Brad Labelle
Nap Eyesā Brad Labelle joins reader Galen Brownson and PG staff in sharing about what makes themāand thereby, their tunesāso unique.
Question: What are some personal qualities of yours that set you apart from others in your writing or playing?
Brad Labelle - Nap Eyes
A: I love dance music and have an unrelenting thirst for new and fresh sounds. I donāt feel my guitar playing is particularly groundbreaking, but those influences must seep through somehow. I do believe Iām a fairly expressive player and my short attention span keeps me endlessly improvising.
Nap Eyesā latest release, The Neon Gate.
Obsession: I canāt stop listening to the recent Jane Remover track āMagic I Want U.ā The production is deeply detailed but doesnāt feel cluttered, and her melodic sensibilities are intoxicating. She gives you crunchy guitars paired with breakbeats, West Coast synth lines, a Janet Jackson-esque electro outro, scratching, a fun little guitar solo.... I could go on.
As of late, Two Star & the Dream Police by Mk.gee has been in Brad's regular listening rotation.
Galen Brownson - Reader of the Month
Metallicaās two-guitar format inspired Galen when he was learning guitar.
A: When I was learning how to play, I was listening to a lot of two-guitar bands, like Metallica and Megadeth and Iron Maiden. I tried to find ways to play both guitar parts at once, which is not always possible, but I write two parts for one guitar now.
Metallicaās second album is a fan favorite of their early, pioneering years.
Obsession: My latest obsession is finding ways to combine metal music with electronic music, particularly dubstep. My younger brother once chastised me for ignoring electronic music by saying āmetal and dubstep have a lot in common,ā and he was absolutely right. Iāve since made it a goal to weave them together.
Galen names Polis by Uppermost, a French electronic music producer, as one of his favorite records.
Ted Drozdowski - Editorial Director
Ted takes a slide solo on his well-traveled and beloved Dollycaster.
A: My interests toggle between history and mystery, so my technique is based in archaic/anarchic blues playing styles and an expansive sonic palette that relies on blending fingerpicking, slide, and an array of pedals to create tones and sheets of sound. I think of it as cosmic roots music, and donāt hear a lot of other people doing what I do the way I do it.
The marquee image for Ted and Coyote Motelās new movie, The River: A Songwriterās Stories of the South.
Obsession: For a few years now, much of my creative energy has been invested in a feature film I created with my band Coyote Motelāscripting, recording narration, performing as part of the band, editing, and learning many painfully new and hard lessons about movie-making. And then getting the film to festivals, where weāve won laurels, and onto a few select screens. Now, Iām working on distribution, in a field where there aināt no Bandcamp or DistroKid. It aināt easy, but Iām obsessed with getting The River: A Songwriterās Stories of the South into the world.
The current state of Tedās pedalboard. (Heās aware he could do a better job with the wiring.)
Kate Koenig - Managing Editor
Kateās newest album, which contains some of their rawest and most vulnerable lyrics to date.
A: I wear my heart on my sleeveāto the point where Iāve always struggled to have a verbal filterāso I tend to write very raw, vulnerable lyrics. A taste for cerebral art during my formative years has also informed my approach to coming up with challenging and intricate fingerpicking guitar parts.
When PGās worldly gear editor Charles recommended Black Flagās record Damaged, Kate got on that posthaste.
Obsession: Iāve been revisiting, digging into, and expanding my knowledge of classic ā80s and ā90s punk in preparation for my next artist interview for Premier Guitar(some foreshadowing, eh?). I have always been intrigued by punk cultureās outspoken rebelliousness and commitment to anarchic ideals, which strike me as free and authentic.
Kate has a distinct memory of a classmate playing āYouāre Gonna Go Far, Kidā on loop in their senior-year studio-art class. (They still wonder why their teacher didnāt intervene.)
Hats off to Carmen Vandenberg of Bones UK, our celebrity Question of the Month respondent.
Guest picker Carmen Vandenberg of Bones UK joins reader Samuel Cosmo Schiff and PG staff in divulging their favorite ways to learn music.
Question: What is your favorite method of teaching or learning how to play the guitar?
Guest Picker - Carmen Vandenberg, Bones UK
The cover of Soft, Bones UKās new album, due in mid-September.
A: My favorite method these days (and to be honest, from when I started playing) is to put on my favorite blues records, listen with my eyes closed, and, at the end, see what my brain compartmentalizes and keeps stored away. Then, I try and play back what I heard and what my fingers or brain decided they liked!
Bone UKās labelmade, Des Rocks.
Obsession: Right now, I am into anyone trying to create sounds that havenāt been made beforeābands like Queens of the Stone Age, Jack White, and our labelmate, Des Rocs! Thereās a Colombian band called DiamantĆ© Electrico who Iāve been really into recently. Really anyone whoās trying to create innovative and inspiring sounds.
Reader of the Month - Sam C. Schiff.
Sam spent endless hours trying to learn the solo Leslie West played on āLong Red,ā off of The Road Goes Ever On.
A: The best way to learn guitar is to listen to some good guitar playing! Put on a record, hear something tasty, and play on repeat until it comes out of your fingers. For me, it was Leslie West playing āLong Redā on the Mountain album, The Road Goes Ever On. I stayed up all night listening to that track until I could match Leslieās phrasing. I still canāt, no one can, but I learned a lot!
Smithās own low-wattage amp build.
Obsession: My latest musical obsession is low-wattage tube amps like the 5-watt Fender Champ heard on the Laylaalbum. Crank it up all the way for great tube distortion and sustain, and itās still not loud enough to wake up the neighbors!
Gear Editor - Charles Saufley
Charles Saufley takes to gear like a duck to water!
A: Learning by ear and feel is most fun for me. I write and free-form jam more than I learn other peopleās licks. When I do want to learn something specific, Iāll poke around on YouTube for a demo or a lesson or watch films of a player I like, and then typically mangle that in my own āspecialā way that yields something else. But I rarely have patience for tabs or notation.
The Grateful Deadās 1967 debut album.
Obsession: Distorted and overdriven sounds with very little sustaināKeith Richardsā Between the Buttons tones, for example. Jerry Garciaās plonky tones on the first Grateful Dead LP are another cool, less-fuzzy version of that texture.
Publisher - Jon Levy
A: Iām a primitive beast: The only way I can learn new music is by ear, so itās a good thing I find that method enjoyable. Iām entirely illiterate with staff notation. Put sheet music in front of me and Iāll stare at it with twitchy, fearful incomprehension like an ape gaping at the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Iām almost as clueless with tab, but I can follow along with chord charts if Iām under duress.
The two-hit wonders behind the early ā70s soft-rock hits, āFallinā in Loveā and āDon't Pull Your Love.ā
Obsession: Revisiting and learning AM-radio pop hits circa 1966ā1972. The Grass Roots, Edison Lighthouse, the Association, the Archies, and Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynoldsānothing is too cheesy for me to dissect and savor. Yes, I admit I have a serious problem.
Fake Fruitās Hannah DāAmato takes flight, while the bandās drummer, Miles MacDiarmid, lurks in the background.
Fake Fruit bandleader Hannah DāAmato tells a tale of two Neils as she, PG staff, and reader Kevin Ramsay dig into their songbooks.
Question: Which artist have you learned the most songs by?
Guest Picker:Ā Hannah DāAmato ā Fake Fruit
A: Neil Young. I think heās an incredible human archivist who knows exactly how to distill the highs and lows of being an alive person better than almost anyone. Playing his songs is about as cathartic as it gets. His straight-down-the-barrel soloing is a huge inspiration, too.
The one and only Neil Young.
Obsession: My current obsession is a Karina cover of Neil Sedakaās āOh! Carol.ā Originally written from the male āDonāt leave meā perspective, the Spanish translation very sneakily urges Carol not to bend to the manās will and to chase her own happiness without looking backābadass.
Reader of the Month:Ā Kevin Ramsay
Kevin Ramsay, welcome to our pages!
A: Iāve learned the most songs by John Lee Hooker. His raw, hypnotic blues style captivates me. His mastery of the guitar and distinctive voice make his songs unforgettable. Learning his repertoire taught me about blues rhythms, storytelling in music, and the emotional depth that can be conveyed through powerful lyrics.
This album is classic solo Hookerāa live jewel in his catalog.
Obsession: My latest music-related obsession is Maryanne Amacher and otoacoustic emissions. Amacherās pioneering work with sound and perception, particularly exploring otoacoustic emissions, fascinates me. Her innovative approach to sonic art challenges conventional boundaries, inspiring me to delve deeper into the intersection of science, sound, and human perception in music.
Assistant Editor:Ā Luke Ottenhof
Our man in Montreal, assistant editor Luke Ottenhof.
A: I think it would have to be Weezer. I went through an all-consuming Weezer phase after my older cousins introduced me to them, then binged Blue Album, Pinkerton, and Green Album. I forced my poor, brilliant guitar teacher to show me how to play those songs instead of teaching me stuff that surely would have made me a better player today. Thanks for indulging me, Scott!
Weezerās 1994 debut album.
Obsession: Creating different types of sonic mayhem through pedals. I always think itās funny when you get a crazy new pedal that makes your signal virtually unrecognizable and someone says, āThat doesnāt sound very useful.ā Iām thankful for the imaginative builders who donāt just make what sounds āuseful,ā and to artists who create sounds beyond the call of capital.
Chief Videographer:Ā Perry Bean
Donāt mess with Perry Bean!
A: If youāre gonna riff, riff with me! At the risk of sounding boring or rudimentary, I probably know the most songs by the Misfits. I discovered them as I was learning guitar, and while not complicated or hard, those barre chords set me up with a foundation to build from. More importantly, learning those songs made guitar an interesting and fun hobby for me. I hated lessons at first because I was forced to learn and play music I had no desire to listen to, let alone play. (Sorry, Elvis!) Besides, guitar is supposed to be fun, right? Long live the Misfits!
The Misfitās ultra-recognizable logo.
Obsession: Introducing my son to a vast world of good music. Last thing Iād ever want for him is the embarrassment of saying something like, āDave Matthews is awesome!ā in a public setting, for lack of knowing better.
Sam Shipstone ripping on his G&L Tribute ASAT T-style in butterscotch blond.
Photo by Jamie Macmillan
Yard Actās Sam Shipstone joins reader Greg DeGood and PG staff members in naming the guitars they love best, stockāwith no need to mod.
Question: What is your favorite guitar that comes stock without the need for modding?
Guest Picker - Sam Shipstone
Yard Actās latest release, from earlier this year.
A: My G&L Tribute ASAT classic barely needed modding, and Iāve used three nearly exclusively for Yard Act now. I love the MFD pickups above allāthey really sing when driven.
Obsession: After listening to the atmospheric drone duo Stars of the Lid for years, I finally looked up their live equipment setup. Even a guitarist could miss that their primary sound-making tool is guitar: It sounds so otherworldly and organic. Gonna be delving deeper.
Reader of the Month - Greg DeGood
The Roland G-5 VG Fender Stratocaster in sunburst.
A: I would pick the Roland G-5 VG FenderĀ Stratocaster for its versatility. Its range of electronically programmed alternate-tuning settings and guitar modeling options gives a musician a palette of sounds at the turn of two knobs. The VG Strat would be my first choice of a guitar ready to go āout of the boxā without any necessary mods. For acoustic, I would pick the Martin HDC-28E. The standard HD-28 is legendary for its great sound. The HDC-28E has a cutaway for easy access to the upper range and an electronic pickup for live sound or recording. Those extra options just make sense to me for any acoustic guitar.
The now-discontinued Martin HDC-28E.
Obsession: My latest obsession is using a clean boost instead of an overdrive in front of a mildly overdriven 1982 Marshall JCM800 4104. I used to enjoy the extra āhairā added by a Tube Screamer or Boss SD-1, but I missed the clarity. I tried a TC Electronic Spark, and the added gain I needed by hitting the front end of the amp was there without sacrificing clarity. Open chords sound huge and put a grin on my face every time I play.
Director of Advertising - Brett Petrusek
Brettās 1958 Explorer reissue.
A: My 1958 Explorer reissue in TV White. Iāve been known to mess with every guitar, trying different pickups, pots, etc., just to see where I can take it. Itās like therapy for me. But this guitar is perfectly 100-percent stock. I wonāt touch it. If my house was on fire itās the one Iād grab.
Brett onstage with his band Fuzzrd.
Obsession: Fifty-watt 2204 Marshall JMP combos. Thereās something magical about the open-back 2x12 cabsāplus you can (occasionally) still score a combo for a fair price. Easy enough to drop into a head shell, and then you have a couple of options.
Senior Editor - Nick Millevoi
Nickās Danelectro baritone.
A: Last year, I bought a Danelectro baritone. Iāve played these a bunch over the years, and theyāve always felt consistent, even as the model has changed a bit. I took it to a gig basically straight out of the box, and it was exactly as Iād hoped. With only a little setup since then, Iāve been using it regularly and couldnāt imagine making any modsāitās perfect! I love the scale of this model, and the lipstick pickups, especially in middle position, have so much character.
The latest Meridian Brothers album.
Obsession: Meridian Brothers have been one of my favorite artists for years. Primarily featuring Eblis Ćlvarez on recordāthough with a full ensemble liveāthe relentlessly creative guitarist/composer/bandleader perfectly balances traditional songwriting and deep body-moving rhythms with experimental, futuristic guitar tones and adventurous production. Every new release is a cause for celebration and their newest, Mi LatinoamĆ©rica Sufre, is further proof that Ćlvarez is among the most fun musical minds on the planet.
Electric blues guitarist Cedric Burnside.
Electric blues guitarist Cedric Burnside joins PGstaff and reader Dominic von Riedemann in cheering on their favorite pedalsāor lack thereof!
Question: What effects pedal can you not live without?
Guest Picker - Cedric Burnside
Mr. Burnside's no-frills pedalboard.
A: I only have two pedalsāone is a tuner and one is an AB box. I just like the AB box because I can play both amps at the same timeāthe lead amp and the bass amp. But I can live without any pedal and just play my guitar.
Current Obsession:Juke joints. Iāve just noticed the lack of them here in the hill country. It used to be a staple of this area, and Iāve been working to see when and where I could possibly open my own to bring that culture of music back to the area. Hopefully Iāll have my own here sooner than later.
Reader of the Month - Dominic von Riedemann
Mr. von Riedemann's pup, standing in for Mr. von Riedemann.
A: My Way Huge Green Rhino MkII has been a staple on my board since I bought it in 2012. The adjustable midrange and bass controls give it a lot more versatility than your typical TS type, and it loves pretty much every guitar and amp Iāve tried it with.
Current Obsession: Iām hard at work recording with my band the Boardwalk Cowboys, plus Iām listening to new music from Jason Isbell, symphonic metalsmiths Therion, and dance-punk outfit Model/Actriz.
Publisher -Ā Jon Levy
Jonās pedalboard
A: My gigging pedalboard is constantly morphing, but it centers around this essential item: a low-gain, always-on overdrive. The Timmy pedal has been my mainstay for about 10 years, but recently Iāve been test-driving (awful pun intentional) two impressive new contenders: the Keeley Blues Disorder and Messiah Guitars Billy overdrives.
Current Obsession: Playing guitar with dynamics. And being a better listener. Like many guitarists, I find this very challenging. Iām prone to using my guitar as a firehose: Once I get going, youād better run for the emergency exits because I will not curb this awesome power! I gotta learn to shut up, or at least improve my right-hand technique to allow the song to breathe a bit.
Gear Editor -Ā Charles Saufley
Mr. Saufley, represented by a mallard.
A: When push comes to shove, I guess I would say a Deluxe Memory Man. Delay is probably the effect I need above all othersāespecially if my amp has tremolo and reverb (and it had better). But the Deluxe Memory Man is more than a perfect analog echo. The level control can add grime to a too-polite signal, and a touch of the DMMās vibrato is always woozily delish. Plus, a guitar, a Deluxe Memory Man, and a good-looking amplifier is about as stylish as a rig gets.
Current Obsession: Playing along with windchimes. Thereās a beautiful, fascinating, and most instructive mix of structure and chaos in the springtime ring of windchimes.