Features / Series: What's That Noise?

Al Smith (Geld-vocals) SPB: What is the most overrated guitar feature? Smith: It may seem rich to bemoan something Geld has casually lent on in our last few records, but the “howl of cicadas” guitar tone feels pretty played out at this point. I mean, don’t get me wrong, a … Read more

Gino Bambino (Gino and the Goons) SPB: Walk our readers through your kit and offer insight as to how you arrived at your sizes (shells and cymbals). Gino: I have a 1966 set of Champagne sparkle Ludwig drums. It’s not worth much due to the fact they made so many … Read more

Gnaw SPB: Was the mic’ing of your diverse instrumentation fairly straightforward when you recorded the new EP, or were there some things you and the engineer did to find the right mics or experiment with sounds? Brian Beatrice: The creative process behind Gnaw is always about trying to push instruments, … Read more

Justin Smith (Graf Orlock – guitar/vocals) SPB: When you play live, what is your preferred guitar/amp combo? (And why that setup?) Smith: In Graf Orlock I use a Gibson Les Paul with custom made humbuckers which are wound hotter than normal. This runs through an original model Peavey 5150 and … Read more

Jim Blaha (Green/Blue) SPB: What guitar model do you play with Green/Blue, and how did you choose that one for this project? Blaha: I play a fender telecaster for Green/Blue ‘cause it's just classic. It has so much character especially in the high/mids. When I started writing music for the … Read more

Mike Moderski (Greylock) SPB: What’s the most overrated guitar feature? Moderski: Guitar strings. There’s so much hype that goes into branding when really they’re just tiny metal cables. Expensive or not, if you play hard enough and sweat your strings will rust. Read more

Victor Dowgiallo (Grizzlor) SPB: You just released a collection of b-sides and rarities. Did you use any specific techniques in mixing to get a steady sound when merging different recording sessions? Dowgiallo: No, I didn't use any special techniques, I just basically went into the old mixes and touched them … Read more

(Heavy Mantle – vocals/guitar) What type of guitar do you play and how did you choose it? Billy Thompson: I have a ridiculous amount of guitars and play them all. Out of the 24 I own, I usually play my Rickenbacker 360 and 330 or an old Gibson SG. Sometimes … Read more

Chris (Hey Colossus – guitar) SPB: You’ve dubbed your backline “The Pirate Ship.” Care to tell us why? (And how you put it together?) Chris: The simple answer is: "Have you seen it?". When we played Glastonbury we had to set all our gear up behind the stage on ramps … Read more

Fred Gunn (Hiram-Maxim – vocals) SPB: From when you were starting out to now, what parts of your setup have really helped voice your sound over the years? Gunn: Prior to forming HIRAM-MAXIM, I performed exclusively in punk bands. The extent of my gear was nothing of my own. I’d … Read more

Francis (Hope Drone – drums) SPB: Was the mic’ing of your kit in the studio fairly straight forward, or were there some things you and the engineer did to find the right mics or experiment with sounds? Francis: Personally I wanted to go for a natural, organic Albini-esge drum sound. … Read more

Ian Vanek (Howardian) SPB: Walk our readers through your kit and offer insight as to how you arrived at your sizes (shells and cymbals). Vanek: Howardian play on a 1963 Rogers "bread and butter" crushed oyster kit. It's stylized with the rack tom and cymbal stand coming off the bass … Read more

Galen Baudhuin (Infera Bruo) SPB: Were there any amps, cabs or anything else that stood out when you recorded Cerement at Studio G? Baudhuin: Studio G is essentially a mobile recording unit, and kind of exists wherever I go. In this instance it was at our rehearsal space in Massachusetts. … Read more

Mike Bruno (Iron Chic, Adult Magic, Dead Broke Rekerds) SPB: What type of bass do you play and how did you choose it? Bruno: I play a Fender P-bass forever and always. I chose it because Mike Dirnt played one -- as well as every other great punk bassist. It's … Read more

Jarboe SPB: What is the “go to” Jarboe keyboard (make/model) and what makes this one so essential for you? Jarboe: M-Audio PROKEYS88 Reliable slave / interface for the Mac recording application I use. Read more

Kaada SPB: For Misinterpretations, you used a grand piano that was (as I understand it) modified with something called Putty Kit, which leads to a unique sound. What is your experience using this and what inspired this project? Kaada: Putty-Kit goes under many different names : Heftemasse/Klebemasse, Tack-it, Multi-Tac to … Read more

Kaelan Mikla SPB: What piece of equipment is most essential or definitive or “the Kaelan Mikla sound”? Kaelan Mikla: We feel like all our instruments and vocals are equally important as they all combine to create the Kælan Mikla sound, but the MF DRIVE by MOOG bass effect is one … Read more

Kepi Ghoulie SPB: What guitar do you use in your solo material, and how did choose this model? Kepi: Lately is has been a Martin 00-15M acoustic. I am on my 2nd one! I got one a little over 10 years ago, I think. I played over 500 shows on … Read more

Sean McVay (King Buffalo - guitar) SPB: What model of guitar do you play and how did you choose it? McVay: My main guitar is a Hagstrom Deluxe D2f. I found it dirt cheap at a local shop in Rochester and thought it looked interesting. It played well so I … Read more

Kitten Forever SPB: You change instruments at points in your set. How do you make sure that you have the best setup for all 3 of you on a given instrument (and don’t require too much time re-tuning or adjusting when you move)? Kitten Forever: Here is Laura, Corrie, and … Read more