Gear Watch: The Guitar Grip
Grip Studios has added to their line of Custom Guitar Hangers, featuring wall hangers in the shape of hands. Made in Detroit, the hangers come in standard or made to order custom designs with high gloss finishes, and support basses and guitars. Two new designs will be released in July 2010, called Bella Rose and Woody. You can also get...
Fender Announces Rock & Roar Giveaway
As a part of the promotion of the new Green Day: Rock Band video game, Fender has announced the Rock & Roar Giveaway. The grand-prize winner receives an autographed Squier by Fender Mike Dirnt Precision Bass Gutar, a Fender Rumble 15 combo amp, and a copy of the new Green Day: Rock Band game. Five runner-ups will also win the...
Primus Gears Up for 2nd Annual Oddity Faire Tour
After announcing a summer tour, Primus will also be taking part in the 2nd annual Oddity Faire Tour, which is being billed as a “freak show like no other.” The tour is a multi-medium event, including musicians as well as other performers. The acts joining the trio for the trek will be rotating throughout the tour, but Mariachi el Bronx,...
Mike Watt’s Floored by Floor Announces Debut Album
Punk legend Mike Watt’s supergroup project, Floored by Four, has announced that they will be releasing a self-titled debut album, due out September 28 on Chimera Records. This will be their first recording together, a little over a year after their first live performance. The other band members include Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, former Cibo Matto keyboardist Yuka Honda and...
Gear Watch: Pigtronix EP2 Envelope Phaser
Pigtronix has introduced their latest analog effects pedal: the EP2 Envelope Phaser. The EP2 is a redesign of the company’s original Envelope Phaser, but still features the option of both envelope and LFO modulation. Among the new features is a “Staccato” function which accommodates tight funk bass by “listening” to your playing and discharging the envelope between your notes. This...
Tal Wilkenfeld Breaks from New Album to Tour with Herbie Hancock
After announcing her work on several upcoming albums, Tal Wilkenfeld revealed that she will be joining Herbie Hancock on the road as he tours in support of his newest effort, The Imagine Project. Wilkenfeld broke the news on her Facebook page, adding that to do so, she will be taking a break from making her new album. The tour will...
Adam Clayton Sues U2 Financial Mastermind
U2’s Adam Clayton is beginning another legal battle, only months after accusing his assistant of stealing millions of dollars. Now the bassist is suing his band’s “financial controller,” Gaby Smyth, for alleged negligence. Clayton lodged papers against Smyth on June 4th, and though not all of the details are clear, the claim is in reference to investments made on the...
Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna Partner Up With Wolfgang’s Vault
If you love Jack Casady, then you’ll be happy to know that Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Hot Tuna have made a partnership with Wolfgang’s Vault, the world’s largest archive dedicated to live music spanning the last five decades. The site contains exclusive free streaming concert recordings and downloads for purchase, including Jefferson Airplane playing the opening of the Fillmore...
Doug Ardito Exits Puddle of Mudd
Puddle of Mudd have announced that bassist Doug Ardito, who has been with the group for nine years, has left the band. The rockers have asked their friend Damien Starkey to fill in until a permanent bass player is found. “It’s been a great 9 years of rocking the music of Puddle of Mudd with Doug,” said singer Wes Scantlin....
Gear Watch: Eastwood Left-Handed Airline Map Bass
Eastwood Guitars has introduced the Left-Handed Airline Map Bass, which is now shipping. The bass, which is available in sea foam green or black, is a throwback to the 1962 National Newport. The Airline Map features a tone-chambered mahogany body with a bolt-on, bound maple neck. The fingerboard is rosewood with block-markers. The pickups on this retro bass are two...
Christian McBride Joins Chick Corea’s Freedom Band Tour
Bassist extraordinaire Christian McBride will be traveling all over the world in his upcoming tour with the new Chick Corea Freedom Band. The quartet also features saxophonist Kenny Garrett and drummer Roy Haynes. The group as a whole first played together for Corea’s Remembering Bud Powell, but each member has worked with one another in various projects through the years,...
Guy Berryman’s Apparatjik Releases Free EP
Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman has been keeping busy with his supergroup side-project, Appartjik, who just made their debut in February. Now the group has released a new EP, available for free download from their website, entitled 4 Can Keep a Secret if 3 of Them are Dead. The 3-track EP come just a week before the group rereleases their debut...