U2 have made available streaming of their new album, due to be released next week, March 2nd, on www.myspace.com/u2.  Fans get to enjoy. Critiques filling up their myspace comments.

Well, I’m thinking, should I get the digipak set? (Since I have the special edition set Atomic Bomb set).

Reminds me of that Haptic, Kenya Hara, emptiness, Japanese thing. Despite the recent controversy about the design of the album cover, I still think it’s nice.

I have been studying Electric Ladyland for the past few weeks; digging up details from interviews, reading articles, etc. And I find it really fascinating.

To further complete my Hendrix Experience, I bought these two DVD to play with. I think they are awesome. Although there are no  details on his guitar rig while recording still the lessons given are good enough for one to at least get an idea of how imaginative Hendrix’s mind is, especially on the guitar.

And I do love the artwork for Axis:Bold As Love.

I just found out recently that Queen’s crest, was designed by Freddie Mercury, the bands lead singer who dies of AIDS in the early 90’s. Happens to be a London art-school graduate as well. Writer of the awesome Bohemian Rhapsody.

The famous KISS logotype, designed by Ace Frehley, Gibson endorser and also hero the many legendary metal-heads including Dimebag Darell (Pantera, Damageplan) and Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society).

Having being the godfather of Grunge and charisma enough to influence and change culture, Kurt Cobain is definitely no stranger to all. While the world thinks Nirvana is probably all that is, but apparently, Kurt’s visual side manifests very interesting imaginary collectives; including toy monkeys of musical nature, heart-shaped boxes and plastic dolls. Not to mention his fascination with meat, as seen prominently on the album In Utero. Usually dark and sends out the message that everything is a little messed up and dark. But beyond the drugs, the girl, the lyrics and the depression, there’s something truly genius about him.

I also suspact Micheal Johnson of johnson banks probably has his own band as well. By reading this post about guitars and design on the johnson banks blog, suggest a very complete set of guitar effect pedals with a vast knowledge in the world of rock and roll. Plus, I don’t think he’s as amatuer as he claims he is on his blog; probably could lay a few SRV chops…

Meanwhile, in the world of typography, we see the guys at LettError, playing in a band called Wolfraam.

Underworld, the English electronic band, also happen to be designers from the London based design consultancy Tomato. I probably listened to electronica music a little bit because of them. And if you look close and observe long enough, probably the designs coming up from the studio can be visual representations of the music their colleagues make—not everything but maybe like the one above.

I always find designers who have a good sense of taste in music interesting to talk with. Probably the platform of common interest I share but also the fact that their interest expands beyond merely art, design and typefaces. It’s always very appealing to hear from a colleague in the design industry speak about Van Halen or maybe even King Crimson album covers. Even more interesting if they actually play, produce or write their own music.

That said, somehow, in a society, I feel that there’s always many other mediums or stages where we can make our presence known to that society; for profession, for entertainment; for pleasure; to express an emotion, to voice an opinion or suggestion or even just to leave a mark.

I did it by extending my options to playing music. The only way I know of right now. Not to mention the other hundreds of ways that probably you can be intact with. It might just suggest to the outside world that designers are not only crazy long-haired people who work long hours with no life and are ‘emo-creatures.’ Might even change their perception and take designers, musicians, artists, actors and others who are more linear with ‘cuture’ more seriously and with much thought.

It’s an artist, designer, musician thing.

Judging with what I knew as good music, I started to mix match what I identify as ‘good musicanship’ with songs I play in my band. I thought Nu-Metal needed more guitar solos and flashy parts. Bass parts needed to be slinky and groovy in rock. Guitar effects are secondary stuff.

I was recently introduced into the world of songwriting and composition when I joined my current band. I learned that proper structuring should take over the song and not performance in musicianship by broadening my concept of appreciation towards music. I learned the importance of consistency and tight rhythm in playing an instrument. Saw the importance of keeping things clear and the importance of silence and dynamics in music.

Now, still a fan of dynamic guitar solo’s, still enjoy the old farts as much as I do last time; but with a new found love for clearly build, tight and tasteful rhythm, covered with a catchy tune using memorable tone and consistency.

Last Tuesday, I spend about 8 hours in the studio trying to lay down my guitar parts for recording. Thought that if I learned how to appreciate music in a different matter, with the proper application, probably 2 hours will do the job.

On the other hand, I will be playing with my band at Fête de la musique in Alliance Française de Kuala Lumpur on 21st June at 7.15pm sharp. The songs lists kind of weird… Dark Forest (Hard Rock), Boomba (Funk) and Little Wing (Classic Rock). I hope I don’t screw up anything in between.

Wah Taa!

Over the years, the following is my setup:

Things come and go but I have added the following since:

1. Boss DS1
2. Artec Soloist Distortion
3. Morley Classic Wah
4. Danelectro FAB Echo
5. Boss DD6 (Getting my reserved unit weekend!)

In looking for pedals, I always consider the following:

1. Tone – Blunt or sharp, overtones or has less tonal output?
2. Sound – Warm, round, fat, thin, loud, femine, rough, harsh, dirty, etc?
3. Durability – Can it stand abuse?
4. Looks – It has to be cool..
5. Necessity – Do you really need a Fuzz unit to play like Eddie Van Halen?
6. Value – If I were to sell it to someone else, will it be appreciated as much as a new unit?
7. Benifits – Can this little pedal help me tap better?

To get the stuff you want, you got to know the trick of the trade. Some stores will give a better price, some through blogs, some forums, contacts, junk shops, etc. For starters, here are some cool sites to check:

1. Awakening KL’s Stompbox Classifieds Blog (A friends recording studio & pratice studio)
2. Rockok Music Website (Trust me this one is really cool)
3. Gapnap’s Gear Sale (He’s got really cool stuff sometimes)
4. Guitarist’s Wishlist (Prestigious Boutique Pedals)
5. ToneZone Studio (Passionate people doing their part)
6. LowYat’s Garage Sales page (Updates on post almost ever hour)
7. Jamtank.com Classifieds ( The place where local musicians trade)
8. Jamtank.net Classifieds (The newer place where local musicians trade)

Some really cool boutique pedals can be seen as below:

The all new Steve Vai signature series pedal, The Jemini!

The value of these things not only depend on their tone but also the country of origin, the year of which it was made, the brand and finally looks. You can check out some setups on guitargeek.com. Plus plenty other support forums for guitar effects pedals.