In a car, in the dark, I wait for Alice Cooper to call. He is running behind schedule. The McGuyver-inspired recording device I’ve concocted is causing great anxiety as is the fact I’m already 45 minutes late in returning from my break at work although, between getting fired and talking to Alice Cooper, I’ll take unemployment (it’s only retail). read more...
The new 2009 Prestige models are almost ready to launch! You asked – we
delivered; here’s a sneak peak of what’s in store for all you guitar
nuts for the fall season. read more...
Most
guitarists cringe when the term "truss rod" is brought up in a
conversation. Many would rather seek professional help when making
guitar neck adjustments as opposed to doing it themselves. read more...
Shopping for a new guitar amp can be a tough decision. There are many questions that enter a
guitarist's mind when considering a purchase. Which ones sound better?
Are tube amps better than solid-state amps? Do I need a stack? All of
these questions are important to consider. read more...
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- Hot Hot Heat
- Cory Churko
- Wide Mouth Mason
- 2008 99.3 The Fox SEEDS winners.
In a car, in the dark, I wait for Alice Cooper to call. He is running behind schedule. The McGuyver-inspired recording device I’ve concocted is causing great anxiety as is the fact I’m already 45 minutes late in returning from my break at work although, between getting fired and talking to Alice Cooper, I’ll take unemployment (it’s only retail). The tape recorder is wedged beneath the driver’s seat headrest and the cell is on speakerphone, balanced in my hands with a notepad of scribbled questions, some of which have been scratched off. This is the main source of anxiety. What does one ask the Godfather of shock rock? My parents hadn’t even met yet when the band’s seminal third album LOVE IT TO DEATH was released, pushing the spindly, theatrical mad man with mime-on-crack make-up and a backing band hell bent on playing fast music loud to theforefront of 70s hard rock culture. From a hotel room in Oregon, where out the window he says he sees a city that looks like any other, Alice Cooper, now 56, leads the interview like an expert dance partner who’s scuffed the surfaces of many a dance floor, mulling over new-school fast food bands, old-school house parties and one pre-performance habit he just can’t break.Hello! I’m just going to jump right in if you don’t mind.
Alice Cooper: Jump right in I’m ready.
What’s the last thing that made you laugh?
Cooper: I just bought the entire collection of Faulty Towers. There were five or six people on the (tour) bus who’ve never seen Faulty Towers. When John Cleese does the Nazi Walk it may be the funniest ten minutes on television.
Where are you right now?
Cooper: Portland Oregon. I’m in a hotel here and it’s the first day off in about six or seven days so it’s great.
I guess it’s not technically off if you have to do press.
Cooper: Oh this is easy. This is just talking to a pretty girl how hard is that?
Tee hee!
Cooper: I’m a charmer aren’t I?
Ahem. How’s the tour going?
Cooper: I’ve never had so much fun in my life! The show, we should have called it The Kitchen Sink. Everything we’ve ever done in a show is in this show. From the guillotine, to the straight jacket, the disappearing coffin trick, snakes, mannequins that turn into ballerinas that turn into vampires, Paris Hilton’s dog attacking her.
I’ve read that back in the days when you lived in Detroit, at one point the rock capital of the world, you’d play gigs with MC5, Iggy and The Stooges, and The Who.
Cooper: We’re talking about bands that were real garage bands, I mean the real deal, these bands were the real hard rock garage bands and I mean every one of these bands were great live.
You guys must have caused some trouble?
Cooper: The deal was when there wasn’t a concert; one of the bands would have a party at their house. There would be a party at the Stooges house one week, a party at Alice Cooper’s house one week, a party at Ted Nugent’s house one week. There’d be 100-200 people there at all these parties. It was a really sort of healthy rock community. I mean, not healthy physically! There was nothing in the least bit healthy about what we were doing.
You’re talking musically.
Cooper: [Laughs] Musically.
Your song “Only Women Bleed” has been covered by a lot of female artists over the years, like Etta James, which I find impressive.
Cooper: You know it’s funny how many versions were done of that song. Tina Turner did a version, Lita Ford did one, Guns N’ Roses did one! When it started out when people listened to it they thought I was trying to make a reference to the menstrual period but that’s not what I was saying at all. I was saying that women bleed emotionally and men don’t. And that was the point I was making. It was part of WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE I wanted a ballet in the show against all this horror.
A friend of mine who’s into metal says the album LOVE IT TO DEATH-
Cooper: That’s what I call the first Alice album, even though that was our third. The reason was that was the first album Bob Ezrin produced, our Canadian connection there from Toronto. He’s the one that really gave Alice Cooper the sound, he was the one that really connected us up and really taught us to relearn how to write songs. We give him a lot of credit for what Alice Cooper ended up being.
Specifically the song, “Black Juju” was ahead of it’s time-
Cooper: The first time I ever heard the term “heavy metal” was in Rolling Stone magazine describing Alice Cooper. I think that term was the only way they could describe that song. If you were to ask me what the first heavy metal bands were I’d say the Yardbirds, or the early Who, with feedback and a lot of noise comin’ out the end. To me that was the essence, the beginnings of metal. Something Black Sabbath shaped more than anything else.
And then there was Alice Cooper. Did you guys know how original you were at that time?
Cooper: At the time we saw ourselves as a great hard rock band. We never thought of the term “heavy metal” until it was already established that there were bands that were just really hard, hard, hard rock bands. Then metal became something different it became much more about how loud it was and how repetitive it was and there wasn’t a lot of emphasis on versus or melody and then your Metalicas came up and your Megadeaths. But back then, heavy metal was The Who, The Yardbirds, Black Sabbath and Blue Cheer. Blue cheer was a band from San Francisco. They weren’t very good musicians but they were REALLY loud.
What do you miss?
Cooper: I haven’t missed much! [Laughs]. I’ll tell you one thing I do miss in the music business is the Top 40. I used to love am/fm radio were there was a Top 40 and every single song was a song that you knew, was a quality record. When “18” came out and “No More Mister Nice Guy” came out we were up against the Supremes, The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel. It was a mixture of all different kinds of music in the Top 40 and you had better make a record that was really good to get in because it was a very elite group. Now a record comes out and you don’t know if they’re going to be on ”new metal” or “classic rock” or “Cutting edge” it’s so fragmented now and to be honest with you records now are not based on melody lines they’re based on riffs.
It’s a lot more processed.
Cooper: We’ve traded gourmet music for fast food. Bands are here today and number one right now, they might make another record and then they’re gone. But there are bands that are still here from the 60s. David Bowie, Elton John, Alice Cooper, Rod Stewart. We’re still all working. And hanging in a hell of a lot better than a lot of the young bands out there right now.
Cooper: You know you’re right and I think it’s because we had a different work ethic. We were taught to “write great songs”. If you write great songs that’s going to be the basis of your whole career. To me I’m missing that song writing quality (in bands) that used to be there.
What happened?
Cooper: Maybe it was because we were competing with The Beatles they set our standard so high every time we wrote a song we’d be competing with The Beatles.
I do think there is a resurgence of theatrical rock.
Cooper: I think there is and I’m glad of it. I’m glad that there are bands out there spending more time and money on their shows. I’ll be very honest with you I’ve never met Marilyn Manson but I know his show is great. I don’t agree with a lot of stuff he says but then he doesn’t agree with a lot of stuff I say, but I do appreciate the fact he spends time and money on his show and I hope a lot of other bands go in that direction.
What do you think before you go out on stage?
Cooper: My theory always is attack the audience. Don’t let the audience get a chance to get their breath. So we hit them with eight songs in a row before they have a chance to talk to each other. I think dazzle them, keep dazzling them. Give them a second to get their breath and then hit ‘em with ten more songs. I want the audience to be exhausted at the end of my show.
Do you have any pre-show warm ups?
Cooper: You know, every body has their idiosyncrasies. I know that Peter Frampton liked to iron clothes. I know that Roger Daltrey liked to practice fly-fishing. Alice Cooper sits and watches really bad, obscure Kung-Fu movies from the 70s.
That makes sense because you want to go out and annihilate the audience.
Cooper: That’s it, that’s it. But you know it’s not movies with any body famous like Bruce Lee. I watch movies like, The Shaolin Monk Versus the Seven Golden Vampires. You know, movies you would never ever buy. Somehow I find them comforting. [Laughs] I don’t know why.
Do you have a collection?
Cooper: Me? Oh, I have thousands of them. They were sort of like the Westerns of the 60s. They used to make these movies in like five days. There are literally hundreds of them.
Can you give me an Alice Cooper lyric to finish?
Cooper: Okay. “I love the dead before they’re cold, their bluing flesh for me to hold, cadaver eyes upon me see-nothing! A little Halloween for you.”
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The new 2009 Prestige models are almost ready to launch! You asked – we delivered; here’s a sneak peak of what’s in store for all you guitar nuts for the fall season:NYS Series:
Due to overwhelming request, the new 2009 NYS Standard model will come equipped with a Tuneomatic bridge and stop bar tailpiece; also trading in the adjustable rosewood bridge and trapeze tailpiece for more of a traditional setup. Grover rotomatics are also replacing the Klusson style tuners to give this guitar a more practical all ‘round set up. Wylde Bass:
The 5 string Wylde bass is finally upon us. Thanks to popular demand, this 5 String version of our one and only bass has finally hit production.
Classic:
Here’s a model that has stayed the same since its conception. We’ve had plenty of praise on our Classic model guitar over the years, but its time for a new neck. We’re switching over the Maple neck to Mahogany for added tonal stability and control. Grover rotomatics will also be replacing the Klusson style tuners.
Heritage Series:
Attention all Lefties! The Heritage Standard and Elite guitars will be available in Left handed configuration. That’s right! We’re finally putting them in production. No need to pay a fortune for a custom Heritage lefty anymore.
- Look for a Full Page review, as well as a Video Review of the Heritage Hollow in Guitar World Magazine due out DEC/JAN
- Look for a Full Page review of the Musician in Guitar Player Magazine due out in November
- Look for a Full Page review, as well as a Video Review of the Classic in Premier Guitar Magazine due out DEC/JAN
Well folks; that is all I can divulge at the moment. Keep checking the website for further development and updates. Looking forward to reading your comments, and input.
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Adjusting the truss rod on your guitar.1. Do your strings buzz when you fret notes on the bottom six frets?
2. Do your strings rest so high above the fretboard that you need a vice grip just to fret a note?
If so, an unadjusted truss rod may be the problem.
What is a truss rod?
Most guitarists cringe when the term “truss rod” is brought up in a conversation. Many would rather seek professional help when making guitar neck adjustments as opposed to doing it themselves. The truss rod is a threaded metal rod that runs through the neck of the guitar. The rod’s main function is for adjusting the height of the strings, more commonly referred to as the “action.” Many players prefer a low action because notes can be fretted with ease, but some players, such as the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, tend to prefer a higher action. Yes, you do have to take care when adjusting it and it can break, but if you approach the task with a little respect for the rod and some common sense, there's no reason why you can't do this job yourself.
How do I adjust the truss rod?Relief simply refers to how much the guitar neck bows upward as it approaches its center, and back downward from the center to the tailpiece. You don't want a perfectly straight neck or you may experience horrible fretbuzz. Start by sighting down the length of the neck to see how straight it is. You should now decide if you are still happy with the string gauge and string height. Warm temperatures make strings seem more slinky and if you bang hard on them, excessive fret rattle will occur.
Just by using the next heavier gauge string set, you can improve stability and tone, but you'll probably need to readjust the truss rod to maintain a straight neck. You need to locate the correct size allen key or hex wrench for the truss rod adjustment screw. If the neck is bowed upward, you should tighten the truss rod only 1/8 of a turn. If the neck is bowed downward, you should loosen the truss rod only 1/8 of a turn. Most guitars require a clockwise turn to tighten and a counterclockwise turn to loosen the rod, but not all guitars are the same so you may want to contact your manufacturer to be certain. Lighter gauge strings usually require a small adjustment while larger gauge strings may require another 1/8 of a turn. You should never force the rod. If the rod is difficult to turn, you should let an experienced luthier or guitar technician make the adjustment. There may be another problem involved.
To properly set the action, press the low E string down on the 1st fret and the last fret of your guitar. There should be a gap of around 1/64" between the string at the 7th and 8th frets. A feeler gauge is the best tool to use when taking these measurements. If you don't have access to a feeler gauge, use a .4mm or .5mm guitar pick. Good luck with the adjustment of your guitar!!! Remember. Be very careful when performing this procedure.
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Choosing the right Guitar Amplifier?Shopping for a new guitar amp can be a tough decision. There are many questions that enter a guitarist's mind when considering a purchase. Which ones sound better? Are tube amps better than solid-state amps? Do I need a stack? All of these questions are important to consider. The most important things to keep in mind are sound and durability.
Tube Versus Solid-State
Tube guitar amplifiers have been around for many years. Many guitarists prefer tube amps because of the deeper tone that is usually associated with them. Most professionals, though not all, tend to prefer tube amps over solid-state amps. Players who prefer clean sounds often choose solid-state amps. Others choose tube amps because it makes their sound seem more "alive." Tube amps are mostly associated with blues and rock music. Though most guitarists prefer tube amps, there are several disadvantages to owning one. They are usually heavier than solid-state amps. They usually cost more and require more maintenance. Tubes eventually wear out, thus resulting in periodical maintenance. Tube amps work with high-voltage electronics which are sensitive to dust and moisture. Solid-state amps usually don't require any maintenance other than an occasional cleaning.
What's better, a stack or combo amp?
There are several factors that go into making this decision. The "stack" usually consists of an amp head resting on a cabinet, usually with one or more speakers. A typical configuration usually consists of an amp teamed with two 4x12 cabinets, each consisting of 4-12" speakers. The "half stack" is similar to this, but with only one cabinet. The stack configuration is usually used for projection. A combo amp is an amp in which the speaker and amp are built into the same box. Most are extremely portable and often weigh less than the stack.
Electric guitar amplifiers are becoming more advanced each and every day. Be sure to shop around and play as many as you can before purchasing a new amp. Remember, the most important aspects of a new amp are sound and durability. Good luck and happy playing!!!
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We are pleased to welcome Hot Hot Heat to the growing Prestige Artist Roster.Currently in the studio recording their follow-up to 2007's Happiness Ltd. Hot Hot Heat guitarist; Luke Paquin, along with his trusty Prestige Heritage Standard (Lefty) are constantly refining rock & roll as we know it. “… Simply put, The Heritage Standard sounds better than our ’76 and ’78 Les Paul Deluxe Guitars!!” - Hot Hot Heat
Hot Hot Heat formed in Victoria, British Colombia, Canada, in 1999. The band is currently comprised of Steve Bays (vocals and keyboards), Paul Hawley (drums), Dustin Hawthorne (bass) and Luke Paquin (guitar). Launched to popularity with such hits as; "Bandages", “Talk to Me, Dance With Me” and “Good Night, Good Night”, we look forward to seeing more of this band Live.
Cory Churko Joins the Prestige Guitar Family.Cory Churko, Lead guitar and Backup Vocalist to Kelly Clarkson and Shania Twain is currently on the road with his new Prestige NYS Deluxe. Cory joined the Prestige Guitar family earlier Last summer. His unique style and enthusiasm has gained him much success over the years. Catch him live with Kelly Clarkson on her “My December” (3rd studio album) tour, as well as the Kelly / Reba – 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour. Cory and his Prestige have graced the 2007/2008 NFL Kickoff show, MTV Teen Choice Awards, 2007/2008 Footy Show, and Canadian Idol. Over the course of his career he has worked with such artists as Shania Twain, Elton John, Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys, The Corrs and many others.
Canadian Rock Mega Trio Wide Mouth Mason and their Prestige.Prestige Guitars welcomed Shaun Verreault (Vocals/Guitar) of Wide Mouth Mason to the artist roster earlier this summer. Shaun has been Playing/Recoding with his Prestige Heritage Hollow, and Standard guitars in both his Solo Project and Wide Mouth Mason respectively. Be sure to catch them live in a city near you. They are currently touring with the Odds.
Wide Mouth Mason is an R&B based, modern pop/rock, power trio, reminiscent of a modern day combination of trios such as “The Experience”, “The Police”, and “Nirvana”. They have won over thousands of fans based on their high energy live performances, musicianship and love for playing music together. Their appeal crosses genres from youth who enjoy edgy new music to older crowds who are reminded of the golden days of rock and roll.
Prestige Guitars and the 2008 Vancouver Seeds Competion hosted by 99.3 The Fox.Since as far back as anyone can remember; Vancouver rock music station 99.3 The Fox, has been hosting the annual Seeds competition. The Seeds competition is a 3 month indie music competition, to find and showcase the top 5 artists in British Columbia. The competition has launched the careers of many artists like Nickelback, Matthew Good Band, Default, Bif Naked, and many other Canadian Rock acts.
We are pleased to report that 2 of the top 5 2008 Seeds winners used Prestige Guitars to record their winning albums; including this year’s Platinum Award winners Incura, and runner-up Versus the Nothing. For more information on these bands and the Seeds competition, please visit www.cfox.com.
That’s all the artist news this quarter. Be sure to read this column next time for some big league updates on more of your favorite acts.
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