P.O.M. - ''Lost Contact''

--David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Tuesday, March 15 2005 @ 15:03:27 GMT

"Lost Contact" is the new full-length feature film by writer & director Andrew Crawford - a dark, brooding film that is an "...Absurdly comic and totally unpredictable...tour de force in 'no budget' filmmaking. Having all the looks of classic cult film noir, its photography is complemented by the witty, dry humor of its dialogue and the twisting plot lines...". The soundtrack for this film is equally unpredictable, and absolutely astonishing.

The music for "Lost Contact" was written, performed, & recorded by P.O.M., an intense and extremely gifted guitarist & composer who also tackles percussion and vocal duties for the soundtrack.

'GUITAR GODS: P.O.M.''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Tuesday, March 29 2005 @ 14:42:13 BST

"Every child is an artist... the problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up." (Pablo Picasso).

There is a man called P.O.M., and he must of been quite a child.......he is also among the most articulate, outlandish, & wondrous guitarists to spring onto the scene in a long time. Check this guy out - I guarantee you will be amazed.

Though the general public has yet to hear of him, he is already gathering the most lavish praise from critics. "...P O M thrashes his guitar into submission with more style, flair, and musical taste than is strictly fair for one person to possess...." (Guitarist Magazine); "...The inventiveness with which he played his Flamenco guitar using a double-handed technique more associated with electric guitarist Eddie Van Halen captivated an audience receiving him with vociferous appreciation..." (Classical Guitar Magazine); "..Sure us electric leadsters like to think we're hot but what this fleet fingered London lad can do on a nylon strung acoustic guitar...Sheesh getouddahea!!!" (Guitar Magazine).

Starting out in London as a bluegrass flatpicker, P.O.M. switched to nylon string Flamenco after hearing Paco deLucia, John MacLaughlin, & Al DiMeola play together on the album "Friday Night in San Francisco", which features brisk rhythms, complex harmony, lightning fast runs...all performed on classical flamenco guitars. He has traveled across Europe and Australia learning and perfecting his craft, and has now put it all together for his debut solo collection. Said collection, which was composed & performed for the full-length feature film "Lost Contact", is available independently via the "Lost Contact" web-site....until someone from the majors takes notice, anyway! This guy is destined for big things.

Learn more about the film HERE, and learn more about P.O.M. HERE, which features a live performance video of P.O.M. If you're interested in the "tapping" or "touchstyle" guitar techniques, a great resource is Tappistry.Org, an educational site focusing specifically on touchstyle techniques. You can also check out "New Acoustic Concepts" (parts 1 & 2), which features lots of musical examples, plus brief interviews with both P.O.M. and steel-string wizard (and "Guitar God' interviewee) Justin King.

I had a chance to speak to P.O.M. recently - check it out!

''GUITAR GODS: Paolo Giordano''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Friday, March 18 2005 @ 15:10:57 GMT
Among the wizards of the acoustic fingerstyle movement is a man name Paolo Giordano - a guitarist of exceptional talents as player, composer, & instructor. His willingness to share his knowledge of arcane techniques is beyond cool; to fuse his talents with collaborations with other fabulous artists inspiring.

He has worked with bass legend Michael Manring, vocalist Pattie Cathcart (of Tuck & Patti fame), and others; performed at Muriel Anderson's "All Star Guitar Night" in 2001; received rave reviews for both his solo releases as well as all 4 of his other audio releases; shared the stage with such luminaries (and "Guitar Gods" interviewees) Preston Reed and Tommy Emmanuel; has appeared on the concert stage as well as television & radio; and much more.

Learn more about Paolo on his web-site, where you'll find audio, video, free lessons, schedule, and more!

I had a chance to speak to Paolo recently (whose English is not quite as good as his Italian, but much better than my Italian!) - check it out!

''GUITAR GODS'': Mikhal Caldwell''

 -- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
 originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Tuesday, September 19 2006 @ 18:36:41 BST

 
(editor's note: Unfortunately, Mikhal passed away from a heart attack September 7 of 2011).

Mikhal Cadwell. Say it with me, now: Mikhal Caldwell. If you haven't heard this name...well, you've heard it now, and after hearing his music, you'll never forget it.

Caldwell is among the most impressive fusion guitarists I've ever heard, with encyclopedic knowledge of music theory, composition, & history (traditional & esoteric); command of multiple styles; and technique so amazing that it's difficult to believe he's from planet Earth! His music is at once funky & visceral & downright bestial yet intelligent & discerning & witty. Not in a "he has a good balance between..." sort of way, but in a "extremely cerebral AND extremely passionate..." sort of way. Whether it's his solo works or his Chop Shop Project or ensemble projects, Mikhal's music - the composition and execution - is gutsy, brilliant, and inspired.


Jamaican-born, Detroit-raised Mikhal Caldwell has an impressive history, too. From garage bands in the early days to a stint at Berkelee College of Music, graduating from Renguard Conservatory and playing guest spots on several major label releases (from jazz to heavy metal), hosted the award-winning top-rated TV show "Fretboard Frolics" (whose special guests list is a veritable who's who of the world's top guitarists...including Al DiMeola and "Guitar Gods" interviewee Greg Howe), released several solo & duo CDs, and instructional DVD, and a concert video. He has recently been touring as both a performer and instructor, doing clinics for Morley, Jagmin Pick-ups, Thomastik-Infeld strings, and others, and has a new CD hitting the market: "Para Vision" (which features the wicked instrumental track, "X-Man").


Mikhal, who attended Berkelee from 1978-1981 and holds a masters in music, was first inspired to play guitar when he heard the song "Secret Agent Man" as a kid. In his words, "...a week or so later I heard Hendrix and that was it!". In addition to the CDs & video releases, Caldwell has penned the book, "Language of the Kind" which covers some heavy topics.

''GUITAR GODS: Eric Mantel''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 13:11:47 GMT

 
Chicago area guitarist Eric Mantel is not a household name, but he should be. Combining incredible technical prowess with stylistic flexibility, encyclopedic knowledge of composition & theory, and shear gusto, Eric has forged out a career of making incredible music.

While radio & television have yet to discover his amazing talent, the makers of top-flight gear have not. Eric's list of endorsement deals reads like a list of the best the industry has to offer: Toad Works, Kangaroo, Digitech, Rocktron, GHS, Sabine, Furman, Roger Mayer, Taylor Guitars, Sperzel, Boomerang, Dunlop, Ebow, and many more.

In addition, he has conducted clinics in conjunction with Sabine, Guitar Center, Dunlop, GHS, Sam Ash, Guitar World Magazine, Peavy, and others, and runs a very successful private teaching business, opening the doors of music to hundreds of guitar students.

You can read a review of Eric's latest CD HERE, and you can visit Eric on-line HERE.
I had a chance to speak with Eric recently - check it out!

''"GUITAR GODS: Mr. Fastfinger (Guitar Shred Show)''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Friday, August 26 2005 @ 18:01:51 BST

"Guitar Shred Show: The Way of the Exploding Solo - Mr. Fastfingers reveals the arts & secrets of electric guitar to all."

The Guitar Shred Show officially opened on August 8, 2005 and word spread so fast of the amazing "Mr. Fastfinger" that the web-site, GuitarShredShow.Com, has received 10,000-15,000 hits per DAY by guitarists hungry for knowledge. The site, the ultimate on-line guitar school, is so impressive that links to the school popped up immediately on forums like Vai.Com on August 9 - just one day after it's opening!

EYE CANDY: Anna J (photos by Joe McGuire)

7 photos...

Doppler, Inc. - ''Nu Instrumental''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music 
Date: Tuesday, March 22 2005 @ 13:24:06 GMT

Doug Doppler, former student of Joe Satriani (and personally picked by Joe to take over his teaching duties), formed a band in 2002 named simply Doppler, Inc. Their debut CD, "Nu Instrumental", features the amazing line-up of Doug Doppler (lead guitar), Steve Sarina (rhythm guitar), Uriah Duffy (bass), and Atma Anur (drums), with special guest appearances from Stu Hamm (bass), Billy Sheehan (bass), and Brad Gillis (guitar).

They waste no time leaping into the instrumental rock fray with the opening track, "Fat Lip" - an intense, driving song that features all manner of cool sound FX, whammy pedal guitar antics, crunching rhythms, and more. This song really throws down the gauntlet and sets the pace for the entire 11 song CD.

''GUITAR GODS: Doug Doppler''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Monday, March 28 2005 @ 15:01:30 BST

 
Doug Doppler: Remember that name. The man who personally took over Joe Satriani's guitar instruction studio, who performed at the Bill Graham Memorial for 250,000 people, and has graced the stage at G3, has a new band, Doppler, Inc., and a new CD, "Nu Instrumental" (Favored Nations), and is poised to have a major impact on the rock music scene.

Doug - who also works with DiMarzio Pickups and Line-6, and is a visiting instructor at the world-renowned GIT - is a guitarist of profound ability & sensitivity. His new CD, which is reviewed HERE, not only demonstrates Doug's obvious abilities as a guitarist, but as a songwriter with the unique ability to fuse disparate styles into a exciting, polished, and soulful sound.

Plans for a tour and live DVD are under way, and you can get more info about Doppler, Inc. at Doug's web-site.

I had a chance to speak to Doug recently - check it out!

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''GUITAR GODS: Don ''Boone'' Hicks''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Monday, May 09 2005 @ 14:21:55 BST

The guitar solo is making a comeback in the rock music world. During the dark days, however, a few brave souls carried the torch of high-level rock guitar performance...most notably Zach Wylde (Ozzy) and a handful of others not in the mainstream of radio rock. But others carried the torch, also. Players who thrived in local markets playing kick-ass rock-n-roll with plenty of attitude and plenty of screaming guitar solos; players like Don "Boone" Hicks of the band Devil Stomp.

Devil Stomp have been performing throughout the southern US for a couple of years, with gigs from Cincinnati to Atlanta. The bands current line-up is a simple power trio with Sam Rhodus on drums, Joey Cain on bass and Don handling vocals & guitar. Their music is a a driving brand of blues-based rock bound to draw comparisons to AIC, Black Label Society, and others, but their approach is fresh and powerful.

Don's playing is clean and strong and gutsy. His rhythmic approach is aggressive and his solos will, to quote Mr. Nugent, "...blow the balls off a charging rhino at 60 paces...".
You can get loads of information about Devil Stomp at their web-site, so go there now!
I had a chance to speak to Don recently - check it out!