NAMM | Music Junkie Press

Best Pedals From NAMM 2020

October 5, 2020

Every year, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) puts up the most awaited music gear and equipment promotion event in America. This year is no different. And it’s been an especially awesome year for effects pedal-hogging guitarists. So, let’s take a closer look at some of the best pedals NAMM featured at the start of 2020. Nobels ODR-1 VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcwJ94ejw_c This beloved overdrive pedal needs no introduction. As Tonebox’s Nobels ODR-1 review notes, the pedal is already world-famous for its natural, tube amp-sounding overdrive and high dynamic sensitivity. For that reason, the German makers of the now-classic effect unit improved on it in the only way they could. The overdrive pedal now comes with an internal Bass Cut switch, which gives it even more tonal range over the low end that it had before – as if guitarists needed any more reasons to put the Nobels ODR-1 on their pedalboards. As any session musician will tell you, there’s nothing better than a feature you didn’t know you needed until it was put there. It’s a useful improvement that [Read More]

NAMM FEATURE: Interview with Spencer Krasch as he takes you on a rock n roll journey with his new music!

February 17, 2020

One of our favorite rock n rollers has released his debut solo album and it is a must have! We are talking about Spencer Krasch and we have loved him for years with Delta Rose. He is now ready to take over your playlist with his new solo album, Woolly Mammoth. We had a chance to chat with Spencer at NAMM last month and you can check it out here: You can head over here and pick up the new album. You will have it cranked up loud in no time. What is awesome about this album? It speaks to music lovers across genre lines. Spencer brings to life a bit of his musical influences as well as his own personal style and delivers new music that will have you hooked from the start. The album kicks right off with one of our favorite songs, the hell-bent smoking track Outlaw Nowadays. The title track Woolly Mammoth is catchy as fu@k from start to finish. You will find yourself singing along and moving around in no time. [Read More]

NAMM FEATURE: Introducing our spotlight band, ORCHAD

February 13, 2020

We had the opportunity to catch up with ORCHAD at this year’s NAMM Convention. They are gearing up for the release of new music and they are well on their way to being a band to watch out for. The new alt-rock band features Vocalist Julian Hannus and Lead Guitarist Justyn Vynn. Each have a deep musical background and together they have created a sound and style that is new and riveting, all the while highlighting their musical influences and honing their own addictive sound. They are determined to break down genre walls as their music will garner praise from pop, rock, hip-hop and music fans in general. Check out our interview with them at NAMM: Make sure to visit their social media sites so you can stay up to date on their upcoming release of “Critically Ashamed”. We were lucky enough to hear it ahead of the release and we were truly blown away. They are bringing back your love of catchy alt-rock music that you will definitely want more of. Information & Links: [Read More]

NAMM Feature: Interview with Bay Area indie rockers, Life Size Models

February 6, 2020

NAMM NAMM always brings together a plethora of artists and musicians as the “Disneyland for musicians” takes over Southern California in January. We were excited to catch up with the Bay Area indie rockers, Life Size Models during our NAMM coverage. These guys are soon to take over your playlist as you get hooked on their addictive music that brings to life emotional and honest songwriting. We have always said how powerful music is and how it can heal, help, inspire and change. That is not only true for the listener but also for the musicians. Life Size Models is a great example of how the power of music has kept them going and they continue to follow their dreams. Life Size Models is: Vocals, Guitar: Chris Seymour Lead Guitar: Nick Miller Bass Guitar: Anthony Martos Rhythm Guitar: Stephen Seymour Drums: Chris Denn Interview Check out our interview here: The band continues to garner high praise for their recent release, Bayshore Freeway, a song which was written during their first co-writing session with [Read More]

Dimebash honoring “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott features All-Star Lineup during NAMM 2020

January 10, 2020

Additional All-Star Talent Announced For Dimebash Event Honoring “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott Will Feature Members Of Anthrax, Bad Wolves, Cypress Hill, Foo Fighters, Hatebreed, Hellyeah, In Flames, In This Moment, Lamb of God, Sepultura, Stone Sour, Testament & More Co-Hosted by SiriusXM’s Jose Mangin and Riki Rachtman Thursday, January 16 At The Observatory OC In Santa Ana, CA With Exclusive Artist & VIP Backstage Afterparty Featuring Dave Grohl’s BackBeat BBQ Limited Number Of Tickets Still Available Check out the latest news in regards to Dimebash! Additional talent has been announced for the upcoming Dimebash all-star jam tribute to “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, the late co-founder and guitarist of Pantera and Damageplan. Set for Thursday, January 16 at The Observatory OC in Santa Ana, California, the one-of-a-kind lineup will feature members of Accept, Act Of Defiance, Anthrax, Armored Saint, Bad Wolves, Bad Guys Wear Black, Broken Hope, Butcher Babies, Cody Jinks, Crowbar, Cypress Hill, Dylan Rose, Foo Fighters, Hatebreed, Hellyeah, In Flames, In This Moment, Iron Maidens, Kill Devil Hill, King Diamond, King’s X, Kyng, Lamb of God, Lita Ford, Pearl, Prong, Sebastian Bach, Sepultura, Stone Sour, The Haunted, Testament, Tyr and more surprise guests. The all-star jam will [Read More]

NAMM NEWS: Gibson will premiere The Slash Collection at Winter NAMM

January 9, 2020

Gibson announces history making new Slash Collection to premiere at Winter NAMM later this month. Check out the news below: NASHVILLE, TN (January 9, 2020) By leveraging its iconic past and leaning into an innovative future, Gibson has set the stage for the next era of shaping sound for present and future generations. The new Gibson celebrates the iconic models of Gibson’s Golden Era while leaning into the future with instruments that nurture new players across generations, genders and genres of music. A partnership that crosses over three decades, Gibson and Slash announced today, January 9, the release of the first-ever Slash Collection. In a history-making move for the brand, the Slash Collection will feature multiple acoustic and electric guitars. The new Slash Collection will officially premiere at the Gibson experience space, 3rd Floor, Ballroom A, during Winter NAMM2020 in Anaheim, CA (January 15-19). Slash and Gibson’s Luthiers worked in close collaboration with attention to the fine details at Gibson’s headquarters in Nashville, TN. The Gibson Slash Collection features fourLes Paul Standard electric guitarsand two J-45 Standard acoustic guitars. Inspiring multiple generations of players around the world, the Slash Collection is comprised of the most influential Gibson guitars Slash has used throughout his career and can be seen live onstage with Slash today. Each Slash Collection Les Paul Standard features a AAA maple top, a solid Mahogany body and Slash’s personal touches including [Read More]

BINX at NAMM. Learning to DJ on the Hercules Controller. By Patrick O’Heffernan

February 5, 2019

Patrick O’Heffernan (Anaheim, CA) I have never DJ’ed nor used electronic musical instruments. I play the Cajon – about as nonelectronic as you can get. But, while I was at NAMM last week I decided to take advantage of the opportunity for a 15 min lesson at the Hercules booth on their DJ equipment. I got to try out their new Inpulse 300 Controller, and look at the DJ starter kit. It was one of the high points of NAMM for me. One of the Hercules staff took me through the basics – beat matching, effects, etc. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, with some of the tasks semi-automated so a beginner like me could do them. At the end of the 15 minute, I understood what a DJ controller is, what it does and what you need to be an entertaining DJ. In my case, the last part was a problem because what you need most to be a DJ is talent or at least a knack [Read More]