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Stephen Colbert for President Guitar Jam
2007-10-21 20:24:00
Hey ATOMIC fans. Here's a newbie for ya, called "Stephen Colbert for President ." Play MP3
More About: Guitar , Stephen Colbert

The Smiths'/Modest Mouse's Johnny Marr is Now a Visiting Music Professor
2007-10-20 16:22:00
Who can forget the guitar work of 80s rock legend Johnny Marr of the Smiths? I can't at least. Also, Marr was Modest Mouse's key element of breaking into mainstream radio when joining the band for their 7th album. According to Wired and other sources, Johnny Marr has joined the Salford University staff as a visiting music professor. "The ex-Smiths guitarist and current band member of Modest Mouse will be delivering a series of workshops and masterclasses to students on the BA Popular Music and Recording degree at Salford." Source: Salford University Damn it. Why couldn't I have had Johnny Marr as my professor?
More About: News , The Smiths

Does your guitar work have edge?
2007-10-19 19:56:00
Edge (creativity) is everything in rock guitar. Even a simple adjustment to a chord progression can give your song edge. Key is to think of writing with edge even when you're playing a simple 3 or 4 power chord progression. A variety of techniques can be used to show that you give a damn about your guitar work. You can add chord melody (even in rock). You can experiment to find original edge. Again, a simple adjustment can give your progressions that spark. My singe purpose in every band I've been in was to add a sense of complimentary edge. Instead of playing a simple melody "normally," for instance, I'd play it in octaves, or mold it into a 16th note melody with tremolo, or throw in some bends and vibrato, or play it in the upper register for contrast, and the like. Again, these are simple, noticeable adjustments that provide edge in your guitar work. Think about rhythmic edge when in a band setting. Think about edge you can put in your solos. My point: Say you have ...
More About: Guitar , Opinion , Work , Edge

New Led Zeppelin Album? Page Says Possibly
2007-10-19 02:27:00
Anyone hear the news yet? As you may know, Led Zeppelin is holding a reunion concert on November 26th at the O2 Arena in London. The other day... When Rolling Stone Magazine asked Jimmy Page whether there will be any new Led Zeppelin tunes/albums, the guitar god said, ?Look, I?d be really surprised if there wasn?t - you know, I mean I just know the way we are. We?re musicians?as we?re playing we?ll probably be coming up with all manner of things.? However, it seems Robert Plant is a little less "whatever happens, happens" about the reformed Led Zeppelin. He's the one who told the press that there was only going to be one LZ reunion show and not an all-out concert tour. Like Plant has anything musically better to do... His solo albums aren't exactly at the top of the Billboards. LZ, don't worry about spoiling your past records! We want to hear what the new, matured Zep sounds like!
More About: News , Album

I Think Guitar Hero III Might Actually be Bigger than Real Guitar
2007-10-19 02:00:00
Err... It's kind of getting annoying whenever I'm trying to find some news to read about the real guitar world and there are more titles about Guitar Hero III. Hey I'm not against the game like some guitar snob, but let me vent here. I can't wait until that game fades away. The buzz about it is so big that it's annoying. There could actually be more kids playing Guitar Hero than actual guitar in the US. Check it out. This is the recent news on "guitar."
More About: Opinion , Real

List of Cool 90s Rock Bands and Music Videos
2007-10-18 22:18:00
Hey ATOMIC fans, I feel like complete garbage today, so the only thing I can handle is a little listening. I heard a 90s one-hit wonder rock group for the first time in a long time today. I thought it would be fun to think up a list of those cool 90s bands who broke into the mainstream for a short period of time. I don't know if I would like some of these groups if I heard them today, but since I grew up listening to them they have an emotional value. Goldfinger "Here In Your Bedroom" The Flaming Lips "She Don't Use Jelly" Cracker "Low" Social Distortion "I Was Wrong" Spacehog "In the Meantime" Meat Puppets "Backwater" Dinosaur Jr "Feel the Pain" Better than Ezra "Good" Local H "Bound for the Floor" Green Jelly "Three Little Pigs" The Toadies "Possum Kingdom" Live Rollins Band "Liar"
More About: Videos , Music , Music Videos , Rock , Cool

ATOMIC Guitarist May Be Going Communal
2007-10-18 01:41:00
Hey ATOMIC fans. I have a huge announcement. ATOMIC Guitarist may be going communal starting this week, in which anyone can sign up and have a guitar blog. I have two goals in mind: 1) Help each other become the best guitarists we can be in a positive way. 2) Allow anyone to have a voice among thousands of guitarists on the net. Membership will be free. Also, I just wanted to say that talking to myself most of the time has become boring. I like to hear what others have to say about things. If you have any objections, please reply below.
More About: Atomic , Going , Goin

Do you really want to be a rock star?
2007-10-17 21:35:00
ATOMIC fans, say you had a choice to be a rock star or just another guitarist like you are now. Which would you choose? Pros Fame Fortune World exposure for your music Get laid all day, every day Cons Bodyguards (You could get shot like John Lennon... or something) Friends only hang with you because you're a star Chicks only dig you because you're a rock star You have to deal with cold-hearted music industry people You might be loved now, but hated later You could live an unfulfilled, drug-addicted, empty life, without ever experiencing true love (that was deep) Considering the pros and cons, do you still want to be a rock star?
More About: Rock Star , Rock , Star , Ally

Death Cab's Guitarist Chris Walla Gets a Visit From Homeland Security
2007-10-17 20:02:00
Monday Chris Walla, Guitarist of Death Cab For Cutie, was paid a visit by homeland security. The government took his computer for no valid reason (actually, they never really gave a clear explanation why). Possibly because the would-have-soon-debuted album called Field Manual sat in the hard drive. "(The New Album) is "very political," packed with songs about issues both foreign ("The Score" tackles the war in Iraq) and domestic ("Everyone Needs a Home" deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; "Sing Again" is about so-called "morning after" pills and whether they're a form of contraception or abortion)." -Source: MTV News Chris Walla and Death Cab's music promotes terrorism! I mean, CDs can be dangerous if you sharpen the edges and throw them like frisbees. Great work Homeland Security . I guess freedom of speech isn't the same as the freedom to rock.
More About: Homeland Security

The End of Cool Music Videos on YouTube
2007-10-17 02:00:00
Just a few days ago I was talking about the music industry and how they're doing nothing about YouTube and copyright infringement. According to Rolling Stone Magazine, YouTube will be soon fighting video piracy hard core. Which will pretty much lead to no more cool music videos on the site. The video sharing site may actually become what it sounds like, "You" (as in everyday people) (only on the) "Tube." Copyright owners will have the choice whether to keep music videos on the site and take a share of advertising revenue from the new Google/YouTube ads, or remove the videos completely. Basically, if the filters work, no one will be posting copyrighted videos except companies who own the media. Not really sure how these automatic anti-piracy filters will detect whether a video is copyrighted or not. Any clue? It was fun while it lasted everyone. Fun indeed. Too shay.
More About: Videos , News , Youtube , Music , Music Videos

What's Your Guiltiest Pleasure, Guitarist?
2007-10-17 02:00:00
I haven't been 100% straight with you, ATOMIC fans. This is a blog geared mainly toward new rock, alternative, and punk rock guitarists with hints of classic and underground stuff. This might come as quite a shock. I have a deep, dark, absolutely black secret: I love country music. It's true, as disgusting as it may sound. Some would even call it tragic. I know it sucks. I have no reasonable defense for my taste in country. But I like it anyway. The first ever Country Music Awards will take place on November 7th. (Refrain from spewing...) I'm psyched ATOMIC fans. So why do I like what most people think is pathetic, ignorant BS? I like the heart-warming southern lyrics, hillbilly ballads, party songs, songs about love and lost, and wild redneck stuff. Yep. The whole nine yards... From Hank Williams Jr, to Garth Brooks, to George Straight, to Johnny Cash, to even Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. What I also like about the form of music is it's pretty much like r...
More About: Opinion , Guitarist , Pleasure

Suffering from Guitar Burnout
2007-10-16 22:39:00
What's up everybody? I'm experiencing guitar burnout today, so I'm taking the day off from playing and blogging. Tomorrow I'll come back with some fresh guitar tunes in the jamcast, some music news, and possibly some thoughts. Keep on rockin' in the free world.
More About: Guitar , Suffering , Burnout , Erin , Burn

Your Frustration with Advancing in Your Guitar Playing
2007-10-16 02:44:00
I'll admit, ATOMIC fans. I'm a little negative sometimes here at ATOMIC Guitar ist. It's like we bloggers have no filter. We just say what comes to mind. I hope, however, that while you're reading my opinions and what not that you're also learning something useful here and there. Which brings me to something positive... Woo hoo. A breath of fresh air. All of us guitarists deal with the frustration of trying to advance to the next level. Worse, when you learn something new, it leads you to 10 more things to learn, etc. It's like once you climb one mountain on guitar, you now have to climb 10 mountains to get where you want to be with your playing. Try not to get frustrated. Guitarists of all levels are always trying to break through to a higher skill level. Beginner: Your fingers feel absolutely retarded. You can barely change chords or play a tune that sounds like a real song. Intermediate: You can play, but you're so limited that it bothers you. Before you thought th...
More About: Advice , Frustration , Stration

Puscifer's V is For Vagina (October 30th) Download
2007-10-15 23:32:00
Tool/A Perfect Circle's Maynard James Keenan has a new project called Puscifer. The new album will be released on October 30th. You can find the download link by visiting the Puscifer website here. V is For Vagina huh? (That's the name of the new record) Mmm... Don't get me wrong, I love Tool, but this is some of the dumbest music I've ever laid ears on. By the way, you can hear some tracks from the album as well as other songs featuring MJK streamed for free at Puscifer.com. The guitar work is atrocious. Maynard James Keenan sounds like that dude (can't think of his name right now) who sings that "Roll it up and smoke it again... Can't believe I did it again" song. Very odd this new group Puscifer. I like maybe 10 seconds of one song. What do you think, ATOMIC fans?
More About: News , Download

24 and Going Bald Guitar Jam
2007-10-15 22:03:00
What's up everybody? I'm about to turn 24 in December and I'm finding bald spots on my head. Hopefully with baldness comes wisdom. I think I might pull a Michael Stipe if I go completely bald (minus the eye liner). So here's the guitar jam. It's rockin' but at a slower tempo. Sometimes playing slower gives me trouble on what should be the easy melodic side of soloing, but funny enough playing faster is easier like that. It's vice versa for me when the tempo is running 120bps and up. Play MP3
More About: Guitar , Going , Goin

What's the deal with the lack of speed in guitar solos (in the 2000s)?
2007-10-15 20:44:00
ATOMIC fans, there aren't too many bands in the mainstream today who honor the fast guitar solo. Makes you wonder why that is... Do rock guitarists not like speed? Or do they just not know how to play fast? I tend to think it's a little bit of both. Guitar players (I think) equate legato speed and shredding with 80s cheese ball music. When really speed sounds great over formidable progressions. Play a run over a crappy progression and you get cheesy-sounding speed, but if you add the same run to a good chord progression, it'll sound way different (it'll sound cool). I'm surprised even little speed licks and runs aren't included in much rock radio these days. It makes for an intense contrast with solo melodies! Let's turn to... today's mainstream guitarists no knowing how to play fast. Everyone's using pentatonics, one-string soloing, and octave soloing. The other two notes of the major scale/minor scale/diatonic modes are often omitted. Makes me wonder whether the ...
More About: Opinion , Deal , Speed , Lack

The Record Industry = Idiots
2007-10-15 00:18:00
The record industry has put their foot down on some things for us guitarists. They've banned free guitar tablature. They've successfully sued Kazza users for downloading mass amounts of music. But what about YouTube? Does the recording industry dare go up against Google and their users' left and right copyright infringement? Not that I know of. I guess YouTube is far too big to be bullied even by Sony executives and the like. I've seen a lot of videos get pulled, but all-in-all the record industry is doing hardly anything to lay down "their law" on YouTube and other video sharing sites. Since the ban of free tablature I wonder what the record industry plans to do about instructional guitar DVDs that show you how to play songs. It seems like there's a new trend emerging with lesson creators giving a cut of sales to record companies and artists. I've even seen actual big time artists showing how to play their own songs via video. I would name two resources right now,...
More About: Idiots , Industry , Opinion , Record , Cord

I Want to Jam with Jack White Guitar Jam
2007-10-14 18:33:00
The other day I announced I was going into songwriting mode. Forget it. Some of us guitarists just can't sing. I need a band... This one goes out to Jack White of the White Stripes. I want to jam with you sometime! Maybe not really because I'm too intimidated. But here's a jam in your honor. Hope it doesn't suck: Play MP3
More About: Guitar , Jack White

Sunday Slowhand Guitar Jam
2007-10-14 16:25:00
Jon over at the Guitar Noize blog laid down a great acoustic guitar jam called "Sunday Slowhand." Original and interesting. Nice and melodic. Hear it: Play MP3

List of Most Creative Guitarists
2007-10-13 17:16:00
Hope you're having a rockin' weekend, ATOMIC fans. I'm not going to be near the computer much the next couple days, so I thought it'd be fun to compile a list of the most creative guitarists with you. Who come to mind for me are: John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers Jimi Hendrix Stephen Malkmus of Pavement/the Jicks James Iha of (the old) Smashing Pumpkins Jason Becker Any objections? Have anyone to add?
More About: Creative , Opinion , List

About Serj Tankian's New Solo Album "Elect the Dead" ...Download
2007-10-12 03:44:00
System of a Down's front man Serj Tankian is releasing his first solo album Elect the Dead on the 23rd. You can go ahead and download the single "Empty Walls" on iTunes here. Pre-order the entire new album here. Sounds like a more simplified version of System of a Down and a little more Alternative than Metal to me. From what I can hear, Tankian's project is also very political and sociological like SOAD. "Empty Walls" Video "The Unthinking Majority" Video
More About: News , Download , Solo , Album

Rap Over Rock Guitar?
2007-10-12 01:17:00
Maybe someone can tell me why rock has gone out of style and replaced with gangsta rap. Aren't guitars so much cooler than non-melodic rhyming (except maybe Bone Thugz) and beats along with the occasional instrument? I'm not just talking about white teens and how they're immersed in rap culture, but also African Americans. Some of the greatest guitarists ever were black, like Hendrix, Montgomery, and Christian. Even Lenny Kravitz is pretty sweet. How in the world did we get to this point? Every time I turn on MTV I hear some rap. I'm not saying you shouldn't dig rap if you like it, but I just don't get the appeal of songs about being poor and living in the ghetto, hoes, busting caps, rollin' on dubs, and living like a gangsta... When you could be listening to some creative guitar work. I live in a city with one of the highest crime rates in the US. Trust me, it's not cool being a gangsta. Please explain why popular culture likes rap more than rock guitar.
More About: Guitar , Rock , Opinion

How to Create and Play Great Guitar Riffs
2007-10-12 00:55:00
When writing great guitar riffs, there are a few things you should consider: 1) Does it sound good to my ear? 2) What key am I in? 3) Where is my first chord's root note? Does the riff sound good to my ear? This is more like a rule #1 when creating and playing riffs. Trust your ear over any amount of technicality or theory you possess. You can often create good riffs without even thinking about what notes you're playing. One way to do this is to play along one string and figure out which notes should be omitted from your riff. What key am I in? When you look at the group of chords you're playing your melody over, figure out what key you're in. That way you can apply the pentatonic and diatonic scales. Where is my first chord's root note? Your first chord's root note (ex: if Gm, then the "G" note) should be your starting note for your riff. Conclusion Use your ear, figure out what key you're in so you can apply your scales, and make your first note of your riff the root n...
More About: Advice , Guitar , Play , Great , Create

ATOMIC Beef
2007-10-11 20:38:00
I have family coming in town this weekend, ATOMIC fans, so if I don't get around to posting much... no I didn't die in a tragic badminton accident. My daily guitar jams will be on hold for a little while because I'm going into full songwriting mode starting Monday. However, but, but, I'm dying to hear some guitar jams by you. Upload a jam on the net somewhere and submit a link to it using ze contact form (cough... JP, Jon, IG). 15+ lessons have been added to the ATOMIC Insiders-only lessons. Including 25+ guitar speed exercises, a lesson on fretboard memorization (with purpose), a lesson on playing in the key of G, a couple lessons on modes, and a couple others. Take it easy everybody. You rock.
More About: Beef , Atomic

Ever Dreamed of Asking Dave Mustaine Any Question?
2007-10-11 19:12:00
Megadeth's guitarist Dave Mustaine just launched a site called Ask Dave Mustaine where you can ask the metal guitar pioneer anything you want. And yes, it's yet another publicity stunt this month. You'll see why when you go to the site. By the way, who was better? Marty Friedman or Dave Mustaine?
More About: Question

Listen to "Live in Dublin," R.E.M.'s New Album Free
2007-10-11 19:07:00
For free right now you can stream Live in Dublin , R.E.M.'s new album here. This must be music industry publicity month. First Radiohead says name your price on our new album as a download, a confirmed stunt to boost physical record sales. Madonna is changing to a smaller label for $120,000,000. Britney Spears' new album leaked onto the internet this week. Like I care about the last two, but anyway... Back to R.E.M. The new Live album features just about all the hits like "Man on the Moon," "Everybody Hurts," "What's the Frequency Kennith?," and "The One I Love." R.E.M.'s not everyone's cup of tea, but I have to say that I have to give it to guitarist Peter Buck. The man is simple, but creative. His guitar work is ingrained in even some of my playing. You have to understand that R.E.M.'s out of Athens, Georgia, and tons of us Georgians grew up listening to the Green Album, Out of Time, Automatic For the People, Monster, even as far back as Murmur. I'll probably be get...
More About: News , Free , Listen

Champ with Cheese Guitar Jam
2007-10-11 02:08:00
I'm calling today's guitar jam, "Cham p with Cheese ." It's a champ, but it's also cheesy. And Checkers is awesome. Play MP3
More About: Guitar , Champ

Dude, how do you write new songs on your guitar like every day?
2007-10-10 22:45:00
I got this question via e-mail from, Jeff, a die hard ATOMIC fan. "Dude , how do you write new songs on your guitar like every day?" Jeff, first I'd like to say that my daily jamcast consists of musical ideas that haven't yet been expanded or ripened over time. I write usually one or two progressions and a "core" melody on my guitar. The rest is improv. I focus on experimentation and whatever I feel like playing based on my mood at the time. That's why you hear Rock, Punk Rock, and a little Metal (for my aggressive side). I'm also coming up with musical ideas not to record a hit song, but rather only for enjoyable listening... Usually makes for tunes that are nice and raw. I can later take ideas and create complete songs if I want, but I normally leave exact progressions and melodies alone and take the essence of the ideas with me. Besides experimentation and playing what I feel, my knowledge of music theory, scales, and techniques allows me to write diverse musical ideas....
More About: Songs , Guitar , Write , New Song

Doesn't Halfassed Guitar Work Tick You Off?
2007-10-10 01:36:00
Someone's got to say something, ATOMIC fans. Why do great guitarists go sour as the years go by? Yeah, I have plenty of examples. Just let me get out my frustration here. It's like since they've already pushed the envelope they can no longer put any thought into their guitar work, I swear. We had high hopes for Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello when he joined Audio Slave. He went dull somehow. What about the Leo Brothers when they started An Army of Anyone with Filter's front man. I was excited about that album, I bought it, and listened to it maybe twice (the second time around just trying to like it). System of a Down's guitarist has increasingly declined in thoughtful guitar work with every album. I have no earthly idea what happened to Weezer's front man/guitarist. He went from being an inspiration in the early 90s to a cheese ball. Take a look at Pearl Jam's guitarists ever since Ten and Animal! And you call yourself Pearl Jam... Tool's Maynard James Keen...
More About: Guitar , Opinion , Work , Tick , Alfa

"Fluck It" Guitar Jam
2007-10-09 23:30:00
Some days I can't stand my day job, ATOMIC fans. I really just don't like working, but I guess I should be appreciative that I even have a way to get money. So I'm calling today's guitar jam (just a rockin' melody and progression), "Fluck it." Play MP3
More About: Guitar