Gear Picks: a Catalinbread Pedal Suite
We’re now carrying a heaping helping of Catalinbread stompboxes! These pedals have been on my board for years, but not available from zZ ’til now. I can’t praise these pedals enough with our customers and my local pedal junkies here in our scene. Chances are they’ve got a flavor for you, from soft-clipping ’60s fuzz, […]
My Morning Jacket – The Waterfall
Over the course of a decade-and-a-half, My Morning Jacket has developed its signature blend of alt-country, soul, electronica, and roots rock — a seemingly self-contradictory concoction that has earned them their status as outdoor-festival gods. Their latest album, The Waterfall, runneth over with that classic sound, yet ventures into new sonic territory as well. Nature imagery and soundscapes abound, and the album has […]
Episode 25 – Bloodshot Records
Chris sits down with Rob and Nan, owners of Chicago-based insurgent country record label Bloodshot Records.
Clifford T. Ward – Mantle Pieces
Back in the early ’70s, there was a songwriter who penned some of the loveliest, smartest, and knowing odes to quotidian life and its people. He wrote forgotten hits like “Gaye” and “Home Thoughts from Abroad” that struck British audiences with their perfect memorable mixture of literate lyricism and timeless Orchestral Pop arrangements. Now, for sure, […]
A Rough Guide to Setting Up Your Guitar
Few things excite a guitarist as much as a new guitar. As soon as it arrives the first thing you want to do is start tearing out some hot riffs, but before you can even strum a chord, you realize something — the action is way off. You paid good money for this guitar, so you want things right. […]
New Gear Report: EHX Octavix & Reverend Sensei Jr.
Electro-Harmonix Octavix Octave Fuzz If I had a nickel for every fuzz out there, I would probably use that money to buy myself another fuzz and there is a good chance it would be this one. To start, it’s based off the Octavia (sometimes called Octavio) fuzz that Hendrix used to rip on. The fuzz […]
New Gear Report: Ampeg SCR-DI & Orange OB1-500
Ampeg SCR-DI Bass DI Direct Box with Scrambler Overdrive Bass players know how important a DI is. Nine times out of 10, if you’re hearing bass at a medium-large venue, you’re hearing the bass through a DI box into the house speakers. Same thing for a lot of recording sessions I’ve gone to. Oftentimes they […]
J. Rockett Audio Pedals Soundcheck Demo
J. Rockett Audio makes a slew of overdrive and effects pedals, each with its own voice and character. zZounds Lead Guitarist Justin recently tested out seven of their newest offerings: the Archer, Blue Note, Animal, Mark Sampson MAX, Guthrie Trapp overdrives, plus the Alien Echo and Josh Smith Dual Tremolo. Check out the playlist above for an overview […]
BØRNS’ Guitar Rig
Featuring clever guitar arrangements, atmospheric vocal harmonies, and a penchant for writing incredibly catchy hooks, LA's BØRNS has quickly established itself as a rising star in the indie-pop scene thanks to the band's impressive debut EP, Candy.
