Cree Rider Brooklyn, New York
1. What are your favorite local clubs to play?
Depends where I happen to be at the time! Well, since I'm currently paying rent in Brooklyn, NY, I'll consider that my local city.
My favorite clubs in Brooklyn are Hank's Saloon and Pete's Candy Store. I love Hank's because it's this little honky-tonk dive bar which is perpetually (for the last 4 years) on the verge of closing it's doors because of landlord/lease problems, but they just keep on going. Like The Little Engine That Could of dive bars. And there they are a REAL, LIVE honky-tonk dive bar, in the middle of Brooklyn. It's the kind of joint I wish I could just get paid a salary of sandwiches and booze and play there every night of the week.
Pete's Candy Store is a small room in the heart of the hipsterville neighborhood known as Williamsburg. The great thing about Pete's is that you are playing in this tiny, wood paneled room. It is so intimate. And they do several bands a night there, every night of the week, all different kinds of music. So it really is a great place to see fresh new music. The exciting thing is that on any given night, there is no telling who or what style of music you might see.
My favorite clubs in Brooklyn are Hank's Saloon and Pete's Candy Store. I love Hank's because it's this little honky-tonk dive bar which is perpetually (for the last 4 years) on the verge of closing it's doors because of landlord/lease problems, but they just keep on going. Like The Little Engine That Could of dive bars. And there they are a REAL, LIVE honky-tonk dive bar, in the middle of Brooklyn. It's the kind of joint I wish I could just get paid a salary of sandwiches and booze and play there every night of the week.
Pete's Candy Store is a small room in the heart of the hipsterville neighborhood known as Williamsburg. The great thing about Pete's is that you are playing in this tiny, wood paneled room. It is so intimate. And they do several bands a night there, every night of the week, all different kinds of music. So it really is a great place to see fresh new music. The exciting thing is that on any given night, there is no telling who or what style of music you might see.
2. What is your favorite piece of equipment in your collection?
That would have to be my 2004 Yairi CY116 customized with the Alvarez System 600T MKII EQ/pickup. I worked for Alvarez at the time, so I got it at a significant discount, but I think they ran in the range of $1700. I'm not sure because they don't make 'em anymore. I have beat this guitar to hell, to the point where it is near having a Willie Nelson-esque hole near the soundhole. But, going over to nylon strings really changed my way of playing guitar, and helped me find my sound as a songwriter and a rhythm guitar player.
3. What would make your local music scene better?
What I have noticed about the music scene here is a lack of camaraderie and cohesion. I think it is just part of being part of the cutthroat New York music scene, but I think a little more teamwork and friendship would really help create a more cohesive and accessible music scene here.
4. What music stores do you frequent?
Used record shops (Permanent Records in Greenpoint), though I suppose you mean "music stores" in the sense of store selling instruments, etc. I've bought most of my instruments used off of musician friends. When I need repairs, I got a guy in NYC on the Upper Westside who basically has created a repair shop in his living room (check him out newyorkguitarrepair.com). He is affordable, and does amazing work! Strings, etc., I just get from local music shops wherever I may happen to be.
5. What was you last music gear purchase?
I bought an accordion off of the street in Greenpoint, (Brooklyn) for $100. It is a Celli accordion from the 1950's. Full sized. Went to the accordion repair shop in Manhattan and dropped another $300 in repairs, then gave it to my fiancée the morning I asked her to marry me (I asked her later that day). She plays piano, so she is learning accordion now as well. I figured it couldn't hurt to butter her up before I asked such an important question.
6. What is your favorite non-musical pastime?
Reading and writing. I read tons of fiction, and some non-fiction, and I try my hand at writing both as well. Reading just builds up a whole catalog of language and situations you can use to then write songs about. Writing fiction just flexes the same creative muscles as songwriting. One of my favorite Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) lyrics: "He takes all his lyrics from the books that you don't read anyway".
7. If you could have lunch with any drummer living or dead, who would it be?
Oh, I don't know. Shouldn't I tell some 'drummer joke' about now? I've been reading a lot about the Stones recently, so I guess I'd love to have lunch with Charlie Watts and just ask, "How in the hell did you put up with those assholes?". Either that, or maybe Tony Sales (of Misisipi Mike & the Midnight Gamblers) just because he's a good friend of mine, and an amazing drummer. Maybe I'd ask him to join my band.
8. What was your most recent epic fail?
Playing a show at a bar in San Francisco and having the art installation hanging above us (it was like a giant wooden surfboard) fall from the ceiling and smash me on the head, nearly knocking me unconscious, chipping my tooth, and smashing a bar table next to me in half. Of course, this was the first song of our 2-hour show, so I just got free whiskey from the bar to ease my pain and powered through the rest of the set. The show must go on.
9. Who is your favorite band playing in your scene today?
I really like this band up in Yonkers called South County because they are just a raucously, fun act. There are like 7 people in the band, one plays a saw, there is a wash-tub bass, a harmonica/washboard player, two guitars, banjo, and the drummer is beating on, as well as a normal kit, pots and pans, cans of paint...they are just downright fun. And they play drinking songs, as you might imagine.
10. If you could support any currently touring act, who would it be?
Probably Wilco because they are huge, and Tweedy is one of the best songwriters of my generation, and a huge influence on my songwriting. I like to tour with either them, or Drive By Truckers, because the other half of my brain is all about southern rock!
11. What is your favorite musically oriented web site?
You may find this hard to believe, but I am not internet savvy in any way. So...I don't really know. Wait, here's one, I got this app for my phone that is call "Tune In Radio", and I can stream any radio station in the world on my phone! Totally awesome! Which basically means that I can listen to my favorite shows on 88.1 KDHX (St. Louis, Mo) or 90.7 WWOZ (New Orleans, LA). Yes!
12. What do you like most about Monster?
I like their attention to detail when it comes to their cable. It's really well designed, and never fails to do what it is supposed to do. Also, that John Diaz guy is pretty cool, sometimes.
13. What do you hate the most about Monster?
I have no comment on this. Really. Get back to me in a year, maybe I can drudge up some hatred for them and their product then. Seriously, right now everything is hunky dory!
14. What Pro Audio product would you like Monster to make next?
Power for the pedals, yo.
Stacey Dee Los Angeles, California
1. What are your favorite local clubs to play?
Bottom of The Hill and Thee Parkside. Even though I live in LA now, I still love playing in my hometown and those are two of the places that I played the most in San Francisco. I used to love playing the Covered Wagon as well. That was a great time in Punk Rock history in San Francisco.
2. What is your favorite piece of equipment in your collection?
1972 Fender Twin Reverb, priceless! I traded it with my Dad for my American Fender Texas Special Strat. However I have moved on from playing Strats and now am playing an American Highway One series Tele and I love that thing so much.... Her name is Silky Dee!
3. What would make your local music scene better?
Well there is no "scene" for music in Los Angeles. People here come to see who they come to see and then leave afterward. It isn't like San Francisco where you go out to see a show, you are there to see all the bands and party all night. However, there is a good friendly punk scene in Long Beach and Orange County.... there have been great punk bands to come out of both places.
4. What music stores do you frequent?
Guitar Center.... Haha.... Or any good local music store where I can get picks and strings quickly.
5. What was you last music gear purchase?
My last gear purchase was my Highway One Telecaster. I had literally 15 telecasters in front of me, trying them all out. Ranging from $2,000 to $400. There were some great guitars in there, but I kept going back to "Silky Dee". She has a matte finish, which gets scratched up easy and I like that. And she has a natural fret board and I like that as well. It's smooth.
6. What is your favorite non-musical pastime?
Watching really horrible reality TV like Toddlers & Tiaras and Jersey Shore. However I also love Workaholics and It's Always Sunny in Philly. I guess I watch TV and nap when not playing music.
7. If you could have lunch with any drummer living or dead, who would it be?
The drummer(s) I would love to have lunch with would be Keith Moon, John Bonham and Ringo Starr, and Derrick Plourde, because he was one of the best punk drummers who isn't around anymore and I miss him.
8. What was your most recent epic fail?
Against Me was looking to hire a backup keyboardist, guitarist and singer for their White Crosses tour, which came out on a major label. Nevertheless, I did not get the job. I had practiced piano every night for hours in the freezing cold of my garage. I was really nervous playing piano as it is not my strongest instrument. But then Tom the singer asked if I would sing a duet with him that had recorded with Tegan, of Tegan and Sara fame. And I did so well at sound check he asked me back to sing the song that night for their encore. I didn't get the gig, but I made new friends and Butch Vig came up to me and said, "Stacey Dee, where the hell did you come from?". Which was cool. Rarely do I epically fail. Haha.
9. Who is your favorite band playing in your scene today?
That is a hard question. I like Get Dead and The Hollowpoints. I still love NOFX and The Bouncing Souls and bands like that. Bedouin Sound Clash. There are too many to name. There is a girl outta the UK named PERKIE! and she is pretty awesome.
10. If you could support any currently touring act, who would it be?
Greenday or NOFX
11. What is your favorite musically oriented web site?
I seriously do not have one. Monster!
12. What do you like most about Monster?
I like the quality of their product. Everyone knows that when it comes down to instrument cables and headphones Monster is the best. I went to Best Buy this Christmas to look at what they had for Headphones and everyone kept telling me that Monster Headphones were the best out on the market right now! Monster stands behind their product and will always replace what breaks. And as an industry standard everyone knows that Monster is the best!
13. What do you hate the most about Monster?
That really good stuff costs a lot of money and most musicians, if you aren't the Greenday's of the world, can't always afford to buy the best!
14. What Pro Audio product would you like Monster to make next?
A Killer Rock Box that fits everything you need to rock with. Something more of a carrying box than a gig bag. With places for all cables and pedals etc. to keep things totally organized and easy to pull out and use. No more tangled messes.
Thanks Love you Monster!!! Stacey Dee
Thanks Love you Monster!!! Stacey Dee
Elton Cunniffe San Francisco, California
1. What are your favorite local clubs to play?
Café Du Nord is always a great place to play and Bottom of the Hill has a good sound system. Having good sound on stage as well as in the club is important to having a good show.
2. What is your favorite piece of equipment in your collection?
Currently I've been playing a 1966 Vox Jaguar split in stereo to a 1972 Guild Maverick and 1978 Marshall JMP twin. The signal chain is routed thru a stereo Pearl Flanger splitting to an Ibanez tube screamer into an Ibanez Modulator into a Morley Wah into the Guild. The other channel goes into an MXR distortion pedal into the marshall. The bass keys are routed to a 1971 Fender Bassman 100 into a 2x15 cab. But I think my favorite piece of equipment might be an early Ibanez AD100 analog delay we like to run vocals thru.
3. What would make your local music scene better?
San Francisco could do well with an entertainment district much like Austin or New Orleans has.
4. What music stores do you frequent?
I tend shop at Electronics Plus in San Rafael. Building and maintaining your gear has always been a passion of mine.
5. What was you last music gear purchase?
The last piece would have to be a 1966 Gibson ES330 12 string.
6. What is your favorite non-musical pastime?
I like to spend time traveling, reading maps and people watching.
7. If you could have lunch with any drummer living or dead, who would it be?
It would have to be Karen Carpenter.
8. What was your most recent epic fail?
Not sure what this means?
9. Who is your favorite band playing in your scene today?
Siddhartha is one of my favorites right now. Marlon is a great presence on in music today. Check them out.
10. If you could support any currently touring act, who would it be?
Of Montreal
11. What is your favorite musically oriented web site?
Itunes
12. What do you like most about Monster?
They are still here
13. What do you hate the most about Monster?
The speaker cable is too fat to fit in the terminal lugs of our amplifiers.
Kristian Melom San Francisco, CA
1. What are your favorite local clubs to play?
Bottom of the Hill, SF and the Lost Church
2. What is your favorite piece of equipment in your collection?
My Jerry Jones 6 string electric guitar. Paid 600$ for it. Never goes out of tune, its just plain old reliable.
3. What would make your local music scene better?
I think SF has an amazing scene, but I would love to see a little coverage on some of the more obscure bands. There is just a lot of music that I never hear about because it doesn't fall into a popular genre but there are awesome shows happening every night.
4. What music stores do you frequent?
Amoeba for the incredible variety, Rooky's Records for random vinyl and great recommendations from the staff
5. What was you last music gear purchase?
I bought a Fishman Acoustic amp so I could play house shows on the road or pretty much anywhere. Sounds amazing
6. What is your favorite non-musical pastime?
Taking photos and just walking and biking around the city.
7. If you could have lunch with any drummer living or dead, who would it be?
Al Jackson (Al Green's drummer) I don't consider him the best drummer ever, but he knows how to lay it down. I mostly think he would be a great guy to share a steak sandwich and snifter of brandy with.
8. What was your most recent epic fail.
Breaking my 2 year old string's on the first song of my last big show
9. Who is your favorite band playing in your scene today?
Whiskerman - they are from Oakland and Graham the frontman is amazingly talented and also extremely kind
10. If you could support any currently touring act, who would it be?
Lucinda Williams or Gillian Welch or Jay-Z
11. What is your favorite musically oriented web site?
Mark Kozelek's site for himself and Sun Kil Moon. The design feels old and simple its perfect
12. What do you like most about Monster?
They have always been a familiar and reliable name to me since I started making music. I never have to worry about my monster gear.
13. What do you hate the most about Monster?
I haven't had any sort of bad experience to report on. I still have and use the first monster cable I ever bought.
14. What Pro Audio product would you like Monster to make next?
A recording interface with 4 inputs!
Jean Morisson New York, NY
1. What are your favorite local clubs to play?
I live in NYC and Raleigh NC. In NYC, though it's closed, my fave place to play was def CBGB's. Always felt exhilarated on that stage. In Raleigh a place called The Black Flower - such a great vibe. The owner Jamie Saad knows how important it is to keep live music alive. Noir Raleigh is also a great spot. Matt and Bunny are amazing.
2. What is your favorite piece of equipment in your collection?
I paid $100 for my Audix OM7 back in 2002. I play every show with it. I love my mic.
3. What would make your local music scene better?
The NYC is great, though it quickly gets into a monotonous groove of people doing a lot of the same things. The Raleigh scene is still young, but there's a lot of talent there.
4. What music stores do you frequent?
I have to say I'm a fan of Guitar Center. They've been good to me, and recently hooked me up big time with the studio I'm currently building in my basement.
5. What was you last music gear purchase?
After recently buying a bulk of "vintage" rack modules from a closed down studio, I called my friends at Monster and am purchasing some of their snakes to make it all come together. Thank you Monster!
6. What is your favorite non-musical pastime? (And does it help your music?)
Writing by far is my favorite. I could write for hours, days. Songs, poetry and stories. Other than that friends, movies "oh and the chicks are great." ;)
7. If you could have lunch with any drummer living or dead, who would it be? (And why?)
Living, I'd say hands down, Omar Hakim. He's played on some of my favorite all-time music, and the drum solo he plays on Sting's "I Burn For You" from the Bring on the Night film is just incredible. Not living, Tony Thompson. I still ask my producers to give me that drum sound so much so that I booked the old Power Station to record my drums.
8. What was your most recent epic fail.
My ex gf. Period.
9. Who is your favorite band playing in your scene today?
My drummer is in another band called The Hot At Nights. I secretly bought their album and have been jamming to it ever since. They're awesome. Check them out.
10. If you could support any currently touring act, who would it be?
VAN FREAKIN HALEN! So great that David Lee Roth is back for this tour.
11. What is your favorite musically oriented web site?
I'm a huge fan of Turntable.FM. I'm on there as often as I can be. I also don't go anywhere without Spotify.
12. What do you like most about Monster?
I LOVE Monster, simply for the care they put into the most overlooked part of most gear buying. It's always boggled my mind that people can spend thousands of dollars on an incredible mic, then 10 bucks on a terrible cable. I actually carry my own Studio Pro 1000 Mic cables to every session and my Performer 500's to every gig. Monster rocks.
13. What do you hate the most about Monster?
Their energy drink makes me hyper. Oh, that's a different Monster? Never mind then.
14. What would you like Monster to make next?
I would love a triple-driver stage in ear system. hmm…yes!
Chrissy Paolillo Tampa, FL
1. What are your favorite local clubs to play?
Jannus Landing is amazing in St. Petersburg. Its outside in our always beautiful weather and its always a great vibe. State Theatre is always fun and gives you our hometown underground feel while having great sound and lights.
2. What is your favorite piece of equipment in your collection?
This would have to be my Dave navarro Model Paul Reed Smith. I have always been a fan of Paul Reed Smith Guitars...and Nevarro is one of my favorite players so the match for me is stellar.
3. What would make your local music scene better?
I think our local scene is fun but could use more support. We need more people to come out to rock shows and see what its about. Diversifying the types of bands that play would help as well. I don't think it should be just "hardcore" or "just indie"... A collaboration of all of it would attract more peoples support and attention.
4. What music stores do you frequent?
Daddy Kools in St. Pete...lots of goodies there.
5. What was you last music gear purchase?
The last purchase was probably a tambourine. Hey...gotta keep it real.
6. What is your favorite non-musical pastime?
Photography... i love to take pictures. www.facebook.com/chrissypaolillophotography
7. If you could have lunch with any drummer living or dead, who would it be?
hmm... i like so many... Steven Perkins, Travis Barker, and John Bonham, Josh Freese, Jimmy Chamberlin... ugh... too hard to pick just one. I'd make a drumming doc. about them like one of my favs "it might get loud" ...
8. What was your most recent epic fail?
whats an epic fail? ;)
9. Who is your favorite band playing in your scene today?
Since I am between LA and Tampa all them time I am gonna pick Dead Sara. HOLY FREAKING WOW. Google this...thats all I have to say.
10. If you could support any currently touring act, who would it be?
I'd love to tour with so many bands: Jane's Addiction and Radiohead are both on tour this year...which i adore. Guns N' Roses, that would just be woah, and the Chilli Peppers are out to. To many amazing acts to chose from... Madonna is going to be touring... even though it might not be the same type of music, that would be the ultimate HOLY CRAP! :)
11. What is your favorite musically oriented web site?
I like ReverbNation. Its great for unsigned and emerging artists, it lets you track your progress and link to other up and coming acts. As for other listening sources, Spotify is pretty amazing. Everything you want to hear right there.
12. What do you like most about Monster?
Monster is quality. It really is the most important thing behind a product or service...and with Monster it is quality through and through.
13. What do you hate the most about Monster?
What is hate? ;)
14. What would you like Monster to make next?
I see some Chrissy Paolillo signature headphones in the future... just sayin'
1. What are your favorite local clubs to play?
Let me mention three places...I love City Winery (even though I fundamentally don't like to play to people while they eat!) it looks and sounds great they take the best care of the bands, and you can escape to the quiet of the basement before you play. The Back Fence on Bleecker street, maybe the realest joint on earth. The open mic is a fave for trying out new material. Finally, the 55 Bar on Christopher St. It's the best sounding club I think I've ever been in.
2. What is your favorite piece of equipment in your collection?
My 1947 Gibson LG-2 acoustic. It instantly sounds great in front of any mic, is always inspiring to play and was recently brought back to 100% by Tom Crandell @ Umanov Guitars in NYC.
3. What would make your local music scene better?
Lower rent.
4. What music stores do you frequent?
Generation Records on Thompson Street and every single guitar store in Manhattan.
5. What was you last music gear purchase?
A used Vox wah @ Guitar Center. Cashed in my Christmas gift certificate!
6. What is your favorite non-musical pastime?
Walking the city streets with my pup.... it helps me get out of my head, and totally helps my music!
7. If you could have lunch with any drummer living or dead, who would it be?
Keith Moon. I would expect a food fight but I bet he'd surprise me.
8. What was your most recent epic fail.
Ooh...I can't say ...but they all lead to epic resets.
9. Who is your favorite band playing in your scene today?
Shout out to the Complusions for bringin' the old school rock to NYC, but my favorite new artist is my friend, Leonard Friend out of L.A., recently transplanted from NYC.
10. If you could support any currently touring act, who would it be?
Aerosmith.
11. What is your favorite musically oriented web site?
I really enjoy checking in with Pitchfork.
12. What do you like most about Monster?
I think the company offers a really diverse bunch of products - so many of my needs are covered.
Misisipi Mike Wolf San Francisco, California
1. What are your favorite local clubs to play?
Cafe Du Nord, Amnesia, Great American Music Hall
2. What is your favorite piece of equipment in your collection?
1982 G&L S-500
What sets this guitar apart are the two tone knobs, which act as separate bass and treble roll offs. Basically like having an eq on board. Combine that with the standard five way switch and a mod toggle added for two more pick up combos this guitar is the most versatile Fender style guitar I have encountered. I don't use it for every gig (the neck is a bit beefy for long shows) but I probably should.
What sets this guitar apart are the two tone knobs, which act as separate bass and treble roll offs. Basically like having an eq on board. Combine that with the standard five way switch and a mod toggle added for two more pick up combos this guitar is the most versatile Fender style guitar I have encountered. I don't use it for every gig (the neck is a bit beefy for long shows) but I probably should.
3. What would make your local music scene better?
More media coverage, or at least more media coverage that has tastes beyond the indie guy/girl duo of the month. We have a massive scene filled with great original music but you'd hardly know it with the LOCAL coverage.
4. What music stores do you frequent?
Pro Guitar Shop.com , Guitar Center, the pawn shop
5. What was you last music gear purchase?
Analogman modded Boss TR-2 pedal
6. What is your favorite non-musical pastime?
Sleeping
7. If you could have lunch with any drummer living or dead, who would it be?
Ringo Starr or Tony Williams
8. What was your most recent epic fail.
I only fail epically, and often, so really, they are all boring stories
9. Who is your favorite band playing in your scene today?
Vandella. They bring a sincerity, seriousness and joy to the craft. They are all about making good music and putting on a great show without ego. They function as a team, and they work very hard.
10. If you could support any currently touring act, who would it be?
Wilco or Willie Nelson
11. What is your favorite musically oriented web site?
www.misisipimike.com
12. What do you like most about Monster?
The quality and durability of their cables
13. What do you hate the most about Monster?
The price! I am a cheap bastard.
14. What Pro Audio product would you like Monster to make next?
pedal board patch cables
Tim Luntzel Brooklyn, New York
1. What are your favorite local clubs to play?
The 55 Bar, The Living Room, the Rockwood Music Hall, Sunny's, Barbes, Jalopy, Joe's Pub. Did the Beacon once and loved it.
2. What is your favorite piece of equipment in your collection?
My 1970 Fender Precision bass that someone put a jazz pickup into so it's a "P&J". It's the finest instrument I've ever owned and it works on just about everything. I paid $1,000 flat for it as a 30th birthday present for myself (last week) and I'm guessing I could sell it for 10 times that, but I will never, ever, ever sell that bass. The first time I saw it I thought "you're for me!", and when I picked it up I thought "feels right!", and when I heard us together it was kind of like realizing that I was an adult or something... it suddenly became clear that there was no longer any piece of gear standing between me and my idols, and it has never let me down.
3. What would make your local music scene better?
There are a ton of venues in NY, if there was anything I'd like better about them it would be a club-centric commitment to the appreciation of music, as in: making sure the places sound good, and making sure people are paying to hear the music.
4. What music stores do you frequent?
Music stores... I'm assuming you mean music gear stores (everyone buys music online now).
#1: Richie's Guitars in the East Village. He. Is. The. Man.
#...Whatever:
Pentatonic in Greenpoint (they do good work and I'm 4 blocks from them);
Main Drag (and it's walking distance AND it's a gigantic space that always has a ton of stuff);
Jalopy- "music store" is only 1 facet of the Jalopy performance space/cafe/music school/bar, and there's always some killer guitars hanging on the wall.
Ludlow Guitars- I walked in, told them I wanted a distortion pedal, and the dude left me alone in a room with his favorite 3 (with a good bass) until I found MY favorite. Good service and good work.
David Gage- whenever I need anything tweaked (or overhauled) on my upright, that's where I go, and they're super-competent, super-helpful, pretty fast, I've looked no farther.
#1: Richie's Guitars in the East Village. He. Is. The. Man.
#...Whatever:
Pentatonic in Greenpoint (they do good work and I'm 4 blocks from them);
Main Drag (and it's walking distance AND it's a gigantic space that always has a ton of stuff);
Jalopy- "music store" is only 1 facet of the Jalopy performance space/cafe/music school/bar, and there's always some killer guitars hanging on the wall.
Ludlow Guitars- I walked in, told them I wanted a distortion pedal, and the dude left me alone in a room with his favorite 3 (with a good bass) until I found MY favorite. Good service and good work.
David Gage- whenever I need anything tweaked (or overhauled) on my upright, that's where I go, and they're super-competent, super-helpful, pretty fast, I've looked no farther.
5. What was you last music gear purchase?
My last music gear purchase was a music stand. I've lost the one my mom got me for 8th grade graduation (last week) that she put a label on that said "Tim Luntzel. Bass musician." I find music stands to be immensely helpful. Oh and I bought a 9 volt for my distortion pedal that I got at Ludlow. Boring...
6. What is your favorite non-musical pastime?
My favorite non-musical pastime is cooking, but I've yet to draw any useful (never mind inspiring) parallels between cooking and music making. There are many, but they're neither useful or inspiring. But I've probably made many of them. I also like watching basketball, and there is lots of inspiration (in playing music) to be had from watching those guys do what they do. It's been much written about, but I guess if I had to say ONE THING about what inspires my musicianship from watching basketball, it would be the art of passing, and how often players look their best when in the act of helping other players to play better.
7. If you could have lunch with any drummer living or dead, who would it be?
Lunch with any drummer...Probably Phil Rudd. But in a perfect afterlife I'd want to have lunch with Phil Rudd, John Bonham, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Clyde Stubblefield, Dave Grohl, Paul Motian (RIP), and maybe Marky Ramone (he would say some unintentionally funny shit).
8. What was your most recent epic fail.
Epic fail?
I know not what you mean by this "epic fail". But maybe some pasta sauce I made a month ago. It sucked.
I know not what you mean by this "epic fail". But maybe some pasta sauce I made a month ago. It sucked.
9. Who is your favorite band playing in your scene today?
Space Camp. They play kick ass pop music that I find to be great.
10. If you could support any currently touring act, who would it be?
Justin Bieber – his opening acts are probably getting PAID!
11. What is your favorite musically oriented web site?
youtube.
12. What do you like most about Monster?
I already said what I think about Monster - Them's shit's be HEAVY! And STIFF.
13. What Pro Audio product would you like Monster to make next.
Monster should make really heavy, really good COOKIE CUTTERS with a lifetime warranty.
Tony Tyrone Sales Oakland, California
1. What are your favorite local clubs to play?
I really like Amnesia in San Francisco's Mission neighborhood. It has a great energy when it's loud and packed, and the wood everywhere has a great warm quality. I like small clubs you can fill with people and loud loud music.
2. What is your favorite piece of equipment in your collection?
A fat, warm Ludwig snare drum my uncle gave to me when I first learned to play drums. I was wrong to let my first kit go, but there are some things you have to hold on to no matter what.
3. What would make your local music scene better?
Less Ipod DJ's. More demanding crowds.
4. What music stores do you frequent?
Sam Adato's drum shop. No better place than Sam's for vintage drums. He's the real deal.
5. What was you last music gear purchase?
1968 Ludwig Supraphonic snare drum. Everyone gets one of these at some point.
6. What is your favorite non-musical pastime?
Hiking.
7. If you could have lunch with any drummer living or dead, who would it be?
Al Jackson Jr. He had one of the deepest pockets, and was a great producer.
8. What was your most recent epic fail?
Late rent
9. Who is your favorite band playing in your scene today?
Wish I could say I have one. Ronkat Spearman brings the funk. There is a lot of great jazz happening, too. Don't know much about the "scene" in San Francisco. Still trying to figure that one out.
10. If you could support any currently touring act, who would it be?
The Alabama Shakes
11. What is your favorite musically oriented web site?
I can't keep up with the web.
12. What do you hate the most about Monster?
Don't know yet, but I will be sure to talk about it when I do.
13. What Pro Audio product would you like Monster to make next?
Contact microphones.
