Michael Jackson Jamie Lawson Beat It Wasn’t Expecting That
2016’s
hottest new gear
play better now! #277 March 2016
h c s t Gre Streamliner
The new sub-£400 range that’ll blow your mind!
learn to play michael jackson Beat It
Jamie Lawson Wasn’t Expecting That
Megadeth The Threat Is Real Video riff online
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David bowie
online video riffs Rebel Rebel The Man Who Sold The World Let’s Dance
r itar fo This gu £350!
PlaY like the Gretsch pioneers Plus!
Bigsby tips & tricks artists
David bowie Dream Theater the Maccabees mark Tremonti & andy james
editor’s letter
Future Publishing Quay House, The Ambury, Bath, BA1 1UA Tel: 01225 442244 Fax: 01225 822763 Email: totalguitar@futurenet.com Website: www.totalguitar.co.uk Editorial Editor Stuart Williams Content Editor Rob Laing Reviews Editor Dave Burrluck Production Editor Josh Gardner Art Editor Leanne O’Hara Senior Music Editor Jason Sidwell Music Editor Chris Bird Content Editor, Musicradar.com Michael Brown Music Co-ordinator Polly Beauchamp Editor At Large Neville Marten Contributors Steve Allsworth, Dan Beesley, Phil Capone, Rich Chamberlain, Sarah Clark, Lee Du-Caine, Kimberley Dunne, Matt Frost, Thea de Gallier, Charlie Griffiths, Nick Guppy, David Hands, Jonathan Horsley, Jamie Hunt, Andy McGregor, Ed Mitchell, Helen O’Brien, Matthew Parker, Frank White, Henry Yates Music Engraver Simon Troup Audio Mastering Duncan Jordan Video Production Martin Holmes Photography Joe Branston, Adam Gasson, Neil Godwin, Kevin Nixon, Gavin Roberts, Joby Sessions, Jesse Wild, Will Ireland, George Fairbairn Advertising Phone: 01225 442244 Fax: 01225 732285 For advertising queries, please contact Alison Watson alison.watson@futurenet.com Marketing Group Marketing Manager Laura Driffield Marketing Manager Kristianne Stanton Production & Distribution Production Controller Frances Twentyman Production Manager Mark Constance Printed in the UK by: William Gibbons & Sons Ltd on behalf of Future Distributed by:Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT, Tel: 0207 429 4000 Overseas distribution by:Seymour International Circulation Trade Marketing Manager Michelle Brock 0207 429 3683 Subscriptions UK reader order line & enquiries: 0844 848 2852 Overseas reader order line & enquiries: +44 (0)1604 251045 Online enquiries: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk Email: totalguitar@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk Licensing Senior Licensing & Syndication Manager Matt Ellis, matt.ellis@futurenet.com Tel: + 44 (0)1225 442244 Management Managing Director, Magazines Joe McEvoy Editorial Director, Film, Music & Technology Paul Newman Group Editor-In-Chief Daniel Griffiths Group Art Director Graham Dalzell Next issue on sale 11 March 2016 Printed in the UK by William Gibbons on behalf of Future. Distributed in the UK by Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT. Tel: 0207 429 4000
Welcome… What a month. Since our last issue, we’ve said goodbye to three very different legends of our world, and we hate it. You might be a big fan of Lemmy, David Bowie and Glenn Frey, or you might be a fan of just one of them. Of course, you may be unfamiliar with all three, or simply not a fan of any. Whatever it is, I’d urge you as a fan of the guitar to read our tributes this month, and spend a bit of time immersing yourself in the different – but equally great – music and guitar playing left behind. As I write, I’ve just returned from another whirlwind NAMM show. The absolute highlight for me was seeing how the guitar industry has reacted to the budget-conscious player, the proof of the pudding found on the Gretsch stand. Luckily, we were able to get a heads-up on these stunning new Streamliner guitars before the show (see p80) and in a lot of ways, they’re the guitar embodiment of this very mag! Guitars made for the real world player, that appeal to every type of guitarist, from jazz to blues to indie to punk to rock ’n’ roll and beyond. That’s why this month, we’re exploring the vast world of Gretsch in our cover feature. Don’t worry if you don’t own one – and at this price, you soon might! - there’s still plenty of general playing tips regardless of what guitar you play. The twang’s the thang, so let’s get started!
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All contents copyright © 2015 Future Publishing Limited or published under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored, transmitted or used in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath, BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price and other details of products or services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any changes or updates to them. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Future a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine, including licensed editions worldwide and in any physical or digital format throughout the world. Any material you submit is sent at your risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees, agents or subcontractors shall be liable for loss or damage. We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from well managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. Future Publishing and its paper suppliers have been independently certified in accordance with the rules of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
Stuart Williams, Editor
making this month’s mag: Chris Bird Like most of TG’s staff, Chris has been seduced by those Gretsch Streamliner beauties, spending a day with the G2420T model to put the Bigsby system through its paces for our wang bar lesson. Head over to p44 and try out TG’s old-school vibrato exercises for yourself.
josh gardner After spending the first half of the issue swanning around chilly Paris, serial Gretsch-fancier Josh returned from the city of love only to be smitten all over again by the Streamliners. The question is, does Torino Green suit him, and does he even care if it doesn’t?
Rob Laing Rob chaired a round table (actually it was square) with Tremonti and Wearing Scars this issue, and he returned giddy with inspiration from players who are not interested in resting on their laurels, but eager to push forward. We’re already working on our next unique player summit. Stay tuned! march 2016
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contents First Look PRS CE 24 ����������������������������������������������������������� Riff of the Month Megadeth – The Threat Is Real ����� On The Up Creeper, Aidan Knight, Holy Esque ������������� Lemmy 1954-2015 ��������������������������������������������������������������� Glenn Frey 1948-2016 ������������������������������������������������������� Five Minutes Alone… Daniel P Carter ������������������������� Me And My Guitar Jon Hudson (Faith No More) ���� Scale Of The Month Aeolian mode ������������������������������ Win! Walrus Audio Pedals �������������������������������������������������� Albums This month’s best guitar releases �������������������
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features David Bowie To mark the passing of a musical icon, TG picks 10 things we should thank Bowie for PLUS! Learn three classic David Bowie riffs! �������������������
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The Maccabees Guitarist and producer Hugo White shares his top tips for recording your band ����������
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COVER FEATURE: Gretsch Guitars To mark the release of the most affordable Gretsch electrics ever, we chart the story behind these brand new Streamliners, teach you how to play like the Gretsch masters, and help you use and maintain your Bigsby! ��� 036
GUITars 036 Gretsch The history, the players, the style
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David BowiE
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Dream Theater John Petrucci discusses the creation of the band’s ambitious new album, The Astonishing �����
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NAMM 2016 All the hottest new gear straight from the industry’s annual bonanza in California �������
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Melodic Metal Round Table We sit down with Mark Tremonti, Eric Freidman, Andy James and Dan Woodyear to talk gear, practising and more ���������������� 064
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The MacCabees
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Dream Theater
Cover & CD: Philip Sowel, Kevin Mazur / Getty Model: Kimberley Holladay Stylist: Nazia Williamson Hair stylist: Nina Butkovich-Budden Art Direction: Rob Antonello Contents: Frans Schellekens/Redferns Joby Sessions Marcus Daniel Retna/Photoshot Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer Joe Branston
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PRS CE 24
Gear Fender Bassbreaker 18/30 ������������������������������������������������
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Jamie Lawson ‘Wasn’t Expecting That’
Fender Elite Stratocaster ���������������������������������������������������� Positive Grid BIAS Pedal �����������������������������������������������������
Round-up Gretsch Streamliner ���������������������������������������� Juketone Blue Blood ������������������������������������������������������������� Atomic AmpliFire ������������������������������������������������������������������
Round-up Catalinbread Pedals ���������������������������������������� Quick Tests Boss PW-3, Movall Rock Highway ����������� Accessories ���������������������������������������������������������������������������
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techniques
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Michael Jackson ‘Beat it’
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Fender Bassbreaker
David Bowie Three Classic Bowie Riffs ������������������������ 029 Gretsch Icons Play like five Gretsch legends �������������� 048 Classic Track Michael Jackson – Beat It ������������������������ 094 Open-Mic Songbook Jamie Lawson – Wasn’t Expecting That ���������������������������������������������������������� 102 Get Your Grades! RGT ������������������������������������������������������ 106
Subscribe now & Save! Choose from print, digital or bundled subscriptions on p108!
MARCH 2016
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first look…
Bolt-on from the blue PRS revives the bolt-on CE 24 with a price cut in tow…
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he PRS CE 24 has become something of a cult classic. It began life in 1988 as a more Fender-like alternative to the rest of the PRS stable, packing an alder body and bolt-on maple neck – not to mention the lowest price tag of any PRS at that time – but after a mahogany/maple cap refresh, it disappeared from the shelves in 2009. For 2016, however, the CE 24 is back, and with a new price point to boot: at £1,869, it lies somewhere between the S2 series and super-swanky Core line, and here’s why…
1 Pickups Unlike the S2 models, the CE 24 is packing full-fat USA-made, uncovered 85/15 humbuckers, which include a coil-split option for the single-coil-like sounds that bolt-ons love best
2 Hardware The guitar’s vibrato and locking tuners come courtesy of PRS’s Korean factory, which builds units for the SE and S2 lines – it keeps the price down but there’s no compromise on tuning stability
3 Bolt-on There aren’t many bolt-on PRS guitars out there, but the CE 24 wears its neck plate with pride, securing the three-piece maple neck to the maplecapped mahogany body
Photography: Joby Sessions
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The PRS CE 24 has become something  of a cult classic
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HOME GROWN TONE
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video lesson
riff of the month
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Megadeth
WORLD FAMOUS MUSIC STRINGS WWW.ROTOSOUND.COM FACEBOOK.COM/ROTOSOUND TWITTER.COM/ROTOSOUND_UK PROUDLY MADE IN ENGLAND
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his month we look at the main riff in Megadeth’s recent single, The Threat Is Real, to see how a repeating open string can be the foundation of an aggressive thrash line. The guitars are in D standard tuning so tune to DGCFAD to play along. The track begins with atmospheric noises and then hits the stratosphere as the guitar riff kicks in. The whole phrase is played on the fifth string and not having to move from string to string makes the rapid alternate picking much easier. You’ll need to pay close attention to the timing of your fretting fingers though, to make sure both hands are in sync. Start by practising slowly and focus on hitting each note with both fretting finger and pick at exactly the same time. Once the riff sounds good and clean at a slow speed, gradually raise the tempo.
CHANNEL Distortion
gain
bass
mid
treble
reverb
This song needs a ballsy thrash metal tone. Use a distortion pedal if your amp doesn’t have enough dirt. A bridge position humbucker is the best option to give you the required grit and bite. If your guitar has a single coil pickup simply boost the bass and gain on your amp to fatten up your sound. Use a heavy gauge pick (rather than a thin one) for a punchier sound. All the video lessons in this issue of Total Guitar are available to view online at www.bit.ly/tg277video
Photo: Joseph Branston
FOR 6, 7, 8 AND 12 STRING INSTRUMENTS
The Threat Is Real 0:22
Guitars and backing: Jamie Hunt
ROTO NICKEL ON STEEL ELECTRIC GUITAR STRINGS
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Creeper
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Words: Matthew Parker Photo: Ronan Park
Strap in, punk’s new Misfits are on a hair-raising ride
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alcolm Gladwell reckoned that it takes 10,000 hours to achieve expertise in a discipline. Having only formed in 2014, Southampton’s fast-rising horror punks Creeper initially appear to disprove the rule. However, guitarist Ian Miles and vocalist Will Gould put that time in over six years with previous group, Our Time Down Here. “That band was our university,” Ian tells TG. “We learned how to write songs, how to work the group and our identity formed over that point in time. Eventually, me and Will started sharing songs in a darker, more theatrical ball park. But the more we went down that route with Our Time Down Here, the more it didn’t gel with the others, so when we started again we were able to bring all that to the forefront and we just went wild.” Wild is also an apt description of a year that saw them support Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes, sign with Roadrunner and play to sizeable festival crowds. “We never even planned on being a full-time band,” says Ian. “But the first two shows sold-out straight away and at our second show we met this cool dude wearing an AFI shirt. He was like, ‘I work for Roadrunner Records’ and we were just like, ‘WHAT!?’”
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Despite the big backing, Creeper remains a DIY punk band with a deep love of AFI, Alkaline Trio and The Misfits at its heart. Even now – as part of ome of the mostly hotly-tipped bands in UK rock – the cost of a full-fat Gibson Les Paul leaves Ian pairing his Marshall JCM800 with a humble but much-loved LPJ. “We were approached by some other labels and they were all like, ‘We’ll drink champagne! We’ll get you a number one hit in the next two years!’” recalls Ian. “But we were like, ‘Er, well, we’re not really interested in that!’” Instead, it’s those 10,000 hours with OTDH that have proved the solid investment – and it’s a good thing, too, as with The Stranger EP (due 19 February) on the way, tours, festivals and an album before the year’s out, Ian’s unlikely to have that kind of spare time again. “The only thing I can compare it to is when you’re skateboarding and trying to learn a new trick,” says Ian. “When you’re in the air, everything is moving so fast you can’t tell what you’re doing. That’s what the last year has been like!” For fans of: Alkaline Trio, AFI Hear: Honeymoon Suite
on the up
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Aidan Knight
Vancouver songsmith channeling open spaces
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ost acts want to record ‘live in the room’ at some point, but few realise the challenges it presents. Canadian songwriter Aidan Knight and his band learned this on acclaimed third album Each Other. “We set up and recorded for two days in the room and we got sort of lost in a storm,” Aidan recalls. “We almost walked away and even our producer Marcus Paquin (Arcade Fire, The National) was calling home like, ‘I don’t know if this is going to happen!’” One of the main issues was the sound of the room’s high-end monitors, a phenomenon Knight compares to watching a favourite old movie on a hi-def TV. “There was almost too much fidelity,” he explains. “Marcus left on the second day and we weren’t sure if he was going to come back,
but before he went he made us sit in front of these speakers and listen to our favourite records. Suddenly, we were like, ‘Oh, we get it!’ It was immediate.” Now, listening to the beautiful clarity of writing and tone on Each Other, you’d never know. Knight wrings out incredible tones on his spacious compositions, all using just a Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster and a some battered Epiphone, Gibson and Fender amps. “It was really liberating,” he concludes. “I think this record sounds really nice, with relatively inexpensive instruments, which is really exciting for me.” Aidan Knight and his band ride into the UK this March. For fans of: Dan Mangan, The National Hear: All Clear
Holy Esque
All hail Glasgow’s latest indie heroes
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band’s debut is so often just a collection of their work to that point: at best a document, at worst a wasted opportunity. Glasgow indie four-piece Holy Esque’s debut At Hope’s Ravine subverts that trend, seemingly arriving fully-formed. “It’s been a long process,” says guitarist Hugo McGinley. “But we wanted to take our time and get it perfect. It’s what we’ve been striving towards from the very beginning: to create an album that we’d be proud to put out.” Recalling the ‘heavy pop’ of Manchester’s WU LYF, Holy Esque capture some of that anguished positivity, blending reverb-heavy “laid-back” guitar chimes (via Hugo’s Epiphone Dot and a lovely vintage Vox AC30/Fender Twin amp blend) over heady synth concoctions. Jon Schumann (Kashmir/Mew) handled
production duties on the record, complementing the group’s deft, genre-melting touch. “We met on tour with The Raveonettes, when he was the front of house guy,” explains Hugo. “He saw us most nights and we just got talking. There was a connection there and it was quite flattering for someone of his calibre to show interest in us.” Both producer and band have done themselves proud and TG’s pleased to note that the long inception hasn’t quelled the fire. “I think that’s what sets us apart,” reckons the guitarist. “We just have a determination to keep going. The album was always going to happen. It’s been a lot of effort, but it’s been worth it.” For fans of: WU LYF, The Twilight Sad Hear: Silences
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