“MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS” Chris Stapleton

NEWS FROM THE ANDYS

VOL. 45 | NO. 9 | SEPTEMBER 2024

SOUNDING BOARD

Got something you want to say? EMAIL US AT: GWSoundingBoard@futurenet.com

BLACKSTAR AMPLIFICATION

No amp company launched over the past two decades has infiltrated the market quite like BLACKSTAR. As we learn from two head designers, their secret lies in understanding what modern guitar players need — and then thinking outside the box

BRUCE KULICK

Kulick — the steady-as-a-rock guitarist during Kiss’s non-makeup era — discusses the making of Crazy Nights, Hot in the Shade and Revenge (and, um, not being asked to take part in the band’s final shows)

THE PLOT THICKENS

ON DRAMA, HIS VINTAGE-GEAR-FUELED NEW ALBUM, FORMER MEGADETH MAN

HIGH RESOLUTION

Having broken through with 2019’s This Land, GARY CLARK JR. — the one-time “savior of the blues” — has thrown off his many labels and delivered JPEG Raw, his most musically diverse offering yet

FIRE AND WATER

Ahead of their joint ASHES OF LEVIATHAN tour, Lamb of God’s MARK MORTON and Mastodon’s BILL KELLIHER look back on having rocked the BOAT and TORCHED the metal scene with their respective 2004 releases

SLASH’ S BLUES BALL

WITH HIS S.E.R.P.E.N.T. FESTIVAL, SLASH — A FAVORITE SON OF THE EIGHTIES L.A. HARD ROCK SCENE — HAS PUT TOGETHER A SUMMER BLUES TOUR FOR THE AGES. THE GN’R GUITARIST TALKS B.B. KING, SOME UNEXPECTED GEAR CHOICES AND WHY AND HOW HIS BLUES PASSION WAS REIGNITED (AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE FUTURE)

PRETTY TIED UP

How busy is Slash these days? Here are nine of his guest appearances, all released just within the past year-plus

ONE IN A MILLION

According to Slash, it doesn’t matter what genre you play or your level of skill; just be sure to put your own stamp on every note you play

SWIMMING WITH SNAKES

S.E.R.P.E.N.T. FESTIVAL CO-STAR SAMANTHA FISH TALKS MEETING SLASH (DURING THIS ISSUE’S COVER SHOOT!), HER FIVE ESSENTIAL BLUES TRACKS AND WHY YOU NEED A SWIG OF R.L. BURNSIDE’S A ASS POCKET OF WHISKEY

RIDING WITH THE KINGFISH

CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM TALKS HITTING THE ROAD WITH SLASH AND EXPERIENCE HENDRIX, HIS LP-STYLE GUITAR (MADE BY FENDER), HIS FIVE ESSENTIAL BLUES TRACKS AND GROWING UP AS A BLUES-DIGGING OUTSIDER

THE BILLY CLUB

ZZ TOP’S BILLY GIBBONS — A LONGTIME SLASH AMIGO — DISCUSSES HIS “HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN” GEAR, KINGFISH AND THE B.B. KING ALBUM HE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

Free as a Bird

THE TRADITION OF GUITAR-DRIVEN POP IS ALIVE AND WELL ON VIRAL STAR TOWA BIRD’S DEBUT ALBUM, AMERICAN HERO

Nick Johnston

THE CANADIAN INSTRUMENTAL MASTERMIND CONTINUES THE QUEST FOR TENSION ON HIS LATEST ALBUM, CHILD OF BLISS

LOST CLASSICS: Goo Goo Dolls

JOHN RZEZNIK RECALLS THE MAKING OF THE BAND’S BREAKTHROUGH ALBUM, 1998’S DIZZY UP THE GIRL

Witherfall

GUITARIST JAKE DREYER DETAILS SOUNDS OF THE FORGOTTEN’S PURPLE REIGN OF DETUNED THRASH, FAUX-FLAMENCO AND QUEEN-SIZED BOMBAST

Parlor Greens

WITH HIS INSPIRED NEW TRIO, SEATTLE GUITARIST JIMMY JAMES DIGS DEEP INTO METERS-STYLE FUNK

FIVE QUESTIONS MICHELLE SOTO

THE BLUSHING GUITARIST MUSES ON THE LATEST SHOEGAZE REVIVAL AND HER INTENSE, EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH HER “SOULMATE” GUITAR

Jamie Dickson

THE ENGLISH GUITARIST ON THE SEVENTIES FOLK HEROES WHO INSPIRED THE TONES AND FEEL OF HIS STUNNING SOLO DEBUT

COVER MODELS

FUTURE Where and when did you get this

SOUND CHECK

EVH SA-126 Special

Orangewood Guitars Juniper Sunburst Live (Rubber Bridge)

SOME MIGHT FIND it curious, but one of

Warm Audio Warm Bender and Ringerbringer pedals

SINCE THE COMPANY’S launch in 2011, Warm Audio

Dophix Medici More Fuzz

Buzz Bin

ELEMENTAL VISION

THE WOODSHED

TOOLS OF THE TRADE, PART 15

TALES FROM NERDVILLE

CONNECTING FLIGHTS

MELODIC MUSE

ROLLIN’ IN THE DEEP

LONE STAR EVOLUTION

Performance Notes

HOW TO PLAY THIS MONTH’S SONGS

1958-63, 1976-PRESENT GIBSON EXPLORER

CATEGORY: SOLIDBODY ELECTRIC GUITAR

“JESSICA” The Allman Brothers Band

As heard on BROTHERS AND SISTERS

“POLICE TRUCK” Dead Kennedys

As heard on GIVE ME CONVENIENCE OR GIVE ME DEATH