Posts Tagged ‘guitar’

Michael Lee Firkins announces new tour dates

Posted: September 23, 2014 in Band, Blues, Concerts, Guitarist, music, rock, San Francisco, Singer, Tour
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One of our highlights from the Jason Becker Not Dead Yet 3 was the great performance by Michael Lee Firkins.  It was amazing as always to watch and Michael is captivating on guitar. He brought the perfect fusion of blues and rock to life at the venue and everyone was enjoying it. Michael has announced a string of tour dates for October and November. Check out the dates below and see if he will be coming to a venue near you:

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To get you ready, check out the photos by our Rockin Ryan of Michael’s performance at the Jason Becker Not Dead Yet 3.  When Michael plays, you are drawn to him as he stuns the crowd with his slide playing, singing and fueling the crowd with funky rockin blues. The notes and tones he brings out truly highlight the extreme talent as a guitar player.

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I would highly recommend you picking up his latest album, Yep which was released last October. You can pick it up on iTunes here.  Make sure to visit his social media sites and stay up to date on the latest news. I will leave you with a couple videos from the Jason Becker Not Dead Yet 3 set.

~ Enjoy, Marisol

Information & Links: 

Richie Kotzen awakens your every sense with his performance at Jason Becker Not Dead Yet 3 Festival.

Posted: September 4, 2014 in Blues, Concerts, Feed your Soul, Guitarist, music, rock, San Francisco, Singer, Songwriter, Tour, Video
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Last Saturday, we had an amazing time covering the Jason Becker Not Dead Yet 3 Festival at the Great American Music Hall. It was a night full of spectacular music and Richie Kotzen headlined the event after some stellar sets by  Michael Lee Firkins  Spiralarms and Ben Woods.

The event which is put together by Dave Lopez and is a benefit with proceeds going towards medical supplies for Jason as well as his future care. It was a magical night where many great musicians came to honor the amazing fighting spirit of Jason as he battles ALS. Jason was in attendance with his family and friends as we all enjoyed a fantastic night of amazing music.

Richie completely rocked the place and his energy on stage is unstoppable. His passion and emotion came through strongly with each note and word. Richie has one of the most powerful voices out and when he sings, his voice just travels through your body, awakening every sense, inviting you to move and then touches your heart.  It was quite an emotional night for all of us as we all wish the best for Jason in his battle with ALS and you could just feel the intense love for that man in the room from all the musicians. Richie shared the story of when he worked with Jason on his first album and it was great to hear what an impact Jason has made on everyone.

The performance by Richie was simply spot on and spectacular on all levels. Mike Bennett who performed earlier in the night with Ben Woods just killed it on the drums and Dylan Wilson on bass was an energetic wildman! It was one set that I wished would go on all night! Check out the photos of the set by our Rockin Ryan:

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Richie set off to start a tour in Spain this month and will return to US for headlining shows in November. In addition, he has just released The Essential Richie Kotzen on Loud & Proud Records and is  a MUST HAVE! We will be bringing you a full album review. For now, check out his newly released video for War Paint here:

Make sure to visit his social media sites and stay up to date on the latest news. We will leave you with several videos of Richie’s performance on Saturday.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

Michael Lee Firkins brings the rockin blues to life at the Jason Becker Not Dead Yet 3 Festival

Posted: September 4, 2014 in Band, Blues, Concerts, Guitarist, music, rock, San Francisco, Singer
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Another great highlight from the Jason Becker Not Dead Yet 3 Festival was the great set by Michael Lee Firkins featuring Courtney DeAugustine on drums and Dave Rapa on bass. It was amazing as always to watch them perform and Michael is captivating to watch on guitar. He brought the perfect fusion of blues and rock to life at the venue and everyone was enjoying it. I was so glad to see Courtney on drums, we had the chance to catch her perform earlier this year at the Bonzo Bash and she is spectacular with her energetic precision drumming. Dave on bass makes it look so easy as he is knocking out bass lines and always with an infectious smile on his face.

In addition, we were treated to legendary Steve Hunter joining in on a couple songs! What a stellar night for music! When Michael plays, you are drawn to him as he stuns the crowd with his slide playing, singing and fueling the crowd with funky rockin blues. The notes and tones he brings out truly highlight the extreme talent as a guitar player. Check out the photos from the set by our Rockin Ryan:

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I would highly recommend you picking up his latest album, Yep which was released last October. You can pick it up on iTunes here. You can also catch Michael Lee Firkins perform at the SoFA Street Fair in San Jose on September 14. Visit the Facebook Event page for more details. Make sure to visit his social media sites and stay up to date on the latest news. You don’t want to miss them if they are coming to play at a venue near you! I will leave you with a couple videos from the set as well.

~ Enjoy, Marisol

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Ben Woods delivered a spectacular flamenco set at Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet 3

Posted: September 3, 2014 in Guitarist, Metal, music, New Music, New Release
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Last Saturday when we headed out to the Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet 3 Festival at the Great American Music Hall, I knew it was going to be a night filled with awesome music. But it was even more amazing as each set was spectacular and so different from the next. The night opened with Ben Woods and he treated us to some of the most beautiful music infused with his flamenco style. It was intense as his guitar played bled out such emotion with each note.

With his special guests of Mike Bennett (Richie Kotzen) and Salar Nader on percussions and the talented flamenco dancer, Arleen Hurtado, the atmopshere grew into a magical space that allowed the music to carry you away and take you deep into the rich culture of flamenco. Watching Ben on the guitar is jaw dropping as his hands frenetically take control over the guitar and the most beautiful notes exude, yet he makes it look so easy. It is dizzying if you try to keep your eyes on his finger work and his talent left me breathless.  Check out the photos by our Rockin Ryan of his set here:

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Ben currently has his CD Flametal out and it is stellar. He fuses flamenco with metal and the result is a spectacular musical gem. You can pick up Flametal which was released earlier this year on iTunes here. A couple of my faves on the CD are Por Arriba, 1849, Forbidden Zone and honestly I could sit here and name each song! Take a listen to Por Arriba here:

 

Check out some videos of Ben’s performance from Saturday night:

Make sure to visit his social media sites and stay up to date on his latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

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Check out Cat from State Line Empire shred in his EMG Spotlight

Posted: August 27, 2014 in Bands, Concerts, Entertainment, Guitarist, Hard Rock, Interview, music, New Release, rock, Sunset Strip, Whisky a Go Go
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One of our favorite guitarists, Cat from State Line Empire was recently featured on EMGtv performing his song Deus Ex Machina which is off his upcoming solo record, Marigold Project. We have been big fans of State Line Empire as they consistently deliver shows with a 150% energy and are true crowd pleasers. Cat is always there to shred away but in his recent spotlight, you will really get blown away by his performance. Check out the video from EMGtv with Cat performing Deus Ex Machina:

Cat is using the EMG 81 and 60 humbucker pickups. “I have been using EMG pickups for ever. I find that they are responsive and cut through perfectly. Richie Faulkner turned me on to the 57/66 sets which are mind blowing. Best pickups and best company!!!“, Cat explains.

You can purchase:

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Make sure to stay tuned for his solo record and also visit the social media sites of State Line Empire to catch their next show. Earlier this year, State Line Empire opened up for Skid Row to a sold out crowd at the legendary Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood. You can check out our coverage which includes an interview, photos, and videos here.  State Line Empire will be returning to the Whisky on October 15th to open for Gus G. It is going to be another great show, so make sure to pick up your tickets early. You can get more details on their Facebook page.

Check out a tribute made by Rockin Ryan with footage from their shows:

 

If you don’t have it yet, make sure to pick up their  new EP “Raise Your Sins“, available on Itunes.  They just have everything you are looking for in a rock and roll band with a hint of metal strewn right in. You can read more about their EP review we did in September here.  Their new EP is filled with rockin hits and it is a bit heavier but also just enough old school touches to keep everyone happy.

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 Visit their social media sites and stay up to date so you won’t miss any State Line Empire news.

~ Marisol

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Check out the video of EXMORTUS shredding to the National Anthem at local baseball game

Posted: August 27, 2014 in Band, Guitarist, Heavy Metal, Metal, music, Video
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Heavy metal guitarists of EXMORTUS stopped by a minor league baseball game in Bakersfield to play the National Anthem their way! They kicked up the heat a notch and decided to bring their own style with their fierce guitars and delivered a dose of metal shred to the anthem. Check out the video below:

They are getting ready to head out on tour with Arsis and Allegaeon. Check the dates below to see if they will be coming to a venue near you:

  • 8/27   Amarillo, TX – Wreck Room 
  • 8/28   Oklahoma City, OK – Leon’s Lounge 
  • 8/30   Spartanburg, SC – Ground Zero
  • 9/1     Springfield, VA – Empire #
  • 9/2     Trenton, NJ – Championship Bar # 
  • 9/3     New York, NY – Santos # 
  • 9/4     Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall #
  • 9/5     Montreal, QC – Foufounes Electriques #
  • 9/6     Quebec City, QC – Dagobert #
  • 9/7     Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall #
  • 9/8     Lakewood, OH – The Foundry #
  • 9/10   Joliet, IL – Mojoes #
  • 9/11   Eau Claire, WI – House of Rock #
  • 9/12   Winnipeg, MB – The Zoo #
  • 9/13   Saskatoon, SK – Rock Bottom # 
  • 9/14   Edmonton, AB – Pawn Shop #
  • 9/16   Vancouver, BC – Red Room #
  • 9/17    Seattle, WA – Studio Seven # 
  • 9/18    Portland, OR – Tonic Lounge # 
  • 9/19    Walnut Creek, CA – Red House Studios #
  • 9/20    Anaheim, CA – OC Music Hall #
  • 9/21    La Jolla, CA – Porter’s Pub #
  • 9/22    Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater # 
  • 9/23    Denver, CO – Moon Room # 
  • 9/24    Kansas City, MO – Riot Room #
  • 9/25    Fort Worth, TX – Rail Club #
  • 9/27    Orlando, FL – Haven Lounge # 
  • 9/28    Tampa, FL  – The Orpheum # 
  • 10/2    Atlanta, GA – The Drunken Unicorn
  • 10/3   Gainesville, FL – The Atlantic
  • 10/4   Pensacola, FL – The Handlebars
  • 10/5   Houston, TX – Mango’s
  • 10/6   McAllen, TX – Aces North
  • 10/7   Austin, TX – Holy Mountain
  • 10/8   San Angelo, TX – Penny Pub & Grill
  • 10/9   Midland, TX – Blue Max
  • 10/26  San Bernardino, CA – Knotfest (Extreme Stage 005) @ San Manuel Ampitheater

#with Arsis & Allegaeon

In case you don’t already have it, you can head over to  iTunes,Amazon MP3 or Bandcamp and pick up their debut album, Slave To The Sword. Make sure to visit their social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news. Keep your eyes open, they will be releasing a new music video for their anthemic track, Metal is King.

~ Marisol

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Prepare to be blown away by John 5’s new album, Careful With That Axe

Posted: August 19, 2014 in Guitarist, music, New Music, New Release, rock
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John 5 has always amazed me with his stellar guitar playing. It was no surprise that he was featured on our 12 Days of Guitarists last year. John 5 has had quite an extensive guitar career, from playing with David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, and others. In addition to playing with Rob Zombie, he has continued to have quite a successful solo career. He is an amazing guitarist that shreds when he plays. He is a guitar virtuoso who can play you anything from bluegrass to flamenco, instrumental to country, and metal to rock and anything else in between.

John has just released his new album, Careful With That Axe and it will blow your mind. 10 fierce tracks highlighting the excellent shredding of John as well as his versatility in style. Amid his kick ass rock shreds, he treats you to some country twang with Jerry’s Breakdown and Jiffy Jam. Flight of the Vulcan Kelly is intense and really has you spinning in a whirlwind of guitar bliss.

The spanish influenced El Cucuay is one of my favorites and reminds me of my love for his song, Noche Acosador from his previous album, God Told Me To. Another sensational highlight is the machine gun stylings of This Is My Rifle. Check out a behind the scenes recording of This Is My Rifle:

The album was released on August 12th and you can pick it up on Amazon MP3 here  or iTunes here. Whether you are a guitar player or just appreciate great musical talents this album is a must have to your collection. I hope you already own, God Told Me To. As I mentioned, it has one of my most favorite songs of all time, “Noche Acosador” which literally gives me chills when I listen to it. His guitar delivers seduction and intensity with every note. Check it out here:

 

That song just creates pure bliss for me!  It seems John 5 has no limitations on his playing as he really plays guitar across the board; no genres, no boundaries. Just Kick ass Guitar playing that will enliven all your senses. Make sure to head over to Itunes and pick up his tunes, but be warned; he is truly ear porn and addictive!

Also if you happen to be in the LA area, you can catch John 5 performing with Rick Springfield as well as a host of other special guests for a benefit concert to help their guitar tech, Ruben Velasco who is battling stage 4 cancer. More details can be found here: http://john-5.com/main/2014/08/17/john-5-to-join-rick-springfield-for-rock-for-ruben-benefit-concert-august-20/

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~ Enjoy, Marisol

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Brian Setzer new album Rockabilly Riot! All Original is now available

Posted: August 12, 2014 in Band, Entertainment, music, New Music, New Release, rock, Singer, Songwriter, Video
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Photo Credit: Russ Harrington

Photo Credit: Russ Harrington

Iconic guitarist, songrwriter Brian Setzer has released his highly anticipated new album, Rockabilly Riot! All Original. The album was released today through Surfdog Records.ROCKABILLY RIOT!: ALL ORIGINAL was recorded in Nashville and produced by Peter Collins with SETZER backed by three musicians he says “are the best in their craft”: Mark Winchester (bass), Kevin McKendree (piano) and Noah Levy (drums). To coincide with today’s release Brian is premiering a lyric video for the lead single, Lemme Slide. Check it out here:

The music of Brian is energetic, infectious and fueled with rockabilly attitude. I have always loved Brian’s style of music and he has once again proved that he belongs high on the charts for his unique style and charismatic music. You can pick up the album by heading over to here:  http://hifi247.com/brian-setzer-rockabilly-riot-all-original-cd.html

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The track listing for ROCKABILLY RIOT: ALL ORIGINAL:

  1. Let’s Shake
  2. Rockabilly Blues
  3. Vinyl Records
  4. Lemme Slide
  5. Nothing Is A Sure Thing
  6. What’s Her Name
  7. Calamity Jane
  8. The Girl With The Blues In Her Eyes
  9. Stiletto Cool
  10. I Should Have Had A V8
  11. Blue Lights Big City
  12. Cock-a-Doodle Don’t

Make sure to visit his social media sites so you can stay up to date on the latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

Brian Setzer release video for lead single, Let’s Shake off new album Rockabilly Riot

Posted: August 1, 2014 in Band, Entertainment, music, New Music, New Release, rock, Singer, Songwriter, Video
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Photo Credit: Russ Harrington

Photo Credit: Russ Harrington

Iconic guitarist, songrwriter Brian Setzer has released a video for his lead single,  Let’s Shake which will be available on his forthcoming album, Rockabilly Riot” All Original. The album is set for an August 12th release through Surfdog Records. Brian says about the song, “Yeah, ‘Let’s Shake,’ how come no one has thought of that title yet?  We’ve been making rock ‘n roll now for 60 years and no one has come up with ‘Let’s Shake?’  And I came up with it and I went ‘wow…Let’s Shake!’ You know, oh god, it’s just so simple it’s magic!  It’s got a really great guitar solo in it, just rock ‘n roll sounding…it’s not really ‘billy’ sounding, it’s more rock and roll… again, it’s the simplest songs that are the hardest to write.” Check out the video here:

The high energetic song fueled with rockabilly attitude is quite infectious. I have always loved Brian’s style of music and he has once again proved that he belongs high on the charts for his unique style and charismatic music. Here is the album cover for the upcoming album and track listing:

album

The track listing for ROCKABILLY RIOT: ALL ORIGINAL:

  1. Let’s Shake
  2. Rockabilly Blues
  3. Vinyl Records
  4. Lemme Slide
  5. Nothing Is A Sure Thing
  6. What’s Her Name
  7. Calamity Jane
  8. The Girl With The Blues In Her Eyes
  9. Stiletto Cool
  10. I Should Have Had A V8
  11. Blue Lights Big City
  12. Cock-a-Doodle Don’t

So stay tuned for more great music by Brian Setzer and mark your calendars for August 12th. Make sure to visit his social media sites so you can stay up to date on the latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

Check out Brian Setzer’s new rockabilly song, Let’s Shake which is off his forthcoming album

Posted: June 30, 2014 in Band, Entertainment, music, New Music, New Release, rock, Singer, Songwriter
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Photo Credit: Russ Harrington

Photo Credit: Russ Harrington

Iconic guitarist, songrwriter Brian Setzer has premiered a new song, Let’s Shake which will be available on his forthcoming album, Rockabilly Riot” All Original. The album is set for an August 12th release through Surfdog Records. Brian says about the song, “Yeah, ‘Let’s Shake,’ how come no one has thought of that title yet?  We’ve been making rock ‘n roll now for 60 years and no one has come up with ‘Let’s Shake?’  And I came up with it and I went ‘wow…Let’s Shake!’ You know, oh god, it’s just so simple it’s magic!  It’s got a really great guitar solo in it, just rock ‘n roll sounding…it’s not really ‘billy’ sounding, it’s more rock and roll… again, it’s the simplest songs that are the hardest to write.” Check out the song here:

 

 

The high energetic song fueled with rockabilly attitude is quite infectious. I have always loved Brian’s style of music and he has once again proved that he belongs high on the charts for his unique style and charismatic music. Here is the album cover for the upcoming album and track listing:

album

The track listing for ROCKABILLY RIOT: ALL ORIGINAL:

  1. Let’s Shake
  2. Rockabilly Blues
  3. Vinyl Records
  4. Lemme Slide
  5. Nothing Is A Sure Thing
  6. What’s Her Name
  7. Calamity Jane
  8. The Girl With The Blues In Her Eyes
  9. Stiletto Cool
  10. I Should Have Had A V8
  11. Blue Lights Big City
  12. Cock-a-Doodle Don’t

So stay tuned for more great music by Brian Setzer and mark your calendars for August 12th. Make sure to visit his social media sites so you can stay up to date on the latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

 

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