Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer Dead at 71
It’s with heavy hearts that we’re looking back on the career of Keith Emerson from Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, following his passing from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 10. Arguably, one of the first visionary keyboardists to make the move from traditional keyboards into the realm of synthesizers. Striking off with Greg Lake from previous groups […]
Iconic Rigs (on a Budget): Jimi Hendrix
If I asked you to name the most iconic and influential rock guitarist of the past, say, 50 years, I’d bet a considerably large sum of money that you’d say none other than Jimi Hendrix. There are several reasons why he is considered to be so important, but the most striking thing was his brazen, […]
Korg Volca FM Now Out in the Wild
Korg is coming through for us today. In January, most of us were left hanging on for more info about the volca fm. Although the minilogue stole the show, the Korg volca fm truly came out of left field. When everyone and their keyboard-playing mama is jonesing for the next analog synth, here’s this Cracker-Jack-sized miniature digital synth, […]
Sir George Martin Dead at 90
Sir George Martin will always be remembered as the Fifth Beatle, but today we remember the great gift he provided to the world. Originally, he dreamt of being the next Rachmaninov or Ravel, ideas he gleaned from witnessing the power of a full blown symphony orchestra at a young age. His first real career would […]
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 […]
Episode 38 – Steve Caballero
One of the true pioneers of pro skateboarding, Steve Caballero gets deep from the comfort of his living room on such topics as classic cars, painting, family, re-learning old skate tricks, and of course, the gnar factor.
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 […]
303 State: A History of the Roland TB-303
The Roland TB-303 houses one of music’s most singular sounds. Scroll down a bit and hit play on Phuture’s “Acid Tracks.” What do you hear? That knocking beat of the TR-707 gives way to what sounds like a bass line contorting itself from within. Slippery, percolating, and squelchy, it’s the sound of an unique instrument being pushed to […]
