Steve Clayton Press

Archive for June, 2011

Pick of the Week — Bret Michaels

Those of you who are Clayton fans probably already know that Bret Michaels is one of our endorsed artists, and we are excited to feature one of his pick designs again as Pick of the Week! This is a new, very unique and colorful design for Bret, and it looks awesome on our acetal picks. Bret Michaels started his career as the lead singer of the metal band Poisen. He also starred in the hit shows, Rock of Love with Bret Michaels , its sequels, and was the winning contestant on NBC’s reality show Celebrity Apprentice 3. To check out if he is coming to a venue near you please check out his tour date schedule:  http://www.bretmichaels.com/2010/schedule_files/schedule.htm

Picks for Girls Rock DC!

We just finished up a set of Glow in the Dark picks we donated to Girls Rock DC. Girls Rock DC aims to create a supportive, inclusive, and creative space for girls to develop their self-confidence, build community, stand up and rock out! Girls Rock DC is a camp for young women between the ages of 8-18 in the D.C. metro area. During the week the campers receive small group instruction on electric guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, turntable, digital music, or vocals; from bands; and collaborate to write an original song or DJ set, which they perform at a showcase at the end of the week. Campers also learn about the history of women in music, gender and cultural identity, and other skills. We are very happy to be approached by such a great organization and to help out with their guitar pick needs.  For more information about the camp visit their website: http://www.girlsrockdc.org/

Pick of the Week — The Pears

This week’s Pick of the Week is an acetal rounded triangle pick with an awesome design created for a band called The Pears. “The Pears are a musical trio, formed in 2010, and are located 50 miles north of NYC, in the western portion of Connecticut. Their music spans all generations with a focus on the 90s and 2000s. Each of the band members brings a unique talent to their arrangements, often delivering a new perspective on a popular composition. Acoustic in nature, the band carries a huge sound with a small footprint, and provides an ever-changing mix of covers and originals. While high energy alternative music is the favorite genre of the band, The Pears deliver a complete palette of music for everyone to enjoy. The band’s chemistry and passion for music has taken them to multiple venues, enjoying every second of their performances, while casting a contagious energy across their audiences. The band is planning to release their original music in the fall of 2011.” The Pears would like to thank Clayton USA for the opportunity to participate in their Pick of the Week blog. The Pears members: Angela – Vocals, Guitar; Chuck – Guitar, Vocals, Mandolin; and Nancy- Percussion, Vocals. Find out more about the Pears at: WeAreThePears.com Design your own custom picks at ClaytonCustom.com.

Keith Moody

Keith Moody has been endorsed with us since 2010 and we wanted to share with your his biography. Please check out his website to listen to his music and find out when his shows are! http://keithmoody.com/

Keith Moody is a triple threat, who not only can sing and tear it up on the guitar but also writes on a level far above most of his peers. His unique music is a place where rock, blues and  country cross paths on the way to a remarkably contemporary sound. Through his constant touring, Keith is a seasoned performer who is known for his strong work ethic, passion for music and determination to persevere. He has played over 100 dates each of the last 2 years growing his story at each stop along the way. With his over 10 years of experience, the journey continues through the support of his fans, friends and family which has transformed him into a modern music juggernaut working at the grass roots level to forge a name for himself at the forefront of the music industry’s future. Keith’s debut album as a solo artist, The Only Ride You Can Get, received airplay on over 130 terrestrial radio stations as well as significant internet play. Both the first single, “Press Gas and Go”, followed by the second, “Think” have become well known standards that have the crowd singing along. This album gave Keith recognition for his songwriting ability which includes strong hooks and a unique musical creation. His sophomore release in the summer of 2010 is an EP entitled Lines. This EP is a continuation of the same strengths of song as his first album. It also shows the growth of Keith as an artist who has settled into an alternative roots rock style that will be his signature moving forward. “The first record made me proud. It was a good record. It marked a time of transition for me. With this EP you can tell the electric guitar was in mind when it was written. I think I finally found an identity where you can see how my career is steering from here on out. I have a sound that is unique to me.” The EP also features Keith’s first venture into co-writing material on one of his own records. The closing track “Red Line” was co-written by fellow Alabamians, Bryan Jackson and Shawn Miller. Moody possesses a maturity and depth that belies his age, and that depth no doubt seeps into every note of his music. This depth combined with a myriad of personal influences is a powerful combination evident throughout his material. These influences range from the straight-up soul of Ray Charles, to the bluesy grooves of John Mayer and the quirky, clever lyrics of southern treasure Tom Petty, it’s all in there. Keith feels he not only creates the song’s lyrics, but also arranges it completely in his head as well before he ever sets foot into a studio. “Like most people my age I listened to a variety of music and owned albums across all genres, such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Bruce Springsteen, which is why I have a hard time fitting music into a particular bin. If it is good, it’s good so why does it matter?” Keith’s guitar is essentially a part of him. He and his Paul Reed Smith McCarty have been through some hard times, and some good times. Keith is proud of every knick and scrape his axe has taken up ‘til now. “I have a real relationship with that guitar,” explains Keith. “Most PRS’ you see are very nice, and kept pristine in cases, and mine has been played in about every dive bar across the Southeast, it smells, and it has pieces rubbed off of it and knicks out of it. Give me about 20 more years, and hopefully it will be beaten like Willie’s. That thing is like a part of me.” Just how close Moody is with his instrument is revealed immediately the minute he launches into one of his soul-searing solos. The two become one as he morphs easily as he plays among the strings, one minute he’s channeling the heart of a 60-year-old bluesman in a number that will melt the house and your heart, the next he’s calling up the ghosts of Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn in a full-tilt, scorching rocker. Born and raised in Alabama, Keith grew up in a two-parent working family. “My grand-dad gave my first real guitar for Christmas when I was 17.” Keith formed his first band, Mostly Harmless, that same year with a buddy from high school. As with many Southern performers his first performances were in church youth group shows. “One of the moments I will always remember was when my first song was on the locals only show of the Montgomery radio station when I was 18.” He continued to hone his musical chops throughout college by observing other artists as he worked in a local music store and played in local venues with his band. He recorded his first demo album in a local studio with his own money at age 20. By 21, word of his talent was already spreading, and he was receiving write-ups in local papers and gaining a significant reputation among local musicians for his guitar skills and performing antics. “One of the things I am most proud of was my organization of showcase for local artists by getting the venue, sponsors and advertising for the event. It gave me an appreciation of the business part of music. As a result I will always have an appreciation for my friends and supporters in the Montgomery and surrounding area.” With some good advice from a local musician, Keith fostered his abilities even further with pursuit of writing and performing his original music. “Basically I had gotten a job at a guitar store in Montgomery and met a guy named Roland “Lucky” Jackson, said Keith. “He was an old school funk, jazz, and blues player and also a songwriter and arranger himself. I learned a lot about music from him as far as theory and how things are put together as well as the business side of it. He told me I was a natural songwriter, and that I didn’t need to give up on the original thing. Then one day, these two younger kids came into the store, and we formed a new band, The TaxiCab Armada.” The Armada performed for the next four years locally and into Florida. After finishing college and working a regular job for awhile, I thought I was going to give up music. “Music is just my love and I can’t let it go so it didn’t take much convincing for me to relocate to Nashville with my family in 2005 and pursue my passion.”  The wisdom and maturity of his debut and sophomore projects should separate him from the pack and with writing chops and musicianship like his, there’s no doubt he’ll one day be propelled into a stratosphere with stars much like the ones he idolized growing up…and will soon become one of them himself. Just don’t try to separate him from that McCarty.

Only Four More Days!!!

Attention Clayton customers! We are running an awesome deal right now, and it won’t last! If you order custom guitar picks any time between now and the 20th of June, you will not only receive free shipping on your order, but you will also get a free pack of our awesome Duraplex picks! All you need to do is create and order your custom designed guitar picks at www.claytoncustom.com. Enter in the code FREE when the site prompts you to use a promo code. Also, if you want to get just Duraplex picks, they are currently on sale through Musician’s Friend for only $1.99 for a dozen!! Includes free shipping without a minimum! Place your order today at www.MusiciansFriend.com. Remember the Clayton free shipping and free Duraplex offer will end this coming Monday, June 20th, so start designing your picks today!!

Stefano of Wheels of Fire

Stefano has been endorsed with us since 2010…here is a little about the band taken from their website:

“Until the present day the very lively Rock music scene of Los Angeles during the 80s hasn’t lost any of its cult like fascination.
The Roxy, Whisky A Go-Go, Rainbow Bar And Grill on Sunset Strip and the Troubadour a little further south are the locations in West Hollywood in which the eventual mega sellers entered the stage and where they still hang around today every once in a while.  This neighbourhood also seems to be made for a band like “Wheels Of Fire” and their band leader Davide “Dave Rox” Barbieri, who started his musical career as a keyboard player back in the early 90s in some local bands.  About ten years ago Dave discovered his passion for singing and to improve his skills he turned to Michele Luppi, who besides being a member of various bands, formerly of the Power Metal band Vision Divine and currently of the Melodic Metal act Killing Touch and the AOR project Los Angeles, is also active as a vocal coach. Before Dave made his dream of an “Old School” Melodic Rock album come true with “Wheels Of Fire”, he recorded the album “De Revelationibus Orbium Caelestium” with the Metal band Seventh Archangel in 2007. One year later “…As In A Deep Dream” with the Progressive Metal band Liquid Shadows followed. Beside the work in the studio Dave did a lot of gigs and meanwhile he is also a teacher for Modern Singing himself.

The foundation for “Wheels Of Fire” was layed back in 2006 when Michele Luppi heard some of Dave’s demos and subsequently offered his help to record an album. Eventually Michele produced “Hollywood Rocks” together with Dave and Michele can also be heard playing grand piano and singing background vocals. The studio line-up is completed by guitar player Stefano Zeni, who was in a cover band together with Dave, Roberto Galli on bass, as well as Andrea Zingrillo on drums. Roberto Priori (Killing Touch, Michele Luppi’s Heaven) took over the mix and the Mastering, and did an amazing job in delivering a great sounding record.

The songs of “Wheels Of Fire” are a captivating combination of all the elements that Melodic Rock and AOR fans love about this kind of music and that made these songs staples on mainstream radio twenty years ago. Pushed forward by powerful drums the mid- and uptempo rockers, like “Hollywood Rocks”, “You’re So Cool”, “What I Want”, “Everywhere I Go”, “Live Again”, “The Reason”, “Relax” and “Rock The World” also shine with their melodic guitar riffs and a heathy dose of crystal clear keyboards. As expected the verses of the songs always lead to a super catchy chorus and are crowned with a guitar solo. Rock ballads have always been a big plus of the Melodic Rockers and so the band has paid very careful attention to the softer moments “I Can’t Live Without You” and “Little Prayer”. They serve a decent portion of guitar power and the arrangements also include a grand piano, while the concluding master piece in this category, the bombastic eight minute epic “Love Nest” even adds a string section, making it a full blown wide screen listening experience.

After some changes in the band’s line-up with the incoming of Marcello Suzzani on bass, Fabrizio Uccellini on drums and Andrea Vergori on Keyboards, now the guys are ready to spread their music all over the world.”

Check the band out here http://www.wheels-of-fire.com/

Pick of the Week — Evan Frankel/Michael Alexander Blues Band/Young Turk

This week’s Pick of the Week was made for Evan Frankel, who is currently playing with the Michael Alexander Blues Band. Michael Alexander is formerly of Young Turk. “Young Turk was a great Miami based band that started out as a Rock band with a sleeze rock feel, sort-of like poison, but without all the big hair, spandex and make-up. When they came out they had great sounding tunes that could stand up to any of the typical Metal/Rock tunes of the 80′s. Their first release was a album entitled “Do you know where your daughters are?”. It was a great first effort equipped with songs that stuck in your mind when you heard them. One song had an anthem feel telling the listener to “Reach for that pot of Gold” while another song was a great ballad telling of the “Winter Nights” that keep calling.  They brought on stage with them an intense feeling of LETS PARTY that rubbed off on the crowd as they played and made every one feel the vibe!” Find out more about Young Turk by visiting http://www.myspace.com/young_turk_music. To learn about The Michael Andrews Blues Band, check out their video on http://www.youtube.com/user/bluescrumpet?feature=mhum. We loved the art that was used for Evan’s picks because it is creative, colorful, and unusual when compared with other designs submitted by customers. The design was printed on our acetal small teardrop pick material. Design your own picks at www.claytoncustom.com today!

Thom Turner of Wishpool

Thom has been endorsed with Clayton since 2010. Here is a little about the band Wishpool from their website:

“Wishpool is a band based out of Syracuse, New York. The band has been around in one form or another for about 4 years, but it’s current configuration began in late 2007. It is this group which has recharged the Wishpool name with a new creative spirit and a passion for meaning within the music. Syracuse is a blue coller town which has struggled to retain that value and the band’s style reflects this. There is nothing fancy or frilly about the songs or the band’s sound. It is straightforward and to the point with driving rythyms and meaningful, impassioned vocals.”

For more and to listen to their music visit their awesome website  at www.wishpoolband.com

Picks for Pop

Hey everyone! Father’s Day is just around the corner, and it is not too late to order some custom guitar picks!! Are you looking for the perfect gift for your dad, grandpa, or husband? Custom guitar picks can be the perfect gift for the musician in your life. All of our guitar picks are professional quality, so dad can use them when jamming with his pals. Also, because they can have custom printing on them, they have that personal touch. Include any photos, graphics, or text that you would like! Since the holiday is so soon,  you might want to choose a rush shipping method for your order, just to make sure that they arrive on time. Start designing right away at www.claytoncustom.com!

Pick of the Week — The Chin’s Mojo

The band that designed this week’s Pick of the Week is Chin’s Mojo. The following is a bio on the band, given by band member Tom Jordan: “The band is named after Chin, a human skull that was purchased on ebay. It’s a real skull, and we made a joke once about its magic powers, then proceeded to win a 3 night battle of the bands and re-named the band after him. Since that time (4 years ago), we’ve published various action shots from Chin’s possible history that feature his magic powers; such as bursting from a pyramid to punish the non believers, being worshiped by a monk, and, most recently, saving the world and Santa from spacemen. The band performs all original rock; our CD is sold on our website and Amazon.com. We’ve toured regionally in support of our CD, “The Mighty Chin’s Mojo”. We perform with a huge computer controlled light and laser show, including a guitar with Chin’s image that emits lasers and lots of lights. The guitar pick we’re discussing is a portion of the “Chin vs aliens” photo, shown below. This is Tom’s third Chin pick design; he orders a new pick design each year from Steve Clayton and the fans love them!” Make friends with The Chin’s Mojo at chinlovesme.com. Their creative and colorful pick design was done on Clayton, Inc., acetal material picks. Create your own custom pick design today at www.claytoncustom.com!