guitar | Music Junkie Press

Ben Woods delivered a spectacular flamenco set at Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet 3

September 3, 2014

Last Saturday when we headed out to the Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet 3 Festival at the Great American Music Hall, I knew it was going to be a night filled with awesome music. But it was even more amazing as each set was spectacular and so different from the next. The night opened with Ben Woods and he treated us to some of the most beautiful music infused with his flamenco style. It was intense as his guitar played bled out such emotion with each note. With his special guests of Mike Bennett (Richie Kotzen) and Salar Nader on percussions and the talented flamenco dancer, Arleen Hurtado, the atmopshere grew into a magical space that allowed the music to carry you away and take you deep into the rich culture of flamenco. Watching Ben on the guitar is jaw dropping as his hands frenetically take control over the guitar and the most beautiful notes exude, yet he makes it look so easy. It is dizzying if you try to keep your eyes on his [Read More]

Check out Cat from State Line Empire shred in his EMG Spotlight

August 27, 2014

One of our favorite guitarists, Cat from State Line Empire was recently featured on EMGtv performing his song Deus Ex Machina which is off his upcoming solo record, Marigold Project. We have been big fans of State Line Empire as they consistently deliver shows with a 150% energy and are true crowd pleasers. Cat is always there to shred away but in his recent spotlight, you will really get blown away by his performance. Check out the video from EMGtv with Cat performing Deus Ex Machina: Cat is using the EMG 81 and 60 humbucker pickups. “I have been using EMG pickups for ever. I find that they are responsive and cut through perfectly. Richie Faulkner turned me on to the 57/66 sets which are mind blowing. Best pickups and best company!!!“, Cat explains. You can purchase: EMG 81s here: http://www.emgpickups.com/guitar/humbucking/active-humbucking/81.html EMG 60 humbuckers here: http://www.emgpickups.com/guitar/humbucking/active-humbucking/60.html. Make sure to stay tuned for his solo record and also visit the social media sites of State Line Empire to catch their next show. Earlier this year, State Line Empire [Read More]

Check out the video of EXMORTUS shredding to the National Anthem at local baseball game

August 27, 2014

Heavy metal guitarists of EXMORTUS stopped by a minor league baseball game in Bakersfield to play the National Anthem their way! They kicked up the heat a notch and decided to bring their own style with their fierce guitars and delivered a dose of metal shred to the anthem. Check out the video below: They are getting ready to head out on tour with Arsis and Allegaeon. Check the dates below to see if they will be coming to a venue near you: 8/27 Amarillo, TX – Wreck Room 8/28 Oklahoma City, OK – Leon’s Lounge 8/30 Spartanburg, SC – Ground Zero 9/1 Springfield, VA – Empire # 9/2 Trenton, NJ – Championship Bar # 9/3 New York, NY – Santos # 9/4 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall # 9/5 Montreal, QC – Foufounes Electriques # 9/6 Quebec City, QC – Dagobert # 9/7 Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall # 9/8 Lakewood, OH – [Read More]

Prepare to be blown away by John 5’s new album, Careful With That Axe

August 19, 2014

John 5 has always amazed me with his stellar guitar playing. It was no surprise that he was featured on our 12 Days of Guitarists last year. John 5 has had quite an extensive guitar career, from playing with David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, and others. In addition to playing with Rob Zombie, he has continued to have quite a successful solo career. He is an amazing guitarist that shreds when he plays. He is a guitar virtuoso who can play you anything from bluegrass to flamenco, instrumental to country, and metal to rock and anything else in between. John has just released his new album, Careful With That Axe and it will blow your mind. 10 fierce tracks highlighting the excellent shredding of John as well as his versatility in style. Amid his kick ass rock shreds, he treats you to some country twang with Jerry’s Breakdown and Jiffy Jam. Flight of the Vulcan Kelly is intense and really has you spinning in a whirlwind of guitar bliss. The spanish influenced El Cucuay is one [Read More]

Brian Setzer new album Rockabilly Riot! All Original is now available

August 12, 2014

Iconic guitarist, songrwriter Brian Setzer has released his highly anticipated new album, Rockabilly Riot! All Original. The album was released today through Surfdog Records.ROCKABILLY RIOT!: ALL ORIGINAL was recorded in Nashville and produced by Peter Collins with SETZER backed by three musicians he says “are the best in their craft”: Mark Winchester (bass), Kevin McKendree (piano) and Noah Levy (drums). To coincide with today’s release Brian is premiering a lyric video for the lead single, Lemme Slide. Check it out here: The music of Brian is energetic, infectious and fueled with rockabilly attitude. I have always loved Brian’s style of music and he has once again proved that he belongs high on the charts for his unique style and charismatic music. You can pick up the album by heading over to here: http://hifi247.com/brian-setzer-rockabilly-riot-all-original-cd.html The track listing for ROCKABILLY RIOT: ALL ORIGINAL: Let’s Shake Rockabilly Blues Vinyl Records Lemme Slide Nothing Is A Sure Thing What’s Her Name Calamity Jane The Girl With The Blues In Her Eyes Stiletto Cool I Should Have Had A V8 Blue Lights Big [Read More]

Brian Setzer release video for lead single, Let’s Shake off new album Rockabilly Riot

August 1, 2014

Iconic guitarist, songrwriter Brian Setzer has released a video for his lead single, Let’s Shake which will be available on his forthcoming album, Rockabilly Riot” All Original. The album is set for an August 12th release through Surfdog Records. Brian says about the song, “Yeah, ‘Let’s Shake,’ how come no one has thought of that title yet? We’ve been making rock ‘n roll now for 60 years and no one has come up with ‘Let’s Shake?’ And I came up with it and I went ‘wow…Let’s Shake!’ You know, oh god, it’s just so simple it’s magic! It’s got a really great guitar solo in it, just rock ‘n roll sounding…it’s not really ‘billy’ sounding, it’s more rock and roll… again, it’s the simplest songs that are the hardest to write.” Check out the video here: The high energetic song fueled with rockabilly attitude is quite infectious. I have always loved Brian’s style of music and he has once again proved that he belongs high on the charts for his unique style and charismatic music. Here [Read More]

Check out Brian Setzer’s new rockabilly song, Let’s Shake which is off his forthcoming album

June 30, 2014

Iconic guitarist, songrwriter Brian Setzer has premiered a new song, Let’s Shake which will be available on his forthcoming album, Rockabilly Riot” All Original. The album is set for an August 12th release through Surfdog Records. Brian says about the song, “Yeah, ‘Let’s Shake,’ how come no one has thought of that title yet? We’ve been making rock ‘n roll now for 60 years and no one has come up with ‘Let’s Shake?’ And I came up with it and I went ‘wow…Let’s Shake!’ You know, oh god, it’s just so simple it’s magic! It’s got a really great guitar solo in it, just rock ‘n roll sounding…it’s not really ‘billy’ sounding, it’s more rock and roll… again, it’s the simplest songs that are the hardest to write.” Check out the song here: The high energetic song fueled with rockabilly attitude is quite infectious. I have always loved Brian’s style of music and he has once again proved that he belongs high on the charts for his unique style and charismatic music. Here is [Read More]