Band of Susans was a noise-rock institution of the New York scene back in the 80s. Spawning five full-length albums, the band was big on guitar buzz and drone, much of which oozed from the amps of Robert Poss. After the band parted ways in 1995, Poss performed with others and eventually released a pair of solo albums in 2002 – Distortion Is Truth and a companion record – Crossing Casco Bay. Rich with experimental sounds and improvisation, both teemed with the left-of-center guitar genius he had nurtured throughout the years. WTDP? recently caught up with Poss, whom producer Steve Albini once called ‘an enormously underrated guitar theorist’, to talk about his music and love for gear.
Michigan-based hard rock outfit Taproot has returned to the scene with a new record company – Chicago’s Victory Records – and a new CD… Plead The Fifth, but the same mix of heavy riffing and melody that has become the band’s calling card since 2000’s Gift. The band parted ways with major label Atlantic in 2006 and returned to Michigan to regroup and cut an indie release, Our Long Road Home. Now, back on a label, the band is winding down a US tour in the midwest. WTDP? had a chance for a quick Q&A with guitarist Michael DeWolf to talk a little history, the new CD and his gear.
Confused? Don’t be. This Is The Good Fight (yes, that is the name of the band!) is the brain-child of Aaron Peña – a Dallas-based songwriter packing folk style acoustic riffage with modern pop sensibilities. Aaron has a new EP – Dear Anonymous – out now and has launched his first tour with a full band in tow. The Cross Your Fingers Tour kicked off in the spring and currently has the boys making their way across the Midwest. WTDP? recently caught up with Aaron at a special Hot Topic in-store performance to talk about the new release, his song writing process and, of course, his gear.
One of these days, WTDP? Radio is going to run on a set schedule… one of these days! For now, you’ll just have to bear with us and take them as they come. How does today work for you? Good… because here it is! This time around we’ve got songs from Sweet Apple, Drive-By Truckers, Philip Sayce, Sevendust and a special bonus… just for you. Sound groovy? We hope so. If you have any ideas you want to float past us regarding potential artists to showcase on upcoming shows, let us know! But for now, grab a cold beverage, sit back, relax and press play below!
WTDP? Radio #4 (feat. Sweet Apple, Drive-By Truckers, Philip Sayce and Sevendust)
Source Audio’s Will Cady penned an interesting origin story on the company’s Soundblox Classic Distortion stomp recently… so interesting that we want to share it with you. For the unfamiliar, the Classic Distortion is Source Audio’s ‘take’ on several dirt/fuzz pedals from year’s past including the Big Muff, Rat and Tone Bender among others. We haven’t had the good fortune to test drive the pedal ourselves, but we’ve seen and heard it demoed live and in-person… and it is the goods! We are looking forward to catching up with the Source Audio crew later this month at Summer NAMM. For now, Will’s words start after the jump!
Pedal effects aren’t just for guitars anymore… and haven’t been for some time. While traditionally lined up at the feet of your favorite six-string slinger, nowadays you are just as likely to see them atop an alt-rockers keyboard or in front of a jam-band’s bass player. With the new order of things in mind, we recently had a great conversation with pianist Marco Benevento. A self-labeled rocker at heart, the New Jersey-born Benevento does some stellar stuff via a unique acoustic piano rig and a barrage of circuit bent delights. He’s just back from an East Coast swing in support of the newly-released ‘Between The Needles And Nightfall’. Our talk revolved around his rig, the new record and playing with the groove-tastic supergroup Garage A Trois.
Here is a new wrinkle to the ‘Your Mileage May Vary’ reviews you all are used to seeing from us. Our friends at Electro-Harmonix (2009 WTDP? Builder of the Year) sent us a whole mess of pedals recently that were going to take a while to work through in traditional review form… so we decided to do something a little unique. We wanted to hear these stomps in their natural habitat – a song! So, we present to you the first (of possibly many) WTDP? ‘test drive compositions’ – I’m Electro-Harmonic! Every guitar tone in this tune is generated from an EHX pedal starting from the ground up with the 22 Caliber acting as the amp! Check out the world premiere video after the jump!
He’s not really a newcomer, but a lot of folks don’t know his name. He’s played with the likes of Jeff Healey and more recently Melissa Etheridge… and there are clips out on the ‘net where his tasty playing has made the likes of Jon Bon Jovi do a double-take. His name is Philip Sayce… and if you don’t know him now, you will soon enough. He a shining star in the next batch of blues rock guitar heroes. He just had a new album, Innerevolution, come out in Europe. Prior to leaving for a tour of the EU, he agreed to chat with WTDP? about the new record, his music philosophies and his gear.
Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery has traveled a twisted, rocky path from the early success of his band, to his eventual departure, and ultimately his return. He’s battled both personal and musical demons that have thankfully lead him back to this point. Later this month, Sevendust will release ‘Cold Day Memory’ – their first record with Clint since 2003’s Seasons. The new effort is vintage Sevendust – soaring, biting vocals over battering ram riffage that never compromises melody for muscle. WTDP? had a chance to catch up with Clint, who is on the road with the band, and chat a bit about the past, the new album and his gear.
Tim Parnin is the other guitar player in J Mascis’ new band Sweet Apple. The group’s debut album, ‘Love and Desperation’ is due out on 20 April, with Mascis on drums… though he did do some lead guitar work on it. The main rhythm tracks were all Parnin and frontman John Petkovic, who prior to this played together in Ohio glam/punk band Cobra Verde. Last month’s SXSW festival in Austin hosted the band’s very first gigs. WTDP? was able to get a few minutes with Parnin after the band’s set at Waterloo Records to talk about the new album, working with J, and his gear.
Georgia’s Drive-By Truckers bring a guitar-fuelled edge to their unique brand of Southern story-telling on their new CD, The Big To-Do. Released earlier this month, the 13-track effort is easily their most rockin’ in years as is evident from tunes like ‘Birthday Boy’ and the lead track ‘Daddy Learned To Fly’. On the second night of the SXSW 2010 music festival, WTDP? had the chance to sit down with guitarist Mike Cooley at Stubb’s BBQ. Cooley polished off a late lunch then joined us in the bar area to share stories about the Truckers’ new record, the Truckers’ other new record and his touring gear.
Brooklyn-based trio Earl Greyhound delivered one of our favorite albums of 2006 with the retro-rock and 70’s swagger of Soft Targets. Now, the band is back and is set to deliver their second full-length effort – Suspicious Package – on April 13 through their own Hawk Race label. The new album is a natural progression from Soft Targets with bassist Kamara Thomas taking a bit more of the vocal role. All of the vibe and attitude from the debut remains on the sophomore disc. WTDP? got a change to play Q&A with Earl Greyhound frontman/guitarist Matt Whyte recently to get the low down on the new album and his touring guitar rig.
New Jersey-based The Dillinger Escape Plan is set to release its first album in almost three years later this month when Option Paralysis hits the streets on the 23rd. The new record is a healthy mix of vintage DEP – ladened with intricate guitar lines and battering ram vocals – and a fresh, more melodic side. One thing new to the Dillinger recording arsenal is the addition of guitarist Jeff Tuttle. Tuttle has been with the band since before the 2007 Ire Works release, but Option Paralysis is his first time recording with the band. WTDP? caught up with Tuttle recently to talk about the new DEP record, his gear spread and his dream tone!
New York-based Cymbals Eat Guitars had a hit on their hands last year with the release of Why There Are Mountains – a nine-track sonic assault that garnered praise far and wide and landed on several critics’ best lists. It was released early in 2009, then re-released late in the year after the band was signed to Sister’s Den Records. The collection is filled with urgent pop swells and dives courtesy of singer/guitarist Joseph D’Agostino. WTDP? was able to track down Joseph and keyboardist Brian Hamilton recently for a little Q&A session. The boys chimed in from Italy, a stop on the current European tour, to talk about their music, their gear and Brian’s pedal company!
Sweden’s The Soundtrack Of Our Lives is over a year removed from the release of its ambitious double-album Communion, but the sextet now is bringing their raucous road show to the US for some select dates during the second half of this month. Communion is a brilliant collection of 24 songs that run the gamut of emotion – from happy to hapless, sorrow to insanity and back again. WTDP? had a chance to catch up with frontman Ebbot Lundberg and guitarists Ian Person and Mattias Bärjed to talk a bit about the album, a new EP, their writing process and, of course, their gear.
Band of Susans was a noise-rock institution of the New York scene back in the 80s. Spawning five full-length albums, the band was big on guitar buzz and drone, much of which oozed from the amps of Robert Poss. After the band parted ways in 1995, Poss performed with others and eventually released a pair of solo albums in 2002 – Distortion Is Truth and a companion record – Crossing Casco Bay. Rich with experimental sounds and improvisation, both teemed with the left-of-center guitar genius he had nurtured throughout the years. WTDP? recently caught up with Poss, whom producer Steve Albini once called ‘an enormously underrated guitar theorist’, to talk about his music and love for gear.
