Last week we had a Facebook contest to share your band’s story on our blog, the winner was Aaron from Story of a Ghost ! Story of a ghost began their musical journey from the release of their single “Akimbo”, based loosely on the May 22 2011 tornado. Akimbo, was recorded in their home town of Joplin, Mo by producer Jerrod Naff, at Zombielife Studios. It has been featured on radio stations in their home state, as well as on the 2011 compilation cd for magazine, “The Dead Timez”. They are currently in the studio working on their self-titled e.p “Story of a ghost” that is expected for release on ITUNES and AmazonMP3 in early 2012. A national tour for 2012 is definitely in the works. (Bio)      links: www.reverbnation.com/storyofaghost

Josh from the band Red Jumpsuit Apparatus came out on Friday to sign at our booth!

We also had Steve Stevens come to our booth to sign posters . Steve Stevens is an American guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for playing guitar for Billy Idol, Michael Jackson, and Vince Neil. He also has critically acclaimed solo efforts (Atomic Playboys and Flamenco A Go-Go), collaborations (Bozzio Levin Stevens, a.k.a. Black Light Syndrome), and is an in-demand session guitarist. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-Steve-Stevens/

This week’s Pick of the Week was made for The Brian Davis Band, which formed in 2004 for a one-night-only concert to raise funds for the music departments in the local Catholic schools. That night was an overwhelming success both monetarily and spiritually and ended with a feeling of what’s next! Since then, that concert has grown to an annual event drawing near a thousand together each year in worship and has raised nearly $35,000 dollars for youth music programs.
  In 2007, the band was finding themselves more in demand for youth rallies, worship nights and church festivals. That demand came with a special call from God to begin to share their faith journey through original songs. As the songs poured out, the ministry continued to grow and touch the lives of countless Christians from their region. 2009 was truly a breakout year for the band; seeing their message spread to a larger audience, seeing their gifts helping the people of Uganda through a nationally released compilation album titled “Unified By Grace,” making their first television appearance on ” Lift Him Up Kansas” and completing their first studio album “Stand” which released in January of 2010.
The band is looking forward to the places God will call them to in 2012 and the opportunity to serve his people through their ministry.
For more information regarding the band visit them online at www.myspace.com/thebriandavisband42 or “like them” on Facebook!

The Brian Davis Band chose to have their picks made on our orange delrin material, which nicely supports their intricate black design. We loved the fine detail and creativity of their artwork. Brian told me that the design on the pick was inspired by Luke 12:24 which speaks of how the Raven, who has nothing, is cared for and loved by God. This passage intends to teach us that we, who have so many gifts, are loved as much… if not more. The Brian Davis Band has the same design for one of their t-shirts as well as on the front of their drum kit. To create your own custom guitar picks, visit www.claytoncustom.com today!

2011 Playmate of the Year Claire Sinclair came out to sign at our NAMM booth this year. Here are a few photos we wanted to share, also for more about Claire you can visit her website http://www.pinupclairesinclair.com/.

We had such an amazing time at NAMM this year. Kyle Gass and John Konesky signed at our booth on Saturday. We just wanted to share some photos with you all who may not have made it, check out the line, it was crazy! We will be sharing more photos this week of Steve Stevens, Playmate of 2011 Claire Sinclair, Josh Burke of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Robert Kearns who all signed at our booth this year.

Paulo is a Spanish guitarist  and songwriter of the band Einsof (www.einsofmusic.com) and is very influenced by the more aggressive styles like hard rock and metal, in 2008 edited the successful debut called Neverending, with the single Paradox. After that came the collaboration with other bands like Satrapa (www.satrapaweb.com). He is currently recording the second album of 2012 Einsof and other projects with musicians in Spain for 2012

Paulo uses: Custom white pearl and Ultem picks 1mm pick.

More information :

www.paulomorete.com

www.einsofmusic.com

www.myspace.com/paulo5150

Jim Luparello of Car Party has been endorsed with us since 2011. Here is a little bit about the band:

Car Party is an American pop-rock band from Baltimore, Maryland. Although they did not come under their current lineup until early 2011, they began their journey in late 2009 through a Craigslist ad posted by drummer, Taylor Hughes. Because of their pop-rock sound and tightly woven rhythm section, Car Party has been compared to the likes of Death Cab For Cutie, Jimmy Eat World and The Early November.

In 2010 Car Party released their debut EP, “Excuses” and quickly began work on their sophomore EP, “High & Low Places,” released independently in August 2011. For the follow-up effort, Car Party teamed up with producer and friend, Ace Enders, of The Early November and I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business – Ace is also featured on the single, “Please Me”. As credit to the band’s hard work, “High & Low Places” received a warm reception among fans and critics alike, landing them in Alternative Press, Substream Music Press and an exclusive interview in Modern Drummer magazine. The video for the single “Please Me” will be launched exclusively with Substream Music Press later this year.

In Fall 2011 the band was able to land an endorsement from Orange Amplifiers, begin a PR partnership with the New York-based firm Big Picture Media and wrapped up a successful US/Canadian tour. Dedicated to hard work and making music, the band has their sites set on the future with a new EP and an independent east coast tour in the works.

Car Party is Michael Natzke, Taylor Hughes, Chris Martin and Jim Luparello.

Check out the Band’s pages to here their music and more :

http://www.carpartyband.com

http://www.twitter.com/carparty

http://www.facebook.com/carparty

We have recently endorsed Alex, Matt and Jason of Go Radio! Here is a little bit about the band:
It’s a truly rare occasion when a debut by a band is met with the kind of feverish fan anticipation that has encircled LUCKY STREET, the full-length debut by Tallahassee, Florida melodic rockers GO RADIO. But then again, none of those other groups have JASON LANCASTER at the helm.The GO RADIO singer/songwriter, who’s been crafting unflinchingly honest, breathtakingly beautiful music since venturing out on his own in 2007, boasts arguably the most goosebump-inducing combination of raw vocal talent and songwriting prowess in rock today. Backed by a gifted band with two stellar EPs under their belts, LANCASTER and GO RADIO are only just beginning to explore the seemingly endless potential for their mind-blowing creations.

The band–which also includes bassist MATT “BURNS” POULOS, drummer STEVEN KOPACZ and guitarist ALEX REED–immediately turned heads with the release of their self-released EP Welcome To Life in 2008, which bowled over listeners with its poignant, heartfelt lyrics and irresistible melodies. Attracting the attention of Fearless Records, the band inked a deal with the label, releasing the band’s second EP, Do Overs And Second Chances, in 2010. The EP, which featured the stunning ballad “Goodnight Moon,” landed at #8 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, going on to sell more than 15,000 copies in the U.S. In that span the group has toured extensively, heading out on high-profile runs with A Day To Remember, Secondhand Serenade and the Fearless Friends Tour with Mayday Parade among others. Despite the early success, 2011 promises to be the band’s most pivotal moment to date.

Known for their kinetic live performances and intimate interaction with fans, a packed slate of touring in support of LUCKY STREET–including a full run on the 2011 Vans Warped Tour–is the other crucial ingredient in bringing such vital art to the masses. GO RADIO aim to recruit a bonafide army of listeners, from multiple genres, as diverse as the band’s inimitable sound.

“We constantly put ourselves out there. Any chance we get to reach a new audience and get new ears, we’re down for. We’re not going to say, ‘Because you like breakdowns, you’re not gonna like GO RADIO,’ because you might,” says LANCASTER. “That’s how you build these things–one fan at a time, brick by brick. If it weren’t for everybody latching onto the band and finding something they enjoy about it, I’d still be playing acoustic guitar in my den right now.”

GO RADIO’s new album LUCKY STREET is out now on Fearless Records.

We want to introduce Rico, Austin and Caleb of Forever The Sickest Kids who we have just recently endorsed! Here is a little about the band: “Success in the music business requires a magical combination of talent, perseverance and opportunity. The six young rockers in Dallas, Texas band Forever the Sickest Kids easily possess all this and more. They’re unquestionably gifted, ambitious and hard working, and in the eight months since they formed, they’ve repeatedly created their own opportunities – sometimes accidentally. Five days after their official formation, singer Jonathan Cook was flipping through the Pure Volume web site when, with a click of his mouse, he inadvertently spent $350 the band didn’t have on a front page song placement. Worse still, Forever the Sickest Kids didn’t have any songs written yet. So, over the next two days, the band members got together and banged out a track called “Hey Brittany,” then recorded it with their friend/producer Jeff Rockwell. “Buying that Pure Volume spot was an amazingly great mistake,” laughs guitarist Caleb Turman, noting how “Hey Brittney” quickly becoming the band’s first big break. “The song just took off and after that everyone was suddenly interested in us.” It’s easy to see why. “Hey Brittany” is a confectionary gem that combines elements of power pop, pop-punk, electro-pop and ‘80s radio rock into an unforgettable sing-along that resonates with the energy and vitality of youth. Contrary to popular belief, “Brittany” isn’t Britney Spears, but rather a girl who was engaged to be married, yet made no attempt to hide her affection for the members of the Forever the Sickest Kids”