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Pick of the Week — The Michael Matthews Band

April 4th, 2012 in Custom Guitar Picks, Pick of the Week | No Comments »

This week’s Pick of the Week was made for the Michael Matthews Band. Formed in Southwest Florida by Craig “Michael Matthew” Strickler, ten years ago, the Michael Matthews Band is a talented group of seasoned musicians that are appealing to all audiences bringing their own style and flair to the rock music, popular cover songs and their own original material that they perform. Mix that with the heart, soul and passion that these guys have for music and you have a winning combination!!  They currently play the club circuit in Southwest Florida.  You can find them on Facebook and Reverbnation. The Michael Matthews Band picks were made on our white pearl material, which adds a cool marbleized effect to their black and red design. They used the custom picks to make some awesome necklaces, shown in the photo below. To create and order your own custom guitar picks, visit www.claytoncustom.com today!Shown below is a photo of the Michael Matthews Band, they are: from left to right Craig “Michael Matthew” Strickler (lead guitar & lead vocals), John Hedlund (guitar & vocals), Dean Carmel (bass & vocals) and Neil Anthony (percussion & vocals).

Pick of the Week — The Cat’s Pajamas

March 29th, 2012 in Custom Guitar Picks, Pick of the Week | No Comments »

This week’s Pick of the Week is for The Cat’s Pajamas Vocal Band. It is an explosive 5 man a cappella group who creates all the sounds of a band using only their voices.  The group was formed in 2005 by Brian Skinner and Nate Mendl who both share a passion and drive for performing and music production.  The two had previously worked together in college groups at The University of Wisconsin such as the Wisconsin Singers and a cappella groups the MadHatters and Redefined.  The first time The Cat’s PJs ever performed together was for the 2005 Oreo Cookie Jingle competition.  They then recorded a demo and searched everywhere for gigs until their first big break when they were offered a 6 month stint on Celebrity Cruise Lines as the in house a cappella group.  After their first contract, The Cat’s Pajamas moved on to be hired as guest entertainers by Norwegian Cruise Lines.  The Cats performed 40 weeks a year onboard NCL from 2007-2009, and quickly became their highest rated act.  The Cats also found themselves on America’s Got Talent and The Next Great American Band.  Since their inception, The Cat’s Pajamas have always been involved in education and giving back to the school systems that made them successful.  This was the inspiration for  their “Music in Schools” fundraising tour.  Nate and Brad are both certified choral teachers and all five members work with kids by teaching breathing/singing techniques, confidence, performance tips, and overall trying to keep them excited and involved with singing.  Each year they perform at approximately 25 schools and have raised over $50,000 to date for struggling arts programs all over the country.  After 3 years of perpetual cruising and touring on land, in the fall of 2009, The Cat’s Pajamas decided to move down to Branson, Missouri. Often named the “Live Music Show Capitol of the World”, Branson is a vacation destination to over 8 million visitors each year.  Since the move they’ve been performing over 200 shows a year! In the fall of 2011 The Cat’s Pajamas reached millions of new viewers when they performed on NBC’s hit show The Sing Off.  Now back in Branson for their third season, The Cat’s Pajamas will be performing an all new high energy show from March through December of 2012 at the world-class Andy Williams Moon River Theatre.
Schedule and more information are available on their website at www.vocalmeow.com and their music is available on itunes.
The Cat’s Pajamas’ custom picks picks were made on Clayton’s pink delrin guitar pick material. Create and order your own custom picks today at www.claytoncustom.com!

Pick of the Week — The Bobcats

March 22nd, 2012 in Custom Guitar Picks, Pick of the Week | No Comments »

This week’s Pick of the Week is for the band The Bobcats; a rockabilly band from Long Island, NY formed in 2009. Their name came from the fact that four of the original five members were named Bob (their original drummer, Mike, suggested the name). They play covers from the early Sun Records days to the present, including some original songs. They strive for an authentic sound with a little bit of an edge, with the powerful vocals of Rob Walker, two guitars of Bobby Koleba and Bob Muller, driving drums of Scott Wallace and the stand-up bass of Dennis Caserta. Their logo was designed by lead guitarist Bobby Koleba and was created for them by a local artist named June H. Blair. The guitars featured on the logo are the main guitars used by Bob Muller, who ordered the custom picks, and Bobby Koleba (a Gretsch Hot Rod and a Gretsch Double Anniversary).  
Here at Clayton, we liked the detail of the band’s logo and how the bright colors stood out really well on our white delrin pick material.
 To find out more about The Bobcats, search for them on Facebook or visit their Reverbnation site: http://www.reverbnation.com/rockabillybobcats
To create and order your own custom guitar picks, visit www.claytoncustom.com

Guitarings – Clayton Picks at NAMM

March 20th, 2012 in Endorsed Artists, News | No Comments »

Check out KG and Kones speaking with Steve Clayton in their new video below:

Guitarings – Clayton Picks at NAMM

Trapped in Static

March 16th, 2012 in Endorsed Artists | No Comments »

Trapped In Static is an alternative rock/indie band based in New York City formed by singer/musician/songwriter Athan Hilaki (previously with GAD.). The band first started using the name Trapped In Static in October 2010 with Athan on vocals & guitar but a different line-up. After a small break, the band is back with a new line-up, Athan Hilaki on vocals, guitar & keyboards, David Torres on drums and Peter Douskalis on guitar & keyboards, joined on stage by George Kostopoulos (bass). In a very short period of time – less then 4 months (Dec 2011 – Mar 2012), Trapped In Static managed to have a big impact in the NYC crowd, and the show goes on!

- In December 2011, Trapped In Static finished 5th in the competition Hometown Hero by Z100, receiving more than 1500 votes.
- In January 30th 2012, the band appeared LIVE on TV, for “Minding Your Business” on the Manhattan Network Neighborhood, with great reviews and a second appearance coming soon!
- In February 10th TIS. performed LIVE on Nexus Productions Radio (broadcasted live on TV with EllasTV) & February 12th performed LIVE an unplugged version of their songs on Hellas FM.

Some recent live shows include some of the hottest live venues in NYC such as:
- The BitterEnd, Knitting Factory, Pianos, Bowery Electric, Arlene’s Grocery, The Delancey, National Underground, Tammany Hall and more…

http://www.trappedinstatic.com
http://www.twitter.com/instaticlive
http://www.myspace.com/trappedinstatic
http://www.youtube.com/TrappedInStaticTV

Dharmata

March 15th, 2012 in Endorsed Artists | No Comments »

DHARMATA is vocalist Jay Slim, guitarists Chris Turbo and Matt Nasty, bassist Kevin Sanchez, and drummer JC Lackey. DHARMATA formed in the summer of 2007, in West Palm Beach, Florida, after a chance meeting between vocalist Slim and bassist Sanchez.

Since its inception, DHARMATA has quickly created a large, loyal, and growing fan base in the Florida music scene, garnering buzz for their ability to combine polished song craftsmanship with captivating high-energy live performances.

A dynamic sound captures the collective best of each member’s influences, a wide-ranging spectrum that includes everything from Pantera to Jeff Buckley. In their brief existence, DHARMATA has already shared stages with artists such as 10 Years, Skindred, Sick Puppies, and Nonpoint, and has been invited to participate in large music festivals such as SunFest, MoonFest, Crue Fest, and Buzz Bake Sale.

In 2007, DHARMATA’s very first song and recording, “The Fall,” had an immediate impact at radio, with airplay on West Palm Beach’s influential rock station, WPBZ 103.1 The Buzz. “The Fall,” an apologetic homage to vocalist Jay Slim’s previous band, nationally-recognized rock outfit Presence, showcases the emotionally palpable lyrics and soaring, powerful melodic hooks that have been seducing South Florida audiences.

In 2009, popular British ragga-metal rockers Skindred stumbled across a live DHARMATA performance and asked DHARMATA to join them on a tour of the Midwestern United States. DHARMATA’s first tour outside of Florida proved fruitful, as they fetched massive merchandise sales and a brand new ravenous fan base in select Midwest cities. At the request of Madison, Wisconsin’s WJJO, DHARMATA performed live on-air to immediate rave reviews. In December 2009, Benji Webbe, lead vocalist of Skindred, spoke highly of DHARMATA in a live South Florida radio broadcast, calling the band “soon-to-be international rock stars.”

DHARMATA completed sessions at Tony Bongiovi’s Power Station Studios with producers Rob Roy and Joe Butera in late 2009. The single, “The Awakening,” garnered airplay on WPBZ 103.1 The Buzz as well as WHDR 93.1 (93 Rock) in Miami.

DHARMATA is currently finishing up their debut full length album with producer Matt LaPlant and Benji Webbe (Skindred) at Beiler Bros. Studios in Pompano Beach, Florida. In November 2011, the first single off the new album, “Do It Again,” was picked up as an official add at WPBZ 103.1 The Buzz with 14+ weekly spins during mid-day and evenings. In December 2011, due to a swell of positive feedback from listeners, WPBZ asked DHARMATA to headline a stage at the Buzz Bake Sale and was one of the most talked-about artists at the event, after playing to an audience of thousands.

DHARMATA will release their debut album in early 2012, followed by relentless touring in support.

http://www.dharmataband.com
http://www.facebook.com/dharmatamusic
http://www.myspace/dharmatamusic
http://www.reverbnation.com/dharmata
http://www.sonicbids.com/dharmata

Pick of the Week — Chasing Mona

March 15th, 2012 in Custom Guitar Picks, Pick of the Week | No Comments »

For the Pick of the Week this week, we chose a design created for the band Chasing Mona. “Chasing Mona is a local Kitsap County cover band specializing in classic rock covers, rockabilly favorites, and ‘paying homage to the hat’ country. Branded by their signature black and white Chuck Taylors, a profound commitment and respect for our military, and their buxom flirtatious mascot Mona that can be seen on the cover of the bass drum lit up by a spotlight, Chasing Mona is all about bringing the fun, the funk, and the history of music to the stage with every performance. One of the single greatest accomplishments of this band is their ability to pack a venue and get invited back again and again. Without a doubt, Chasing Mona is one of the busiest cover bands in Kitsap County. They are currently breaking into the casino scene and getting rave reviews from all around.” Find out more about the band at http://www.chasingmonaband.com/ and http://www.reverbnation.com/chasingmonaband. Chasing Mona’s picks were made on our white delrin material, which was the best to support their full color graphic and really make the red and black colors pop against the bright white background. To create and order your own custom guitar picks today, visit www.claytoncustom.com!

Pick of the Week — Sister Mary Tarantula

March 8th, 2012 in Custom Guitar Picks, Pick of the Week | No Comments »

 

This week’s Pick of the Week is for the band “Sister Mary Tarantula.” They are a working rock band based in Houston, TX.  They have one independent album out, and they are currently writing material for their follow up album. The members of the band are: Mark Neely/Rhythm Guitar/lead vocals, Ernest Martinez/Drums, Pablo Gonzales/Bass, and Carlos Ulloa/Lead Guitar. Their style draws from a lot of classic heavy rock, such as Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy, etc… and they do a Dio tribute band as well called “Holy Diver.” Carlos was the member of the band who ordered custom picks from us. He says that, as a performer, he was a late bloomer into the guitar love affair. He started playing drums and took up the guitar at age 21. He has now been playing for 21 years, and he can seriously site his influences as “any one whom he has ever seen play!” but some of his favorites are the usual suspects of Vai, Pertrucci & Eric Johnson. You can sample the music of Sister Mary Tarantula here: http://www.myspace.com/sistermarytarantula They have a face book as well: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sister-Mary-Tarantula/190410009750 and here is a video of the band using Clayton picks!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0W6yhgg82E The band’s picks were created on our acetal material, which was the best to support their full color design with an overbleed that gives the pick the appearance of being dark red. To create and design your own custom picks, visit www.claytoncustom.com today!

Pick of the Week — The Mojo Tones

March 1st, 2012 in Custom Guitar Picks, Pick of the Week | No Comments »

This week’s Pick of the Week was made for the blues band, The Mojo Tones. “The Mojo Tones started out as four friends just getting together, playing Blues and Blues-Rock songs for the fun of it.  Mike (drums) initiated things by asking Billy (guitar) if he’d be interested in doing a Blues project, just for fun, just because. Billy says, “One thing led to another, word got out, and suddenly, we were playing gigs by word of mouth.” Mike knew a singer/harmonica player in Joe (Vocals & Harp) that loved the Blues, and they had a friend that played bass. That bass player was Will, and with his musical background, things meshed together quite well. After a few years, Will had to tend to family matters, and through Will, Gerald was welcomed in on bass. Gerald has years of playing under his belt, and is a perfect fit.
Billy says, “I think the last thing the Musical World needs is yet-another Blues band playing endless shuffles, or their versions of Stevie Ray Vaughan songs. We mix genres, a 1940′s Blues classic with a modern blues-rock re-write…Country Blues, ala Robert Johnson, but with electrified Dobro through an amp, or playing Hendrix with harmonica, Dylan with a Dobro, a John Lee Hooker-influenced slide-guitar twist of Rolling Stones classic…even Motorhead, just because it was fun. No rules, no taking ourselves too seriously.” Mike went from a regular drum kit, resized to just a kick and snare with a couple of cymbals, trading in his sticks for a pair of brushes…minimalist to the bone. Just picture Motorhead with brushes…With Mike, less is more, and his ability to groove with the song shows it. “Some of the places we play require a lot less volume than regular clubs, so I started using a 5 watt guitar amp, even a 1watt amp, because the club requires a limit on volume level. My guitar-playing friends think I’m crazy…” Even Joe’s harp amp went down to 5 watts or 1 watt, depending on the gig. Joe uses different effects with his harp: distortion, Leslie, phasing, flanging, echo…anything to sound different.
The Blues is a great teacher, and it will teach you that what feels right, isright.  The Mojo Tones mix genres, within songs, playing Country Blues with Blues Rock, Jump Blues with Jazz, without any of the high-brow sensibilities. It still comes down to four friends playing music, for the love of music…” To find out more about The Mojo Tones, visit their facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mojo-Tones/149174077686. The Mojo Tones’ picks were made on our white delrin material, which was perfect to enhance their red logo and give that classic “Coca Cola” look. To design your own custom guitar picks visit www.claytoncustom.com today!

Me Vs. Murphy

February 28th, 2012 in Endorsed Artists | No Comments »

Me Vs Murphy is a band formed by four Venezuelans currently living in the city of Miami. The band just finished recording their first album titled “#JUSTSAYING” which consists of 10 songs and it was recorded in the studios of SAE in Miami, Florida. The release is on March 2012.

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