GRAMMY AWARD WINNING DREAM THEATER GUITARIST JOHN PETRUCCI ANNOUNCES FIRST HEADLINING SOLO TOUR WITH DAVE LARUE ON BASS AND MIKE PORTNOY

October Performances in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. With More Dates To Be Announced Soon On-Sale This Week At: https://johnpetrucci.com

Recently Reunited Meanstreak Set To Open Entire Tour

John Petrucci – Photo Credit: Rayon Richards

For over three decades, GRAMMY Award winning guitarist John Petrucci has been known for his work in the ground-breaking and influential prog-metal band Dream Theater. Now, John is adding another career milestone to his resume as he is embarking on his first headlining solo tour performing material from his recently released solo album, Terminal Velocity, as well as songs from his widely acclaimed debut release, Suspended Animation. Terminal Velocity marked the first time that John and former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy recorded together since Mike left the band in 2010. Now, John will take his instrumental trio on the road performing live with Mike Portnoy, and legendary bassist Dave LaRue in an on-stage reunion that has been 12 years in the making.

The historic tour will run through October and November and promises to be an unforgettable night of live musicianship. The first three shows are scheduled for Boston, MA (October 7th); New York, NY (October 13th) and Washington, DC (October 15th). The recently reunited all-female Meanstreak will be the special guest openers for the tour. Meanstreak is comprised of guitarists Marlene Portnoy and Rena Sands, vocalist Bettina France, bassist Martens Myung and drummer Yael. More shows will be announced in the near future and tickets for the announced shows will be on sale to the general public on Friday, July 15th. For more information on all shows and to purchase tickets, fans can head over to https://johnpetrucci.com.

John Petrucci Solo Tour Dates with Dave LaRue and Mike Portnoy featuring special guests Meanstreak *

October 7th – Boston, MA – Berklee Performance Center
October 13th – New York, NY – Town Hall
October 15th – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theater

* More dates to be announced

About John Petrucci:
John Petrucci is best known as guitarist and co-founder of the GRAMMY Award winning progressive metal band, Dream Theater. A Guitar World Hall of Fame member and recipient of the SENA Performer’s European Guitar Award, John has been named multiple times as the #1 Guitarist, Guitarist of The Year and Best Metal Guitarist by Prog magazine, Total Guitar, Guitar Player, Guitar World, Music Radar and BURRN! Magazine. His first solo album, Suspended Animation, has long been the benchmark of instrumental guitar performance. The even-longer-anticipated 2020 sequel, Terminal Velocity, features former Dream Theater bandmate Mike Portnoy on drums, and the legendary Dave LaRue on bass. The instrumental trio hits the road this Fall in support of both albums, in what will surely be an unforgettable evening. This tour marks John Petrucci’s first headline tour as a solo artist, and the first time in 12 years that John and Mike will perform live together.

Anthrax’s FRANK BELLO Announces Debut Solo EP with Rare Bird

Then I’m Gone Includes Scored Audiobook with excerpts from his autobiography

Then I’m Gone EP + Vinyl Audiobook Official Promo Video:

Photo: Jeremy Saffer

Frank Bello and Rare Bird proudly present the famed Anthrax bassist’s debut solo EP, Then I’m Gone. Issued as a deluxe gatefold split 12”, the EP contains three songs alongside excerpts from his 2021 autobiography, read by the author and accompanied by additional new music.

Bello performs all instruments (except drums) on “Then I’m Gone,” “It Won’t Be Long,” and “See Me Now,” as well as the score accompanying the narrated pieces, each selected and read from the book released with Rare Bird last year, Fathers, Brothers, and Sons: Surviving Anguish, Abandonment, and Anthrax.

“I revisited some really dark times in my life when I was writing my book, and writing these songs was the result of reliving them,” explains Bello, who appears on every Anthrax release since 1985. “Music has always been a great outlet for me as a coping mechanism. I felt it was a good time to put out these songs for people who connected with the book and maybe some who haven’t yet. Thanks for listening!”

A cornerstone of the legendary “Big 4” of metal alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer, Anthrax has sold over ten million albums, traveled the globe countless times, and collaborated with a diverse list of creative icons, including Public Enemy, Keanu Reeves, and the late “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. Fathers, Brothers, and Sons details the tragedy and triumph of the music industry and Bello’s intense personal life.

Like the book, the songs on Then I’m Gone are intimate, revealing, and powerful. Then I’m Gone EP deluxe gatefold vinyl is available for preorder now in limited-edition purple and white/purple splatter variants, as well as standard black vinyl, direct through Rare Bird (www.rarebirdlit.com) and Experience Vinyl (www.experiencevinyl.com).

All Preorders include a digital download code with the full vinyl audiobook in the sealed vinyl jacket and a monthly email with links to audio, video, instrumentals, and bonus material.

Then I’m Gone is scheduled for release on November 4, 2022.

Tracklisting:

Side A: “Then I’m Gone,” “It Won’t Be Long,” “See Me Now”

Side B: “First Kiss,” “Compass Point,” “See Me Now [Revisited]”

ABOUT FRANK BELLO:
Frank Bello is among the most respected, talented, and charismatic musicians in hard rock. A diehard New Yorker, Bello joined Anthrax shortly after the release of the band’s 1984 debut and has appeared on every Anthrax release since, including classic albums like Among the Living (1987), Sound of White Noise (1993), and For All Kings (2016), totaling well over ten million in album sales around the world. Anthrax cemented a place in metal history as part of the “Big 4,” alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. In 2011, the band was honored with special proclamations from the city on “Anthrax Day in the Bronx” at Yankee Stadium. Bello was briefly the bassist in Helmet and fronts Altitudes & Attitude as both singer and guitarist. He’s appeared on Law & Order in a small role and played himself on Married… with Children and Newsradio. Fathers, Brothers, and Sons: Surviving Anguish, Abandonment, and Anthrax was written with Joel McIver.

ORIANTHI ANNOUNCES NEW LIVE RELEASE “LIVE FROM HOLLYWOOD”

“LIVE FROM HOLLYWOOD” SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE JULY 15, 2022
AUDIO & VIDEO OF ‘CONTAGIOUS’ PERFORMANCE AVAILABLE NOW
NEW STUDIO ALBUM COMING THIS FALL

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to present “Live From Hollywood”, a new live album and long-form video from internationally renowned rock guitarist Orianthi. Available on CD/DVD and Blu-ray, “Live From Hollywood” will be released on July 15, 2022. The performance was captured on January 8, 2022 at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood, CA and sees the guitarist and her excellent backing band in fine form, playing songs from Orianthi’s most recent release “O” and cuts like her hit, ‘According To You’.

Watch a performance of ‘Contagious’ HERE:

Pre-order/save “Live From Hollywood” HERE:

This new live release serves as an appetizer for Orianthi’s upcoming new studio album, which will be released later in 2022.

Orianthi’s first major solo artist success, as a singer-songwriter and guitarist, was with the Geffen Records release of “According To You,” which is now RIAA-Certified Platinum® and has over 17 million streams on Spotify. Her music’s ability to transcend time and remain relevant cannot be more clear than it’s recent resurgence on TikTok. There are over 83 million views on the “According to You” hashtag making it a viral trend that is introducing Gen Z to Orianthi for the first time in a big way. Career-long fans are used to seeing their favorite world class guitarist playing arenas with rock royalty and global superstars like Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, Carrie Underwood, Alice Cooper and more. The juxtaposition of her newly arrived online popularity and her lifelong pursuit of artistic credibility is the nebulous of this shining star.

“Live From Hollywood” Tracklisting:

1. Contagious
2. Sinners Hymn
3. Heaven In This Hell
4. Think Like A Man
5. You Don’t Wanna Know
6. What’s It Gonna Be
7. Courage
8. Blow
9. Impulsive
10. Blues Won’t Leave Me Alone
11. According To You
12. How Do You Sleep

LINE-UP:
Orianthi – Guitar, Vocals
Nick Mayfield – Guitar
Carmen Vandenberg – Guitar
Justin Andres – Bass
Michael Bearden – Keyboards
Glen Sobel – Drums

Ville Valo to Release New Single “Loveletting” + Announces Debut Solo Album “Neon Noir” + 2023 Tour Plans

VILLE VALO OF HIM WILL RELEASE NEW SINGLE “LOVELETTING”

VV’S DEBUT ALBUM NEON NOIR DUE FOR RELEASE IN EARLY 2023

2023 HEADLINE TOUR SET FOR EUROPE, UK, + NORTH AMERICA

Finnish Love Metal pioneer, Ville Valo, will release a new single, “Loveletting,” on April 8 under the VV banner. “Loveletting” is taken from VV’s forthcoming debut album Neon Noir.

He explains, “As fun as the funeral rites for HIM were, it took me more than a few moons to lick my wounds in the shadow of the Heartagram and come up with an excuse to strum and hum again. Eventually, I decided to put a leash on my beloved black dog and we started howling together instead of barking at each other. That’s how ‘Loveletting’ was born.”

“Loveletting” will be made available across all digital platforms from midnight (local time) tonight.

An official video clip will follow tomorrow 11am ET here.

VV’s debut album Neon Noir is scheduled for release in early 2023; belonging to the same forlorn world of woe and whimsy once conceived and governed by Valo in HIM, VV arrives with additional nuanced notes of a fine aged Cabernet.

Valo adds, “Artistically speaking, the main difference between HIM and VV is the extra line in the Heartagram, but what an exquisite line it is! It’s the Mamas and the Papas dressed up as Metallica on their way to a Halloween bash at the Studio 54, and now who wouldn’t want to witness that?”

Further details around Neon Noir will be released in due course. In the meantime, fans are invited to any number of VV’s headline tour dates taking place next year across Europe, the UK, and North America. Naturally starting in Helsinki, Finland, the 2023 extensive run reaches the UK in March, before heading toAmerica come April.

U.S. tickets will be available for purchase from Friday, April 15 at 10am local time.

NORTH AMERICAN 2023 TOUR DATES:
4/1—Philadelphia, PA—Theatre of Living Arts
4/2—Boston, MA—Big Night Live
4/4—Pittsburgh, PA—Roxian Theatre
4/5—Cleveland, OH—House of Blues
4/6—Detroit, MI—St Andrews Hall
4/8—Cincinnati, OH—Bogarts
4/9—Chicago, IL—House of Blues
4/11—Minneapolis, MN—Varsity Theater
4/13—Denver, CO—Summit
4/14—Salt Lake City, UT—The Depot
4/16—Sacramento, CA—Ace of Spades
4/17—San Francisco, CA—The Fillmore
4/18—Los Angeles, CA—The Belasco
4/21—Las Vegas, NV—House of Blues
4/22—San Diego, CA—House of Blues
4/23—Phoenix, AZ—The Van Buren
4/25—Dallas, TX—House of Blues
4/26—San Antonio, TX—Aztec Theater
4/27—Houston, TX—House of Blues
4/28—New Orleans, LA—House of Blues
4/30—Orlando, FL—House of Blues
5/1—Ft Lauderdale, FL—Revolution
5/3—Atlanta, GA—Buckhead Theatre
5/4—Nashville, TN—Brooklyn Bowl
5/5—Charlotte, NC—Underground
5/7—Silver Spring, MD—The Fillmore
5/8—New York, NY—Irving Plaza

ABOUT VILLE VALO:
In the annals of 21st century alternative rock history, there are few artists who cast a longer or more peculiar shadow than Finnish Love Metal pioneer Ville Valo. After all, his band HIM was easily among the most iconic and idiosyncratic groups of the millennium. Zealously revered, gleefully reviled, but impossible to ignore, their music left an indelible mark on a worldwide legion of fans. The scarlet letters stood for His Infernal Majesty. Their founder stood for something delightedly out of step with the status quo. “We only hoped to temporarily redirect hard rock’s blood flow from the nether regions towards the heart,” reminisces Ville Valo, the singer, songwriter and primus motor of HIM. Judging by the monolithic presence of the Heartagram in any account of music this side of the millennium it’s apparent that he succeeded. Inspired by everyone from Poe to Bukowski, and tinged by a penchant for perfumed Sabbathian gloom, Valo’s creative lovechild would produce eight era-defining studio releases and over 10 million record sales, not forgetting a Grammy nomination, countless magazine covers, critical acclaim, and the veneration of a generation. Thus it came as no surprise that the news of a farewell tour in 2017 was greeted with shock and disbelief among devotees and endless speculation as to what or who was to take up the velvet mantle.

GRAMMY® Award Winning Musician Mark Tremonti Announces ‘Tremonti Sings Sinatra’ To Support NDSS

FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE BANDS ALTER BRIDGE/ CREED/TREMONTI – PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY (NDSS) FOR NEW CHARITY INITIATIVE INSPIRED BY HIS DAUGHTER STELLA

Album Tremonti Sings Sinatra – Scheduled for Release On May 27th Through Mark’s New Charity Organization
Take A Chance For Charity – Now Available For Pre-Order: https://linktr.ee/marktremonti

Album Features Mark’s Interpretations of Selections From Frank Sinatra’s Catalog Backed by Members of Sinatra’s Touring Band –
Video For “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” Can Be Seen Here: https://youtu.be/vSqQ7Bdpxn0

GRAMMY® Award Winning musician, producer, author as well as founding member of hard rock bands Alter Bridge, Creed and Tremonti, Mark Tremonti is “stepping out” with his most-ambitious and challenging project to date. Mark has partnered with National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) as he releases an album of Frank Sinatra covers entitled Tremonti Sings Sinatra. The album of selections from Frank Sinatra’s catalog is being released as part of a new charity initiative created by Tremonti called Take A Chance For Charity. Proceeds from the album – scheduled for release on May 27th – will go to support NDSS and the work they do to advocate for and support individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Mark and his family were blessed to welcome their first daughter Stella last March – who was born with Down syndrome – and the idea for the project was born. A video sharing the story of Take A Chance For Charity can be seen here: https://youtu.be/7FroQm-63RI.

“For years, I’ve loved singing along to Frank’s songs,” Mark explains. “One night, I found an old video of him performing ‘The Song Is You’ from 1944. It made me want to dive into his vocal approach. I was all in and I wanted to do something with it. When we found out about our daughter Stella’s Down syndrome diagnosis, the stars aligned. My obsession with Sinatra had its reason. Frank Sinatra raised more than a billion dollars for charity and that is a fact I wish the public the public knew more about. Beneath his cool and calm persona, he had a big heart. Doing this charity in his name was another way the stars had aligned. I decided to do this record to raise funds for families and individuals with Down syndrome. This project is the start of a new purpose that I will have for the rest of my life.”

Mark Tremonti has come together with surviving members of Frank Sinatra’s orchestra, creating new takes on some of the classics and some deeper cuts from Frank’s catalog. From the opening horns and piano of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” to final vocal outro of “All Or Nothing At All,” Mark Tremonti showcases the signature vocal approach and exemplary musicianship that made Sinatra’s work timeless. To see his vision through, Mark reached out to Frank Sinatra’s musical director Mike Smith who collected as many remaining members as possible of Frank’s touring band to record the music for Tremonti Sings Sinatra. Popular standards like “I’ve Got The World On A String,” “My Way” and “That’s Life” find new life in the hands of these incredible musicians. Mark Tremonti – known for his guitar work that has won him countless accolades – leaves the instrument behind and just sings on the 14-track album. The artwork on the album cover is an original painting that Tremonti created especially for this project. A video for the first track “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” can be seen here: https://youtu.be/vSqQ7Bdpxn0.

Tremonti Sings Sinatra is now available for pre-order at: https://linktr.ee/marktremonti.

The track listing for Tremonti Sings Sinatra is:
1. I’ve Got You Under My Skin
2. I’ve Got The World On A String
3. I Fall In Love Too Easily
4. Wave
5. Fly Me To The Moon
6. Nancy (With The Laughing Face)
7. My Way
8. You Make Me Feel So Young
9. Luck Be A Lady
10. That’s Life
11. Come Fly With Me
12. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
13. The Song Is You
14. All Or Nothing At All

Mark Tremonti in Frank Sinatra’s Dressing Room
Photo Credit: Chuck Brueckmann

GWAR Announces North American Leg of “The Black Death Rager World Tour”

Kicks Off May 19th in Ft. Wayne, IN

New Album “The New Dark Ages” Out June 3rd on CD and Digital / September 16 on Vinyl and Cassette

Human Scum! In support of their forthcoming opus, “The New Dark Ages” our Lords and Masters GWAR will return to the road in North America this Spring! The first leg of “The Black Death Rager World Tour,” kicks off May 19th in Ft. Wayne, IN and runs through June 17th in Reading, PA. Support on the run will come from Crowbar, The Native Howl and Nekrogoblikon. A complete list of dates can be found below. Tickets go on sale to fan club members this Thursday March 3rd and to the general public this Friday March 4th.

Lead doom-warbler, The Berserker Blothar, comments on the upcoming tour: “Ah, the cruel Spring, when life bursts forth and humans are reminded how dead they are inside! The horrific majesty of GWAR will blow through your town like painted ladies working the block for that rock.”

Watch a trailer for the tour HERE.

Pre-order “The New Dark Ages” at https://gwar.net/collections/the-new-dark-ages.  The album will be released on CD/Digital June 3rd and Vinyl and Cassette September 16th via the band’s own “Pit Records.”  The first aural offerings from the album are cumming soon.

GWAR LIVE:
Support: Crowbar, The Native Howl, Nekrogoblikon
5/19: Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere’s*
5/20: St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant* (PointFest PreParty)
5/21: Wichita, KS @ TempleLive*
5/23: Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
5/24: Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theater
5/26: Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
5/27: Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre
5/28: San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
5/29: Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
5/31: San Antonio, TX @ Vibes Event Center
6/2: Destin, FL @ Club LA
6/3: Chattanooga, TN @ The Signal
6/4: Charleston, SC @ Music Farm
6/5: Charlotte, NC @ The Underground
6/7: Joliet, IL @ The Forge
6/8: Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Event Center
6/10: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
6/11: Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
6/12: Albany, NY @ Empire Live
6/14: Hampton Beach, NH @ Wally’s
6/15: Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
6/16: Providence, RI @ The Strand
6/17: Reading, PA @ Reverb
*No Crowbar

GWAR Announces “The Black Death Rager World Tour”

“The Black Death Rager World Tour”

European Leg Starts July 29th!

Following the announcement of their forthcoming aural masterpiece “The New Dark Ages,” your Lords and Masters GWAR, are pleased to announce their return to the road! On the first leg of the “The Black Death Rager World Tour,” your favorite Scumdog warriors will touch down in Europe for the first time in almost three years.

The tour kicks off July 29th in Tilburg, Holland and runs through August 18th in London. In addition to the GWAR headline shows, the tour also features stops at the Free and Easy, Wacken Open Air, Pol’land’Rok and Bloodstock Festivals.

The Berserker Blothar had this to say about the coming trek: “Ah, Europe, the Old Country. We shall sweep across the continent like the plague, bringing pestilence and death and our unquenchable thirst for heavy metal glory.”

Fans can expect to hear all their GWAR favorites and blistering new tracks from the band’s new album which will be released June 3rd on CD and Digital, and on September 16th on Vinyl and Cassette via GWAR’s own label Pit Records. The art was created by Alex Horley.

Pre-order “The New Dark Ages” here

“The Black Death Rager World Tour”
29/7: Tilburg, NL @ 013
31/7: Berlin, DE @ SO 26
2/8: Munich, DE @ Free and Easy Festival*
3/8: Essen, DE @ Turock
4/8: Wacken, DE @ Wacken*
5/8: Makowice, PL @ Pol’and’Rok Festival*
8/8: Dover, UK @ The Booking Hall
9/8: Brighton, UK @ Chalk
10/8: Bristol, UK @Fleece
12/8: Catton Park, UK @ Bloodstock Open Air*
13/8: Norwich, UK @ Waterfront
14/8: Leeds, UK @ Key Club
16/8: Glasgow, UK @ Garage
17/8: Manchester, UK @ Club Academy
18/8: London, UK @ The Dome

*Festival

The NAMM Show Announces Return to Anaheim in June 2022

Global industry homecoming to present three days of transformative business opportunities, know-how and connections at once-in-a-lifetime gathering.

Today, The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) announced that The NAMM Show, the annual “family reunion” of the global music, sound, and entertainment technology industry, will reconvene in Anaheim, California at the Anaheim Convention Center on June 3–5, 2022. Previously scheduled for January 20–23, the new dates will offer global industry leaders, buyers, sellers, music educators, artists, media, and music makers the opportunity to reconnect and renew their businesses while taking greater advantage of reimagined indoor and outdoor events, activations, professional development sessions, an expanded digital reach, and more at the crossroads of business opportunity.

Joe Lamond, NAMM President and CEO, says, “The industry has not stopped evolving and innovating during the pandemic, and The NAMM Show is evolving, as well. As the health and safety of our members remains top of mind, and after carefully listening to companies here in the U.S. and around the world, the new dates will help members maximize their opportunities and accelerate what has arguably been a transformative time both in new products and in how they come to market. I imagine this gathering will have the kind of impact of a Beatles moment or the introduction of MIDI—definitely one you will not want to miss.”

The news of the return of the Show and the change in dates addresses ongoing concerns about pandemic activity, new product development and launches, available in-store inventory, and current travel restrictions. The announcement was met with support and enthusiasm from business leaders across the industry.

“The NAMM Show is the best opportunity of the year for Yamaha to reach our dealers, end-user customers, and the music industry as a whole. It’s the one place where the new products from across our brands meet the global industry, and we can’t wait to get together in June,” shares Tom Sumner, President of Yamaha Corporation of America.

“No matter when NAMM happens, Shure is excited about the industry finally getting together to engage with each other at this important event,” comments Abby Kaplan, Vice President of Global Retail Sales for Shure Incorporated. Mark Terry, CEO, Exertis/JAM US Music Group, shares the same sentiment: “[NAMM] has made a great decision on moving the show to June. This move ensures that it will be a very successful show for vendors and dealers. We certainly plan on being there!”

“At Taylor Guitars, we applaud innovative ideas as we all attempt to navigate these unusual times,” affirms Barbara Wight, CFO of Taylor Guitars. “Since its days in the ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel, The NAMM Show has always been an invaluable platform for us to launch new products and deepen our connections with our treasured retailers, suppliers and fans. We see this change to June as a smart opportunity to try something new, and we’re looking forward to being back together with our industry family.”

“Global travel restrictions continue to be unpredictable and challenging for our industry. Rescheduling the NAMM Show to June is absolutely the right call,” comments David Via, Zoom North America Vice President of Marketing.

John Hopkins, President and CEO of Sweetwater, shares, “One of our priorities here at Sweetwater is creating content and providing information to our customers about new products — we want them to have immediate, up-to-the-minute news about the latest gear and innovations. The NAMM Show brings us all together and provides an ideal platform for this each year. And this year, we’re excited that there will be even better synergy between the new NAMM Show dates and our own annual GearFest event. It’s a big win for our customers.”

Jamie Deering, CEO of Deering Banjos, notes, “The NAMM Show has been an integral part of our family business’s growth since our founding in 1975. All the work they have done to help our industry has been immensely appreciated. I commend the care they are giving to do all they can in making next year’s show safe and inclusive, and we are excited to be a part of this new, reimagined launch. It’s a chance to not only reconnect with our industry and music friends in a place and event that we love but to take a fresh look at the global market and to move forward together.”

“We fully support NAMM’s decision to move the 2022 NAMM Show to June,” says Larry Morton, CEO of Hal Leonard. “Not only does this make sense from a public safety standpoint, but the June timing gives the entire music products industry an opportunity to put the pandemic behind us. Hal Leonard will work hard to transform and elevate The 2022 NAMM Show experience for our customers.”

Chair and Founder of Bandit Lites, Michael Strickland, echoes the sentiment: “The one certain fact about COVID is the uncertainty. I applaud Joe Lamond and the great people at NAMM for making the decision to pause the show, as in the long run, it works to provide a better, more robust NAMM 2022. The importance of The NAMM Show can never be diminished, and we must deliver the complete show and not some muted version. Thank you, NAMM.”

Sammy Ash, President of Sam Ash Music, shares that “I, for one, am glad they moved the show to June. With a little luck, Covid will be better contained worldwide, so we can have all the exhibitors present. Personally, I like L.A. in the winter—I’m from New York—but the pandemic has created opportunities for change in everything we do. I think this is a prudent move, and we’ll be there in force!”

The largest NAMM Show in the history of the organization took place in January 2020, when the Show welcomed 115,888 members and industry professionals and more than 7,000 brands. The show also hosted 350 professional development sessions, numerous live events, networking opportunities and concerts each evening on the Grand Plaza, as presented by Yamaha.

With the move of The 2022 NAMM Show to June, the organization has decided not to hold Summer NAMM in Nashville, Tennessee, for the 2022 year, effectively combining the two shows.

On Friday, January 21, the organization will host a one-day global livestreamed event: Believe in Music: The online global gathering to unify and support the people who bring music to the world. Building on the success of this year’s Believe in Music week, the livestreamed event will again welcome leaders across the industry, music educators, and music makers to connect in a live, online setting and take part in sessions and experiences. In total, 2021’s Believe in Music week welcomed 93,226 industry professionals and attendees from 187 countries and territories to support those who bring music to the world through nearly $500,000 in charitable donations made by participants and generous donors. Read the release here: https://www.namm.org/news/press-releases/believe-music-week-online-global-gathering-unify

Additional details of The 2022 NAMM Show and Believe in Music day will be released in the weeks to come. Please visit NAMM.org or follow the conversation on social media with #NAMMShow for the latest news. To learn about the health and safety measures that will be put in place to help reunite our industry, please visit our Safe and Sound site: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2022/safe-and-sound.

JERRY CANTRELL ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

HIS NEW LP, BRIGHTEN
OUT ON OCTOBER 29, 2021

TOUR BEGINS MARCH 24, 2022

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
(BEGINNING FRIDAY, AUGUST 27 10:00 AM LOCAL TIME)
WATCH THE TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT HERE

LISTEN TO FIRST SONG FROM BRIGHTEN: “ATONE”
WATCH THE VIDEO
PRE SAVE LINK ​​ https://hoo.be/jerrycantrell

Photo Credit: Jonathan Weiner

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, and Alice In Chains co-founder Jerry Cantrell today announces a North American tour beginning on
March 24, 2022 in support of his soon to be released album Brighten. Tickets are on sale Friday, August 27 at 10:00 AM local time.

The upcoming tour follows the release of his first song from Brighten, “Atone”, which was met with praise from fans and critics. Rolling Stone writer Jon Blistein said, “Atone” is a heavy track, although it’s undergirded by a sinister twang while the guitar riffs hit with grit and menace, as well as a bit of psychedelic unease. “Running out of time,” Cantrell wails right before the hook, “Gotta find a way to atone/Gotta find a way to atone/Trying to find a way to atone.”

Jerry’s expansive sonic palette incorporates everything from moments of moody organ and powerful pedal steel to the cathartic choruses and airtight riffs which is the hallmark of Cantrell’s sound.

The tour kicks off at the legendary First Avenue in Minneapolis and will wind its way across the country hitting major cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, NY, Philadelphia, Seattle and Los Angeles to name a few. See full tour routing below.

Tickets for the Brighten Tour are available via Ticketmaster and wherever tickets are sold.

Over the past year, Jerry co-produced Brighten with film composer Tyler Bates [300, John Wick] and long-time Engineer Paul Fig. Reflecting a classic spirit, they welcomed a dynamic cast of supporting players, including drummers Gil Sharone and Abe Laboriel, Jr. (Paul McCartney), Duff McKagan [Guns N’ Roses, Loaded] on select bass tracks, Greg Puciato [Dillinger Escape Plan] handling all of the backing vocals along with Lola Bates, pedal steel master Michael Rozon, Vincent Jones on piano, Wurlitzer, and organ, Jordan Lewis on piano, Matias Ambrogi-Torres on strings, and Joe Barresi [Tool, Queens of the Stone Age] overseeing the mixing of Brighten.

Brighten is available for pre-order and will be offered in an exclusive bone with gold splatter color 180 gram vinyl via Jerry’s webstore. CDs are also available in the webstore for pre-order. Pre-order and pre-save—HERE.

JERRY CANTRELL 2022 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

Thu-Mar-24 Minneapolis First Avenue
Sat-Mar-26 Chicago The Vic Theatre
Mon-Mar-28 Detroit St. Andrews Hall
Tue-Mar-29 Toronto History
Thu-Mar-31 Pittsburgh Roxian Theatre
Sat-Apr-02 Atlantic City Music Box @ Borgata
Sun-Apr-03 Philadelphia Theatre of Living Arts
Tue-Apr-05 New York Irving Plaza
Wed-Apr-06 Boston Big Night Live
Fri-Apr-08 Baltimore Rams Head Live
Sat-Apr-09 Raleigh The Ritz
Sun-Apr-10 Charlotte Fillmore
Tue-Apr-12 Orlando House of Blues
Wed-Apr-13 St. Petersburg Jannus Live
Fri-Apr-15 Atlanta Tabernacle
Sun-Apr-17 Nashville Ryman Auditorium
Tue-Apr-19 New Orleans Fillmore
Thu-Apr-21 Dallas House of Blues
Fri-Apr-22 San Antonio Aztec Theatre
Sat-Apr-23 Houston House of Blues
Mon-Apr-25 Oklahoma City Diamond Ballroom
Wed-Apr-27 Denver The Summit
Thu-Apr-28 Salt Lake City The Depot
Sun-May-01 Portland Roseland Theater
Mon-May-02 Seattle Moore Theatre
Wed-May-04 Sacramento Ace of Spades
Thu-May-05 Los Angeles Belasco Theatre
Sat-May-07 Las Vegas House of Blues
Sun-May-08 San Diego House of Blues

Brighten Track List
Atone
Brighten
Prism of Doubt
Black Hearts and Evil Done
Siren Song
Had To Know
Nobody Breaks You
Dismembered
Goodbye

The Cast of Players on Brighten
Jerry Cantrell – Guitar, bass, vocals, keys
Greg Puciato – Backing vocals
Duff McKagan – Bass
Gil Sharone – Drums
Abe Laboriel Jr. – Drums
Tyler Bates – Strings, percussion, guitar
Vincent Jones – Piano, keys, & strings
Jordan Lewis – Piano
Michael Rozon – Pedal steel
Lola Bates – Backing vocals
Matias Ambrogi-Torres – Strings

AARON LEWIS ANNOUNCES FALL TOUR WITH FULL BAND BEGINNING OCTOBER 2

NEW SINGLE “AM I THE ONLY ONE” DEBUTS #1

BILLBOARD HOT COUNTRY SONGS CHART

Platinum recording artist, Aaron Lewis has announced a Fall tour beginning October 2 through mid-December.

Unlike his other solo acoustic tours, Aaron will be performing with a full band.

Artist presale tickets will be available Wednesday July 21 @ 10:00am local time. General public Friday July 23 @ 10:00am local time. To purchase tickets visit www.AaronLewisMusic.com 

Earlier this month Aaron dropped a new single, “Am I The Only One” from his forthcoming album, to be released later this year.The single debuted #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart,  #2 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales and #14 on the Hot 100. The track also drew 4 million U.S. streams in the tracking week. Buy/stream “Am I The Only One” HERE

Throughout his more than two-decade career, whether topping the charts as front man of hard rock band Staind, or as No.1 artist on the Country charts as a solo artist, Aaron Lewis has always been painfully honest in his music.

“That’s all I’ve ever done,” says Aaron. “My songs have always been me wearing my heart, emotions, misfortunes and sins on my sleeve. I don’t feel like it would be genuine or worthy if it wasn’t.”

You can also see Aaron this summer with his multi-platinum hard rock band, Staind on tour with KoRn. Tour dates & ticket info HERE 

Aaron Lewis Band 2021 Fall Tour Dates:

10/2     Inman, KS @ 365 Sports Complex

10/7     Grand Prairie, TX @ Texas Trust CU Theatre

10/8    Lake Charles, LA @ Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino*

10/15  Salamanca, NY @ Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino*

10/17   Charleston, WV @ Municipal Auditorium*

10/21  Aurora, IL @ The Piazza

10/22  Kansas City, MO @ Ameristar Casino*

10/23  Prior Lake, MN @ Mystic Lake Casino

10/28  Sault Ste Marie, MI @ Kewadin Casino

10/29  New Buffalo, MI @ Four Winds Casino Resort

10/30  Florence, IN @ Belterra Casino Resort

11/3    Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Event Center

11/6    Atlantic City, NJ @ Ocean Resort & Casino*

11/20  Charles Town, WV @ Hollywood Casino

11/21  Charles Town, WV @ Hollywood Casino

12/3    Scottsdale, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort

12/5    Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Casino

12/11   Rochester, WA @ Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel **

12/12   Rochester, WA @ Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel ** 

*Tickets already on-sale

**Public on-sale date TBD

For tickets and further info go to: www.AaronLewisMusic.com  

GWAR Announces Scumdogs 30th Anniversary Tour!!!

Human Scum, have you received your 5G chip implan-…we mean ‘vaccine’ yet? Now that you’ve gotten your shot in the arm, GWAR will give you a shot in the mouth (of spew) this fall as they return to the road in North America. The first part of the “Scumdogs 30th Anniversary Tour” will kick off September 16th with a show in the band’s adopted hometown of Richmond, VA and will run through September 19th in Pittsburgh, PA and also includes a stop at RiotFest. This tour will see GWAR playing the “Scumdogs of the Universe” record in its entirety. Support on the headline shows will come from Madball and Eyehategod. The band then returns to the road October 28th in Norfolk, VA and will criss-cross this mudball planet through December 13th in Washington, DC. Support will come from the legendary Napalm Death and again EyehategodGWAR will also make an appearance at this year’s “Welcome to Rockville” festival. A complete list of tour dates can be found below. Pre-sales start tomorrow June 17th and the general on-sale is this Friday June 18th.

We’ve been saving it up, and we are ready to explode all over the face of this nation with a dazzling flood of chaotic shock rock load. But don’t even try to come to a show on this tour unless you are unvaccinated, covid positive and willing to submit to an enthusiastic rectal temperature check at the hands of our degenerate road crew,” says lead throat thing The Berserker Blóthar

GWAR’s latest release “The Disc With No Name” EP is completely sold out, so you’re fucked, but don’t fret, you can still hear it online HERE.

Don’t forget to drink GWAR’s Ragnarök Rye and smoke “The Bud of Gods” CBD Line

Tour Dates:

$ – with Madball / Eyehategod supporting

x – with Napalm Death / Eyehategod supporting

# – Festival

9/16/21 – Richmond, VA – The National $

9/17/21 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall $

9/18/21 – Chicago, IL – RiotFest @ Douglas Park #

9/19/21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls $

10/28/21 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa x

10/29/21 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium x

10/30/21 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall x

10/31/21 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza x

11/1/21 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage x

11/2/21 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom x    

11/4/21 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave x

11/5/21 – Detroit, MI – Crofoot Ballroom x

11/6/21 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue x

11/7/21 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues x

11/8/21 – Toronto, ON – The Opera House x

11/10/21 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel x

11/11/21 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts x

11/12/21 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade x

11/13/21 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville #    

11/15/21 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live x

11/16/21 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Bar & Grill x

11/18/21 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater x

11/19/21 – Tuscon, AZ – The Rialto x

11/20/21 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues x

11/21/21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco Theater x

11/22/21 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom x

11/23/21 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater x

11/24/21 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory x

11/26/21 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brewhouse x

11/27/21 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory x

11/28/21 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom x

11/30/21 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SODO x

12/1/21 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom x

12/3/21 – Calgary, AB – MacEwan Hall x

12/4/21 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Bar x

12/6/21 – Billings, MT – Pub Station x   

12/7/21 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater x

12/8/21 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater x

12/9/21 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue x

12/10/21 – Lincoln, NE – The Bourbon Theatre x

12/11/21 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s x   

12/13/21 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club x

Party Icon ANDREW W.K. Announces Upcoming Fifth Full-Length Rock Album

“God Is Partying” out September 10, 2021, via Napalm Records

Watch the New Music Video for ANDREW W.K.’s Most Intense Single Yet,
“I’m In Heaven”HERE

Pre-Order God Is Partying HERE
 
North American Tour Dates Announced – Learn More HERE

Hark, disciples of partying – the long wait is finally over! Napalm Records and ANDREW W.K. are thrilled to announce the impending release of the iconic Party God’s fifth full-length studio rock album, God Is Partying. The long-awaited nine track opus of maximalist rock grandeur is set for release on September 10, 2021.
 
Hovering in the fluorescent spotlight of his legendary party power, God Is Partying sees ANDREW W.K. ransack the corners of the human psyche, reaching a triumphant apex in his catalog, 20 years after the release of his chart-topping 2001 full-length debut, I Get Wet. Emotive yet steadfast, ominous yet invigorating, God Is Partying embraces both the break-ups and break-downs of life, and ANDREW W.K. once again provides his audience with the perfect soundtrack to celebrate life in all its perplexing and euphoric intensity.
 
Today, audiences can experience another early serving from the album, in the form of ANDREW W.K.’s latest single, the structurally unconventional and atmospherically unnerving, “I’m In Heaven”, alongside an equally idiosyncratic new music video. As the follow up to the colossal sonic success of the recently released “Babalon”“I’m In Heaven” offers a refreshingly dissonant and weighty dose of what’s to come on God Is Partying.
 
Phem C. Palmer, the director of “I’m In Heaven”, discusses how they constructed the video’s visual language:
“A secret is no longer a secret if it isn’t being kept, and this is how we approached the spirit of meaning as it applies to the non-diegetic sound images in the ‘I’m In Heaven’ video.”
Watch the official music video for “I’m In Heaven” HERE

Showcasing his indisputable musicality, God Is Partying features ANDREW W.K. performing all the album’s instruments, in addition to co-producing the album with his long-time recording partner, Grammy Award-winning engineer, Ted Young.
 
Channeling the manic euphoria that has compelled ANDREW W.K.’s auditory insignia for decades, God Is Partying is soaked with a flood of epic energy – often traversing seemingly impenetrable lyrical themes while remaining refreshingly relatable, inspiring, and vital for survival. From sinister metallic bastions like the buzzing single “Babalon”, to the timeless story telling of “Remember Your Oath”, the album will have fans embracing their own party power and reveling in the depths of musical euphoria. God Is Partying opens triumphantly with ANDREW W.K.’s hyper-melodic keyboard stylings introducing the menacing and magical music of “Everybody Sins”, perfectly setting the scene for the dramatic immensity to follow. Tracks like the poetic, “No One To Know”, and the soaring tension of “Stay True To Your Heart”, transport the listener to the precipice of a paradoxically infinite sonic horizon – rising into synthesizer-infused epics of mega-jumbo rock music, each track showcasing another example of ANDREW W.K.’s expanding abilities as a vocalist and songwriter. Only halfway through the album is the listener driven directly into fiery depths with the massive track, “I’m In Heaven”, before ascending back up and into the sonic stratosphere with the tracks “My Tower” and the album’s gargantuan closer, “And Then We Blew Apart”God Is Partying is a true ode to the quiddity of ANDREW W.K.

Pre-Order God Is Partying HERE

God Is Partying tracklisting:*
1) Everybody Sins
2) Babalon
3) No One To Know
4) Stay True To Your Heart
5) Goddess Partying
6) I’m In Heaven
7) Remember Your Oath
8) My Tower
9) And Then We Blew Apart
 
*Various formats will include additional bonus tracks “I Made It” and “Not Anymore”.
 
God Is Partying will be available in North America in the following formats:
-1CD Jewelcase
-1LP Gatefold White + Poster
-1LP Gatefold Turquoise Transparent + Poster
-1LP Gatefold Marbled Transparent / Dark Green + Poster (Napalm Worldwide Mailorder only – limited to 800)
– 1LP Gatefold Marbled Red Transparent / Black + Poster (ANDREW W.K. store only)
-Digital Album

his just in – ANDREW W.K. will bring his party of positivity on the road this fall! Beginning on Friday, September 10 in Los Angeles, CA, the tour will traverse several major cities before ending on the east coast on Friday, September 24 in Philadelphia, PA. See below for all confirmed tour dates and visit https://andrewwk.com/tour for more information.

ANDREW W.K. 2021 US Tour Dates:
9/10 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom
9/11 – San Francisco, CA – Bimbo’s 365
9/13 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
9/14 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
9/19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Spirit Hall
9/21 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
9/22 – Boston, MA – Royale
9/23 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
9/24 – Philadelphia, PA – The Theatre Of The Living Arts
9/26 – Birmingham, AL – Furnace Fest (**festival date)

Gibson: Announces Partnership with Dave Mustaine

New Mustaine Collection Will Span Electric and Acoustic Guitars Across Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer

For 127 years, Gibson has shaped sound across generations and genres of music, becoming one of the most relevant, played, and loved guitar brands around the world. Gibson is proud to officially announce a new partnership with Dave Mustaine, the legendary guitarist, vocalistsongwriter, and GRAMMY®-winning founder and leader of Megadeth who joins Gibson as a Brand Ambassador.  The new Dave Mustaine Collection will span acoustic and electric guitars across Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer. 

Dave will join the Gibson Artist Alliance–a forum which includes legendary musicians, innovative movers and shakers, and new talent–to share in thought leadership, research & development, mentorship of the next generation of players, as well as philanthropic endeavors. In addition to the Dave Mustaine CollectionDave will be featured in original content and special projects across Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer. 

“One of first albums I ever bought was Kiss Alive. On the back of that LP was the Gibson logo, followed by ‘Kiss uses Gibson Guitars because they want the best’. Period,” says Dave Mustaine. “Years later, I’m still that same fan, but now I’ve been playing, touring, writing, and performing around the world myself, and I can say that I could not agree more with that statement. As I was looking for a change in my guitars, I met with Cesar and got his perspective on the vision and direction Gibson is taking. I saw passion, respect for the instruments, a focus on quality and a company that is led by guitar players. I feel I am finally at home with Gibson and I am proud of what we’re building together. I can’t wait for the world to get their hands on the new Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer Dave Mustaine Collection guitars. This is a dream come true for me, don’t #@!# wake me up.” 

“It’s an honor to welcome icon, pioneer and visionary musician Dave Mustaine to the Gibson family as our brand ambassador”, said Cesar Gueikian of Gibson Brands. “Dave is one of the most influential metal icons and riff lords of all time, having paved the way for multiple generations of players to carry the flag for hard rock and heavy metal, from riff writers to shredders and everyone in between. Working with Dave is especially gratifying because he is a guitar nerd like me, who gets involved in every aspect of the development of the concepts and ideas we have been designing with him at the Gibson Lab. When I was as kid learning how to play guitar, I aspired to play Dave’s riffs and I was one of the fortunate fans who attended their Youthanasia Tour concert at Estadio Obras Sanitarias in 1994, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the ‘Aguante Megadeth’ chant was born over the song Symphony of Destruction. That was an epic night that I will never forget. I look forward to bringing this partnership to life and unveiling the first stages of the Dave Mustaine Collection to the world.” 
Watch and share the new interview with Dave Mustaine and Cesar Gueikian of GibsonHERE.

Following is a sampling of prototypes for the new Dave Mustaine Collection below:

ANDREW W.K. Announces Colossal New Single: “Babalon”

Special Limited Edition 7” on Colored Vinyl Available for Pre-Order NOW

Inimitable God of Partying, ANDREW W.K., and the entire team at Napalm Records, are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of the colossal new ANDREW W.K. single entitled, “Babalon”, available to pre-order now in a limited edition 7” colored vinyl format! The track (which marks ANDREW W.K.’s Napalm Records debut, and its first musical output since the release of 2018’s You’re Not Alone), will be unleashed to the world both physically and digitally on February 17, 2021, along with a gripping new music video. 
 
The aforementioned limited edition “Babalon” 7” vinyl single, available in an eye-catching red/blue split variant, will also include a B-side instrumental track, entitled “The Party Gods”, as well as a pair of 3D glasses autographed by ANDREW W.K. Get yours now – only 393 copies are available worldwide!
 
Mario Dane, who worked extensively on the new music, added the following:
“We’re all very happy about this brand new ‘Babalon’ song. It’s the result of a great labor, a great restraint, and a lot of great people dreaming. ANDREW W.K. has always been focused on making dream feelings come true, and this feels like a high point in that ongoing effort. There’s a lot of great energy and enthusiasm, and it’s only just begun…”
Pre-order the limited edition “Babalon” 7” single HERE

Stay tuned for more exciting music news from ANDREW W.K. 

KRAMER ANNOUNCES ORIGINAL, MODERN, AND ARTIST COLLECTIONS FOR 2021

KRAMER: MADE TO ROCK HARD

KRAMER, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand has been setting trends with a legacy of premium, performance-focused instruments since it was first launched in 1976. Made for rule-breakers that play fast and loud, KRAMER has been embraced by legendary rockers and shredders like Eddie Van Halen, Vivian CampbellRichie Sambora, Elliot Easton, and Mick Mars and more during the height of the metal era in the 1980s–a period when it was the most popular guitar brand in the world. KRAMER’s innovative approach and unwavering commitment to performance spans entry-level and intermediate guitars, to professional offerings, across the entire line and continue to make KRAMER instruments the choice of today’s hard rock and metal legends. 

New for 2021, KRAMER debuts the new Artist Collection featuring collaborations with Snake Sabo (Baretta), Charlie Parra (Vanguard), and Tracii Guns (Gunstar Voyager), with more collaborations to come throughout the year. From its iconic models and legendary artist collaborations to the Original and Modern CollectionsKRAMER is back. “We leveled-up with our Kramer re-birth and new focus, giving hard rock and heavy metal shredders what they wanted,” says Cesar Gueikian of Gibson. “This is just the beginning for Kramer, we have big plans for the brand’s future, starting with these exciting collections and collaborations plus a few more we will be announcing throughout 2021.” 

KRAMER Artist Collection:Artist Collection guitar specs: HERE. 

The Snake Sabo Baretta is the premier signature model from Skid Row’s Snake Sabo. Inspired by his favorite road guitar, the Snake Sabo Baretta features a replica graphic commissioned by Sabo and created by legendary KRAMER artist Dennis Kline. The Snake Sabo Baretta features a new Kramer 85-T™ Double Black Open Coil Humbucker™ that was designed by Gibson™ USA Luthier Jim DeCola, a K-SpeedSlimTaper™ neck with jumbo frets, a Floyd Rose® 1000 bridge system, and a EVH® D-Tuna® Drop D Tuning System. 

“I’m so proud that the Kramer brand has been resurrected by Gibson and humbled by the fact that they’ve allowed me to be a part of it,” says Snake Sabo. “The Snake Baretta started out as a simple idea 35 years ago and played such a big part in our formative years. Now Kramer has kindly released it as a limited edition. I’m so proud and honored to be part of the Gibson and Kramer family. I hope everyone enjoys this guitar as much as I have since it was first made in 1985.”

The Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager is ready to rock and marks the first KRAMER signature model for pioneering L.A. Guns guitarist. The Gunstar Voyager features a star-shaped mahogany Voyager body with a black metallic finish and flame graphics, a 3-piece set maple neck with a Slim C profile and a classic KRAMER pointy headstock with a Kramer Pyramid logo on the front and a chrome wrench holder on the back, two Epiphone™ ProBucker™ pickups, each with its own volume control and coil-splitting push / pull switch for broad tonal flexibility, and a Floyd Rose 1000 series tremolo and a top mounted R2 Locking Nut and Chrome string retainer bar. 

“I play the guitars my heroes play, and those guitars are Gibson’s,” says Tracii Guns from L.A. Guns. “As the future has arrived now, I have designed the ultimate metal guitar with Kramer guitars loudly and proudly called the Kramer Gunstar Voyager for my shredding friends. Made To Metal!!!”

The Charlie Parra Vanguard is the second KRAMER signature model from the Peruvian metal master. Featuring a mahogany body, 3-piece satin-finished maple neck, bound ebony fretboard with 22 jumbo frets, dot inlays with 12th fret Day of the Dead owl, a single chrome knurled master volume control and 3-way pickup selector switch mounted on a satin aluminum pickguard, EMG™ 57 and 66 pickups with chrome covers, a recessed output jack on the upper horn, and a LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic™ bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece. Charlie Parra’s signature is engraved on the truss rod cover, and his Vanguard is finished in Candy Apple Red Gloss

“I’m so humbled and honored to be part of the Gibson family as their first South American signature artist thanks to the comeback of Kramer,” says Charlie Parra. “This limited-edition Kramer Vanguard honors the classic 80s look and vibe with a twist of modern hardware, 24 fret madness and full access cutaway. I hope guitar players everywhere enjoy this instrument that may look tough, and heavy, but plays really smooth!”

Watch and share the new KRAMER signature artist panel featuring Tracii Guns, Snake Sabo, Charlie Parra and host Mark AgnesiDirector of Brand Experience at Gibson Brands: HERE.

KRAMER Original Collection:Original Collection guitar specs: HERE. 

The KRAMER heads back to basics with the Original Collection of guitars which capture the look and feel of the original shredder guitar. Utilizing the best tone woods, components, neck profiles, and iconic body shapes, these guitars take players back in time to experience guitars made famous by legendary guitar heroes. The new Original Collection which includes the Baretta Special, and Focus VT -211S which are some of the most influential guitars in rock history and designed for new players to discover KRAMER at an affordable price. Crossing over into the higher-end rock classics, KRAMER brings in the Jersey StarPacerSM-1NightSwanThe 84, the Baretta and all of the iconic models that changed the guitar world forever. 

KRAMER Modern Collection:Modern Collection guitar specs: HERE. 

The KRAMER Modern Collection add a present-day twist on killer classic designs. Be on the lookout for guitars with new neck-to-body joints, contemporary hardware and tremolo options, cutting-edge pickups and electronic options for a wider range of tonal possibilities, and other options geared toward players that want to launch into hyperspace all with the Kramer DNA intact. KRAMER’sModern Collection features innovative design with classic lines including the Assault 220, Assault PlusNite-VNite-V Plus, and KRAMER’s premier bass, the D-1 Bass and more.