MESA/Boogie Unveils New Badlander 25 Head & 1×12 Combo

Available Now on www.mesaboogie.com

From humble beginnings to worldwide recognition, MESA/Boogie® has remained the original boutique Home of Tone, hand-crafting amplifiers of uncompromising quality from the world’s finest materials in California, USA. Founder Randall Smith instilled basic principles into MESA such as passion, drive, integrity, and excellence, and his insistence on making the best amplifiers has guided half a century of breakthrough innovations, elevating the amplifier into an instrument in its own right–one with the power to shape and create musical genres. MESA/Boogie is proud to announce that its new Badlander 25 Head & 1×12 Combo amplifiers are available now at authorized MESA/Boogie dealers and on www.mesaboogie.com.

The Rectifier® Badlander™ 25 represents decades of research and refinement and is the latest in a long line of iconic Rectifier products that carry the tradition of high performance, high gain forward with tight low end, an aggressive midrange character, and enhanced harmonic content. This tonal updating is accomplished by mating Badlander preamp circuits to a switchable 25 to 10 Watt EL84 loaded power section based on MESA’s patented Dyna-Watt™ power. This dynamo delivers its own blend of Badlander tone with aggressive attack and percussive midrange while tucking up the low end in a definitive way that is addictive in both sound and feel. And best of all, this Badlander provides stunning performance in a package that is lightweight, compact and more clip-able than its higher power siblings, for times when power section character and/or overdrive is the call. While cut from much the same cloth as its forbearer, the original Dual Rectifier Solo Head from the early 90s, this model stakes new ground and pays homage to rock and heavy sounds in its own new distinctive and more percussive way.

Explore and shop the Badlanders on www.mesaboogie.com and at all authorized MESA/Boogie dealers.

Watch and share the new demo of the MESA/Boogie Badlander series: HERE.

Click to listen to the Mesa/Boogie Badlander demo.

Badlander 25 Head:
MESA/Boogie’s Badlander Series of amplifiers draw inspiration from MESA’s legendary Dual Rectifiers, paying homage to rock and heavy sounds in their own distinctive and percussive way, with a focus on today’s musical genres. Its tight low end, refined top end, and defined mids combine with MESA gain for huge tones that will appeal to rock leaning guitarists who like a bit of Brit influence with their American-voiced gain. The Badlander 25 Head uses the same straightforward channel format as its 50 and 100 Watt siblings, with 2 identical, footswitchable channels each containing Clean, Crunch, and Crush modes that feed an EL84 power section to deliver an unprecedented fierceness and harmonic complexity. The Badlander 25 Head combines these ingredients in a small package and power range that adds a raw character all its own, offering the essential voice, performance, and features of the Badlander 100 and 50 in a fiery-sounding, ultra-portable low-power format that’ll gratify those not seeking big horsepower.

Badlander 25s employ a pair of EL84 power tubes operating in MESA’s proprietary Dyna-Watt™ Class A/B Pentode for maximum power, punch, and clarity, producing 25 Watts or switched to its 10 Watt Class A/B Triode setting for lush harmonics and a sweet, liquid feel at lower volumes.

The Badlander 25 Head packs a built in CabClone IR Direct Interface making recording and cab-less live capture consistent and easy. Players can choose from a preloaded collection of eight Rectifier Closed-Back and Boogie Open-Back Cabinets IRs from MESA’s standalone CabClone IR for a wide array of sounds and responses.

A Tube-Driven, Series Effects Loop acts as a circuit bridge, permitting players to patch their favorite outboard effects between the preamp’s end to just before the Driver tube feeding the power section.

For guitarists seeking the tone and feel of an all-tube amplifier with huge sounding gain that is voiced to handle the demands of today’s musical genres, the Badlander 25 Head delivers from a package that fits in an overnight bag.

Badlander 25 1X25 COMBO
MESA/Boogie’s Badlander Series of amplifiers draw inspiration from MESA’s legendary Dual Rectifiers, paying homage to rock and heavy sounds in their own distinctive and percussive way, with a focus on today’s musical genres. Its tight low end, refined top end, and defined mids combine with MESA gain for huge tones that will appeal to rock leaning guitarists who like a bit of Brit influence with their American-voiced gain. The new Badlander 25 1×12 Combo uses the same straightforward channel format as its 50 and 100 Watt siblings, with 2 identical, footswitchable channels each containing Clean, Crunch, and Crush modes that feed an EL84 power section to deliver an unprecedented fierceness and harmonic complexity. The Badlander 25 Combo combines these ingredients in a small package and power range that adds a raw character all its own, offering the essential voice, performance, and features of the Badlander 100 and 50 in a fiery-sounding, ultra-portable low-power format that’ll gratify those not seeking big horsepower.

Badlander 25s employ a pair of EL84 power tubes operating in MESA’s proprietary Dyna-Watt™ Class A/B Pentode for maximum power, punch, and clarity, producing 25 Watts or switched to its 10 Watt Class A/B Triode setting for lush harmonics and a sweet, liquid feel at lower volumes.

A UK-made Celestion Creamback 65 Watt speaker is MESA’s driver of choice for this 1×12 Combo amp. G12M-65 Creamback is ideally suited for the Badlander 25 as its power handling permits added low-end grunt complementing the warm and vocal mids, crunchy upper-mids and sweet, refined highs.

The Badlander 25 Combo packs a built in CabClone IR Direct Interface making recording and cab-less live capture consistent and easy. Players can choose from a preloaded collection of eight Rectifier Closed-Back and Boogie Open-Back Cabinets IRs from MESA’s standalone CabClone IR for a wide array of sounds and responses.

A Tube-Driven, Series Effects Loop acts as a circuit bridge, permitting players to patch their favorite outboard effects between the preamp’s end to just before the Driver tube feeding the power section.

For guitarists seeking the tone and feel of an all-tube amplifier with huge sounding gain that is voiced to handle the demands of today’s musical genres while being incredibly portable, the Badlander 25 1×12 Combo delivers.

About MESA/Boogie:
Since 1969, MESA/Boogie amplifiers have shaped the evolution of electric guitar tone with innovation and features that can be found in most every guitar amplifier made today. Handcrafted in Petaluma, California, each individual component is selected in pursuit of the purest tone in its category. Uncompromising construction quality, with the world’s finest materials, MESA/Boogie’s attention to detail is second to none. The choice of world-renowned artists and tone enthusiasts for decades, MESA/Boogie’s award-winning Boogie® and MESA Engineering® guitar and bass amplifier collections include the MARK SERIES, RECTIFIER®, FILLMORE™, CALIFORNIA TWEED™, SUBWAY® bass series, and a full line of pedals and signal management solutions. For more information visit: https://www.mesaboogie.com/en-US/.

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Product Review: Donner Arena 2000 Multi-Effects Processor

Donner Arena 2000 Multi-Effects Pedal

Features
• FVACM (Analog Virtual Circuit Modeling)Technology
• 150 Presets (50 Banks x 3 Presets)
• 80 Hi-res Amp Models
• 50 Built-in Cab IR Models + 50 Slots for Loading 3rd Part IRs
• A Total of 278 Effects
• Built-in Drum Machine with 40 Patterns, and 60s Looper
• USB Audio/Recording supports recording dry and effect signals simultaneously
• MIDI IN for External Switching Devices
• Computer Software for Tone Editing, Backup, and Firmware Update
• Mobile App for Bluetooth wireless Tone Editing

Our score 4.5 out of 5 stars

Since 2012 Donner Music has been making affordable, quality instruments for all level of musicians. New from the company is the Donner Arena 2000 Multi-Effects Pedal. Sporting a simple user interface and an impressive array of features including 80 Amp models, 50 Cabinet models and over 270 effects including a built-in drum machine and looping capabilities the Arena 2000 is a robust all in one unit capable of high-level performance from the bedroom to the stage and all places in between.

Construction-
Donner’s Arena 2000 sports three lighted multi-switches, one expression pedal design which is housed in a sleek heavy-duty frame complete with a 3.5-inch TFT color screen and adorned with only the bare minimum of knobs allowing for easy navigation among features and settings. The back of the unit includes a variety of connectivity options including both XLR and quarter inch outputs along with Midi In, ground lift, an expansion input for addition controllers, aux, and headphone inputs and to top it all off a Type-C USB port which supports simultaneous dry and wet recording signals. The power supply also plugs in to this area of the pedal. One would think a pedal of this size would require a bulky power supply however the Arena 2000 runs off a standard 9v 500ma power supply. This feature is really helpful especially if you are looking to add this to a powered pedal board as the need for additional supplies is not necessary.

Sound-
Over the years I have tried products from all the major makers of multi-effects processors and the consensus tended to be the same for all of them. A few good tones packed between a bunch of others that were just too over the top to even use. Though not every effect is a hit with the Arena 2000 I found myself enjoying a good majority of what the pedal had to offer. From rich choruses and springy reverbs to sprawling spacey delays, crunchy overdrives and wailing wah’s all the standards and then some are included and can be dialed in with one of the seven control knobs located the unit or via the downloadable wireless control App which allows for even deeper customization. Amplifier models run the gambit of Fender like cleans to Mesa-esque distortion and when paired with one of the 50 different cabinet IR models’ tonal options are nearly endless thanks to another slew of customizable features. Once you have settled on a sound you can pair it up and jam along to one of the 40 drum patterns also included. What I really liked here is that these drum patterns were not just a bunch a pre-programmed kicks and snares. Yes, those are present however thanks to the varying intensity of the patterns within each pre-set genre and the addition of controllable BPM players are only limited by their imagination. Those wanting to take their jamming experience even further can incorporate the 60 second looper feature to create a layered backdrop to play over all with the press of one of the designated multi switches.

Playability-
The multi-effects pedal’s small footprint and standard power requirements make for an easy integration to any pedal board or as a stand-alone unit. Though the smaller expression pedal does take some getting used and is quite stiff I was used to the feel after just a few sessions. The basic user interface posed only a slight learning curve and after a few minutes I was able to put away the sparse manual which only provided the basics of operation and connection. The TFT screen works well in all conditions and is just big enough to be able to read when standing and looking down. I did find myself attempting to use the screen as a touch pad as that seems to be the norm nowadays and that may have been a nice feature to include here however it wasn’t a deal breaker by any means as the basic single control knob was much more user friendly than other more robust layouts.

The Arena 2000 is a sleek all in one unit that is great for any musician on the go. From the bedroom to the stage this multi-effects unit will not let you down. Whether it’s the expansive tone and effects banks or the additional drum machine and looper the Arena 2000 is a user-friendly unit which looks just as good as it sounds and with a price tag of under $300 you will be hard pressed to find a better pedal on the market with this type of value! For more info on the Arena 2000 Multi-Effects Pedal or to pick up one for that special someone this Holiday season head over to Donner’s Amazon store here.

Check out our overview video of the Arena 2000 here .

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Rockers BLACK VEIL BRIDES Release Music Video For “Devil”

BLACK VEIL BRIDES RELEASE MUSIC VIDEO FOR “DEVIL”
FROM THEIR RECENTLY RELEASED EP THE MOURNING
https://youtu.be/l0cRT1ehiSM

Limited-Edition “Devil” Inspired Holiday Merch Now Available Here:
https://shop.blackveilbrides.net

Band currently Co-Headlining The Trinity of Terror Part 3 Tour With
Ice Nine Kills and Motionless in White – Ticket Info Can Be Found At: https://trinityofterrortour.com/

On the heels of the recent release of their digital EP The Mourning last month, Black Veil Brides have released a music video for opener “Devil.” The high energy track has become a fan favorite on the band’s current tour solidifying its place among other hits from the group comprised of Andy Biersack, Jake Pitts, Jinxx, Lonny Eagleton and Christian Coma. The video was filmed during the band’s performance in Mexico City on October 26, 2022. The video was directed by longtime visual collaborator Edwin Daboub. The video for “Devil” can be seen here: https://youtu.be/l0cRT1ehiSM.

The band is also releasing new limited-edition “Devil” inspired holiday merch. Only 100 pieces of each design are available in this limited run of designs. All items are available for purchase here: https://shop.blackveilbrides.net.

From the opening guitar riff of “Devil” to the driving outro of “Better Angels,” Black Veil Brides showcase the sound that has garnered them an army of loyal supporters around the globe. The debut single “Saviour II” has crashed in to the Top 50 at Active Rock radio in just two weeks since it was released. The song has amassed over 3-million collective streams in less than a month of its release. The video for “Saviour II” can be seen HERE and the single is available to listen to HERE. The video was directed by Vicente Cordero (Cradle of Filth, Suicide Silence and David Hasselhoff) of Industrialism Films. The Mourning was produced and mixed by Erik Ron (Godsmack, Bush and The Faim) and can be found here:https://sumerian.lnk.to/TheMourning.

The track listing for The Mourning is:
1) Devil
2) Saviour II
3) The Revival
4) Better Angels

Late last year, the band released The Phantom Tomorrow to critical and fan acclaim alike. The album was the 3rd concept album from Black Veil Brides and was the band’s most-ambitious release to date. The Phantom Tomorrow is comprised of a dozen tracks and has spawned the band’s first-ever US Top 10 Active Rock single, “Scarlet Cross” which has been streamed over 25 million times. The video for “Scarlet Cross” has been viewed over 11 million times and can be seen here: https://youtu.be/G2A9Bbjlg84. The band has also released videos directed by Andy Biersack for “Fields Of Bone” (https://youtu.be/JR37XyIXqPg) and “Torch” (https://youtu.be/qyhJ7MRBOyo).

Black Veil Brides is currently out on the Trinity of Terror Part 3 Tour. The band is co-headlining the third North American trek alongside Motionless In White and Ice Nine Kills. The list of remaining tour dates is below, and all VIP package and ticket information can be found at: https://trinityofterrortour.com.

11/17 – Lowell, MA – Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell
11/18 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena
11/19 – Toronto, Canada – Coca Cola Coliseum
11/21 – Laval, Canada – Place Bell
11/22 – Rochester, NY – Rochester Main Street Armory
11/23 – New York, NY – Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
11/26 – Orlando, FL – Orlando Amphitheatre
11/27 – Boca Raton, FL – Sunset Cove Amphitheater
11/29 – Corbin, KY – The Corbin Arena
11/30 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Hall
12/2 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
12/3 – San Antonio, TX – Tech Port Center + Arena
12/5 – Rio Rancho, NM – Rio Rancho Events Center
12/6 – Tucson, AZ – Tucson Convention Center
12/7 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater
12/8 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
12/11 – Portland, OR – Theater Of The Clouds
12/12 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater

Photo Credit: Joshua Shultz L to R: Christian Coma (Drums), Jinxx (Guitars), Andy Biersack (Vocals), Jake Pitts (Guitars), Lonny Eagleton (Bass)

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Fake Names Announce New Album ‘Expendables,’ Share New Single “Delete Myself”

FAKE NAMES
ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM
‘EXPENDABLES’
OUT ON MARCH 3 VIA EPITAPH RECORDS
LISTEN TO LEAD SINGLE “DELETE MYSELF”
ON TOUR IN APRIL 2023

Today, post-hardcore dream team – Fake Names – announce their second studio album, ‘Expendables’ for release on March 3rd, 2023 via Epitaph Records. The band is comprised of members Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Bad Religion, Dag Nasty), Michael Hampton (S.O.A., Embrace), Dennis Lyxzén (Refused, INVSN, The [International] Noise Conspiracy), Johnny Temple (Girls Against Boys, Soulside) and newest addition Brendan Canty (Fugazi, Rites of Spring). It’s the latest exchange in a musical conversation that spans four decades, but instead of rehashing the past, ‘Expendables’ is a reinvention that sees the band dialing back the distortion and leaning into the melodies.

Today they share lead single “Delete Myself,” a high energy craft cocktail comprised of Punk and Garage, finished with unforgettable riffs.

LISTEN TO “DELETE MYSELF” NOW

Forming in 2016, Brian Baker describes Fake Names as a “mutual admiration society,” saying that once the five members got in the same room together, it felt as if they had already been in the band together for years. “There’s this intangible energy, a clairvoyance that comes from our shared experience,” he explains. On ‘Expendables,’ the result pairs their unparalleled pedigree with a pop sensibility that’s slightly unexpected and wholly satisfying.

Melding 70’s U.K. punk with power-pop and classic rock, the Fake Names’ self-titled debut album (2020) was actually a demo that Epitaph founder and Baker’s Bad Religion bandmate, Brett Gurewitz, wanted to release as is. After releasing a three-track EP in 2021, the band enlisted producer Adam “Atom” Greenspan (IDLES, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) who helmed a surprisingly cleaner sound for Expendables. Baker says, “The pop influences are a little more out front on this one and the production really helps it shine. It sounds more direct, more urgent.”

There’s also an economy to these songs that’s rooted in the fact that they were recorded in the span of a week, eliminating the option to add excess instrumentation or arrangements. What ensues is an album that retains the members’ purity of vision in a strikingly refreshing way.

Speaking to lyrical themes, Baker discloses, “In general, Dennis writes about revolution, and Michael and I write pop songs. I’m amazed at how it works, but somehow it strikes the right balance of salty and sweet.” This imagery is paralleled in the album artwork which Baker describes as “70’s dystopian” and features an eerie army of mannequins set against a cold urban backdrop. That dichotomy of lively music and bleak imagery is an important thematic element of Expendables because the album is more than just a collection of catchy songs: it’s an artistic statement about our own impermanence.

Fake Names will be on tour next Spring 2023, starting off on April 13th in Asbury Park, and ending April 23rd in Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale this Friday, November 18 @ 10am local time.

FAKE NAMES TOUR DATES

4.13.23 Asbury Park, NJ House of Independents
4.14.23 Brooklyn, NY TV Eye
4.15.23 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
4.16.23 Washington, DC The Black Cat
4.20.23 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
4.22.23 Long Beach, CA Alex’s Bar
4.23.23 Los Angeles, CA Zebulon

‘EXPENDABLES’ TRACK LISTING

1. Targets
2. Expendables
3. Delete Myself
4. Go
5. Don’t Blame Yourself
6. Can’t Take It
7. Damage Done
8. Madtown
9. Caught In Between
10. Too Little Too Late

 

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FOREIGNER Announces Historic Farewell Tour with Special Guest Loverboy

FOREIGNER
THE HISTORIC FAREWELL TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUEST LOVERBOY
KICKS OFF JULY 6TH IN ATLANTA, GA
TICKETS GO ON SALE NOVEMBER 18th AT LIVENATION.COM

“I Want To Know What Love Is”, “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Juke Box Hero,” “Urgent,”and no less than five more Top 10 hits. Today, FOREIGNER, the band behind these iconic songs announced the launch of their Farewell Tour.

The tour is set to launch on July 6, 2023, at Atlanta’s Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, the area’s largest outdoor venue. For the first leg of the US Live Nation tour, FOREIGNER will be joined by LOVERBOY, one of the 80’s biggest hit-makers. The spectacular show will thrill audiences with stellar performances of more than 20 combined chart-topping songs. Tickets go on sale on November 18, 2022 at LiveNation.com. The full routing can be found below.

FOREIGNER will continue its long-term initiative with the GRAMMY Museum Foundation to invite choirs to open the show with a live a cappella ‘Pitch Perfect’ performance of Classic Rock songs. FOREIGNER will join radio partners across the country to create a contest for local choirs to win donations to their music programs. One winning choir will be selected at each show, and that choir will receive a grand prize of new musical equipment. For more details please go to foreignerchoirs.com.

Leader and founder of FOREIGNER, Mick Jones said, “Many years ago, I wrote a song called ‘Feels Like The First Time’ and today we are launching one last worldwide tour. We will be presenting a show that I know will have the same enthusiasm as our very first appearances. The tour will start this summer in America and we hope to get to every place that we have played over the last several years. While I’m sure our fans will have mixed feelings about the end of the road for the band, I know our shows are going to delight audiences everywhere.”

Says FOREIGNER lead singer Kelly Hansen, “The time has come. We have more or less lived our lives on the road for almost eighteen years. We have always strived to give you our best and we intend to finish this the same way. Foreigner has a brilliant and increasingly demanding catalogue of songs to sing and I refuse to give them less than they deserve. So, we’re going to finish strong. I want to make it very clear how grateful and appreciative we are to our audiences all over the world who have supported this band. I’m sure there may be occasions when we’ll do some special appearances, but I think the time is coming for us to live off the road. Thank you all so much!”

“I remember how cool the last time we toured with Foreigner was in 1982. We played to massive stadiums – New Orleans, Kansas City, Day On the Green in Oakland, JFK in Philly – and we’re back together again, 41 years later. It’s going to be the Tour of Summer ’23!” said Paul Dean of Loverboy.

“It’s not very often you get a chance to play on the same stage as one of your all-time favorite bands…and how many hit songs can you play on the same stage every night of a 2023 Summer tour?….. it’s going to be amazing…. I can’t wait.” Said Mike Reno of Loverboy.

Mick Jones continues to elevate FOREIGNER’s influence and guide the band to new horizons with his stylistic songwriting, indelible guitar hooks and multi-layered talents while lead singer Kelly Hansen, one of rock’s greatest showmen, has led FOREIGNER into the digital age inspiring a whole new generation of fans. Bassist Jeff Pilson; Michael Bluestein on keyboards; guitarist Bruce Watson; Chris Frazier on drums and guitarist Luis Maldonado provide an unprecedented level of energy that has resulted in the re-emergence of the astounding music that speaks to FOREIGNER‘s enduring popularity. FOREIGNER has an extraordinary streaming and radio audience. Click here for an overview of Classic Rock artists’ stats.

With more Top 10 hits than Journey and ten multi-platinum albums, FOREIGNER is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now exceeding 80 million. Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Feels Like The First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Say You Will,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Long, Long Way From Home” and the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” FOREIGNER still rocks the charts more than 40 years into the game with massive airplay and continued Billboard Top 200 album success. Streams of FOREIGNER’s hits are approaching 15 million per week.

With their trademark red leather pants, bandanas, big rock sound and high-energy live shows, LOVERBOY has sold more than 10 million albums, earning four multi-platinum plaques, including the four-million-selling “Get Lucky,” and a trio of double-platinum releases in their self-titled 1980 debut, 1983’s “Keep It Up” and 1985’s “Lovin’ Every Minute of It.” Their string of hits includes, in addition to the anthem “Working for the Weekend,” such arena rock staples as “Lovin’ Every Minute of It,” “This Could Be the Night,” “Hot Girls in Love,” “The Kid is Hot Tonite,” “Notorious”, “Turn Me Loose,” “When It’s Over,” “Heaven In Your Eyes” and “Queen of the Broken Hearts.” The group still features the original line-up of vocalist Mike Reno, guitarist Paul Dean, drummer Matt Frenette and keyboardist Doug Johnson with bassist Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve replacing the late Scott Smith.

Check out the tour at any of the following stops. Fans can visit livenation.com for updates on tour dates and news.

Thu July 6th Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sat July 8th West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Sun July 9th Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Tue July 11th Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheatre
Fri July 14th Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Tue July 18th Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
Wed July 19th St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Fri July 21st Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
Sat July 22nd Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Mon July 24th Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
Tue July 25th Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Fri July 28th Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
Sat July 29th Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
Tue August 1st Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Wed August 2nd Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach
Fri August 4th Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
Sat August 5th Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Tue August 8th Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Wed August 9th Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Fri August 11th Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Sat August 12th Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Mon August 14th Austin, TX – Moody Center
Wed August 16th Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Fri August 18th Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheater
Sun August 20th Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
Mon August 21st Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheater
Wed August 23rd Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheater
Thu August 24th Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Weds August 30th Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theater
Fri September 1st Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Sat September 2nd Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
Sun September 3rd Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

For more information on FOREIGNER, please visit www.foreigneronline.com

For more information on LOVERBOY, please visit www.loverboyband.com.

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DONNER LAUNCHES THE FEATURE-PACKED ARENA2000 DIGITAL MULTI-EFFECTS PROCESSOR

Donner’s proprietary FVACM technology in the Arena2000 takes guitarists tone to the next level

Donner leading manufacturer of innovative and feature-rich musical instruments, has introduced the new Arena2000 amp modeling and guitar multi-effects processor. Helping musicians take their sound to new heights, the Arena2000 features Donner’s exclusive FVACM tone/processing technology (Forward Analog Virtual Circuit Modeling) at its core with an IR sample length of Arena2000 is up to 23.2ms, resulting in a tone with a greater dynamic range.

FEATURE-PACKED FOOT PEDAL
Featuring an incredibly diverse library of 80 hi-res amp models, 50 cabinet IR models and 50 slots for loading third-party IRs, the Arena2000 boasts a total of 278 effects, which provides a wide range of legendary guitar tones. Whether it’s fresh urban pop or high-speed thrash metal, the Arena2000 helps players achieve it all.

A customized CTRL control mode, built-in EXP1 expression pedal and external EXP2 expression pedal allow musicians to switch their tone library in seconds with just a tap of their foot. Compact control panels and simple navigation helps both beginner users and professional musicians get started in no time.

With a built-in looper that supports up to 60 seconds of sound and 40 different drum rhythms, the Arena2000 can quickly record demos or allow musicians to perform live as a one-man band. A headphone output allows for music creation in all volume settings. Additionally, users can quickly capture inspiration using a OTG USB cable connecting the pedal to their mobile phone.

POWERED BY DONNER’S EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY
Developed by its leading R&D group, Donner’s powerful FVACM (Forward Analog Virtual Circuit Modeling) tone generating technology is a key highlight in the Arena2000. With its high precision 24bit/44.1kHz audio processing, the FVACM technology excellently restores the characteristics of classic guitar tones and amplifiers, making the tone more dynamic and layered.

The IR sample length of Arena2000 is up to 23.2ms. This ultra-long resolution capability can precisely restore the tone of the IR collection object and reproduce the acoustic environment of the collection space, resulting in a tone with a greater dynamic range and a stronger sense
of spatial authenticity.

Arena200 gives guitarists a huge amount of flexibility to build their dream tones. Players can easily create dream rigs comprising 10 individual FX along with 1 amp model and 1 cab model in a single preset.

FROM THE BEDROOM TO THE STAGE
The Arena2000’s multi-terminal interface makes it ideal for on-stage performance and recording, as well as daily practice at home. The Arena2000’s touch mode complements its small panel design, and user navigation is easy-to-operate — so easy, that even beginners who have never handled a multi-effect processor can get started within minutes. The unit’s small form-factor allows musicians to take the Arena2000 with them wherever they perform their music, whether that’s in their bedroom studio, a professional recording studio or a live stage.

The Arena2000 features a guitar-in, aux-in, MIDI-in, XLR L/R, an unbalanced ¼-inch L/R, phone-out and USB interface capabilities, which make it a potent multi-terminal interface that can operate in any circumstances. A built-in cabinet simulation output option allows users to effortlessly switch between the ¼ output port and the XLR output port— making the unit very handy during live performances.

The Donner Arena2000 is available now globally and retails at $269 on Donner’s Amazon Storefront and Donnerdeal.com.

About Donner Music
Since 2012, Donner has been committed to creating innovative and enjoyable musical instruments for both entry-level and advanced musicians. This mission is what drove Donner to pioneer its mini pedals, which have brought the joy of musical performance to people across the world. Relying on a strong R&D team, Donner’s musical instruments deliver the reflections, ideas and values of today’s musician. Find more information on donnermusic.com

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Product Review: Donner Dobuds One Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds

Donner Dobuds One Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds

Retail Cost: $49.99

Features
• 12mm high-quality dynamic driver and a balanced armature driver to fully support the high frequency range.
• Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) function can reduce the noise by 30dB from 80Hz to 2KHz range.
• Beamforming noise cancelling technology for clear and wind resistant calls.
• 5 different sizes of ear tips are available (including XS, S, M, L and XL). The comfortable and waterproof design will keep you free of concerns about drizzle, rain or sweat.
• 32 – hour battery life, With a Type-C port and rapid charging technology.
• Donner Control APP allows customization of (EQ, power display, headphone name, noise reduction transparency mode switching, UI customization, etc.).

Our score 4.5 out of 5 stars

Since 2012 Donner Music has been making affordable, quality instruments for all level of musicians. The company is now branching out into the audio market with the release of their “DoBuds One” wireless earbuds. Available in a variety of colors the earbuds come packed with an abundance of top end features including 12mm dynamic drivers, digital noise cancelling, 32 hr. battery life and 5.2 Bluetooth connectivity. To coincide with the release of the “DoBuds One” Donner has also developed a corresponding app which allows users to fully customize their listening experience.

Construction-
It seems like every-day new earbuds are popping up on the market all boasting a bevy of features so when it comes time to purchase a new pair buyers often don’t know where to start. Donner has recently thrown their hat into the ring with the release of their “DoBuds One” active noise cancelling headphones. The stereo earbuds come packaged in a heavy-duty Type-C charging case along with cable and a 5-piece set of ear tips (XS/S/M/L/XL). Getting the right fit is crucial when it comes to earbuds and it can sometimes be difficult to do so as not all brands offer a variety of tip sizes. This can severely affect sound quality and leave users a bit frustrated. Donner does an excellent job here as not only do they include a full-size range of tips but the tips they include are dual hardness which provides a very secure and stable fit while also providing maximum comfort. The earbuds matte finish is easy to clean and features a IPX4 Waterproofing which eliminates worry of light water or sweat exposure when being used in a gym or outdoor setting however they are not for underwater use. The DoBuds One offer an impressive 32-hour battery life which is maximized by use of a 5.2 Bluetooth connection. Though the case does not feature its own built-in cable you can still charge through the case with the included cable or with any comparable type C-cable. For charging times you can expect around two hours of music play time per every ten minutes of charging. This allows for very short overall charging times which is something earbud users (myself included) tend to worry about as you can quickly get back using your device with minimal downtime.

Sound-
The Dobuds One come equipped with 12mm dual hybrid drivers which can be easily tailored by the listener via the Donner Connect app. Here users can select from six pre-set EQ settings or they create their own setting via the App’s customizable 8 band EQ making for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Within the App users can also select their desired level of noise reduction as well as their preferred tap control options via the gestures tab. I found this feature to be very useful as I often forget how many taps access what feature. After a couple quick EQ tweaks, I was able to get a great sound out of these earbuds which remained consistent across several different music genres and podcasts. Low, Mid and High frequencies all presented themselves equally while listening to recorded material as well as while on phone/video calls. Another feature worth mentioning is the environmental noise cancellation. This feature when used along with the Donner App allows for wind resistant calls which is something I have struggled with while using other brands. The Dobuds One made a huge difference in the clarity of both incoming and outgoing audio in a variety of environmental settings.

The Dobuds One from Donner are an affordable, well-made product that offer a robust number of customizable options. From the included sizing kit, easy one button Bluetooth pairing and expansive in App customization I think you will be hard pressed to find a better Earbud system in this price range. Yes, the addition of another app to your device might be a bit annoying as is the need for yet another charging cable (thankfully the use of Type-C will eliminate this for most) these small inconveniences are easily outweighed by how many positives this product has to offer. If you are in the market for a new set of earbuds you can’t go wrong with the Donner Dobuds One and with the holidays right around the corner these would be a great idea for that special someone.

To find our more about Donner products visit www.donnermusic.com and to purchase a pair of Dobuds One visit their Amazon store here

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Product Review: Donner Hush-I Silent Guitar

Donner Hush Series Silent Guitar Kit Mahogany

Features
• Headless Design and Bone Nut
• Mahogany Body and Neck
• Asymmetrical Neck Profile
• Piezo Pickup
• Onboard Custom Designed Preamp with Phase Button
• All in One Onboard Magnetic Hex Wrench

Our score 4 out of 5 stars

Since 2012 Donner Music has been making affordable, quality instruments for all level of musicians. New from the company is the Donner HUSH-I Silent Guitar. The ultra-compact and lightweight full-scale guitar is perfect for travel and practice featuring a headless and detachable bar-frame design for extreme compaction and quietness with the least amount of wood. The onboard custom-designed piezo pickup and preamp delivers ideal tone via headphones and traditional cable output while also giving you control of Volume”, “High”, and “Low” Knobs as well as an onboard “Phase” button.

Construction-
Donner’s HUSH-I Silent guitar features a small paddle like mahogany body and a headless mahogany neck which comes standard in a matte finish and features an HPL fingerboard, 20 rounded end frets and a bone nut with truss rod access at the body. The natural finish body features an HPL bridge with a bone saddle, custom designed brushed metal barrel tuners and an onboard board preamp with Phase, Volume, High and Low tone settings. The body also features removable ergonomic upper and lower frames which can be installed for a more traditional guitar feel or left off for a more compact footprint. Right out of the included gig bag I could instantly tell that this was a well-built instrument. The neck through construction was nearly flawless and all of the hardware seemed to be of good quality. Though some of the components were a little stiff at first after a couple minutes of play things began loosened up and moving as they should. The hidden magnetic hex- wrench was a nice added touch however if you are moving around a lot the magnet might not be strong enough to keep the wrench fully in place for when you need it next.

Sound-
Though the guitar is marketed as a silent guitar that proved not to be completely the case as prior to plugging in I had to hear just how silent things were going to be. The guitar is considerably quieter than a standard acoustic guitar however given the designs natural acoustic qualities you should expect volumes like that of a highly resonant unplugged electric guitar. With the included in-ear headphones the HUSH-I Donner designed Preamp has a nice mid to high tone with all the EQ’s at noon. If you want a little more low end, I suggest leaving the High at the noon position and turning the Low to around the 3 o’clock position as this creates a nice even tonal blend across all six strings. Upon switching to an amp, I found I was able to achieve a similar balanced tone by dialing the bass back a touch on the guitar as the amp provided more lower frequencies than the headphones provided. The phase button was a nice addition to the pre-amp as it helped eliminate feedback when playing at a louder volume while still allowing for adequate resonance

Playability-
The 25.5” scale gives the HUSH-I a familiar feel despite its drastically unique look. The matte finish and highly polished rounded frets made moving up and down the neck effort free while the near black HPL fretboard simulates ebony quite nicely. I did find the guitar to play a bit stiff with the included strings however a simple change to a lighter gauge should take care of the feel issue and given the guitars silent design the smaller strings should cause for any tonal loss. I also found that when using the guitar with the upper frame bar you have somewhat limited access to the tuners as the lower bout of the bar extends down almost touching B string tuner. The included magnetic wrench did help out in the instance as it just fit in the given space, but I feel shortening the brace all together would have made for a better design.

The HUSH-I’s unique minimalist look might be a little bit too modern for acoustic purists but playing one will quickly make you a believer in that “Looks aren’t everything”. From its rich natural mahogany finish to the superb fret work and versatile onboard preamp Donner’s latest stringed offering is a well-made, nice looking and sounding instrument that won’t break the bank. Guitarist of all levels will enjoy the compactness and sounds that this product offers. Who may even enjoy this product more are parents, loved ones and/or neighbors as the near silent operation make practicing anytime day or night a reality.

For more information on Donner or to Purchase a HUSH-I visit www.donnerdeal.com

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Guitar Icon Zakk Wylde To Release Online Guitar Course “Zakk Wylde Berzerker Guitar Camp” On October 14th

Guitar Icon Zakk Wylde Partners With Riffhard For Online
Instructional Guitar Course Zakk Wylde Berzerker Guitar Camp
Scheduled For Release On October 14th
https://youtu.be/1MTgfPpQw2A

The In-Depth Guitar Course Teaches Fans Some Of Zakk’s Most-Popular Songs and Personal Techniques – Now Available For Pre-Order at
http://zakkwyldeguitarcamp.com

As teased over social media this summer, guitar icon Zakk Wylde is putting on his instructor hat and offering musicians a chance to learn guitar from the man himself.

Taking a break from his guitar duties with Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne and Pantera; Zakk has partnered with the team at Riffhard (the world’s best online school for rock and metal guitarists) to create the Zakk Wylde Berzerker Guitar Camp.

The online course – it is not really a camp – is suitable for guitar players of all levels, from beginners to advanced guitarists. Zakk teaches his signature techniques like pinch harmonics and vibrato as well as many of his most famous songs and solos. He’s joined by Black Label Society guitarist Dario Lorina to round out the course with his own perspective on how to replicate Zakk’s style.

All lessons in this course will be available to stream forever. Zakk Wylde Berzerker Guitar Camp is now available for pre-order pricing of $79 until October 14, when the course moves to the full price of $99. Go to http://zakkwyldeguitarcamp.com to order now.

The online course is broken down in to 10 sections with over 94 individual videos and over 12-hours of lessons for the student to dive in to. In each section, Zakk and Dario offer insight to each topic being explored and show first-hand how they play and learned these integral parts of guitar playing. The lessons will enhance all players knowledge of the guitar in fun and informative videos as only Zakk can deliver.

Zakk and Dario also show exactly how to play solos and rhythm parts from Zakk’s work with Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society and Pride And Glory: “Suicide Messiah,” “Stillborn,” “No More Tears,” Angel of Mercy,” “Lost Prayer,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and “Losing Your Mind.”

A trailer video for the course can be seen here: https://youtu.be/1MTgfPpQw2A.

“We’re gonna be going through a whole bunch of stuff. We’re gonna be going through scales, diatonic, pentatonic, intervallic studies, chords, a whole bunch of songs and stuff like that. Nowhere in this course is going to help your bench press or your deadlift and it definitely won’t help you pick up any chicks or get a date. Welcome to Zakk Wylde’s berserker guitar course,” states Zakk Wylde.

The course breakdown for the Zakk Wylde Berzerker Guitar Camp is:

Section 1: Welcome
Section 2: Palm Muting and Power Chords
Section 3: Harmonics
Section 4: Open Chords/Inversions
Section 5: Scale Basics & Pentatonics
Section 6: Diatonic Modes & Licks
Section 7: Bending And Vibrato
Section 8: Arpeggios, Triads & 7TH Chords
Section 9: Putting It All Together
Section 10: Bonus Section – Chicken Picking

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GODSMACK RETURN WITH NEW SINGLE “SURRENDER”

SINGLE FOLLOWS GLOBAL SUCCESS OF
2018 GOLD-CERTIFIED ALBUM
WHEN LEGENDS RISE

Multi-platinum Grammy-nominated hard rock band GODSMACK have released the first glimpse of their forthcoming eighth studio album with their new single “Surrender” via BMG. The track marks the first release from the band in four years, following their globally acclaimed & gold-certified 2018 album, When Legends Rise, which earned the band a #1 spot across US Hard Rock, Rock, and Alternative album charts.

“‘Surrender’ is a very cut and dry song,” says vocalist and guitarist Sully Erna. “It’s simply about the exhaustion we can all feel in relationships at times from the redundancy of fighting with each other. At a certain point in our lives, we submit to putting aside who’s right or wrong, we just want it to STOP! So we wave the white flag.”

Check Out “Surrender” Here

With over 20 years of chart-topping success, the Boson rock band has cemented themselves as 21st-century hard rock titans. To date, they’ve accomplished a staggering 11 #1 singles at mainstream rock radio, including “Bulletproof,” “Unforgettable,” “When Legends Rise,” and “Under Your Scars,” all from the band’s most recent album. Additionally, they’ve enjoyed 20 Top 10 hits at the format–the most of any act since February 1999–as well as four Grammy nominations, and were named Billboard Music Award’s Rock Artist of the Year in 2001. Selling over 20 million records worldwide, the band has released seven studio albums; All Wound Up… (1997), Godsmack (1998), Awake (2000), Faceless (2003), IV (2006), The Oracle (2010), 1000hp (2014), and When Legends Rise (2018).

GODSMACK is Sully Erna (vocals, guitar), Tony Rombola (guitar), Robbie Merrill (bass), and Shannon Larkin (drums).

Photo by Kamal Asar

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: godsmack, return, single, surrender

Product Review: Donner DST-400 Electric Guitar

 

Donner DST-400 Electric Guitar

• Alder Body with Transparent Finish
• One DONNER Seeker Series Pro Humbucking Bridge Pickup with Coil-Split System; Two DONNER Seek Series Pro Single-Coil Middle and Neck Pickups
• AAA Canadian Maple Neck
• Satin Slim-C Neck Profile
• 9.5” Radius Fingerboard
• 2-Point Tremolo Bridge with Vintage-Style Saddles
• Vintage-Style Tuning Machines
• Includes Gig Bag, Strap, Cable, Set Up Tools

Our score 4.5 out of 5 stars

Since 2012 Donner Music has been making affordable, quality instruments for all level of musicians and they continue that with the release of their Seeker Guitar model. Based on the popular S-Style guitar The DONNER Seeker Series DST-400 sports a two-single coil, 1 tapped humbucker pickup configuration which offers players sonic flexibility capable of both traditional single coil twang and modern humbucking crunch all one instrument making it the perfect tool to express your musical vision without breaking the bank.

Construction-
I had been aware of the Donner company since the company’s introduction in 2012 however I had never tried one of their products until recently. Given the vast number of manufactures trying to enter the music gear market it can be a little daunting when trying to search for that new piece of equipment. Many companies offer lower to mid-priced options while sadly sacrificing tone and quality. I can safely say that the Donner DST-400 does none of those things. Right out of the box the instrument looked great. From its high-quality chrome parts and high gloss transparent teal finish to the satiny smooth neck I could tell this was not just another run of the mill sub $300 priced guitar. Aside from finding a small gap in the neck pocket, several dull frets and the rosewood fret board needing some oil the guitar structurally is solid and almost ready to go right out of the box

Sound-
Before plugging the DST-400 in I wanted to check out the guitar’s overall resonance. A feature common with budget line guitars is a thicker polyurethane finish which while providing a stronger finish can deaden some of the guitar’s natural resonance and tone. After just a few strums I was hooked as both single notes and chords rang out with impressive volume and sustain with an excellent level of clarity. Plugged in the DST-400 continued to accel. The single coil tone is what is to be expected as both the neck and middle position pickups provided a nice mid to low level sound with just the right amount of snappy treble twang. The bridge position humbucker can cover everything from over-driven sizzle to molten high gain and with the pull of the second tone pot you can expand your tone pallet even further as your humbucker is now a single coil allowing you to cover even more tonal territory without switching guitars.

Playability-
Even with higher end guitar models you must allot for a break in period. Frets need to be worked in, adjustments need to be made to various components and players must get comfortable with the over all feel of an instrument. My first sit down with the DST-400 was as though I had been playing this guitar for years. The neck had a nice smooth feel with no rough fret ends whatsoever. The 9.5” radius allowed for fast runs and effortless string bending. The body contours were all in the correct spots making sitting or standing feel very nature. The guitar is not overly heavy and is balanced nicely. The traditional control layout puts your volume, tones, and switch all with in easy reach while the polished, rolled edge, two-point bridge provides a nice resting spot for your palm. The only issues I came across here was that the pull knob to engage the humbucker coil tap can be a little difficult to operate due to the knobs lower profile and the fact that it is a pull pot as opposed to a push pot. The other flaw I noticed was based around the tremolo bar. I loved that it’s a simple push in bar and not a screw in type however the bar can get pushed down a little bit too far which results in less bridge travel due to the bar hitting on your control knobs. I as was able to remedy this issue with just pulling out on the bar some after which it seemed to stay in place without any problems.

The musical gear market can be very daunting. As more and more companies look to capitalize and expand their budget friendly offerings it can add to the confusion of where to start and who to buy from. I would highly suggest starting with the Donner brand. If you are looking for an S shaped guitar that offers high end features and top-notch craftsmanship all while not breaking the bank, then the DST-400 should be at the top of your list. The company may not have the name recognition like some other instrument makers but what they do provide is a comfortable, great sounding instrument at an affordable price.

For more information on Donner or to Purchase a DST-400 visit www.donnerdeal.com

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Dream Theater Guitarist John Petrucci Discusses His Upcoming Solo Tour With Mike Portnoy and Dave Larue

 

John Petrucci is the guitarist for the Grammy Award winning Progressive-Metal band Dream Theater. In support of his most recent solo album “Terminal Velocity” Petrucci has announced a multi date tour which will feature bassist Dave Larue and former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. Media Mikes had the chance to speak with Mike recently about the album, reuniting with his former drummer and what we can expect from the upcoming tour which kicks off October 5th.

Adam Lawton: What can you tell us about your most recent solo album “Terminal Velocity”

John Petrucci: I did my first solo album “Suspended Animation” back in 2005. That album came about after performing on the “G3” with Joe Satriani and having to write songs to perform on that tour. Those songs ended up becoming the first album. Being so busy with Dream Theater I never really put much emphasis on doing a follow up record despite getting asked quite often about it. As years went by, I just never seemed to have the time but when the pandemic hit and all touring stopped, I knew there was going to be some time. I had been stock piling ideas and riffs since my last record, and I knew if I didn’t do this now it was probably never going to happen. I put all the material I had together and recruited Dave Larue and Mike Portnoy to play on. It was a lot of work, but I think it turned out really cool.

AL: What was it like going back and revisiting this material that you had been collecting for so long?

JP: A lot of these ideas were not full songs. When I am playing guitar and something hits me, I will just hit record. The quickest way is usually through my iPhone. I am pretty organized, and I keep everything in a folder, so I had the seeds of songs to start with. From there I was able to go back through my collection and pick out different things that I thought would work. I started with idea number one and just began working from there re-learning what I had while also adding to it.

AL: What led to you asking Mike Portnoy to play on the album?

JP: I like to keep my solo stuff separate from what I do with Dream Theater. Even though I had played live with both Mike Portnoy and Mike Mangini on “G3” outside of Dream Theater I really wanted to keep things with the solo album totally separate from the band. I wanted the album to be just about guitar and given the fact that Mike Portnoy is no longer in Dream Theater this followed the rule I set for myself. Mike’s a very busy guy and because of the Pandemic he also had some free time so when I asked him if he would be interested, he said yes.

AL: Did you have what you wanted laid out for both Mike and Dave or were they able to bring in their own ideas?

JP: While I was writing and recording the guitars my engineer James Meslin would program drums. Either he or I would then play the bass so even before Dave and Mike were involved the songs existed as completed pieces. We could have released the album just like that, but it is so much better having these guy play on there. When they came in they basically just had to learn compositions. At one point Mike asked me if I wanted things exactly as they were, and I told him these were basically just a guide and that he could do what he felt would make the song work. With Dave it was the same way. The two of these guys really brought the album to life and I was very happy with the end result. Even though we recorded the parts separately I think the album has a live energy and feel to it.

AL: Being very much a “tone” guy when it comes to guitar, how did you approach that aspect of the record?

JP: Dream Theater recently built a new facility to accommodate all of the bands needs. This included a studio space. My solo album was the first album that was recorded there. It was a little bit new however the guitar recording approach was very similar to how I do it with Dream Theater. I am a purest and have been playing my signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitars for 20 years now. I plug that into my signature Mesa Boogie head and then let the engineer mic up my 4×12 cabinet and we are off to the races. After we finished the solo record we went and did “Liquid Tension Experiment 3” in the same studio as well as Dream Theater’s “A View From the Top of the World” which we won a Grammy for! Having recorded guitar for those three very different projects the guitar stayed consistent from one thing to the next. We do experiment with different microphones and such but its basically me plugged straight into my amp. I like to keep things as pure as I can and capture that sound as it is.

AL: When did the idea to tour behind the release present

JP: That was always something I wanted to do. I had done a lot of “G3” tours but never an actual solo tour. Once I put the record out everyone started asking if I was going to tour behind it. When things started to open back up my priority was Dream Theater, so we got back into our cycle so once again I was left with no opportunity to tour solo despite wanting to. I generally know five or six months out what my schedule is going to look like and I saw that there was going to be a small window in the fall that I was going to have free. I asked my booking agent if we could get something scheduled and he was on it.

AL: Were Mike and Dave onboard with touring right away?

JP: Dave has been touring with me since 2001. He has done all the “G3” tours and of course both my solo albums. We had this running joke about if we were ever going to do an actual solo tour. Prior to that I think the joke was if I was ever going to do a second solo album. (Laughs) Dave said he would be there when the time came and he we are. With Mike we hadn’t played together live since he left Dream Theater twelve years ago. It was in my mind right away to ask him and when I did ask him, he said Yes.

AL: You are bringing out the reunited Meanstreak with you on the run. Can you tell us how that came together?

JP: The history there is the Dream Theater guys met the ladies from Meanstreak many years ago. My wife and I have been married 29 years. Both my wife and Mike Portnoy’s wife played guitar in Meanstreak while John Myung’s wife Lisa played bass. We all kind of got married and had families around the same time. We have been this big family for quite some time. Meanstreak’s disbanded and haven’t played for some time so when I started thinking of doing the solo tour, I mentioned to my wife about the ladies getting back together and opening for me. I am very excited for this. In all the years my wife and I have been together we have never toured together. We have played together a few times but never anything like this. This tour is going to be fun for fans on a few different levels as not only will they get to see Mike and I play together again but a lot of people will be getting to see Meanstreak for the first time as well.

AL: Any other projects or releases you might want to mention?

JP: There have been a lot of big things that happened for me personally over this last year. I have a new line Ernie Ball Majesty and JP15 guitars that came out in June. I released a Neural DSP plug-in that was a lot of fun as well. We just released out first video from the record for the song “Temple of Circadia” it’s an animated “Wayne’s World” meets “Indiana Jones” type story. (Laughs) Dream Theater will be touring next year and will be releasing more info on that later on but the biggest thing right now is this upcoming solo tour which kicks off October 5th in Providence, RI.

For more information on John Petrucci and all his projects visit www.johnpetrucci.com

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THE WAIT IS OVER!!! STEEL PANTHER CROWN EIGHT FINGERED (AND DOUBLE THUMBED) FREAKAZOID SPYDER AS THEIR NEW FULL-TIME BASSIST

Band Announces Claus & Paws Holiday Party US Tour Dates
Adding to Previously Announced Canadian Res-Erections Run This Fall
https://steelpantherrocks.com/pages/tour

Steel Panther L to R: Stix Zadinia (Drums), Spyder (Bass), Michael Starr (Vocals), Satchel (Guitars) Photo Credit: David Jackson

Just as England recently announced a new King, California rock legends Steel Panther have crowned Spyder as the new R.O.L.E…Ruler Of Low End.

The story of Spyder and Steel Panther is like one pulled from any great American love story. If you have seen The Notebook or Jaws, then you know exactly what we mean. Spyder and the guys have known each other for decades. But it was in 2018 that Spyder did his first live show with the band. Little did they know that those shows would be a foreshadowing of what destiny had in store for their collective futures. In 2021, the band found themselves in a pickle, they needed a bass player. An exhaustive search brought many submissions and fans were treated to a variety of bassists on different tours.

The band had even considered a few well-known bassists to fill the void. Throughout the five-week European tour in summer of 2022, it became quite evident to all four guys that this lineup was unstoppable. A few more months of touring together perfected the new lineup and now anyone that has seen the band recently knows that Spyder is the perfect addition for Steel Panther. In other words, Spyder is the chocolate to Steel Panther’s peanut butter.

“We wanted it to be you. We wanted it to be you so badly. So, it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna be really hard. We’re gonna have to work at this every day, but we want to do that because we want you. We want all of you, forever, you and us, every day. To us, you are perfect. You had us at hello. You complete us. We’re gonna need a bigger boat,” explains Steel Panther.

To coincide with the new bassist announcement, the newly whole Steel Panther are announcing a new US tour, Claus & Paws Holiday Party. The eight-city tour will kick off In late November after the band wraps up their recently announced Canadian leg of the Res-Erections tour 2022. The holiday shows will be sure to bring out the ho-ho-hoes to Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, New York and Connecticut. More information on tickets and purchase links for all shows can be found at: https://steelpantherrocks.com/pages/tour.

Res-Erections 2022 Fall Tour Dates

10/28 – Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle Casino
10/29 – Enoch, AB – River Cree Casino
10/30 – Grand Prairie, AB – The Bowes At Bonnetts Energy Centre
11/1 – Saskatoon, SK – The Coors Event Centre
11/3 – Regina, SK – Casino Regina Show Lounge
11/4 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
11/5 – Minot, ND – The Original Bar & Grill *
11/7 – Green Bay, WI – Epic Event Center
11/9 – London, ON – London Music Hall
11/10 – Toronto, ON – History
11/11 – Ottawa, ON – Algonquin Commons Theatre
11/12 – Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre

* Steel Panther Only/No Black Stone Cherry

A Claus & Paws Holiday Party Tour Dates

11/26 – Sault St. Marie – Kewadin Casino
11/27 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live
11/29 – Warren, OH – Packard Music Hall
11/30 – Ft. Wayne, IN – Piere’s Entertainment Center
12/2 – Waterloo, NY – Del Lago Casino *
12/3 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance Theater
12/4 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
12/29 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
12/30 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom

* On Sale Soon

Steel Panther has been hard at work at new material that will be released throughout 2022.

More information for all things Steel Panther can be found at www.steelpantherrocks.com.

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: bassist, crown, double, fingered, freakazoid, fulltime, ...

METALLICA: ALL WITHIN MY HANDS FOUNDATION PRESENTS THE HELPING HANDS CONCERT & AUCTION DECEMBER 16th

METALLICA’s ALL WITHIN MY HANDS FOUNDATION
Presents
THE HELPING HANDS CONCERT & AUCTION
DECEMBER 16 AT THE MICROSOFT THEATER IN LOS ANGELES

Tickets On Sale to the Public Friday, September 23 at 10:00am Local Time HERE

Metallica’s All Within My Hands foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation focused on creating sustainable communities by tackling issues including hunger and workforce education, brings its Helping Hands Concert & Auction back into the physical world for its third year: On December 16, Helping Hands will make its Southern California debut with Metallica and special guests performing at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

Tickets will be on sale to the public from 10:00am local time Friday, September 23 with a two-ticket limit per customer. As always, 100% of proceeds from this years Helping Hands event—tickets, fees and auction items—will go directly to help those in need. For further information, pre-sales etc., go to: www.axs.com/events/449833?skin=microsofttheater

Metallica’s previous Helping Hands Concert & Auction was live-streamed November 14, 2020, raising more than $1.8 million—funds used to work with partners at Feeding America and the American Association of Community Colleges, as well as various COVID and disaster relief efforts. All Within My Hands was established in 2017 as a way for the Metallica family to give back to communities that have supported the band. All Within My Hands expenses are covered entirely by the band, the board, and friends who have worked with the band over many years, ensuring that 100% of proceeds go directly to help those in need. To date, All Within My Hands has donated over $5.8 million to critical local services and the fight against food insecurity, working with partners around the world to feed more than 10 million people. In addition, the foundation’s Metallica Scholars Initiative has pledged a total of $5.9 million in grants benefiting 33 community colleges across the USA.

For more about All Within My Hands, please visit allwithmyhands.org.

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: 16th, auction, concert, december, foundation, hands, ...

Acclaimed Rockers ALTER BRIDGE Release Epic Album Track “Sin After Sin”

New Lyric Video | Watch HERE

Third Track from Upcoming Album, Pawns & Kings
Album Scheduled for Worldwide Release on October 14 | Pre-Order HERE

Get Tickets for Pawns & Kings Tour Global Tour Dates HERE

[Photo Credit: Chuck Brueckmann]As the band’s current single, “Silver Tongue,” moves up the Active Rock radio charts and its music video crossed a million plays in less than a month, acclaimed rockers ALTER BRIDGE are back with another track from their upcoming seventh studio album, Pawns & Kings – scheduled for worldwide release on October 14 via Napalm Records. “Sin After Sin” is the latest epic track released by the quartet comprised of Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums. The song clocks in at 6:43 and is the second longest song on the new album. The lyric video was created by ALTER BRIDGE visual collaborator Wayne Joyner and can be seen below.

Watch the lyric video for “Sin After Sin” HERE:

From the opening riffs of “This Is War” to the title track album closer “Pawns & Kings,” ALTER BRIDGE returns with an album of intense tracks that were born after the cycle for their last album was cut short by the global pandemic. Songs like “Dead Among The Living,” “Holiday” and “Last Man Standing” showcase the signature songwriting the band is known for. The album offers numerous epic adventures, with three songs clocking in over six minutes each. The opus “Fable Of The Silent Son” clocks in at 8:29 and is the longest recorded song in the band’s catalog – a distinction held by “Blackbird” until now. Mark Tremonti steps out of his backing vocal role to take the lead on “Stay,” an introspective ballad that is sure to become a fan favorite live. The band released a lyric video for the title track that can be seen here: https://youtu.be/aTqN0nh7Avk.

Known for its signature dual-guitar attack backed by a driving rhythm section, the album’s fast-rising chart-climber “Silver Tongue” is one of the harder songs in the band’s recent catalog. Its animated music video was created and directed by Ollie Jones of Better Feeling Films (Myles Kennedy, Prodigy, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets) and can be seen here: https://youtu.be/snl8OANQ948.

Pawns & Kings found ALTER BRIDGE reuniting with longtime collaborator and producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette to create a collection of memorable new additions to the band’s impressive catalog.

The track listing for Pawns & Kings is:
1)  This Is War
2)  Dead Among The Living
3)  Silver Tongue
4)  Sin After Sin
5)  Stay
6)  Holiday
7)  Fable Of The Silent Son
8)  Season Of Promise
9)  Last Man Standing
10)  Pawns & Kings

ALTER BRIDGE’s Pawns & Kings is now available for pre-order in the following configurations:
-CD Digisleeve
-1 LP Gatefold BLACK Vinyl
-1 LP Gatefold INKSPOT BLACK/GOLD Vinyl w/Slipmat and Record Butler (Napalm mail order only, limited to 500 worldwide)
-1 LP Gatefold MARBLED WHITE/CRYSTAL CLEAR Vinyl (Napalm mail order only, limited to 400 worldwide)
-1 LP Gatefold MARBLED ORANGE/BLACK Vinyl (Band Shop only)
-1 LP Gatefold MARBLED WHITE/BLACK Vinyl (Band Shop only)
-1 LP Gatefold CRYSTAL CLEAR Vinyl (Band Shop only, limited to 300 only)
-Deluxe Box Set w/ CD Digisleeve, Pendant, Tote Bag, Guitar Pick tin (Napalm mail order only, limited to 700 worldwide)
-Music Cassette BROWN TRANSPARENT (Napalm mail order only, limited to 150 worldwide)
-Digital Album

Pre-Order Pawns & Kings HERE:

ALTER BRIDGE will tour extensively in support of Pawns & Kings. The band announced a tour of Europe that will make 25 stops over the course of six weeks, kicking off November 1 in Germany and making stops in Denmark, Sweden, Spain and others before ending on December 12 at O2 Arena in the United Kingdom. Longtime friends Halestorm and Mammoth WVH will lend their support on the upcoming European tour. The band also just announced a North American tour for 2023 – their first in the market in almost three years. The 30-city tour – split into two legs – kicks off on January 25 in Tampa, FL and wraps up April 1 in Highland, CA, making stops in Nashville, TN (January 30); Toronto, ON (February 11); Kansas City, MO (March 11) and Seattle, WA (March 23). Mammoth WVH will join them as direct support on the entire tour, with rockers Red playing on the first leg of the tour and newcomers Pistols At Dawn playing on the second leg. Tickets for all shows are now available and more information on tickets and VIP experiences can be found at https://alterbridge.com/pages/tour. European Tour DatesNov 1 – HAMBURG, GERMANY – SporthalleNov 2  – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – FalconerNov 4  – PARTILLE, SWEDEN – Partille ArenaNov 5 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum SceneNov 7 – KATOWICE, POLAND – MCKNov 9 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG – RockhalNov 11 – BERLIN, GERMANY – ColumbiahalleNov 12 – HLAVNÍ MĚSTO PRAHA, CZECH REPUBLIC – O2 UniversumNov 14 – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Budapest ArenaNov 16 – PARIS, FRANCE – Palais Des SportsNov 18 – MADRID, SPAIN – VistalegreNov 20 – BARCELONA, SPAIN – Razzmataz1Nov 22 – MUNICH, GERMANY – ZenithNov 23 – ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND – Samsung HallNov 25 – ASSAGO, ITALY – Mediolanum ForumNov 26 – ZAGREB, CROATIA – Dom SportovaNov 28 – VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Wiener StadthalleNov 30 – KÖLN, GERMANY – PalladiumDec 1 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Ziggo DomeDec 5 – NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – Motorpoint ArenaDec 6 – GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – OVO Hydro ArenaDec 8 – DUBLIN, IRELAND – 3 ArenaDec 9 – MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AO ArenaDec 11 – BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – Resorts World ArenaDec 12 – LONDON, ENGLAND – O2 ArenaNorth American Tour Dates:Jan 25 – TAMPA, FL – Seminole Hard Rock *Jan 27 – ORLANDO, FL – Hard Rock Live *Jan 28 – ATLANTA, GA – Coca Cola Roxy *Jan 30 – NASHVILLE, TN – Ryman  Auditorium * Feb 1 – MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Wellmont Theater *Feb 2 – HUNTINGTON, NY – The Paramount *Feb 4 – SILVER SPRING, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring *Feb 5 – PHILADELPHIA, PA – Franklin Music Hall *Feb 7 – WALLINGFORD, CT – The Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre *Feb 8 – BOSTON, MA – Roadrunner *Feb 10 – WATERLOO, NY – Del Lago Casino Resort (On sale soon) ^Feb 11 – TORONTO, ON – HISTORY ^Feb 14 – DETROIT, MI – The Fillmore *Feb 15 – INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre *Feb 17 – PRIOR LAKE, MN – Mystic Lake Casino Showroom *Feb 18 – CHICAGO, IL – The Riviera Theatre *Mar 10 – QUAPAW, OK – Downstream Casino Resort #Mar 11 – KANSAS CITY, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland #Mar 14 – CHESTERFIELD, MO – The Factory #Mar 15 – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Criterion #Mar 17 – HOUSTON, TX – 713 Music Hall #Mar 18 – DALLAS, TX – South Side Ballroom #Mar 20 – DENVER, CO – Mission Ballroom #Mar 21 – SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Union Event Center #Mar 23 – SEATTLE, WA – The Paramount Theatre #Mar 25 – AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino ^Mar 26 – AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino ^ Mar 28 – ANAHEIM, CA – House Of Blues #Mar 29 – TEMPE, AZ – Marquee Theatre #Mar 31 – RENO, NV – Silver Legacy’s Grande Expo Hall #Apr 1 – HIGHLAND, CA – Yaamava Theater at Yaamava Casino Resort ^^ ALTER BRIDGE – Mammoth WVH * ALTER BRIDGE – Mammoth WVH – Red# ALTER BRIDGE – Mammoth WVH – Pistols At Dawn

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: acclaimed, album, alter, bridge, epic, release, ...
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