This Day In Music: August 30th

2007, Rap star Lil Wayne was sued by a woman for $1m who claimed she was crushed at one of his concerts after a large amount of cash was thrown into the audience. Tyrique Layne, then 17, said she lost consciousness after being trampled by the crowd at a gig in Maryland in October 2006, and had suffered memory loss and severe headaches.

1997, members from The Wu-Tang Clan were arrested after the alleged assault on a record promotions manager after a show in Chicago.

1989, Izzy Stradlin from Guns N' Roses was arrested for making a public disturbance on a US air flight. Stradlin had urinated on the floor, verbally abused a stewardess and smoked in the non-smoking section of the aircraft.

1988, Bruce Springsteen's wife Julianne filed for a divorce after newspapers published photos of Springsteen and backing singer Patti Scialfa together.

1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono played Madison Square Gardens to raise money for the One to One charity. Stevie Wonder, Sha Na Na and Roberta Flack also appeared at the event. Lennon personally bought $60,000 worth of tickets which were given to volunteer fund-raisers. Several of the performances were later included on Lennon’s, Live in New York City album.

1969, two weeks after the Woodstock festival, the second Isle of Wight festival took place. Over 150,000 turned up over the two days to see Bob Dylan, The Band, Blodwyn Pig, Blonde On Blonde, Bonzo Dog Dooh Dah Band, Edgar Broughton Band, Joe Cocker, Aynsley Dunbar, Family, Fat Mattress, Julie Felix, Free, Gypsy, Richie Havens, The Moody Blues, The Nice, Tom Paxton, Pentangle, The Pretty Things, Third Ear Band and The Who. Tickets 25 shillings, ($3.00). Celebrities who attended include Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, John & Yoko, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Jane Fonder, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton.

1969, The three day Texas Pop Festival took place featuring Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Sam & Dave, Santana, Johnny Winter, Grand Funk Railroad, Delaney & Bonnie, Nazz, Spirit, BB King, Canned Heat and Chicago. Over 120,000 fans attended the festival.

More at ThisDayInMusic.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 29th

2005, 77-year-old Fats Domino was rescued from the flooding in New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina. He had earlier told his agent that he planned to remain in his home despite the order to evacuate.

2003, winners at this years MTV Video Music awards held in New York included, Missy Elliot, Video of the year for 'Work It', Viewers Choice award, 'Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous' Good Charlotte, Rap Video went to 50 Cent for 'In Da Club', Pop Video, Justin Timberlake, 'Cry Me A River.' Maddona stunned a packed Radio City Hall audience by passionately kissing Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera during a racy version of 'Like A Virgin.'

2000, Slipknot caused chaos at this years Kerrang! Awards, after smashing glasses, setting fire to their table, throwing a monitor off the stage and destroying a microphone. The band picked up 3 awards including best single and best live act.

1990, Elton John checked into a rehab center in Chicago to receive treatment for bulimia, alcoholism and drugs.

1987, Def Leppard scored their first UK No.1 album with 'Hysteria', which also became No.1 on the US chart in July the following year after spending forty-nine weeks working its way to the top.

1984, U2 kicked off their Unforgettable Fire World Tour at Christchurch Town Hall in New Zealand, the first of 19 shows in Australia and New Zealand.

1977, three people were arrested in Memphis after trying to steal Elvis' body. As a result, his remains would be later moved to Graceland.

1976, appearing at The Screen On The Green, London, England, The Sex Pistols supported by The Clash and The Buzzcocks.

1966, The Beatles played their last concert before a paying audience, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California to a sold-out crown of 25,000. John and Paul, knowing what the fans do not (that this will be the last concert ever) bring cameras on stage and take pictures between songs. During this tour, The Beatles have not played a single song from their latest album, ‘Revolver’. They finished the show with a version of Little Richards 'Long Tall Sally'.

More at ThisDayInMusic.

Roo

Manchester United winger, C. Ronaldo, grabs the gold!

Christiano Ronaldo, Manchester United's star, grabbed UEFA's European Club Footballer of the Year. He was also honoured with the Best Striker award for scoring 42 goals last season, eight of them in the UEFA Champions League.

I still believe that Rooney is the better option as a penalty-kick taker. Just my 2c.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 28th

2005, Rap mogul Marion "Suge" Knight was admitted to hospital after being shot in the leg at a party hosted by hip hop star Kanye West. The party was held at a club in Miami, Florida, to celebrate this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

2005, Green Day cleaned up at this years MTV awards held in Miami winning seven awards including, Video of the Year for ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ and the Viewer's Choice Award.

1996, Issac Hayes, who co-wrote the Sam and Dave's classic ‘Soul Man’, sent a protest letter to presidential candidate Bob Dole, requesting Dole to stop using his song, which supporters had changed to ‘I’m A Dole Man.’

1993, Billy Joel started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'River Of Dreams.' Joel claimed most of the music came to him in his sleep, hence the title. The singers second wife, one time model Christie Brinkley, painted the album cover which was later voted worst album cover of the year.

1988, Kylie Minogue set a new UK record when her debut album 'Kylie' became the biggest selling album by a female artist in Britain with sales of almost two million.

1972, Alice Cooper was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'School's Out'.

1968, working at Trident Studios, London, The Beatles started recording a new John Lennon song ‘Dear Prudence’. They built the song instrument by instrument, utilizing the 8-track equipment at Trident. John and George played guitars, while Paul plays drums to compensate for Ringo, who had quit The Beatles on August 22.

1965, The Rolling Stones announced that Allen Klein, who they had met three days earlier, would co-manage the group along with Andrew Long Oldham. At the same time, The Stones signed a five-year recording deal with Decca Records.

1961, Tamla Records released the Marvelettes first single, ‘Please Mr. Postman’. The song went on to sell over a million copies and become the group's biggest hit, reaching the top of both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts.

More at This day in Music.

Roo

Metallica release their 2nds single: My Apocalypse!

Death Magnetic, Metallica most recent album is due for release on September 12th, yet they are keeping us [fans] busy with singles. A few days ago Metallica released their first single, The Day That Never Comes and today they've released a new single, My Apocalypse (CLICK on title to download).

Paul Magmar [him...] (click here for some trivia on him as well as his first contribution to this blog!) is still unimpressed with Lars, Metallica's drummer, yet he had all this to say on My Apocalypse:
"Second Single released 25th august.. that was quick!! The blood of thrash still runs into 'tallica's veins as seen on My Apocalypse. Awesome riffage and soloing. What seems to screw things up, once again, is the drum line."

Roo

PS: Click HERE for some information on, as well as a download link for, The Day That Never Comes.

This Day In Music: August 27th

2004, Winners at this years Kerrang! awards included The Darkness for best British band and best live band, best band on the planet award went to Metallica. Green Day were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame, Lostprophets won the best single for ‘Last Train Home’ and best album went to Muse for ‘Absolution’.

2004, appearing at this years UK Carling Weekend in Reading and Leeds: Green Day, The Darkness, The White Stripes, Morrissey, The Libertines, Franz Ferdinand, The Hives, 50 Cent, (50 Cent was booed off stage after being greeted by a rain of bottles thrown at him and his G-Unit crew as they came onstage). The Streets, The Vines, Soulwax, Dogs Die In Hot Cars, The Offspring, Ash, Placebo and Lostprophets.

2003, P Diddy was being sued for $5m (£3.20m) by a woman who claimed she was assaulted by a bouncer outside his New York restaurant. Stephanie Grieso, said she was arguing outside Justin's in August 2002 when a bouncer grabbed her by the neck and pushed her down on the pavement, causing leg injuries.

2001, Five were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Let's Dance', the groups final UK No.1.

2000, percussionist Richard Jaeger died. Worked with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, The Pointer Sisters.

1999, appearing at The Carling Reading three day festival, The Charlatans, Blur, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Offspring, Catatonia, Reef, The Chemical Brothers, The Divine Comedy, Pavement, Silverchair, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, tickets, £78.

1994, Boyz II Men started a 14 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I'll Make Love To You', a No.5 hit in the UK. The record- breaking 14 week stay came to an end when they knocked themselves from the top with 'On Bended Knee'.

1993, this was the first day of the three day Reading Festival with headline acts New Order, The The, The Lemonheads, Rage Against The Machine, Dinosaur JR, plus on the Melody Maker stage, Blur, Radiohead, The Boo Radleys and Shampoo.

1992, John Lennon's handwritten lyrics to The Beatles song ‘A Day In The Life’ sold at an auction for $87,000, (£47,220).

1990, Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed when the helicopter he was flying in, hit a man-made ski slope while trying to navigate through dense fog. Vaughn had played a show at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, Wisconsin with Robert Cray & His Memphis Horns, and Eric Clapton. Vaughan was informed by a member of Clapton's crew that three seats were open on a helicopter returning to Chicago with Clapton's crew, it turned out there was only one seat left; Vaughan requested it from his brother, who obliged. Three members of Eric Clapton's entourage were also killed. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Stevie Ray Vaughan #7 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

1988, 'Monkey' gave George Michael his eighth US No.1 single of the 1980s, a record only beaten by Michael Jackson.

1988, Tracy Chapman went to No.1 on the US album chart with her self-titled album.

1983, Barry Manilow appeared at Blenheim Palace the British stately home.

1982, during a North American tour Queen appeared in Myriad, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
1977, The Floaters were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Float On'.

1969, during a North American tour Led Zeppelin played two shows at the Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach, New Haven.

1967, The Beatles manager Brian Epstein was found dead, locked in a bedroom at his London home. A coroner's inquest concluded that Epstein died from an overdose of the sleeping pill Carbitrol.

More at This Day In Music.

Roo

Learn Chinese in 5 minutes: READ OUT LOUD!

Roo

A few words from our neighbourhood drummer: Paul!

Following my last blog post about Metallica's new single Paul (aka Magmar, Mags, Maggy etc..) wrote some words for me to post on here about the single and the album in general:

"Although James Hetfield's voice is not as sharp as it was back when they released their self titled masterpiece [the 'Black Album'], the front man appears on the album with vocals which without any doubt are far better than the ones on the band's previous studio album, 2003's release "St. Anger". Hetfield's fellow 6 stringer, lead guitarist Kirk Hammet also made a return to his roots as he colours the new singles with his signature "old school" solos which aid Hetfield's riffs to produce the classical Metallica sound. The band's ninth studio album is also bassist's Robert Trujillo writing debut and as seen and heard so far, Trujillo is doing a pretty good job. The bass riff on "Cyanide" (which was debuted live at Ozzfest 08) proves that back in 2003, Metallica made the right pick when they were replacing Newstead. To the disappointment of many, the band's cofounder Lars Ulrich did not offer the fans what they were expecting. The first single off from the new album titled "The Day that never comes" was described by the media as a reminiscent of the epic breakthrough single "One, but on the contrary to the latter, Ulrich doesn’t offer that machine gun drumming he did offer back in the old days. Let’s just hope that on the remaining nine tracks of the new album Ulrich delights the fans with the legendary sound which made Metallica the Icons of Metal."

Some trivia on Paul:
Mags is a musician. Wait... scratch that... he's a drummer actually (the picture proves it!). He has been a fan of Metallica since his foray into metal music. It is because of Metallica's drummer that he started playing drums and it is his personal aim to be better than his drumming hero (yeah right...). He is also the only guy who's as tall *cough* as I am. Magmar is also known to lurk in the shadows of the living room late into the night watching YouTube videos on his laptop (formerly on mine) as well as writing (silly :P) riffs on Guitar Pro 5. Paul is also allergic to any kind of shirt and is mostly seen bear-chested.

Roo

FINALLY: Metallica release their first single from Death Magnetic!

Yep they did. After such a long long wait Metallica release their first single, The Day That Never Comes, from their highly anticipated new album due for release of September 12th Death Magnetic.

The song is definitely a return to their roots - a relief to many fans including myself. Metallica have also recorded a music video of the song which will premier near the album's release date. James Hetfield had a few words to say about the album and the new song:
"That's the beauty, I think, of writing vague but powerful lyrics — that someone like a movie director can interpret it in his own way and obviously, someone creative is able to take the metaphors and apply them to whatever he needs in his own life," the frontman explained. "The main [theme of the video] is the human element of forgiveness and someone doing you wrong, you feeling resentment and you being able to see through that in the next situation that might be similar and not take your rage or resentment out on the next person and basically keep spreading the disease of that through life...The one thing that I wasn't keen on here was Metallica plugging into a modern war or a current event [that] might be construed as some sort of political statement on our part... There are so many celebrities that soapbox their opinions, and people believe it's more valid because they're popular. For us, people are people — you should all have your own opinion. We are hopefully putting the human element in what is an unfortunate part of life. There are people over there dealing with situations like this, and we're showing the human part of being there."

METALLICA ARE BACK!!! And I mean it. Welcome back guys.

Roo

PS: You can download the song off of iTunes, or for the unlucky sods with no money or iTunes account from HERE.

This Day In Music: August 26th

2007, Police who raided the home of US rap star DMX, found 12 neglected pit bulls terrier dogs and a number of guns. The bodies of three more dogs had been buried. No arrests were made and DMX told police he had not been at the property in Arizona for at least two months. The rapper who had launched his own range of dog clothing, including caps, scarves and raincoats for canines also featured on the cover of his latest album, Year of the Dog... Again, with a pit bull straining at the leash.

2005, A post office near the Los Angeles studio where Ray Charles recorded much of his music was renamed after the R&B legend. A federal bill was signed by US President George Bush to rename the post office. Charles, died in June 2004 at the age of 74, suffering from acute liver disease.

2005, Green Day were named best band on the planet at the 12th annual Kerrang! rock awards, they also won best live act. Welsh metal group Funeral For a Friend won best British band, while New Jersey's My Chemical Romance picked up best album and best video. Iron Maiden were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame.

2003, Rolling Stone Magazine named Jimi Hendrix as the greatest guitarist in Rock history. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Chuck Berry, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Ry Cooder also made the top 10 list.

1970, appearing over three days at the third Isle Of Wight Festival, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, (his last ever UK appearance), Donovan, Jethro Tull, Miles Davis, Arrival, Cactus, Family, Taste, Mungo Jerry, ELP, The Doors, The Who, Spirit, The Moody Blues, Chicago, Procol Harum, Sly and the Family Stone and Free. Weekend tickets, £3.

1967, The Beatles held a press conference at University College in Bangor, North Wales with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Beatles announced that they had become disciples of the guru and that they renounced the use of drugs. The four had become members of the Maharishi's 'Spiritual Regeneration Movement', which obligated them to donate one week's earnings each month to the organization.

More at This day in Music.

Roo

I found it!!!

Let me tell you a little story:

Last December Androo returned home from another week in Malta for the Christmas holiday ready to spend as much time playing the guitar and the Wii as humanly possible. What he was really looking forward to was the fact that on Christmas day his whole family would gather in the living room and since it was the first Christmas with a Nintendo Wii Androo was already prepering a Wii Sports Competition. But alas when Christmas came round one of the Wii Remotes disappeared. His mum and dad as well as himself searched every nook and cranny in the house but to no avail it was no where to be seen.

Fast forward to the 23rd of August 2008 and Androo, while prepering for his British cousine's wedding, lost something else; this time the glasses. Again his mum and dad as well as himself turned the house upside down to try to find it but it was nowhere to be seen!!

But guess what? Thanks to the lost glasses Androo found his long lost Wii Remote!! Not only that but a long disappeared Distortion Pedal, the Dunlop guitar polish as well as the Fender Channel Switcher. Androo couldn't be happier!

Roo

Manchester United seal their first Premier League win!

FA Cup winners Portsmouth struggled to keep up with the Reds as the Manchester United lads held the game in their hands (feet?). Fletcher scored an easy goal after Evra and Tevez did all the work for him to finish. Rooney was denied a very dubious offside goal as well as a clear penalty. All in all, the better team won and if this game was a sign of things to come Manchester United have a pretty bright 08/09 season in front of them.

Shouldn't be a surprise to anyone actually.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 25th

2005, Two former members of Guns N' Roses were suing singer Axl Rose for allegedly naming himself sole administrator of the US rock band's copyrights. Slash and Duff - otherwise known as Saul Hudson and Michael McKagan, accused Rose of "arrogance and ego". The legal action claimed the singer "was no longer willing to acknowledge the contributions of his former partners".

2001, US singer, actress Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas aged 22. The small Cessna plane crashed a few minutes after take off killing everyone on board with exception to four passengers who were pulled from the wreckage but later died. Aaliyah had been filming a video for her latest release ‘Rock The Boat’ on the island.

1997, a deranged man who had escaped from a mental institution near Helsinki Finland was arrested. The man had planned to set fire to the stage that Michael Jackson was performing from was arrested before he was able to light the gasoline he had put on the stage.

1994, Jimmy Page and Robert plant recorded their MTV unplugged set at London's television centre.

1979, The Knack started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'My Sharona', the groups only US chart topper, a No.6 hit in the UK. Lead singer Doug Fieger said he was inspired to write the tune by Sharrona Alperin, a 17 year old senior at Los Angeles' Fairfax High.

1970, Elton John made his US live debut when he kicked off a 17-date tour at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. In the audience that night were Don Henley, Quincy Jones and Leon Russell. Elton’s latest single ‘Border Song’ had just debuted at number 92 on the US chart.

1967, Brian Wilson returned to performing live with The Beach Boys in Honolulu after a 2 year hiatus. The group had just released ‘Heroes and Villains’ in the US.

More at This day in Music.

Roo

Apology!

Sorry to all the people who visit my blog (both of you). I haven't updated since Thursday and that is because I have been on a weekend holiday at my girlfriend's place in Zebbug for the local feast.

I'll continue my 'This Day In Music' feature from today onwards. I'll try to make a separate post on the feast itself sometime this week.

Roo

Miserable display by the British lads!

Yesterday a slew of international teams played friendlies before the actually qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup start next month. England played Czech Republic at the new Wembly Stadium and it was one of the worst football matches ever played by the British national team. What's even worse is hearing Capello's after-match comments saying that "the team played well." A 2-2 draw saved by a late stoppage-time goal by J. Coal is not great it's insanely bad.



Capello chose the wrong squad in my opinion. Beckham has shown time and time again that he is useless on an international level while Emile Heskey should have been left at Wigan. Where was Bently, Barry or even Lennon? The first qualifying match against Croatia in September will be a very tough one. I have no idea how Capello will redeem himself in the coming matches. Let's hope he does or he can kiss his international career bye bye.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 21st

2006, a man surfing the Internet in America foiled three men who broke into a Liverpool shop in Liverpool, England. The man who had logged onto a site streaming live footage of Mathew Street and a forthcoming Beatles festival saw the men smashing a window of a shop and climb inside. He phoned Merseyside police who arrested the men.

2005, Robert Moog, inventor of the synthesiser died aged 71, four months after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Dr Moog built his first electronic instrument, a theremin - aged 14 and made the MiniMoog, "the first compact, easy-to-use synthesiser" in 1970. He won the Polar prize, Sweden's "music Nobel prize", in 2001. Wendy Carlos' 1968 Grammy award-winning album, Switched-On Bach, brought Dr Moog to prominence.

2004, a man from Stoke-on-Trent, England, named Bryan Adams as the ‘other man’ in his divorce papers after years spent trying to cope with his wife’s obsession with the singer. Rob Tinsley said he had to live with a 6ft cut-out of Adams which stood at the foot of the bed and posters on the bedroom walls.

1997, ex-Stone Roses drummer Alan Wren was jailed for seven days after being rude to a top Manchester Magistrate. He was before the court due to having no car insurance and lost his temper after being quizzed about his earnings.

1997, Oasis' third album 'Be Here Now', became one of the fastest selling albums ever, shifting over a million copies on the first day of release.

1983, Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone had a four-hour brain surgery operation, after being found unconscious in a New York Street where he had been involved in a fight.

1982, U2 singer Bono married Alison Stewart, his girlfriend from 1975 at All Saints Church, Raheny in Ireland. U2 bassist Adam Clayton acted as Bono's best man.

1969, during a North American tour Led Zeppelin appeared at the Carousel Theatre in Framingham, Massachusetts.

1966, on their last ever US tour The Beatles performed in two cities due to a cancellation due to rain the previous day. First they performed at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. Then they flew to St. Louis, Missouri, for a concert at Busch Stadium, where they performed under a tarpaulin due to heavy rain. It was this gig that convinced Paul McCartney that The Beatles should stop performing live.

More at This day in Music

Androo's Gear: #2

Hey guys, I'm back today with a very special feature: reviewing my Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Standard. I'm going to split my review in various sections for the sake of clarity.

History:
The 2008 Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Standard is Slash's third signature guitar from Gibson. The first, launched in 1995, had a reddish finish along with the Slash's Snakepit logo on the body. On the neck it had the cool snake inlays. Only 400 of these were made internationally. Buying one today would cost you about £8000.

The second signature model, launched in 2004, is still available through Gibson's Custom Shop. I personally do not like the finish on this one; it features a plain-top and finished in tobacco burst. Not exactly my cup of tea. It also has (this is what I really like about this guitar) a Fishman Pro bridge with a mini toggle switch between the knobs. It gives the guitar that authentic acoustic sound when turned on.

Along with the 2008 Standard Gibson decided to release another two - one from Custom Shop and one from Epiphone. The Custom Shop model features Slash's original 1988 Les Paul Standard's finish and body type while the Epiphone is basically a cheap version of Gibson's Standard. The Custom Shop version is limited to 400 units, the Gibson Les Paul Standard 1600 units and Epiphone's Standard to 2400 units worldwide.

Features:
* AA Figured Maple top Antique Vintage Sunburst Nitro-cellulose lacquer finish (Burst color formula personally chosen by Slash);
* Un-chambered Mahogany body finished in Slash's preferred dark walnut colour;
* Custom one-piece Mahogany neck designed by Slash. Never offered before and available only in this model;
* Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Humbucking pickups. Made in the USACustom Slash-designed artwork and logo on the headstock;
* 22-fret Bound Rosewood fingerboard;
* Chrome hardware;
* Tone Pros Locking Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge;
* Tone Pros light stopbar tailpiece;
* Custom smooth black case with white interior and Slash artwork and logo;
* Certificate of Authenticity.



I have to add that I did not receive a CoA. I bought my guitar from Ishibashi, a large Japanese retail chain of stores and they informed me that they do not have any certificates. I truly am disappointed about this omission. The rest, as stated in the list of features is all there in all it's glory.

Looks:

This lovely instrument is finished in Antique Vintage Sunburst on a figured maple top, features vintage binding around the body and neck as well as amber/cream and gold plastics coupled with nickel hardware. It is really a B-E-A-utiful guitar. I couldn't, and still cannot, stop staring at it whenever I open the case. The guys at Gibson have truly made a wonderful job on this guitar. Kudos to all of them.

A nice little touch on the LP Standard is Slash's artwork which is custom painted on the headstock and on the case as well by Gibson's Custom Shop artists. I'll let you judge from the slew of pictures in this article!

Electronics:
Like all of Slash's guitar this one features a set of Seymour Duncan's Alnico Pro II humbuckers. All I can say is that I am truly impressed. I had read all over the internet that these humbuckers are very mellow, very soft and bluesy and I wasn't expecting much to be honest. I couldn't have been more wrong. They are, in one word, perfect. I was able to get as much gain as I wanted without any static noise whatsoever - a drastic difference from my Ibanez!

Of course, the Les Paul's electronics are the base of these humbuckers. Like all LP Standards this one features two volume and two tone knobs, two for each humbucker respectively. With these magical knobs one could sound his/her guitar pretty much exactly as he/she likes. As I said in my review of my Ibanez I didn't like the lack of customization options on it. The LP's, on the other hand, are unlimited! I could create the most mellow of blues to the heaviest of metal. With the right equipment one can basically sound exactly like they want!

The LP really shines is when it's on its clean channel. This is where most guitars fail miserably, including my Ibanez (but not to the miserable level... maybe 'unsatisfactory'. Yeah that's it...), but not the Les Paul. It is not bassy, not trebly, not too bright, not too deep. Epic. You have to hear it to believe. Incredible.

Playability (Feel, ease of play and finally it's tone):
The guitar is wholly made of mahogany except the figured maple top on the body. This is, along with it's shape (IMHO), the Les Paul's secret weapon. This is where that sound comes from. The same humbuckers on a different guitar would sound so much different you wouldn't believe that they are the very same. Other features that helps the guitar's sound is the fit-through neck.

Unlike other guitars, which feature a bolt-on neck the LP's neck is glued into the body to eliminate any air bubbles and gives the guitar a much tighter neck. As listed in the features above this model features a Slash-Profile neck which is basically somewhere between the 50s chunky profile and the 60s slim neck. Coupled with the smooth Rosewood fret-board this is one comfortably neck! From the very first time that you hold it in your hands you can tell that this is a quality instrument. It feels tight, hard and virtually has no fret-buzz on the neck whatsoever. It is very easy to play except the when on higher frets one would have to adjust to the shape since the Les Paul body starts from approximately the 15th fret.

Because of the wood used to build this guitar, the shape and of course the electronics the Les Paul has that distinctive tone which is definitely not sparse here. I could sear that this guitar has a soul. Honest! It just feels so alive when you're playing! I really thought that people exagerated when they mentioned the Les Paul. I believe them now that I own one. It is truly, magic.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 20th

2007, the funeral of Manchester music mogul and broadcaster, Tony Wilson was held at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Manchester. Peter Hook and Stephen Morris - two members of first Factory signing Joy Division, and later incarnation, New Order attended along with Happy Mondays front man, Shaun Ryder.

2003, Madame Tussauds in London opened an interactive Pop Idol display with a speaking waxwork of judge Simon Cowell. The waxwork made comments such as: 'That was extraordinary. Unfortunately extraordinarily bad.' 'Do you really think that you could become a Pop Idol' Well then you're deaf.' 'Thank you. Goodbye and That was the worst performance I've ever seen.'

1991, Nirvana and Sonic Youth kicked off a joint European tour at Sir Henry’s Pub, Cork, Ireland.

1988, two rock fans died while 'slam dancing' as Guns N' Roses played at the 'Monsters Of Rock' Festival, Castle Donington.

1986, Rick Allen drummer with Def Leppard made his first live appearance with the band after losing an arm in a car accident, when they appeared at the Monsters Of Rock Festival, Castle Donington, England.

1971, on the second night of a North American tour, Led Zeppelin appeared at the Seattle Centre Coliseum, Seattle, Washington.

1969, after finishing ‘I Want You, (She’s So Heavy), The Beatles worked on the running order for the Abbey Road album. A preliminary master tape was compiled, The medley was originally slated for side one of the album, and the placement of ‘Octopus's Garden’ and ‘Oh! Darling’ were reversed from the final version. The album was to end with the slashed guitar chord that finishes ‘I Want You (She's So Heavy)’. This was the last time all four Beatles were together in Abbey Road studios.

1968, The University of Tennessee reported that a guinea pig subjected to days of rock music played at 120 decibels had suffered acute hearing damage.

More at This Day In Music.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 19th

A cool little feature I'd like to start in my fresh blog is This Day In Music. It consists of random events that happened throughout the years. Enjoy.

____________________________________________________________________

2005, a life-size bronze statue designed by Paul Daly of Phil Lynott was unveiled on Harry Street in Dublin. The ceremony was attended by his former Thin Lizzy band members Gary Moore, Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham.

2003, a man from Nottinghamshire who sent threatening emails to S Club singer Tina Barrett was jailed for six months. 41 year-old Steven Hindley, showered the singer with roses, chocolates and teddy-bears. But when the messages were ignored, he began to mention threats to the band, including a potential sniper attack. One email begged Miss Barrett to visit him at his home, claiming he was the victim of an incurable brain-tumour and had just three weeks to live.

1999, a TV ad featuring the late Linda McCartney urging a boycott of fishing was banned by the Advertising Clearance Centre in the UK.

1996, James Brown appeared in Montauk, New York, as part of his Back at the Ranch tour. Brown who had a history of beating his wife, offered money that was raised at the event to an anti-violence organization called The Retreat, but was turned down.

1988, ‘Crazy’ by Patsy Cline, and Elvis Presley’s, ‘Hound Dog’ were announced as the most played jukebox songs of the first hundred years. The jukebox had been around since 1906, but earlier models had been first seen in 1889.

1977, The Sex Pistols started an undercover UK tour as The Spots, (an acronym for Sex Pistols on tour secretly).

1969, Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Jefferson Airplane all appeared on the ABC TV Dick Cavett Show from Television Center in New York City.

1967, The Beatles scored their 14th US No.1 single with 'All You Need Is Love'. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Graham Nash, Marianne Faithfull and Walker Brother Gary Leeds all sang backing vocals on the track.

Roo

Androo's Gear: #1

This is my first official, relevant, blog post. I play the electric guitar and as an avid rock fan I am always trying to expand my ever growing family of instruments and adjoining gear. My main axes are my 2002 Ibanez RG1550MZ and my just recently purchased 2008 Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Standard. I couldn't be happier with these guitars. They are so vastly different from each other that I cannot simply ignore one for the other. Although I have to say, having the Les Paul I have lowered my original quality idea that I had of my Ibanez by tenfolds unfortunately. I play these through a cheap Zoom effects pedal, soon to be replaced by a Krank Distortus Maximus. Then into my Fender FM212R twin-amp which I'm actually quite proud of. Very powerful, very clean with very classy looks.

Today I will be introducing my Ibanez to the world:


My Ibanez RG1550MZ was made at the
Fuji-gen Plant, Japan
2002
Production Number: 16796

The above information I got by submitting my guitar's serial number (found on the back of the headstock) in the awesome Guitar Dater Project website. Therefore my guitar was, as stated, made in Japan, in 2002. It was also the 16,796th made in the RG series. I purchased this guitar in 2005 and I was quite pleased to know that my guitar is even older (I'm a sucker for old guitars!).


The guitar features a bolt on maple neck. I doesn't have a specific fret-board, the frets are glued directly into the neck. It has 24 frets rather than the conventional 22 as well as having jumbo frets for extra accuracy. It has a floating tremolo system, the Floyd Rose tremolo as well as a locking nut. The Floyd Rose is the guitar's major Pro and Con. Because of the Floyd Rose I can change the pitch of the notes to my exact liking instantly as well as create cool effects. But it is the biggest pain in the ass to change the strings. While on a locking tremolo system you can change strings in second this will take you literally almost 20 minutres to change all the strings and tune them correctly.

I am also proud of the guitar's pickup combination (H-S-H) as well as it's five switch positions. It can do the muddiest of metal and the cleanest of acoustics! A cool little touch is the pickguard binding. Breaks the whole black-monotony!

Now for the tiny blemishes in the guitar! The only thing I really hate, and I mean loathe, about it is that because of the jumbo frets, couple with the low action of the Floyd Rose tremolo system I get some small buzzing on some of the strings. I had to higher the action which isn't to my taste whatsoever. I am also unhappy with the number of control knobs on the Ibanez. Only 2. One volume, one tone. The people at Ibanez bascially gave those who buy this guitar no option to customize the humbuckers and the pickup to their respective choices. Nope, you have one setting for all of them.

Let me add that I named her Black Beauty back in 2005. I now know that Gibson have an Ebony Les Paul Custom, with a three humbucker configuration that they named Black Beauty (from the 50s/60s) as well. I have to admit that Gibson's BB is much more of a beauty than mine. But all that in my next gear introduction when I introduce my Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Standard.

Thanks for reading,
Roo

First blog post!

This is a monumental day in my life! I'm posting my first blog post!! Basically all I want to say is, well... what am I going to say?

Just stick around. If you love guitars, rock, video games etc you'll (hopefully) like my blog as well.

Roo