Beware of the Pick Gremlins!

My friends we are facing an epidemic! It’s brutal some would say unnerving!

Cool Skull Pick
Cool Skull Pick

If you play guitar with a pick, you know what I’m talking about. You go to your local guitar store drop a few bucks and, in theory, have enough picks to last you for awhile.

You know you bought a few of the cool ones with skull designs on them, a few heavy ones for fast picking and that one thin one for strumming some folk songs.

Get home and it’s time for a practice session. You start jamming then a distraction, maybe the doorbell rings. You put your new skull pick down in a precise spot on the coffee table so you remember exactly where you left it so you don’t lose it. You dispatch the salesman at the door only to return to your rockin’ out and cue the theme from “Psycho” as you look down and that shiny new pick is gone.

“What the heck!?, I left it right there on the coffee table…right there in the corner!”  Too late! …It’s gone…like a swimmer in “Jaws”, like a camper in Mike Myers’ neck of the woods, like one of Sigourney Weaver’s buddies in “Alien.”

Get a glass of water…Bam, another one gone! Go to the bathroom…ChaChing, your thin pick is gone! Picks disappear like crazy. Where do they go? It doesn’t make any sense.

Over the years I’ve come to one conclusion. There are Pick Gremlins amongst us. It doesn’t matter where you live or how careful you are with your picks they are gonna disappear on you.  You can even check your pockets and the laundry, but, they’re gone!  It’s the pick gremlins no other possibility.

For those of you who play guitar you KNOW what I’m talking about. For those that don’t…well you probably think all guitarists are nuts anyways.

Beware of the Pick Gremlins!

Van Halen Week in San Diego

You probably know by now that I’ve dubbed this Van Halen Week in San Diego. Eddie, Dave, Alex and Wolfgang are coming to San Diego for the first time since DLR leaving the band after their “1984” tour. Unfortunately, as a kid I missed this last chance to see the original lineup although I saw them several times with Sammy Hagar.

San Diego
San Diego
Van Halen
Van Halen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now they are back touring the world again! Yeah, they are older and a bit kookier, but, no way I was going to miss them this time. Of course it still isn’t the original lineup as Eddie’s son Wolfgang has taken the place of original bassist Michael Anthony.

Eddie was my biggest guitar influence growing up and to this day, as well. The new album, “A Different Kind of Truth,” is sinking into my brain more and more as I catch the nuances that Eddie always supplies…crazy rock star or not the guy is an incredible musician.

The setlist looks great too. I thought they would go with a lot of their more poppy tunes but it looks like they have gone with a healthy mix of their hits, as well as, some of their more obscure classics.

I am really stoked to hear songs that I never thought I would hear live. “Women in Love,” “Ice Cream Man,” and my all time favorite Van Halen song, “Hear About it Later,” from the album, “Fair Warning”.

Seeing how it has been 28 years since they made an album and toured with David Lee Roth, I thought I would offer some historical perspective.

Things we never heard of:

Global Warming, carbon footprints, declining California Home prices, CD’s, cell phones, Internet, DVD’s, Taliban, Clinton, G.W. Bush,  Obama, ‘President’ Bush (The first one was still VP for Regan who was still in his first term when “1984” came out.), Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams, Taliban, 911(may we never hear of another), DVR, reality TV, American Idol, Aerosmith reunion, flat screens, Wii, Like A Virgin,  boy bands, Grunge, Death Metal,  Satellite Radio, Derek Jeter, Brett Farve, High Definition, Van Hagar, bungee jumping, Fresh Prince, The Terminator….

Now that is a long time to wait for a concert…a wait that ends this Thursday!

Van Halen Setlist

One more day and it will officially be Van Halen week in San Diego as the boys from Pasadena get set to play Viejas Arena June 14th.

For you San Diegans who have been wondering about the setlist check out the link below. It looks like they are fairly settled on their selections now. It seemed to flutter from show to show earlier in the tour. Most notably it looks like they are exchanging The Full Bug and Romeo Delight every other show. From time to time they throw a ‘new’ old classic into the mix. The last show, June 5, featured their first performance of Bottoms Up! since 1983.

Added bonus is Kool & the Gang will be the opening act.

Time to get excited San Diego!!

Van Halen Setlist

Kool & The Gang Setlist

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Guitar Practicing Tips- Keep it Out

Have you ever been walking around your house bored and say, ‘Ooooh I am gonna practice my guitar?’ You find that it is in the case, tucked in a room you never practice in and a full stack of junk on top. You know, just like your gym equipment….’Maybe I’ll practice later…’

It happens to the best of us!

One way to avoid this is to keep your guitar out of the case, of course you want to make sure you find a safe spot for it. Also keep it in a room you frequent so you can pick it up at anytime. If it is staring you in the face you are more likely to pick it up. If you pick it up you can get in a quick practice session. If you get in a quick session who knows it may turn into a full blown practice session.

Keep your guitar out, keep it protected and keep it where you can easily pick it up at anytime!

Keep practicing!!!

Michael Schenker Said No to the Rolling Stones, Ozzy, Aerosmith…

Here is one for the category..”I never knew”

I have always heard that Michael Schenker turned down a stint with Ozzy Osbourne but it appears there were several other suitors who he gave the cold shoulder, as well.

Michael Schenker

I have been a Michael Schenker fan for 30 years plus. He has been one of my biggest influences.

Michael is one of those elite guitarists like Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Stevie Ray Vaughan etc. Axemen of different styles that absolutely command their guitars. Guitarists that are known for spending incredible amounts of hours developing their craft to the point where every note displays their musical bidding.

Michael Schenker is very much a man on path. He is a man who has had to face many demons including substance abuse. One thing that you have to admire is that he has always seemed to know his path or perhaps where is path shouldn’t lie.

For that reason he has turned down some of the worlds biggest bands such as the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake and I am sure countless others that have sought his 6 string, Flying V services. Of Ozzy and the Rolling Stones I have heard him say he would be dead if he joined their ranks. Amazing insights from a man who has seemed to have troubles controlling his life the way he does his guitar.

Obviously he chose wisely. Schenker has been tirelessly recording and touring the world over the years. He has a huge cult following around the world from fans who have known him as a founding member of the Scorpions, bringing the band UFO to new heights and as a solo artist.

Click here to hear/see one of Michael Schenker’s great instrumental compositions, “Into the Arena”

New Rush Song, “Headlong Flight”

Just heard the first track off Rush’s soon to be released album. The track is “Headlong Flight” the album due June 12 is called “Clockwork Angels”

The sound is GREAT! The band sounds refreshed, revitalized, real good and ready to go!!

Nice to hear such a heavy aggressive song from our friends north of the border. Even as a huge fan I was pleasantly surprised how good this track sounded.

~Looks like the song has been taken down from the previously posted site try this link to Rolling Stone Magazine.~

Let me know what you think.

Worst AC/DC Album??

Alright, I am new to the whole blogging thing and all its protocols etc. So I have to be upfront that I am basically hijacking this topic from a fellow blogger. Who you should check out! http://everyrecordtellsastory.com/ I like his stuff!

Anyway his topic was basically regarding what is the worst AC/DC album of all time. I am revising the premise a bit because I think most people I know and certainly my thoughts are everything after “For Those About to Rock” although there are some gems is a huge jump the shark for the Aussies.ACDC Album Cover Art Poster

So give it to me! What you got? Write your thoughts down below.

I’ll save my answer til after a few replies.

Just a disclaimer. I am a huge AC/DC fan just curious which of their earlier releases does not stack up in other fans minds.

All apologies to “Every Record Tells A  Story” If I stepped on any toes! Love to have you weigh in as well!

Cheers!