David Von Bader

Converge: Kurt Ballou’s Second Nature

March 13, 2018

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.

The Lemon Twigs: Hey Bro—That’s My Guitar!

March 7, 2017

David Von Bader

The brothers D’Addario reveal how they rule the stage by sharing a drum kit and a ’64 Melody Maker in their progressive power-pop quartet.

Meshuggah’s Mårten Hagström: A Higher Standard

January 24, 2017

David Von Bader

The 8-string idol dishes on the metal gods’ back-to-basics new The Violent Sleep of Reason—as well as why he’s such a harsh critic of shred.

Eastwood Jeff Senn Model One Review

January 4, 2017

David Von Bader

Traditional touchstones and forward-looking design unite in a functional, playable, and hip-sounding whole.

Dillinger Escape Plan’s Swan Song

December 15, 2016

David Von Bader

Ben Weinman discusses the band’s 20-year evolution in the metal scene, guitar philosophies, and how everyone in the group gave their best-ever studio performance on their final album, Dissociation.

Body/Head: Kim Gordon and Bill Nace’s Natural Selection

December 8, 2016

David Von Bader

The Sonic Youth legend’s improv-performance duo thrives on a catalytic, reactionary alchemy where two guitarists turn free-form sheets of noise into avant-rock gold.

Guerilla Toss Goes Apesh*t!

November 8, 2016

David Von Bader

Guitarist Arian Shafiee dances on a musical high wire. His partners: a Strat, a Kramer, a trick bag of effects, and radical compositions with no boundaries.

Flower Power Trio: The Stargazer Lilies

October 27, 2016

David Von Bader

Guitarist John Cep and bassist Kim Field plant roots in songwriting terra firma while expanding their universe with stereo Marshalls, myriad pedals, vintage gear, and influences ranging from Kevin Shields to bossa nova.

DOD Looking Glass Overdrive Review

October 3, 2016

David Von Bader

Transparency equals flexibility in a sweet-sounding and dynamic drive unit.

Kevin Morby’s Unfancy Sparkle

September 29, 2016

David Von Bader

A Brooklyn singer-songwriter makes an acoustic psychedelic album, Singing Saw, using cheap flattops, a Fender Jaguar named Dorothy, studio savvy, and—yes—an actual singing saw.