Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 340

The virtuoso group Sons of Apollo has returned with “MMXX,” which marks their second studio album. The band has the incredible lineup of Mike Portnoy, Derek Sherinian, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Jeff Scott, and Billy Sheehan.

Sandberg Guitars was on hand at the 2020 Winter NAMM Show to display several new products, including a new short-scale passive bass called the Lionel. Featuring a 30-inch scale, the bass is based on the company’s California VS model.

Mac Miller tragically passed away in 2018, but we’re now getting to hear what he was working on before his death. “Circles” is the first posthumous release of Miller’s work. Dywane “MonoNeon” Thomas, Jr. played on one track and shares the story.

Ashdown has unveiled a new and impossibly small 200-watt bass amp called The Ant. Weighing in at just two pounds, the unit measures 8 inches wide, 4.6 inches deep, and 2.4 inches tall including its feet and knobs.

After the first version sold out almost immediately, Earthquaker Devices has unveiled the Life Pedal V2. The circuit is in a new, more traditional housing and has all the sounds of the original with a few more features.

Fodera doesn’t have a booth at the Winter NAMM Show this year, though they’ll be on hand. That isn’t stopping them from revealing the new Yin Yang Standard, which will come in two color/wood options: Purple Heart or Mahogany.

Zac Brown Band will be performing across North America in 2020 on a trek the bandleader is calling the “Roar With The Lions Tour.” The band is anchored by bassist Matt Mangano, who joined the group in 2014.

Twelve years after his hit documentary “The Wrecking Crew,” filmmaker Denny Tedesco is back with a new project on legendary session musicians. The new film is once again named after the group it features: The Immediate Family.

Drummer Dave Pope has released his debut album, “You and the Night and the Music.” The trio record includes John Patitucci on bass and Pope's brother (and bassist/preamp designer) Mike on piano!

Bergantino Audio is expanding its lineup of speaker cabinets with the NXT, or “Neo X-Treme Technology,” series. The line includes four models that are built with new proprietary drivers.

Big news for Pearl Jam fans: the band has announced their 11th studio album, Gigaton, will be released on March 27th. They’ll also be touring North America in support of the record.

Orange Amplification has announced a new device called the Bass Butler, which they call an entire bi-amp bass rig in a pedal.