Posted February 28, 2011 at 3:02 pm | No comments
We don’t get a lot of electronic music coming our way at Guitar International, and I have to admit that my own lack of experience with the genre left me with stereotypes and misconceptions of a genre that is often labeled on one side of the spectrum as club music, and on the other, academic based composition. When Ricky Graham’s new album Signals Under Tests came across my desk, I was a bit hesitant at first because of the genre label, but man am I ever glad that I sat down and gave this record a chance. It has turned out to not only be a very enjoyable listening experience, but has also opened my eyes and ears to the electronic genre, especially the guitar’s role in this music.
Posted in: Instrumental Interviews, Interviews
Posted February 25, 2011 at 7:55 am | 7 comments
RATT, like many hard rock bands born out of California in the early ‘80s, were staples on MTV with such hits in heavy rotation like “Round and Round,” “You’re in Love,” “Way Cool Junior,” and “Wanted Man.” In 1984 they released their debut LP Out of the Cellar, and throughout the mid-to-late ‘80s, released a barrage of commercial hard rock LPs including Invasion of Your Privacy, Dancing Undercover and Reach for the Sky.
Posted in: '80s Rock, Interviews, Rock Interviews
Posted February 22, 2011 at 1:20 am | No comments
HellYeah is a Supergroup comprised of Grammy nominated and chart topping musicians – drummer Vinnie Paul, vocalist Chad Gray, guitarists Greg Tribbett and Tom Maxwell as well and bassist Bob Zilla. As HellYeah they also have an impressive history. Their debut album has sold nearly 400,000 copies in the US and produced two Top 10 Active Rock singles “Alocohaulin Ass” and “You Wouldn’t Know.” Their second CD, Stampede debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200, making it their highest-charted album to date.
Posted in: Interviews, Metal, Metal Interviews
Posted February 20, 2011 at 2:00 pm | No comments
Modern rockers Irvine have recently released a video for their single “Welcome Home.” The song features strong lyrics, great musicianship and a vocal hook that sticks in in your head and just won’t let go. Irvine brings a maturity to their songwriting and performances that one would expect from a band much older and experienced, a testament to their natural talent and ability to play off their strengths.
Posted in: Interviews, Modern Rock, Rock Interviews
Posted February 20, 2011 at 9:00 am | No comments
Prior to a sold out show at the Best Buy Theater in NYC, I had a chance to speak with guitar Keith Nelson of Buckcherry while out on tour with HellYeah for the Jägermeister Music Tour. We talked about what fans can expect on this tour and even gave us the inside scope on the very beginnings of a new Buckcherry CD.
Posted in: Interviews, Modern Rock, Rock Interviews
Posted February 17, 2011 at 9:00 am | No comments
2010 was a huge year for Florida based metal band Nonpoint as the band’s eighth studio album Miracle was released to critical acclaim, helping to launch the band to the top of the modern metal world after 13 years of working together as a band. The album immediately grabbed the attention of promoters worldwide and 2010 saw high-profile Nonpoint performances at some of the world’s biggest music festivals including Ozzfest, Rock on the Range Summerfest and the legendary Download Festival.
Posted in: Interviews, Metal, Metal Interviews
Posted February 17, 2011 at 9:00 am | No comments
Very few musicians will be able to accomplish and achieve as much success and acclaim as guitarist Fareed Haque. His career is still in full force with many endeavors yet to come, but so far he’s worked with an incredible number of diverse artists that range from Sting, Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Zawinul, Vieaux Faraka Toure, Dave Holland, Larry Coryell, Kurt Elling, Zakir Hussein, and the list just keeps going and growing.
Posted in: Classical, Classical Interviews, Interviews
Posted February 16, 2011 at 9:00 am | No comments
Jazz guitarist and inventor, Les Paul, brought us more than his electric “Log” guitar fashioned out of two pickups, and the triptych coupling of a slab of 4 x 4 lumber and the two halves from an Epiphone hollow body guitar. He brought us more than a delightful legacy of jazz, but a mountain of amazing guitar techniques to examine and study. His deep curiosity and rich inventiveness roamed the world of electronics and sound, luring him like sirens to seemingly insurmountable production and recording challenges. Good for us that Mr. Paul’s intense curiosity was welded to an equally tenacious spirited drive.
Posted in: Guitar Hero Interviews, Interviews, Jazz, Jazz Interviews
Posted February 15, 2011 at 10:00 am | One comment
Although Immortal Dominion has issued several releases thus far, the latest from this Colorado-based band Primortal (on 427 Records), is undoubtedly their strongest yet. Comprised of band members Ray Smith (vocals), Brian Villers (guitars/vocals), Louis Micciullo (guitars), Bryan “Ed” Schmidt (bass), and Casey Glass (drums), the group has teamed up with renowned producer Sterling Winfield, who is best known for his work with such best-selling metal acts as Pantera and Mercyful Fate.
Posted in: Interviews, Metal, Metal Interviews
Posted February 12, 2011 at 9:00 am | One comment
Fender’s promotional efforts with respect to the limited-edition Crossroads Stratocaster (also known as the Antigua Strat or Sun Strat) and amp have been both generous and tasteful. In fact, the efforts have been tasteful to the extent that Fender’s said relatively little as to exactly what guitar a buyer is getting for the $30,000 Platinum Package, which includes Strat, amp, case and a variety of interesting collateral items, or the $20,000 Gold Package that includes the guitar and a similar array of value-added materials, preferring to place the emphasis on the underlying cause for which the gear is being offered – the Crossroads Centre.
Posted in: Classic Rock, Interviews, Rock Interviews
