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Pick of the Week — Aidan Brody

This week’s Pick of the Week was made for musician Aidan Brody. Aidan is a 15 year old guitarist from the Washington, DC area. He has been playing guitar for about 5 or 6 years, and he has been using only custom Clayton picks for the last several years! Aidan performs regularly with local blues artists and has toured with an elite group of the best young musicians in the country, the School of Rock AllStars. He is currently writing and recording music, and hopes to release it in the near future. Aidan says that he has been heavily influenced by blues, rock, jazz, fusion, and soul music, and he combines all of these styles to create his own unique sound.

Find out more about Aidan’s work on the web: http://www.aidanbrody.com/ or on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/aidanbrodymusic/videos?view=0&flow=grid

Aidan’s custom guitar picks were made on our white delrin material, and we really love the intricacy and detail in the artwork. The opposite side of the pick lists Aidan’s name and his website, along with the Clayton logo since he is one of our endorsed artists!

To order your own custom picks, visit www.claytoncustom.com today!

Stoop Goodnoise

Stoop Goodnoise, A band building, wrecking, and rebuilding again as they lead the way in the new Chicago Rock & Roll scene. Chicago has always been a city of collided cultures coming together to form something amazing and there is no band that encapsulates this like Stoop Goodnoise. A facepunch of 90′s grunge fury, punk choruses, and intergalactic guitar solos. One part Chicago street kids, one part classic rock phenoms, but all one original sound that can not be missed, that can not be ignored, that cannot be stopped.

They have played at numerous clubs around Chicago like House Of Blues Bottom Lounge & Beat Kitchen and have gone as far as being one of the three finalists in the MTV VMA 2009 Best Breakout Chicago Artist Contest where they supported All Time Low & White Tie Affair at Six Flags Great America. They’re set from that day was also featured on Comcast On Demand for the entire city of chicago to view at the push of a button.

They have just finished up they’re debut  album “Crash Me, Cloud” At Million Yen Studios in Chicago with Sciphonic Productions set to be released on January 28th 2012 with touring and music videos planned in the coming months.

Check them out at:

www.StoopGoodnoise.com
http://www.Twitter.com/StoopGN
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stoop-Goodnoise/144260285632636
http://www.myspace.com/StoopGoodnoise
http://www.youtube.com/StoopGoodnoise

Go Radio

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.

Websites

Justin Velte of Poisonwood

Poisonwood is a Melodic Death Metal band from Arkansas. Formed in October 2009, the band has already played extensively in their home state and throughout the south, gathering a loyal and devoted following en route. In 2010, Poisonwood released a 7 song EP, titled “Dark Days,” which showcases their full on, brutal and melodic sound. Made up of Justin Velte (Guitar, Backing Vocals), Dan Niven (Drums), Tyler Scalise (Vocals), Matthew Velte (Guitar), Andy Honer (Bass), Kyle Reed (Keyboards), the band cites influences such as In Flames, Mors Principium Est, All That Remains, Amon Amarth and Pain of Salvation. In July of 2011 the band released their highly anticipated sophomore album “Pseudo Utopia,” and embarked on a summer tour throughout the southern and mid-western U.S. “Justin and Matthew Velte just have that natural harmony between them… the Velte brothers are only a label and a few endorsements away from being the new  Alexi Laiho.” -Bubbs Harris (Hails and Horns Magazine ” I must insist that you seek out Pseudo Utopia… This album captures everything  that I love about heavy metal perfectly.”  -Lexington Music Press 2011 sees Poisonwood poised to further expand their audience, as the band signed with esteemed Artist Development and Managment company The Inner Light Agency. As Bruce Swink of iLA says: “Things have been moving fast for Poisonwood and by teaming with iLA we’re going to kick everything into high gear and spread the word far and wide.”

myspace.com/poisonwoodmusic
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Poisonwood/207780721629?v=app_2344061033#!/pages/Poisonwood/207780721629
myspace.com/poisonwoodmusic
youtube.com/meghanthemetalqueen

JW-Jones

“One of this country’s top blues guitar stars” writes the Globe and Mail about JW-Jones. JW-Jones has one of the most energetic and exciting live shows on the scene. It is no surprise that this young man has played throughout the world (CANADA, USA, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL) and some of the biggest names in blues today, including The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Rod Piazza, Anson Funderburgh with Sam Myers, The Mannish Boys and the legendary Hubert Sumlin have invited him to join them on stage.  During a special appearance with the band, Hollywood celebrity and fan, Dan Aykroyd said, “this is an amazing blues band, and I’ve played with the best!” Mr. Aykroyd wrote the liner notes for the 2008 release ‘Bluelisted’. The new record “Midnight Memphis Sun” features special guest stars Hubert Sumlin and Charlie Musselwhite, while past CDs have had world-class musicians David ‘Fathead’ Newman (Ray Charles sax player), Little Charlie Baty, Junior Watson, Colin James, and multi-Grammy nominee Kim Wilson who appears on two discs and produced ‘My Kind of Evil’ in 2004. Their music has garnered radio-play worldwide, including heavy rotation on commercial radio stations, and features on shows such as the internationally syndicated House of Blues Radio Hour.  In 2009, Guitar World Magazine featured a CD called ‘Guitar Masters Vol. 2’ that put Jones alongside guitar stars B.B. King, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana and more. The buzz this band has created over the last decade has earned them a national award – the Maple Blues Award for Electric Act of the Year, and rave reviews throughout the globe. Jones has been featured by Blues Revue Magazine and can be found in the books All Music Guide to Blues and Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. When working with Jeff Asselin (drums), and Marc Decho (bass), or adding the heavy grooves of Jesse Whiteley (organ), the musicians with Jones always add a powerful energy to the stage.  Canada’s Top Touring Blues Act, Jones and his band are born entertainers, and with their unique sound, they continue to set the world on fire one country at a time!

Kenny Welch

Soulful music, strong entertainer, with a following that exceeds all expectations for a country music performer from Cincinnati, Ohio. Kenny Welch is a performer taking his music to the next level. Kenny Welch began singing at a very young age for his family and friends.  Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1973, he was raised in a small town south east of Cincinnati called Bethel.  Kenny never saw himself as a performer or singer until nearly seven years ago, when he began to set his sights on a music career in Country Music. Kenny Welch has been recognized by the local news media in Cincinnati and surrounding areas  The media continues to follow his progress and monitor his career. Kenny is very devoted to his music, friends, and children and is looking forward to a long and prosperous career in the music industry.

Check Kenny out on Facebook! He has been endorsed with us since 2010.

Spotlight on Clayton Celebrities at NAMM

As you know, this year’s record-setting NAMM was an exciting time for Clayton and our endorsed artists. After the show was over, a final closing video was created to review this major yearly event. We are proud to announce that two of Clayton, Inc.’s endorsed artists, BooBoo Stewart and Kyle Gass, were chosen to speak for this important public service announcement. Be sure to check out the video entitled “NAMM Show: That’s a Wrap!” at http://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2011 to get all of the highlights!!

Rev up your Autograph with Custom Signature Picks!

One of the more popular ideas for custom guitar picks from Clayton is to put your signature on the pick as the design or a portion of the design. Shown here are several examples of customers who liked this idea. This is a great way to personalize picks and they always come out looking really nice…no matter which pick material you choose. Signature picks can work really well if you are creating custom picks for a band and would like the band logo on one side, but each individual’s name on the other side. They also are perfect gifts for guitar players. All you have to do is figure out a sneaky way to get him/her to sign a piece of paper, then scan it, and upload the scan into our designer at www.claytoncustom.com. Try it out today!

Pick of the Week – Patrick Vega

We have another endorsed artist this week! This time it is for Patrick Vega! Patrick’s pick featured this week is printed on our Acetal material with a lovely colorful design.  Patrick has ordered tons of different designs in the past from us, so he is quite the guitar pick designer. Our custom imprint department talks to Patrick quite often and they all really love him.  Patrick showed the love back by doing a video all about Clayton picks! Which is totally awesome! Check it out below.

A little background on Patraick is that he is a player that is capable of great technique. In general though, he follows the unexpected, adventurous route rather than the (expected) technical/theory route. Alternate tunings, tasty leads and heavy but ambitious rhythm guitar parts that are accessible yet eclectic.

Patricks’s playing and songwriting displays a blend of vintage grace & modern rock/metal attitude. The music is influenced by acts such as Nine Inch Nails, Alice In Chains, Joe Satriani, The Cure, Rage Against The Machine, KoRn, Puddle Of Mudd, Seether, Tool, Classic Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, PJ Harvey, Tricky, Ozzy Osbourne, Vega’s former guitar teacher Brett Garsed and various movie soundtracks.

All I can say is Way Cool! Check out his website at: http://www.patrickvega.com

Cover Art

Are you wanting to design some custom picks, but don’t know what to put on them? If you have recorded an album of your music, simply putting your album art on your guitar pick can be a great option! Shown in the images below are examples of some picks that have album artwork on the front side of the pick. As you can see, they have turned out wonderfully. They all have a lot of color and detail, but it all shows up well on the pick. These can be a great give-away for fans too! All of these designs were put on our acetal pick material. Acetal is semi-transparent white, and is the best material for complex art like the album art show in this image, and is also great for photos. Acetal is known for being a high-grade, professional pick material that is resistant to slipping, so your cover art picks will also be great to play with! Design your custom guitar picks using album artwork today at www.claytocustom.com!