David Von Bader

Mastro Valvola LFO Optical Tremolo Review

September 18, 2018

David Von Bader

Optical analog tremolo and a digital brain make this Italian trem’ a grab bag of modulation tricks.

Tsakalis AudioWorks Phonkify Review

September 15, 2018

David Von Bader

Envelope filter and octave combine to reach realms beyond the same old jam and funk riffs.

Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 Review

September 10, 2018

David Von Bader

Reverb’s depths made accessible in a small and super-economical package.

Neko Case: Free Falling

August 23, 2018

David Von Bader

The enigmatic songstress and masterful storyteller opens up about Hell-On—her most daring album yet—her love of tenor guitars, and how collaboration opened her creative gates.

Johnny Marr’s Mancunian Charm

August 6, 2018

David Von Bader

The Smiths icon and renowned collaborator and guitarist’s guitarist steps out as a confident frontman on his third studio album, Call the Comet.

Guild Jetstar Review

July 31, 2018

David Von Bader

Another Guild oddity rises Phoenix-like from the ashes—fit and in fighting form.

Clairvoyant Chemistry: The Damned’s Captain Sensible and Paul Gray

June 26, 2018

David Von Bader

The punk-rock godfathers restart their guitar and bass partnership on the Damned’s first new album in a decade, Evil Spirits. And producer Tony Visconti takes their tones to the max.

Framus Pro Series Teambuilt Television Review

June 7, 2018

David Von Bader

The shape of a ’60s German oddity returns in a high quality, ultra-playable, and versatile modern electric.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Peter Hayes and Robert Levon Been

May 24, 2018

David Von Bader

On the new album Wrong Creatures, the sonic shamans blur the lines between guitar and bass with effects, open tunings, and banks of amps to create a cocoon of sound.

Quicksand’s Walter Schreifels: Post-Hardcore Guitar Hero

May 4, 2018

David Von Bader

On the band’s first new studio album in 22 years, Interiors, this influential New York rocker expands his sonic ethos to find a fresh musical voice in effects pedals and playing lead guitar.

Converge: Kurt Ballou’s Second Nature

March 13, 2018

David Von Bader

The hardcore guitar hero and producer discusses the band's new LP, The Dusk in Us—as well as his new GodCity instrument and pedal outfit.

Chelsea Wolfe: Like a Ghost Over a Battlefield

December 26, 2017

David Von Bader

Making the radical noise and gorgeous melodies for the supernatural sound of her new album, Hiss Spun, required Gibsons, Fenders, gnarly pedals, guest Troy Van Leeuwen, and a tip from Carl Sagan.

Bloodclot’s Todd Youth and Nick Oliveri

November 9, 2017

David Von Bader

After years in the thrash, metal, and stoner-rock trenches, the former Danzig guitarist and ex-Queens of the Stone Age bassist return to their roots as a heart-punching hardcore tag team.

Wendy Melvoin: Playing for the Revolution

October 2, 2017

David Von Bader

Prince’s former guitarist discusses the Revolution’s legacy and recent tour—and what it was like to write and trade licks with the High Priest of Pop.

The Black Angels: Left-Handed Path

August 14, 2017

David Von Bader

The southpaw guitarists in this Austin band are pushing psych rock into the future with their new album, Death Song. (And they use a truckload of vintage gear.)

King Dude Does It in the Dark

June 29, 2017

David Von Bader

On the new album Sex, ex-metal guitarist TJ Cowgill trades shred for a self-styled goth-punk-folk wonderland conjured with low-budget guitars and a crypt’s worth of ghostly reverb.

Crystal Fairy: Embracing the Weird

April 21, 2017

David Von Bader

The Melvins’ Buzz Osborne and Le Butcherettes’ Teri Gender Bender explain how incredible chemistry and alternate tunings inspired them to make an album together.

Boz Boorer: Triple Agent

March 30, 2017

David Von Bader

The workaholic guitarist blends roots rock with sonic majesty as Morrissey’s sparring partner, as a rockabilly guitar hero, and on his new solo album, Age of Boom.