The Replacements were, and for fans still are, the most important band of the post-punk/pre-grunge 1980s alt rock scene. The Minneapolis quintet, along with Husker Du and a few others, lit the teen angst torch that would set things ablaze nearly a decade later with the explosive popularity of Nirvana and the rest of the 1990s alternative music set.
Angrily at odds with a New Wave world, the ‘Mats released their first album, Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash, in 1981, voicing for a new generation their discontent with a world. But it was not a rehash of idealistic 70s punk and set itself apart from the violent anarchism of the LA punk scene; this was Midwestern working-class angst at once energetically charged and apathetic to the cause of changing the world. Over the next few years The Replacements would hone their beer-fueled craft across the EP Stink and the full-length Hootenanny before striking pure gold with the 1984 release of Let it Be.
Rhino Records is re-issuing these ground-breaking albums, originally recorded for Twin/Tone Records, as deluxe editions. Remastered and produced by Twin/Tone founder Peter Jesperson, the new CDs feature a bevy of bonus tracks and outtakes, demos, and live tracks. PopMatters has a great review and retrospective of the ‘Mats; check out the details from the Rhino site.
tags: Uncategorized author: TheGuitarTech comments: 1 Comment
According to the Sunday Mirror, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has about 3,000 guitars in his collection. He told the paper, “I’ve probably got too many guitars … I’ve only got one pair of hands.” Richards is thinking about giving away some of his collection or opening his own museum.
tags: Vintage guitars author: TheGuitarTech comments: No Comments
Mike Slubowski is the king of guitar collectors. He owns about 170 different guitars, mostly Gibson models ranging from vintage Les Pauls to collectors series signature models. Check out this poster featuring 114 of his guitars. Simply amazing.
What’s great is Slubowski is just a regular guy, not some rich bastard who can plunk down six figures for a vintage guitar just to encase it glass to sell it to some other rich bastard. He’s married, has two kids, and a day job. He just loves guitars.
tags: Gibson guitars, Vintage guitars author: TheGuitarTech comments: No Comments
I just happened to stumble on this and thought it needed reposting.
Paul Westerberg is about as cool as it gets, and seeing him play “Alex Chilton” alone on his Gibson ES-335 just doubles that feeling.
Happy weekend!
tags: Gibson guitars author: TheGuitarTech comments: No Comments
Took in some of SXSW over the weekend and was lucky enough to get up near the front at The Breeders show. This is a pretty poor quality shot, but this was part of the backline:
That is one road-weary Marshall head that was being used by their newest support guitarist whom I completely missed her name when Kim said it. Both Kim and Kelley were also playing Marshalls: Kelley’s was looking brand new, Kim’s was beaten up and painted gold. Bass player Mando Lopez had a massive AMPEG rig and played mostly a Gibson Explorer bass.
The show was very good with a mix of new material from their upcoming Mountain Battles, but also a healthy dose of songs from Last Splash and Pacer (from Kim’s side project The Amps). Great to see them out and kicking ass again.
Here’s some video from Breeders Digest of the band during their Austin City Limits performance:
tags: Marshall amps author: TheGuitarTech comments: No Comments
The Teisco guitars seem to be everywhere these days. On eBay there’s a pretty good deal right now on a vintage ET-200 with the tulip-shaped body.
According to the seller, the neck is straight and the guitar plays fine. If the pictures are any indication, this guitar is in fantastic shape.
This auction for a 1965 Teisco ET-200 vintage guitar goes until March 16.
tags: Teisco guitars author: TheGuitarTech comments: No Comments
In yet another case of corporations trying to kill the goose that laid the golden egg, Gibson Guitars is trying to extort money from Activision by claiming Guitar Hero infringes on some patents, leading the game maker to file a lawsuit against the guitar company.
Gibson claims that it has a patent on a system of simulating a musical performance dating back to 1999, and sent a letter to Activision stating that the video game maker would need to license the technology or be subject to a lawsuit. Activision’s suit is asking a judge to put the kibosh on Gibson’s claim since they waited so long to bring it up.
What’s funny here, of course, is the two sides in this case have been close partners in the wildly popular and financially lucrative Guitar Hero franchise for a long time now, with Activision licensing Gibson trademarks for use in the game, not to mention the Les Paul shaped game controller.
What will come of all this? Guitar Hero IV might just feature some Fender guitars.
tags: Gibson guitars author: TheGuitarTech comments: No Comments
Taylor Guitars is hitting the road and hoping to create a few converts and sales.
The El Cajon, California-based company is sending teams out on tour to put on small events in select cities where you can get hands-on with one of their quality guitars. You can meet their staff, talk a little shop, and of course test drive a few instruments.
Check out the Taylor Road Show site to see if your city in on the schedule.
tags: Taylor guitars author: TheGuitarTech comments: No Comments
Spotted a nice article highlighting master luthier James Olson and his guitar business up in Minneapolis. Olson started making guitars back in 1977 and now has an impressive list of high-profile customers. James Taylor plays his Olson guitars pretty much exclusively. For a look at the finished products, check out the James Olson Guitars web site.
tags: Olson guitars author: TheGuitarTech comments: No Comments
The Gibson Melody Maker was one of the company’s most popular guitars in the 1960s. It was introduced in 1959 and marketed as a budget guitar for the beginner, but the solid body axe gained a reputation among experience players for its light weight and great tone.
On eBay someone is selling a 1962 Melody Maker with a double-cutaway body and 3/4 scale neck. According to the auction page, the guitar is being sold by the original owner and in the photos it looks like it’s in pretty good shape. The seller is also throwing in the original case and a Mel Bay guitar book.
Anyone interested in a great vintage Gibson could do a lot worse than this 1962 Melody Maker. The auction goes until March 14.
tags: Gibson guitars, Vintage guitars author: TheGuitarTech comments: No Comments
