Mason has played guitar since age 14 and has remained a charmingly amateurish musician ever since. Mason joined zZounds in 2014 and serves as editor of the zZounds Blog, as well as Accessories Merchandiser. Prior to zZounds, he earned a degree in journalism and worked as a newspaper editor and freelance writer. When not writing or editing for zZounds, you can find him playing his Strat, hosting bar trivia, and chasing his toddler around the house.
Even Thieves and the New New Wave
Before I listened to Even Thieves perform at their practice space in Chicago’s The Music Garage, the posters on the walls gave me plenty of insight into their influences: Morrissey’s charmingly smug grin, Interpol posing in sharp suits, a promo for an appearance by Duran Duran at a local Best Buy. Even Thieves’ sound is equal parts the influence from their new wave […]
Year of the Supercharged Guitar: D’Angelico’s Deluxe Collection
We’re always looking for trends at the NAMM show and this year there were quite a few. One big trend we noticed: 2016 is shaping up to be a great year for progressive guitars. Recent and upcoming releases from major players like Fender, Gibson, D’Angelico, and Ernie Ball Music Man are adding hot-rodded parts and upgrades — some […]
Bryan Adams’ Vintage Martin Defaced at Cairo Airport
It’s been a weird 2016 for Martin Guitars. Following the misguided destruction of a priceless 145-year-old Martin guitar by Kurt Russell on the set of Quentin Tarantino’s film The Hateful Eight, came this news from Egypt: According to the Daily Mail, After a show at the Giza Pyramids, Bryan Adams was set to depart Cairo, […]
Year of the Supercharged Guitar: Gibson High Performance Series
We’re always looking for trends at the NAMM show and this year there were quite a few. One big trend we noticed: 2016 is shaping up to be a great year for progressive guitars. Recent and upcoming releases from major players like Fender, Gibson, D’Angelico, and Ernie Ball Music Man are adding hot-rodded parts and upgrades — some […]
Update: Axl Rose Set to Replace Brian Johnson for AC/DC’s Remaining U.S. Tour Dates?
Update (March 23): When last we heard, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson was having a rough time continuing to front the Australian hard rock band. At first, his largest setback was his hearing – or impending lack thereof – as doctors warned him against “total hearing loss.” The plot thickened as comedian Jim Breuer, a close […]
Year of the Supercharged Guitar: Fender American Elite Series
We’re always looking for trends at the NAMM show and this year there were quite a few. The rebirth of analog synthesizers may just have reached its peak this year with Korg’s Minilogue and Arturia’s MatrixBrute making big sawtooth waves at the show. Another thing we noticed: 2016 is shaping up to be a great […]
Jimmy Page and Les Paul “Black Beauty” Reunited?
It looks as though Jimmy Page will get to join Peter Frampton, B.B. King, George Harrison, Bob Seger, Zakk Wylde and other guitarists who have lost and later recovered iconic axes. Page’s guitar, a 1960 Les Paul Custom “Black Beauty”, was stolen in 1970 while Led Zeppelin were on tour in the months leading up to Led Zeppelin […]
Interview With Summering
Building layered songs out of equal parts grunge, post-rock, and psychedelic materials, Vancouver’s Summering is best enjoyed when you have time set aside to listen. Each track on the band’s debut album S/T takes its time developing into a lo-fi aural scene awash in reverb and echoes. Singer Paul Stewart’s voice sits at the top of it all — […]
Fret-King’s Trev Wilkinson
Whether or not you’re familiar with Trev Wilkinson’s name, you’ve likely encountered his work in a guitar or bass you’ve played at some point. Whether it was a Wilkinson tremolo system, a Roller Nut, or a set of his pickups, Wilkinson has left his mark on the guitar industry as a prolific and innovative designer of […]
