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.

Well, if you’ve seen the Contests page lately you know we spent a little time with the Arc Angels recently. The boys played two nights this past weekend in Austin to help commemorate the 35th Anniversary of iconic blues bar Antone’s. We saw the band last year when they came through Houston at the House of Blues, but didn’t get very good gear shots. Well, let’s remedy that! Take a look at some photos from the show after the jump… and after that, click on over the Contests page and enter to win the Prescription Electronics COB pedal signed by Charlie and Doyle!

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.

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.

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.

Alabama’s Jason Isbell carries a pretty impressive resume around for someone just north of 30 years old. He played with Georgia alt-rock stalwarts Drive-By Truckers for the better part of six years. After leaving the band in 2007, he cranked out his first solo record… then in 2009 released Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – a solid collection packed with sad melodies laced with resilience and hope. The follow up was lauded – see Rolling Stone, Vintage Guitar, etc… – as one of the best albums of the year. High praise for a band named for a mental treatment facility in Florence, Alabama. WTDP? had a chance to catch up with Isbell to talk about the album, his gear and the future.

Boutique pedal guru Brian Wampler had what we’d assume was a pretty good meeting with country artist and pedal hound Brad Paisley last week. We weren’t there, but that fact that Paisley now has three Wampler effects in his rig tells the story. Paisley now has an Underdog Overdrive, AnalogEcho and Ego Compressor to fuel his Dr Z-charged Tele tones. Paisley will be coming through town in March as part of the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo line-up. Brian was nice enough to send us some fresh pics of Brad’s updated rig. Take a look at the shots after the jump!

Chicago instrumental rockers Russian Circles invaded Houston’s Rudyards Pub last weekend with a headlining set jammed with effects-laden loops and dense sonic swirl. The band is touring in support of its just released ‘Geneva’ album, which adds some grander arrangements – including string sections – than on previous records. Led by guitarist Michael Sullivan, Russian Circles ripped though a good mix of old and new tunes in front of a packed house with little vocal interaction with the crowd and no visible set list. As expected, packed pedal boards were on full display. Check out some gear shots from the show after the jump!