Get the Tone: Tony Iommi
Unofficially recognized as the “Godfather of Heavy Metal,” Tony Iommi’s influence on the evolution of distorted electric guitar tone over the past 40+ years cannot be overstated. Iommi, a pioneer of the detuned guitar technique, used immense amounts of gain to convey to the audience the sounds he heard in his head. These tricks and […]
Frameworks – Loom
Before moving to Chicago I lived in Tallahassee, FL, about two hours northwest from Gainesville, hometown of Frameworks. They’ve been around since 2011 with their first EP, Every Day is the Same, coming out in October of that year. I booked the first (house) show they played in Tallahassee, and now they’re signed with Topshelf Records, […]
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – The Tyranny of Distance
The Tyranny of Distance is the second album from Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and it sounds absolutely huge. From the distant, feeding-back guitar that kicks it off, all the way through the ending featuring just Ted and his ES-335, it’s a monumental work. I’ll talk about all that comes in between in a moment, but let’s go […]
Citizen – Everybody Is Going To Heaven
I’ve been anticipating Citizen’s new album Everybody Is Going To Heaven for far too long now. After the release of their freshman LP “Youth” I was hooked. It was Matt’s soothing vocals laid over the heavy overdrive/Tube Screamer riffs that caught me. They were able to blend grungy punk with a serene pop sound very well. […]
Fero Lux’s Gear and Custom Rigs
Fero Lux has been one of my favorite bands for a while now. Their recordings will pique your interest and catching one of their live performances will make you a believer. They play with a passion and precision that’s as impressive as it is entertaining. If you have the chance to catch these guys live, don’t […]
Sumac – The Deal
With Isis/Old Man Gloom frontman and Hydra Head Records founder/owner Aaron Turner at the helm, Sumac has its roots dug deep into the metal underground. In the wake of Isis disbanding and Hydra Head closing down, Turner spent some time with various side projects like Old Man Gloom and the black metal studio band Twilight, […]
Three Metal Snares To Check Out
Metal snare drums are alive and well. Lately they’ve been popping up more and more, with custom companies like Q Drums building some beautiful examples. So, what’s the reason for this revival? It’s all in the versatility. If you’re like most drummers and you long for a crunchy, high-pitched crack from your snare, then a metal […]
Nine Things You Might Not Know About Shure
This post is part of a “Shure Week” (August 6-13) series celebrating the release of the new MOTIV line of USB and iOS microphones and interfaces. Check with us through the week to learn more about Shure! It’s hard to believe that a company over 90 years old still has some surprises, yet dig into […]
Episode 29 – Mike Ness
Chris interviews punk rock icon Mike Ness, lead singer/guitarist for Orange County's Social Distortion.
