Twin Peaks Theme on Baritone Guitar - Martin Tallstrom

Get Martin's Tallstrom - Cool music CD or mp3's at his site - click here!

He also has free tabs and also sells his sheet music on his site.

Counting down for Reverend Horton Heat - 25 to Life!

Here's a new clip from "25 to Life" to hold you over for the weekend. We'll have more clips coming up as we get closer to the release date so keep an eye out for those. The Fillmore Baby!!!
The Reverend Horton Heat!

Pre-Order The Reverend Horton Heat: 25 To Life now via Yep Roc Records athttp://bit.ly/Lz7KCT.

he Reverend Horton Heat: 25 to Life was filmed and recorded live at the legendary Fillmore Theater in San Francisco in 2010 and includes live concert footage, band interviews, crew interviews and more. This movie captures the sights, sounds and energy of The Reverend Horton Heat doing what they do best - performing live and killing it. In addition, the interviews, historical images and footage, provide background and a deeper appreciation for one of the hardest touring bands in the business. They've been at it for over 25 years and they show no signs of slowing down.

This deluxe CD boxed set of The Reverend Horton Heat: 25 to Life includes the full film on DVD plus 2 CDs featuring a live album of the recordings made at the Fillmore plus the first ever, career spanning "best of" compilation of the band's studio recordings. See the full track listing for all three discs below. Along with the DVD and 2 CDs, the set also includes a 52 page booklet featuring images and stories from the band's 25 year span. The entire set is housed in a collectable box.

Lamb of God Singer Arrested in Prague

One member of Lamb of God was arrested in Prague and charged with manslaughter for the death of a fan that occurred in 2010. Randy Blythe was taken into custody on June 28th and is still being held. The incident from which Blythe is charged occurred at a show in 2010 where allegedly a fan was beaten on stage and reportedly died from his wounds. A translated statement from local officials said that "the singer had been arrested and charged with 4 degree bodily harm resulting in the death of a fan."

At this time, the bands management has also released a statement indicating that they expect Randy Blythe to  receive full exoneration of the charges. It should also be noted that though the singer is being held, no formal charges have been made and the case is still in investigative stages. Management stated that under no circumstances did a fight occur. The fan was noted to have attempted to jump the barricade and approach the stage. On his third attempted he managed to approach the singer who pushed the fan back into the audience where supposedly he fell and hit his head.

Is this a case of Social Darwinism? Or a local politician trying to gain some points by holding a internationally well known band responsible for a perceived youthful celebration which has been misconstrued as social disobedience? Nobody should fear being harmed at a concert or any public event, but attempting to "bum" rush the stage is not very smart or lawful. We all  remember the tragedy that took Dimebag Darrell from this planet. Unfortunately, a few bad apples spoil the bunch and this story smells like one fan had a little too much something, testosterone, drugs and alcohol or too few of brain cells. Tragic still, as one fan died. Let's hope Randy's arrest isn't a case of injustice.
Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe Arrested For Manslaughter In Prague 
UPDATE - 08-03-12 Randy was finally released on $400,000 bail on August 3. Blythe left Prague for the United States the day after his release. Officials in the Czech Republic is not expected to complete the investigation until winter of 2012. The band is headquartered in Richmond Virginia. It's a shame that it took more than a month to gain his release. The situation is tragic and it is sad that a man lost his life at an event that is supposed to be fun.

The 4th of July poll and comments

Fireworks!!!

The 4th of July (Independence Day) is generally a great time of year to spend time with your family and relax. At this point in time of year we are more than half way through our calendar year, the weather is warm, kids are out of school, and the yield of spring time planting is coming to fruition. Cooking outdoors or picnicking provides a events where outdoor games can be combined with sloppy eating and drinking. In addition, this is a time when music can be featured thus allowing us to all see our favorite local and not so local bands.

This year is a little different. We have the 4th of July landing in the middle of the week. There are various ways we can view the national holiday; we can celebrate the weekend before and after, we could observe the holiday only on one of the weekend, make Wednesday the only day to celebrate, or party all week long. Either way, the weather also has an effect on our plans so monitoring the local weather reports is critical to enjoying a successful party.

Above all, be safe and have fun. Get our and play some music and remember that we all can still observed these pastimes because someone else sacrificed their life. This should never be forgotten. Also, remember that the 4th of July is a celebration from the tyranny of British rule in 1776 (See Sheffield Declaration). There is still tyranny on earth so be aware and be safe and smart. Now shut up and play yer guitar!!

If you have a favorite 4th of July - Independence Day song - List it in the comments and I'll post it!

Roy Buchanan one of the unknown greats

A quiet giant who never gave himself enough credit, Roy Buchanan seemed at war with an unknown demon that ultimately took him at an early age. He epitomized the guitar in one hand and amp in the other, no frills, straight forward player with a huge dog run of chops. I found this series on the Tube and thought I would share it. Shredders who are young and old can learn from Roy.  Roy was influenced by Merle Haggard, Mundel Lowe, Johnny Otis, and Roy Nichols to name a few. He probably didn't realize that his playing was a perfect amalgamation of those influences. I find it very apparent in the interviews with Roy that he was a quiet and introspective person who seemed to want to branch out and "freak out," but was reluctant to wave the proverbial freak flag. Of course that is purely speculation from my perspective but one thing that is unarguably the truth, Roy Buchanan was a monster guitar player. The list of those who have been influenced by Roy Buchanan reads like the who's who of guitar greats. Watch the video's and enjoy Roy's talent while you gain insight to his bag of tricks.

This is a link to a fine article about Roy and it's hard for me to top so rather than being redundant I'll just add this link. Check it out!

Edward Van Halen Guitar World Interview

I just finished reading the Guitar World magazine article by Chris Gill regarding Edward Van Halen. It was a in-depth interview that showed Eddie in a respectful manner and highlighted his new found energy and drive that is moving the Van Halen machine to new heights. No spoiler alert here; if you have been around rock and roll long enough to see the drama of the lifestyle, then hearing about addiction and mayhem isn't really ground breaking or earth shattering news. In this interview, Eddie talks about his sobriety but not at lengths that will disinterest most candid fans, he simple mentions that he is feeling well and doing well while moving on with his life post cancer and troubling alcohol addiction.

The most interesting parts of the interview contain statements about how Eddie has relinquished control of the band and Wolfgang is stepping up and enjoying the added responsibility of assisting in the production of the new record, daily set list and thus allowing Eddie to simply be the lead guitarist in a band - judging from Eddie's zeal in describing his new job description, he welcomes the break. If you have listened to Different Kind of Truth, then you know the guitar pyrotechnics abound and Eddie's creative sense is what made him one of the most unique players ever. It's so nice to have Eddie back!

One of the most refreshing vibes I got from the article is that Van Halen is once again a team. It was many years ago I remarked to those around me that in the Van Halen band - all the members share credit on the songs with a few exceptions. When reading the Guitar World article by Chris Gill you may also realize that Van Halen is back and undivided while poised to conquer. Another important item I gleaned from this article is that Eddie is not just Eddie; he's a brother, friend, and more importantly a proud father. Eddie mentions that during his sets he now sits down. He said he is a better player when seated and the thought of that is scary but it's also a nugget of information. If you do play standing up all the time; that is great for practice but playing while seated is in my opinion yields better posture and thus more efficient practice.

Finally, Eddie talks about Dave and how the album was recorded. They have been friends since High School. Eddie mentioned something I didn't know and I was shamefully unaware of; David Lee Roth played the opening guitar bits to the song Ice Cream Man. He also states that David Lee Roth is a decent guitar player which is certainly a compliment coming from a player as mighty as Eddie Van Halen. You really need to imagine that if Eddie says you are good, you are probably a very good player. Nice compliment I though and I also learned something new.

All in all a article worth reading and Guitar world also has the tab for Tattoo included in this issue (August 2012)
Also check out the shameless cheese cake photos at guitar world!

Irish Singer Imelda May Hopes to Tour the U.S. Soon

Article by: By Javier Espinoza (wsj-speakeasy)

Rockabilly Irish singer Imelda May has become a big hit in the U.S. lately. She’s been on Jay Leno a few times already and last year, she welcomed President Barack Obama with a special concert during his visit to Ireland. The 37-year old star, who started singing when she was 14, has toured the world and she is currently singing around Europe before she leaves the stage to give birth to her first child. Her third album Mayhem has sold 400,000 copies. Ms. May, who is 6 months pregnant, took time off her busy schedule to discuss plans for a new album and a return to the U.S. She has already been getting advice on how to be a good mom. “I was in Monaco with Princess Caroline and Prince Albert. She is very nice. I went on stage, did my usual thing, I went crazy, had a good time. Then Princess Caroline said ‘Don’t forget to play a little Mozart to the baby and not only Rock’n'Roll,” she says.  “This is the first tour I have done since having a big belly. I am in the middle of going through my clothes trying to find what will fit me.”

Speakeasy: Is it a boy or girl?

Imelda May: I don’t know. It’s a surprise. It will be a nice surprise either way.

You’re playing in larger venues now like the Royal Albert Hall. Do you miss smaller venues?

I like a mixture of everything. There is no point in trying to do well and then complaining about the venues. I am getting thrill out of having to fill out bigger venues. It is different in different countries all over the world. We go to, say, Australia and 200 people will show and that’s great fun. And then you go to the U.S. and there’s 700,000 people. There are 24,000 people in Spain and Ireland. It is great that it can go from 200 to 24,000. How cool is that? It keeps you on your toes.

Are you touring Europe only this time around?

Yes. I had a tour planned for the U.S. But I canceled my long-haul flights to the advice of my doctor and my midwife. That’s more important. I don’t want to risk my health or my baby’s health. But I didn’t want to cancel the whole tour.

Are you going to the U.S. after the baby is born?

Oh yeah. That baby is going to be a tour baby. We will definitely go back. I love going there. Things are going very well. We are getting a good crowd. We will go back and this time we will have a baby. We won’t be the first or the last family to go on the road. It’s been done for many years.

Do you have any plans for a new album?

Oh yes. I have taken some time off to write and just enjoy being creative, and doing things for fun. I really enjoy doing things for fun more than anything else. I have no big career plan. It is better for me that way. As soon as I have all my songs together then myself and the band we will go to the studio and make a new album.

So it is work in progress.

Yes. Absolutely. Thank you for that. Most people ask ‘when is it out?’

No pressure…

Ha! My record company is great actually. They say you have been crazy on the road you need to slow down. They have been very supportive. They say take your time, relax, enjoy life, write some songs and come back with an album.

Some press reports said you were approached to become a judge for “The Voice.”

Yes. I turned it down. I didn’t want to do it. I don’t want to be a judge on a TV show.

Why not?

I am a musician. I think a lot of those things are more TV shows than music shows. I think they are great fun TV but  they are not for me.

Are there any people you’d like to perform with?

Always. I would love to perform with Robert Plant, BB King and Dolly Parton.

• Imelda May, 
• Ireland 

May 15, 2012, 2:00 PM ET

Rev. Horton Heat new concert film to be released

The Reverend Horton Heat: 25 to Life, a documentary concert film,  is set to be released on July 24. The DVD bonus package will include the film 25 to Life, a live CD, and the first ever career-spanning “best of” compilation CD.

The concert footage for The Reverend Horton Heat: 25 to Life was recorded at the legendary Fillmore Theater in San Francisco in 2010, and includes live concert footage, band interviews, crew interviews and more.

For more, visit reverendhortonheat.com

http://www.vintageguitar.com/10806/new-concert-film-slated-on-reverend-horton-heat/

Van Halen Cancel Tour

In case you have been trekking on Mars with out a news source - The scoop is that the Van Halen's have canceled part of their remaining tour venues.
Have you read Sammy Hagar's book - RED? If so then you are aware of the dynamics of the Van Halen's and if only from Sammy Hagar's perspective. No matter how Sammy's perspective is skewed and it might be just that, one thing is certain, the Van Halen's have canceled part of their tour. If you have tickets to the following events - You might be out of luck! Exhaustion? Maybe! If the track record is any indication, there is strife in the band and people are butting heads. Justified or not, there are some inflated ego's and other problems with their group dynamics. Hope for the best but try not to be too disappointed. At least we have another album on the shelf. Canceled shows are listed below!

(Update 06-12-012) BUT WAIT - Van Halen just came through town. From my perspective, if the group is in a state of chaos then they should all receive academy awards because everyone was getting along and the energy was high. Eddy's guitar work was simply stunning while not seeming flamboyant. I've seen these guys a number of times and this show was the best. I believe that they mis-calculated the amount of energy required to deliver quality shows and in the interest of providing the best possible show they pushed their schedule out to give themselves time to recuperate. Dare I say that they might even come back to your area again (if they already performed in your region) and/or book more shows. Scandal makes good copy but I'd rather report that Eddy and friends are sober, happy and kicking ass. Eddy is back and taking no prisoners!!!

7/7  Uncasville, Ct., Mohegan Sun Arena
7/9  Hampton, Va., Hampton Coliseum
7/11  Philadelphia, Pa., Wells Fargo Center
7/13  East Rutherford, N.J., Izod Center
7/15  Baltimore, Md., 1st Mariner Arena
7/17  Rochester N.Y., Blue Cross Arena
7/19  Detroit, Mich., Joe Louis Arena
7/21  London, Ontario, John Labatt Centre
7/24  Toledo, Ohio, Huntington Center
7/26  Grand Rapids, Mich., Van Andel Arena
7/28  Cleveland, Ohio, Quicken Loans Arena
7/31  Fort Wayne, Ind., Allen County Memorial Coliseum
8/2  Columbus, Ohio, Schottenstein Center
8/4  Knoxville, Tenn., Thompson-Boiling Arena
8/6  Memphis, Tenn., FedEx Forum
8/8  Birmingham, Ala., BJCC Arena
8/10  Greenville, S.C., BI-LO Center
8/12  Cincinnati, Ohio, US Bank Arena
8/21  Spokane, Wash., Spokane Arena
8/23  Portland, Ore., Rose Garden
8/25  Sacramento, Calif.,Power Balance Pavilion
8/28  Fresno, Calif., Save Mart Center
8/30  Reno, Nev., Reno Events Center
9/4  Salt Lake City, Utah — EnergySolutions Arena
9/8  Albuquerque, N.M., Tingley Coliseum
9/11  El Paso, Texas, Don Haskins Center
9/13  Austin, Texas, Frank Erwin Center
9/15  Oklahoma City, Okla., Chesapeake Energy Arena
9/17  Wichita, Kan. – Intrust Bank Arena
9/21  Moline, Ill., Iwireless Center
9/25  Milwaukee, Wis., Bradley Center

The Scorpions Final Sting!

The Scorpions came to Mountain View California and rocked the peninsula! Tesla started the night out with a rocking set with a commemoration of 26 years in the industry. However, the best was yet to come. The Scorpions (This band began in 1965 - 46 years ago) took the stage and rocked 19 songs from their extensive catalog. As one of their fans for years, I would have been more than pleased with a mixture of Tokyo Tapes, Love Drive and Animal Magnetism but the show wasn't for me exclusively (still I can't understand why not?). This was not an embarrassing resurrection of a tired washed up band, it was a tight top notch last hurrah for a classic metal band. If this is their last tour, they are going out strong. This show was fun because the audience knew all the lyrics and we all sang along to our favorite tunes.

 Photography by Rogers!

Mathias Jabs nailed every solo - this guy has been under-rated and under appreciated. Mathias had great tone that cut through the mix and the arrangements where better than what is on the records.

Photography by Rogers!

Klaus Meine's voice was strong and flawless. Klaus voice and writing is one of the reasons this band has stayed relevant for decades.

Rudolf - his brother wanted to be the best guitarist, Rudolf wanted the best band and Rudolf delivered with his trademark blistering rock solid rhythm and searing signature riffs.

Coast to coast - No lyrics - Just jamming!


James Kottak and Pawel Maciwoda provided a concrete metal foundation without missing a beat (pun intended).

The Zoo - Fan Video!


If you are lucky enough to have The Scorpions heading your way then do yourself a favor, pick up some tickets, and go hear for yourself why The Scorpions are one of the best Metal band ever. And their hologram stage lighting was cool too!

The series!


This is the Scorpions set list:
Sting in the Tail
Make It Real
Is There Anybody There?
The Zoo
Coast to Coast
Loving You Sunday Morning
Wind of Change
The Best Is Yet to Come
Send Me an Angel
Holiday
Raised on Rock
Tease Me Please Me
Hit Between the Eyes
Kottak Attack
Blackout
Six String Sting
Big City Nights

Encore:
Still Loving You
No One Like You
Rock You Like a Hurricane