Peter's Reviews - Music

Is Guitar Center on Life Support?

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:07:51 -0700

Some might want to put sole blame on the economy for the shape Guitar Center is in but a recent article has plenty of blame to go around to account GC's alleged $1.6billion (yes BILLION!) debt.

From The Tone King: On June 27, 2007 GC was bought out by Bain Capital for $1.9 billion plus assumed debt. With the debt, Bain had written a $2.1 billion dollar check for Guitar Center and all of its subsidiaries.

For those who dont know, Bain Capital is a private equity and venture capital group that was founded in 1984 by current presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Basically, Bain buys companies, restructures them, and then sells them off at a profit. There are some success stories, and some no-so-success stories.

Unfortunately, when it came to Guitar Center, Bain hasnt had much luck. One of the common complaints among GC employees after the restructuring involves their compensation. Its hard to believe, but Guitar Center used to offer comprehensive pension and benefit plans. Its the usual story. Outsource IT to India, freeze raises for years, increase management but cutting back on sales personnel by making them part-time, making it difficult to keep the floor covered.

And being hit by a recession right after the buy out didnt help matters any.

It's an interesting read. Check out the whole article at The Tone King.

Deep Purple's Jon Lord Passes

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:21:14 -0700

As a young kid and a fan of rock music, I fell in love with the sound of Jon Lord's keyboard playing. The Hammond organ which could sound corny and elevator in the wrong hands would growl and scream with the great Jon Lord pounding the keys. Lord who suffered with pancreatic cancer passed away from a pulmonary embolism. He was and is one of my favorite keyboard players and he'll be missed.

Big Wreck Returns with new CD - March 6, 2012

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:14:50 -0700

Big Wreck first caught my ear with their debut CD but after they parted ways with lead singer, Ian Thornley, I never thought they would reunite. I was so happy to hear that their new CD will be released in just over a week! Here's the video for their new single, "Albatross". If the rest of the CD is as good as the single, it might be my CD of the year.

Is American Idol's Adam Lambert Queen's New Singer

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:29:42 -0700

Adam Lambert and Kris Allen singing with Queen on American Idol

At first I was appalled at the news that an American Idol kid would get a chance to front one of classic Rock's greatest bands but after thinking about it for a while, it's not that bad. If I could think of one single other person that would be better than Lambert it might be different but what the heck, the guys in Queen are bordering on fossils so Adam Lambert with Queen is better than no Queen at all. Of course Adam is denying these rumors. Could he be covering for a big press release?

So at this time the answer is no. No Adam Lambert with Queen. But I wouldn't be surprised if the tour started before the end of this year.

Music Flashback - Thin Lizzy

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:53:38 -0700

Now this is what rock used to be about, great vocals, great songs, harmony guitar solos and a ton of attitude. This still holds up for me today even though Phil Lynott and Gary Moore have since passed on.

RIP - Jani Lane

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:14:15 -0700

For those of you who don't know who Jani Lane was, he was the ex-singer for the 80's pop-metal band Warrant.

Lady Antebellem vs. The Alan Parsons Project

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:51:53 -0700

Dang, I knew that Lady Antebellum song sounded familiar but when I heard the Alan Parsons Project's "Eye In The Sky" I knew that they were a little too close. Thankfully someone on YouTube already did my work for me and made this video.

The Lawrence Welk Show - One Toke Over The Line

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:22:00 -0700

Clearly Lawrence Welk has no idea what this song is about. He calls it a "modern spiritual" but they aren't praising Jesus.

Video: OK Go - White Knuckles - Official Video

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 21:09:03 -0700

Every time I watch an OK Go video I think, "there's no way they can top that" but then they do.

Video: Cee Lo Green - F*ck You

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:11:09 -0700

I think we've all felt like this at one time or another. Anyway, this is my current favorite song and I just bought it on iTunes.

Video: Lexus Drum Solo

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:34:28 -0700

Pretty creative ad for a car. Click here to see the making of video.

Video: Dee Snider Tells His Best Story

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:02:15 -0700

Hilarious story!

Video: Diego Stocco's Bassoforte

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:33:05 -0700

Diego Stocco not only amazed me with his bass/piano invention but the song that he created with it takes perfect advantage of the instrument's unusual tone.

Click here for more information on Diego's Bassoforte

Video: Drummer at Wrong Gig?

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:39:32 -0700

Be patient and keep your eye on the drummer!

RIP - Ronnie James Dio

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:41:00 -0700

As a young boy, I would spend hours listening to metal and learning many songs including songs by Ronnie James Dio on guitar. I spent untold hours on my guitar playing and Dio definitely is a part of my musical psyche to this day. It was sad hearing of his passing because he was great to his fans and one of the best voices of metal music. RIP.