Punk rock fans should be really stoked about their guitar options right now. When I was a kid, the only signature model guitars I could get were by cock rockers like Joe Satriani (and they cost a small fortune). Today, kids can pick up guitars by the dudes from Blink 182, Joe Strummer, Billie Joe Armstrong, and now even Tim Armstrong.

Truth be told, it’s hard to justify a signature guitar for a frontman that hardly strums more than four chords while bouncing around stage, but the actual axe is stunning. It’s a G5191 by Gretsch—pretty much the gold standard of hollowbody guitars. These guys (now owned by Fender) have been producing quality pieces for decades and gorgeous signature models for Brian Setzer and Rev Horton Heat. The downside? Price. This bad boy is retailing for $1,150—a steal for Gretsch fans, but not so nice for poor punks. Read the rest of this entry »

Imelda May
Pianos
September 15, 2009

Click here for full Photolog from the show

It’s hard to ignore the dearth of rockabilly bands hitting the Big Apple as part of their tour itinerary. So, when I get an invite to check out an up and coming rockabilly diva at an NYC show, I do not turn it down.

In the case of Imelda May, the show lived up to the hype. May is a country crooner straight out of the extremely not western-style country of Ireland. She’s petite, she’s spunky, and she belts out original and traditional rockabilly and rhythm and blues as if she were Etta James.

Pianos was packed to capacity, last week, as May and her backing band to stage for solo show between Chuck Berry gigs. The crowd was a mix of fans and curious onlookers, but everyone was sold by the second note of “Feel Me”. The show was clearly a night for the band to let its hair down, as May eschewed her usual fancy dresses for a bitching Electric Frankenstein shirt and heels. Not that anyone seemed to mind. She rocked and they were there to be rocked. Read the rest of this entry »

“You can hate a hammer but it’s a good tool,” said Pat Todd, owner of independent label Rankoutsider Records (and front man for Pat Todd and the Rankoutsiders) when asked about the good and bad of South by Southwest. I had no idea what to expect from SXSW – how would it compare to lame-o festivals like Lollapalooza, Warped Tour and CMJ? Why the hell am I, a person who suffers regular, frequently crippling, anxiety attacks willingly surrounding myself by tens of thousands of people?

“Bands of our level spend $1000 to make $100,” continued Todd, matter-of-factly, when asked why independent bands go out of their way to play SXSW. The four-day music festival is undeniably good exposure, not just for bands that are looking for a label or management, but to get their music heard and their name out there. Todd said his label doesn’t pay to bring in its acts, they come in on their own dime and they don’t expect to make any money.

Rankoutsider Records solo artist Patrick “Salt” Ryan drove himself down from New York and seems to be enjoying the party atmosphere (I watched him do three shots of whiskey before his 12:30 p.m. set.) What a way to begin a four-day bender… I thought I should wait a few more hours before I began drinking but that plan lasted about a half hour. Read the rest of this entry »