I’m writing this week’s Crunch jetlagged off my ass in L.A. I just went for a stroll around the Sunset Strip to get my head together and see the majestic new oversized Zakk Wylde Les Paul sculpture, pay my respects to the former Continental Hyatt House, bask in the history of the Comedy Store and contemplate eating a big fuck-off plate of fried mozzarella balls at the Rainbow. Seriously, if you’re a fan of rock or metal of any kind you have to do a pilgrimage to the Strip at least once in your life. Even if it’s not quite the decadent bustling hairspray fog that it once was.
Joe Satriani Masterclass – Got Your Ticket Yet?
Tickets are still available for Joe Satriani’s Australian masterclass tour, presented by Thup Music. It’s the first time Joe’s ever done an extensive tour of this nature in Australia. Joe will be talking technique and theory as well as sharing anecdotes about how various musical situations require different approaches to guitar. There’ll also be a meet-and-greet, and a few lucky players will get the chance to jam with Satch. The Melbourne date is Saturday April 13, 12pm to 3pm, at the George Wood Performing Arts Centre, Yarra Valley Grammar, Kalinda Road, Ringwood. Tickets are $80 per person, and there will be a range of giveaways on the night including pedals, strings and instruments. Joe will answer questions in each state, which must be emailed to organisers: Thump Music at [email protected] to keep things flowing on the night. More info at bookings.thumpmusic.com.au
Periphery/Crossfaith Sidewave
Periphery’s Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal was one of my favourite albums of 2012 (I think it came in at #2 on my list a few issues ago). It’s got it all: melody, humour, virtuosity, tonez… fricken love these guys. They’re here for Soundwave, of course, but they’ll be teaming up with Crossfaith for sidewaves in Melbourne and Sydney. Here they play the Gershwin Room at The Espy on Monday February 25. Tickets on sale now from Oztix.
Testament Shredder Admits Geeky Past
Testament’s Alex Skolnick has just released Geek To Guitar Hero, his first book. It’s a literary memoir influenced by writers like Philip Roth, Hiruki Murikami and John Updike, in which Alex tells his story from awkward introvert working under the weight of academic expectation, to world-famous metal virtuoso with Testament, Trans Siberian Orchestra and his own jazz trio. You can order it on the internurtz now.
Opeth Come Back For More
Opeth are heading back to Oz in March. No word yet on what this tour will focus on – will it be heavy on material from their brilliant but fan-confusing Heritage album, which bore jazz fusion influences out the wazoo? Or will it be more in line with their prior body of work? Who knows! Find out for yourself at The Palace on Thursday March 14. Tickets on sale Thursday January 24.
Anthrax Teams Up With Fozzy
Anthrax have announced their sidewaves, including a gig with Fozzy and This Is Hell at The Hi-Fi on Thursday February 28 (tickets on sale now). Sydney gets a special ‘half of big four’ gig though, with Slayer and Anthrax (plus Kingdom Of Sorrow) at Big Top Luna Park on February 25. That one would be worth a road trip. Anthrax will of course have fill-in lead guitarist Jon Donais from Shadows Fall on board for this tour, taking the place of a departed Rob Caggiano.
Get Your Blaze On
If you’re a fan of killer shred guitar, check out the song Outlands by The Blaze Conspiracy. It’s an instrumental shredfest featuring a whole bunch of artists who play Buddy Blaze guitars – Buddy is the luthier who designed the Kramer Nightswan with Vivian Campbell and was responsible for Dimebag Darrell’s Dean From Hell. Oh yeah and he built me a killer 7-string prototype. And oh yeah oh yeah, I’m one of the artists. Plug plug. Other guitarists on the track include Scott Dalhover (Dangerous Toys), Sam Bam Koltun (16-year-old wunderkind), Joey Concepcion (a shred demon), Dylan J Doherty and Aaron Kusterer. The drummer is Chad Clark and the bass player is Barry Dunaway (Yngwie Malmsteen). The song’s out now.
