“One day it hit me, I want a Fender 7-string Stratocaster. I got a lot of ‘no’s”: How the Fender Custom Shop was convinced to make the firm’s first 7-string guitar
Suicide Silence guitarist Chris Garza worked with the Custom Shop on its first 7-string Strat – and there’s hope that the one-of-a-kind Fender can be the start of something bigger
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“They kept talking about this bizarre guitar player who practiced nonstop in his room and was very eccentric. I thought, ‘I want to work with him’”: Bill Laswell survived Buckethead, John Lydon, Ginger Baker and Eddie Hazel – and made it sound easy
The bass journeyman, soundscape creator and producer recalls having his P-Bass stolen the night before his first Brian Eno session, making PiL classic Rise, and hoping illness hasn’t ended his surprisingly fight-free career
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“Frank gets it. He’s not a po-faced, miserable git. He’s got a sense of humor. He’s got a twinkle in his eye”: Glen Matlock on the legacy of the Sex Pistols and getting back on the road with Frank Carter’s help
The original Sex Pistols bassist reveals all about reunions past and present and discusses the likelihood of new music from the U.K. punk legends… Never say never
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“He walked into my bedroom, and he says, ‘Darling, I think this is a hit.’ And I went, ‘Cool man, let me hear it…’” How Nile Rodgers and David Bowie accidentally wrote Let’s Dance – with a 12-string that was missing 6 strings
The 1983 chart-topping hit features both Nile Rodgers and the then-unknown Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitars – and its demo was recorded at Queen’s studio in Switzerland
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Action/Adventure release new music video for ‘Something Isn’t Right Here’
ACTION/ADVENTURE have released a brand new music video! The new single, titled Something Isn’t Right Here, is the second track to be lifted from the band’s upcoming album, Ever After…
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EP REVIEW: Exist vol ii – Lastelle
In 2024, post-hardcore band LASTELLE released Exist – vol i, a raw and honest EP that saw them propelled to new heights. Now they’re back with the second half of that project, Exist –…
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Blackgold announce new EP ‘E.P Phone Home’
BLACKGOLD have announced a brand new EP! The new EP, titled E.P Phone Home, is scheduled to be released in October this year and follows last year’s Back With Another…
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Gibson Custom Introduces Five New Murphy Lab Light Aged Acoustics
Gibson is proud to introduce five new acoustic reissues for the Gibson Custom Murphy Lab Light Aged acoustic collection, delivering well-worn favorites, built brand new, with the look, tone, and played-in feel of cherished vintage originals.Each one of the five new additions to the Gibson Custom Murphy Lab Light Aged acoustic collection is a masterfully crafted reproduction of a cherished Gibson acoustic guitar model from Gibson’s first Golden Era. The Murphy Lab Light Aged acoustic lineup from Gibson Custom all feature either red spruce or Sitka spruce tops that have been thermally aged to give them the sound of a well-seasoned vintage guitar. The new additions to our Murphy Lab Light Aged lineup of vintage acoustic reissue models feature light lacquer checking, light dings, pick trails, and rounded fretboard edges, giving them the tone, look, and played-in feel of cherished vintage originals. Gibson Custom Murphy Lab Light Aged acoustic guitars are well-worn favorites, built brand new.Explore the full Gibson Custom Murphy Lab Light Aged acoustic collection, now available worldwide on Gibson.com HERE.Each acoustic guitar in the Murphy Lab Light Aged collection comes with an era-correct hardshell guitar case that corresponds with the style of case that was in use when that model was released, adding to the vintage ownership experience.1929 Nick Lucas Special Light AgedA small-bodied legend with a big voiceNick Lucas, known as “The Crooning Troubadour,” was a pioneering entertainer of the 1920s—one of the first to record guitar solos and perform with a guitar on the radio. His influence helped elevate the guitar as both a solo and accompaniment instrument. In 1926, Gibson honored Lucas’s request for a custom design, resulting in the Nick Lucas Special—the company’s first artist signature model, featuring a deeper body for enhanced bass response and tonal richness.Now, Gibson Custom proudly introduces the 1929 Nick Lucas Special Light Aged, a stunning recreation of this historic model. Built with a deeper mahogany body shaped like the L-00, it features a thermally aged red spruce top, gold sparkle multi-ply binding, and a matching L-2 style rosette. The mahogany neck joins the body at the 12th fret and has a C-shaped profile. The bound rosewood fretboard is equipped with 20 frets and is adorned with mother-of-pearl Nick Lucas inlays with engraved details. Gold Waverly tuners with ivoroid oval buttons are installed on the headstock, which also features a vintage-style “The Gibson” logo in mother-of-pearl. Finished in Argentine Grey with Murphy Lab Light Aging, it captures the look and feel of a well-loved original. Housed in a Red Line-style case, this model delivers timeless tone and unmatched character.1963 Dove Light Aged:All the tone, charm, and character of a vintage Dove—rebornFirst introduced in 1962, the Gibson Dove™ quickly became an icon of the square-shoulder acoustic family, following the Hummingbird™. With its bold voice and distinctive look, the Dove has been favored by legends like Elvis, Tom Petty, and Alex Lifeson. Now, Gibson Custom proudly presents the 1963 Dove Light Aged—a meticulous recreation of the early Dove models, crafted to deliver vintage tone and feel in a brand-new instrument.Featuring a thermally aged Sitka spruce top with traditional scalloped X-bracing and beautifully flamed maple back and sides in a Cherry finish, this Dove sings with clarity and power. The mahogany neck has a comfortable Round profile, paired with an Indian rosewood fretboard adorned with mother-of-pearl parallelogram inlays. A longer 25.5” scale length and maple body give it a bright, full voice that stands apart from the Hummingbird.Details like the rosewood Dove bridge with inlaid doves, engraved pickguard, and Kluson® Waffleback tuners complete the vintage aesthetic. Lightly aged by the Murphy Lab, it offers the look and feel of a well-loved original and comes housed in a vintage-style black hardshell case for the full Gibson Custom experience.1955 J-45 Light Aged:A faithful tribute to the mid-50s WorkhorseFirst introduced in 1942, the Gibson J-45™ quickly earned its nickname, “The Workhorse,” for its straightforward design, warm tone, and unmatched versatility. By 1955, key updates—like a longer fretboard with 20 frets and a larger pickguard—helped define the model’s enduring legacy. Today, it remains one of the most recorded and best-selling acoustic guitars of all time.The 1955 J-45 Light Aged from Gibson Custom is a masterfully handcrafted recreation of this pivotal model, built in Bozeman, Montana. It features a round-shoulder mahogany body with a thermally aged Sitka spruce top and traditional X-bracing installed with hide glue for vintage tone and resonance. The mahogany neck has a comfortable Round profile and is joined with a compound dovetail neck joint. A rosewood fretboard with mother-of-pearl dot inlays, bone nut and saddle, and vintage-style Grover® strap tuners complete the classic look.Finished with Murphy Lab’s Light Aging treatment and lightly aged hardware, it captures the feel of a well-played original. Packaged in a 1950s-style Lifton™ hardshell case, the 1955 J-45 Light Aged delivers the authentic tone, vibe, and craftsmanship of Gibson’s Golden Era.Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Light Aged:All the vibe, feel, and vintage allure of the rare rosewood Pre-War Super JumboOriginally introduced in 1937, the Gibson SJ-200™ quickly earned its title as “the King of the Flat-Tops” thanks to its bold sound, impressive projection, and commanding presence. Early models featured rosewood back and sides, but due to limited demand during the post-Depression era, production numbers remained low—making these early rosewood-bodied SJ-200s highly sought-after by collectors today. Gibson Custom now proudly presents the Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Light Aged, a meticulous recreation of those rare originals. It features a thermally aged red spruce top with traditional scalloped X-bracing, rosewood back and sides with a three-rope marquetry strip, and ornate multi-ply binding throughout. The AAA maple neck includes a walnut stringer and stinger detail, while the ebony fretboard and bridge are adorned with mother-of-pearl inlays. Gold Grover® Imperial™ tuners and a tortoise pickguard with multi-colored dots complete the look.Finished with Murphy Lab’s Light Aging treatment and housed in a period-correct Red Line case, this model captures the spirit and craftsmanship of Gibson’s Golden Era—delivering vintage tone, feel, and aesthetic in a stunning modern build.1957 SJ-200 Light Aged:All the vibe, feel, and vintage allure of the iconic 1950s Super JumboIntroduced in 1937, the Gibson SJ-200 earned its reputation as “the King of the Flat-Tops” for its bold tone, powerful projection, and striking presence. By 1947, maple replaced rosewood for the back and sides, and the SJ-200 became a favorite among legends across genres—from Hollywood cowboys to rock royalty. Today, vintage 1950s models are prized by collectors.Gibson Custom now presents the 1957 SJ-200 Light Aged, a faithful recreation of this celebrated era. It features a thermally aged Sitka spruce top with scalloped X-bracing installed using hide glue, AAA flamed maple back and sides with a checkerboard marquetry strip, and ornate multi-ply binding. The AAA maple neck includes a walnut stringer and stinger detail, while the rosewood fretboard and Moustache™ bridge are adorned with mother-of-pearl inlays. Gold Gotoh® tuners and a classic tortoise pickguard complete the vintage aesthetic.Finished with Murphy Lab’s Light Aging treatment and paired with lightly aged hardware, this model captures the look and feel of a well-played original. It comes housed in a period-correct 1950s-style Lifton™ case, delivering an authentic vintage experience only Gibson Custom can offer.
Read more »EVILLE release new song ‘No Pictures Please’
EVILLE have released a brand new single! The new single, titled No Pictures Please, is taken from the band’s upcoming debut EP, BRAT METAL, which is scheduled to be released…
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Alex Skolnick Trio Announces New Album ‘Prove You’re Not A Robot’
Brooklyn-based jazz-rock innovators Alex Skolnick Trio (AST) return this fall with PROVE YOU’RE NOT A ROBOT, the group’s sixth LP, arriving November 7, 2025. The album’s first single, a wildly inventive take on Tom Petty’s “Breakdown,” is available today. Listen here.Blending fearless improvisation, genre-defying arrangements, and the virtuosity of its members, PROVE YOU’RE NOT A ROBOT captures AST at the height of their creative powers. The title reflects both a wry nod to our tech-saturated era and a deeper meditation on humanity, direct interaction, and the irreplaceable spark of live musicianship in an age of artificial intelligence.Recorded with a range of vintage and custom instruments — from a Roger Sadowsky archtop to a 1935 Gibson L-00 acoustic — the album spans moods from the uplifting “Guiding Ethos” to the mind-bending Chick Corea/Steve Howe mashup “Armando’s Mood.” Alongside Skolnick’s inventive guitar work, bassist Nathan Peck and drummer Matt Zebroski bring rhythmic complexity and emotional depth, with odd-time signatures and genre twists that have become AST hallmarks.“I feel this album represents my strongest work as a composer,” says Skolnick. “Nathan and Matt really brought their A-game throughout. I think it’s safe to say this is the record we’re all most proud of.”Since forming in the early 2000s, AST has reimagined the jazz guitar trio, melding influences as far-reaching as Wes Montgomery, Black Sabbath, Prince, tango, calypso, and Western swing. Known for their adventurous covers of rock and metal classics, they’ve earned praise from outlets like Billboard, Downbeat, Jazziz, The Village Voice, and NPR, and have toured internationally, captivating audiences from Norway’s Larvik Guitar Festival to Paris’s The Olympia and New York’s Radio City Music Hall.PROVE YOU’RE NOT A ROBOT promises to be a bold addition to the AST legacy — as engaging for jazz aficionados as it is for rock fans curious about the inventive, genre-bending journey of Testament original guitarist Alex Skolnick.Album Release Date: November 7, 2025First Single “Breakdown” Release Date: September 12, 2025PROVE YOU’RE NOT A ROBOT TracklistParallel UniverseArmondo’s MoodInfinite HotelProve You’re Not A RobotGuiding EthosBreakdownThe Polish GoodbyeAsking For A FriendAST on TourSeptember 30 – New York, NY, The Cutting Room (Album launch party)November 15 – Montreal, QB, Piranha BarNovember 16 – Ottawa, ON, Brass MonkeyNovember 17 – Pittsburgh, PA. City WineryNovember 19 – Detroit, MI, Token LoungeNovember 20 – Chicago, IL. Reggie’sNovember 21 – Cleveland, OH, Irishtown Bend Tap RoomNovember 22 – Buffalo, NY, Nietzsche’sNovember 23 – Anniville, PA, The Allen Theatre2026January 8 – The Woodlands, TX, Dosey DoeJanuary 9 – McKinney, TX, Guitar SanctuaryJanuary 11 – San Antonio, TX, Fitzgerald’sJanuary 13 – Los Angeles, CA, Baked PotatoJanuary 14 – Sacramento, CA, Harlow’sJanuary 15 – Seattle, WA, FunhouseJanuary 16 – Portland, OR, Jack London RevueJanuary 17 – Redding, CA, The DipJanuary 18 – Mill Valley, CA, Sweetwater Music Hall Alex Skolnick Trio is:Alex Skolnick – GuitarMatt Zebroski – DrumsNathan Peck – Bass
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