Gear Porn: The Best (and Worst) Guitar Pedals Ever

Gear Porn: The Best (and Worst) Guitar Pedals Ever

by | Nov 3, 2011 | Press, Wander Away

Multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Matt Beck is the man I have to thank for some amazing moments on “Wander Away.” [Check out my conversation with him on Episode Three of The Mike Errico Podcast]. Beck’s signature guitar tones are culled from years of audio experimentation. “I have somewhere in the realm of 500 guitar pedals. I took over one of my wife’s bookcases with them,” he explains with an unapologetic smile. “Some are very esoteric.” But which pedals are must-haves? And which ones suck? Beck broke down his library of stomp boxes into easy-to-swallow categories: the ones you need, the ones to avoid, the ones that need a lo-o-o-ong break — and the ones to watch. PEDALS YOU NEED 1) Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer: #1, top of the line. I have a bunch, some of which are modified by Robert Keeley, who takes out the insides and replaces the capacitors and resistors and … I don’t really understand it, but it sounds fuller. I also use an original TS-808, which is the original Tube Screamer with the much heralded Germanium chip. The original 808 was green, and has the small square button in the middle, but the originals have a hyphen between the “TS” and the “808,” so that’s how you know what you’re looking at. Just a little tidbit. Even if you don’t use it a lot, this pedal is one that you can’t really live without. Classic Recorded Example: Stevie Ray Vaughan — who I think used the TS-9’s — something like “Couldn’t Stand the Weather.” They work great with single coils, and of course, Stevie Ray was a single...

9/23 Rubin Show in the New Yorker

by | Sep 19, 2011 | live shows, Press, Wander Away

If it’s in the New Yorker, it’s been fact-checked, double-checked, taste-tested and totally true. I will not argue. See the New Yorker illustration of the show on p. 20 of the magazine, or right here RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART 150 W. 17th St. (212-620-5000)—Sept. 23: The local singer-songwriter Mike Errico recently released his sixth studio album, “Wander Away,” a wide-ranging, collaborative display of his pop-rock skills. But for this show, part of the museum’s “Naked Soul” series, he’ll be backed by a string trio, putting the focus on his expressive voice and finely balanced compositions. His guests include the singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke. Source: The New...

“1000 Miles” on KFOG’s Acoustic Sunrise

by | Aug 21, 2011 | audio, Press

San Francisco: Good news. KFOG 104.5 will be playing “1000 Miles” on “Acoustic Sunrise,” the station’s Sunday morning program that airs from 7-11am. [wp_bandcamp_player type=”track” id=”4133171878″ size=”venti” bg_color=”#E8E8E3″ link_color=”#4285BB”] A couple fun facts about the song: – It was cowritten with Ben Mink, whose credits include Feist, kd lang and many others – It’s the theme song of The Mike Errico Podcast – The pedal steel player on the tune is Bruce Kaphan, who I first heard withlegendary San Francisco songwriter Mark Eitzel, and American Music Club. You are my promotion team (you knew that, right?), so please take a moment and let ’em know you’re out there listening: Twitter: https://twitter.com/KFOG1045 Fbook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/KFOG-Radio/107995802561997 Request Line: 1-800-300-KFOG (5364) Email: kfog@kfog.com Site: http://www.kfog.com Buy it at...