Rocks Festival in 2006 -- and, of course, leading a star-spangled celebration marking show No. 6,000 on the Fourth of July at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Ted shown here with Hot Detroit Rocker Alex Winston on a recent visit to the Pozo Saloon. 1/13/09 |
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Latest from NAMM.
Fender 'Leo's Aunty' Tribute Stratocaster. Back in 1955, when the Stratocaster was still wet behind the ears, Leo Fender gave his aunt one of the working prototypes. Recently rediscovered in a dusty old attic, it boasted two single-coils, not the regulation three, and was finished in giga-rare Trans Ocean Beach House Creamburst. It will be reissued by the Custom Shop in very limited numbers, each hand-painted by a Mexican child. The cost? A fucking fortune, obviously. Photo coming as soon as our spies find it in Anaheim after the 15th. 1/13/09 |
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amplifiers or trite reviews of "the latest gear", you
can get that everywhere else. What we do promise is tongue
in cheek humor, cool shit that you'll love to get your paws
on, as well as artist and gear reviews, industry drool and
our own thoughts on any and everything guitar and if you
have something to say or want to get off your chest
a three-page feature in February issue of Premier Guitar
magazine showcasing the Illusionist alongside its Crusader
USA series cousins, the Conquest and the Cathedral.
“Broke Down” [
