In an exclusive interview for Eastwood guitars, Wire’s lead singer and guitarist, Colin Newman, said:

“Wire really never were a punk band… we happened to be there at the same time. You could list the Ramones as one of our influences, but we were never interested in just doing that genre.”

Eastwood met with Colin Newman ahead of their gig in Leeds, England, last month. Wire were headlining their own festival, DRILL, which takes places in different countries, including the US, England, Belgium and Germany.

The band is currently promoting their new album, Silver/Lead, that shows they are still musically relevant in 2017 – and, perhaps as Colin suggest, not really “punk”. At least not anymore!

Colin Newman live at Leeds’ Brudenell Social Club

The article also reveals plans for a Colin Newman signature guitar, based on Colin’s favorite guitar – the Airline MAP, which he fitted with a piezo pickup for acoustic tones.

Since forming in 1976, Wire have become one of the most influential British bands from the late seventies – despite never achieving the same level of success as the Sex Pistols or The Clash. Bands as diverse as R.E.M., Sonic Youth, Franz Ferdinand, Blur, Elastica, My Bloody Valentine, Black Flag and, more recently, Parquet Courts, have been influenced by Colin Newman & co. 

Today, with the addition of new guitarist Matt Simms (who joined in 2010), Wire remain relevant and a superb live band – and the same goes for their records. Albums such as Change becomes Us, Nocturnal Koreans and this year’s Silver/Lead are proof of their continued musical vitality.

LISTEN: Wire’s “Short Elevated Period” (from Silver / Lead, 2017)

READ COLIN NEWMAN INTERVIEW

“We are not a punk band” says Wire’s Colin Newman from MyRareGuitars.com

On this video, Moon Duo singer / guitarist Ripley Johnson uses, as usual, his Airline 59 3P Ripley Custom, his own signature guitar and also an unique model in the Airline 59 family, as it features our Transwarp Drive boost.

Airline 59 3P Ripley Custom

Rock on, Ripley!

Moon Duo’s worldwide tour continues in the U.S. and Canada. If you’re around to catch one of those dates, don’t miss it!

21/4/17 Chicago @ The Empty Bottle w/ Jackie Lynn 
22/4/17 Detroit @ El Club w/ Jackie Lynn 
23/4/17 Toronto @ Horseshoe Tavern w/ Jackie Lynn 
25/4/17 Montreal @ La Sala Rossa w/ Jackie Lynn 
26/4/17 Boston @ Great Scott w/ Jackie Lynn 
27/4/17 Brooklyn @ Rough Trade w/ Jackie Lynn 
28/4/17 Philadelphia @ Johnny Brenda’s w/ Jackie Lynn 
29/4/17 Washington DC @ DC9 w/ Jackie Lynn 
30/4/17 Cleveland @ Beachland Tavern w/ Jackie Lynn

More info:

Moon Duo official website

WATCH: Moon Duo Covers The Stooges’ ‘No Fun’ from MyRareGuitars.com

Instro Summit 2011

Instro Summit 2011 is our third annual event, held from 7pm Friday, April 29th to 1am Sunday, May first. Currently the largest festival of its’ type in the Southeast, it features bands from as nearby as Durham to as far away as Ulm, Germany, all eager to share their lyric-free music with fans-and bands-that appreciate the genre.

Highlights this year include our three annual audience participation events. First is our “Can You Play as Wack’d as Link Wray?” contest, second is “The Big Bass-Off!”, third event, the “Rumble Jam”. Of note to folks who are fans of Eastwood’s products is our first annual Instro Summit Raffle, in which our grand prize is a Brand-new Eastwood Saturn 63 guitar donated by – you guessed it – Eastwood guitars. This custom model has the Instro Summit Logo on the pickgaurd for extra coolness.

Instro Summit 2011

Tickets for the Instro Summit are Eleven dollars for Friday, and Saturday, and Nine bucks for Sunday. A three day pass can be purchased for 24 bucks. A measly five bucks gets you a raffle ticket, and you need not be present to be eligible. Those interested in purchasing tickets can contact us at instrosummit@gmail.com. Just make sure you contact us by April 22th, as we’ll be having the drawing on Sunday, May 1st, and we want to make sure all tickets purchased-raffle or otherwise-get to where they need to be on time.

To learn more about the summit check out their Facebook page.

Instro Summit 2011 from MyRareGuitars.com

Mike & Troy at Southpaw Guitars in Houston, TX

Next we made the mistake of planning a peaceful seaside family beach vacation on South Padre Island. You see, my wife was there with her family 35 years ago, so now that our son is 12, she thought it would be cool to revisit that trip. A truly great place to visit, but our timing could not have been worse. Check this out.

So we cut that short and headed up to San Antonio. What a great city, plenty of family things to do there and plenty of great restaurants. Will certainly look forward to going there again. Then I was lucky enough squeeze in a one-afternoon whirlwind stop in AUSTIN, TX for the 2011 SXSW festival. First I had lunch with Lance Keltner who took some EASTWOOD’s for a test drive on YouTube.

Then I dropped my wife Kay and son Troy off at the Austin Duck and dove headfirst into the SXSW crowds, battling my way to the Pitchfork outdoor stage, waiting for Edwyn Collins to appear. One real surprise was catching a set by Toronto based one-man-band Diamond Rings. Great set of energetic pop tunes, quite like Depeche Mode. An hour later the legendary Edwyn Collins cruised through a perfect 30-minute set of new and classic tunes. As always, “Rip It Up” had the crowd dancing away in the hot afternoon sun. Great to see Edwyn again as well as his son William pitching in for one of his new tracks.

Edwyn Collins & his son William at SXSW 2011

A rather LONG walk across 6th to the far side of SXSW and GINGER MAN bar. There was a lineup so I missed the end of Steve Wynn’s set, but got in just in time to see him switch hats and the BASEBALL Project took the stage.

Steve Wynn's 'The Baseball Project' at SXSW 2011

Great tunes, great players and a really great crowd made for a memorable set. A little icing on the cake for me personally was Peter Buck pulling out his EASTWOOD Nashville 12 string for to tracks. Cool.

Peter Buck with his Nashville 12-String guitar from Eastwood Guitars at SXSW 2011

Hard to beat that for a quick afternoon drop-by at SXSW, but it got even better when Mike Watt took the stage!

Texas in March & SXSW 2011 from MyRareGuitars.com

Shortly after 5PM I worked my way up front, minutes later Watt took the stage, looked as the back-line BASS AMP and started laughing as if to say, “How am I going to light up this crowd with that little thing?”. Another minute later, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind. This three piece band (Tom Watson on guitar and Raul Morales on drums) proceeded to kick-ass like no other 3-piece ever has. I not suggesting you go catch the them live – I am DEMANDING you do – do not miss this show. What a trip, and hats off to Mike Watt once again, D. Boon would be proud.

Mike Watt & The Missing Men at the Ginger Man in Austin, TX for SXSW 2011

Mike Watt & The Missing Men at the Ginger Man in Austin, TX for SXSW 2011

Mike Watt & The Missing Men at the Ginger Man in Austin, TX for SXSW 2011

Mike Watt & The Missing Men at the Ginger Man in Austin, TX for SXSW 2011

Mike Watt & The Missingmen at SXSW 2011 from MyRareGuitars.com

The celebrations took nearly two months to get through. It started early in August with a 2 week getaway vacation with my wife Kay and son Troy. We went to eastern Canada and hit every spot imaginable from Cape Breton to P.E.I. to Halifax and over to Newfoundland. If you have never been to Newfoundland, you should. Here is a picture of Troy and me hiking in Western NFLD:

Troy and me hiking in Western Newfoundland

Here is 10 yr. old Troy in charge of steering the Lobster Boat in P.E.I. He may look calm, but in fact he is very serious because this was a pretty big boat!

Upon returning to Toronto, my brother Peter from California decided to make his second trip up to Canada this summer for the 50th celebrations. We kicked it off with a couple of rounds of golf and more than a couple of rounds of drinks. The big party was Sept 5th, featuring a baseball game with 25 friends from High School – Yes, I said HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS – question: who can round up 25 high school friends on their 50th Birthday? I think not many. That is what I call good friends! Butch came from Texas, Big T came from Vancouver, Heter from California. Amazing that most of us still hang out together all the time. Here is one of the photos:

Who can round up 25 high school friends on their 50th Birthday? I think not many.

The party lasted well into the wee hours, featuring numerous guitars, amps, basses, vocals, and of course cocktails. Good thing the neighbors were out of town. After that we went up north to a friend’s cottage in Muskoka for 3 days of fishing. Here is brother Peter, trolling the shoreline for PIKE:

Peter, trolling the shoreline for Pike

Then back to Toronto for a short sleep and right on through to the Catskills in New York – a total of 8 hours driving – to the ATP Festival. What a blast that was. Take a look at this shot. Yes, I might be 50, yes, I might look 50, but I am dead center in the middle of the mosh-pit acting like a 20 year old, which is how I feel most of the time. This photo was taken during the kick-ass set from legendary JESUS LIZARD. That is David Yow with the MIC, me right in front of him:

Me in the pit at the Jesus Lizard show at ATP (David Yow with the mic)

Also that first night I ran into Nick Cave (who was not on the bill) after sitting in with Warren Ellis and The Dirty Three. Warren and I get to talking about making an Eastwood TENOR guitar. This is really going to happen! Here I am with Nick and his AIRLINE TUXEDO guitar the following week back in Toronto:

Nick Cave with an Airline Tuxedo

Not often you see Nick smile, but somehow it feels like a fitting photograph to cap off the 50th Birthday celebrations. So the partying has finally come to an end and it’s time to get back to work. Summer has also officially ended and the leaves are starting to fall. Here is one final photo from this summer. This is Troy up at our cottage, where most evenings we have a fire and roast marshmallows. Troy decided it would be cool to put a marshmallow on the end of an arrow and fire it out into Georgian Bay. Who has more fun than kids? Looks like the 50 year olds?

Troy decided it would be cool to put a masrhmellow on the end of an arrow and fire it out into Georgian Bay

We’ve Only Just Begun: My 50th Birthday from MyRareGuitars.com

Jackson 5: Jermaine Jackson plays Airline Town & Country Guitar

ABOVE: A chubby-cheeked 10-year-old Michael flanked by his four brothers (middle row, left-right) Tito, Marlon, Jermaine and (back row) Jackie in 1968, two years after they formed the Jackson Five. Back then the world really was black and white for Michael and family. This shot is interesting for us because Jermaine is sporting an AIRLINE Town & Country model.

BELOW: Here is a beautiful and haunting song from NYC’s singer Sharon Van Etten playing her song “For You”. It was filmed by Kevin Serra in Central Park in a rowboat.

Hollerado - Send the Boys to China

ABOVE: Thank you to everyone that participated in the SEND THE BOYS TO CHINA contest. Here is a shot of HOLLERADO during one of their shows on that recent trip to China.

BELOW: This is just a weird shot from www.myspace.com/davidchazam

David Chazam

Odd’s & End’s from MyRareGuitars.com

• Wed10/01/08 – Nick Cave
• Fri10/03/08 – The Wedding Present
• Sat 10/04/08 – Alkaline Trio
• Sun 10/05/08 – Beck with MGMT
• Tue 10/07/08 – Wire
• Fri 10/10/08 – The NOTWIST
• Sat 10/11/08 – Lucinda Williams
• Sun 10/12/08 – Crooked Fingers

Here are some photo’s, videos and comments from a few.

BECK with Jessica Dobson playing her AIRLINE TUXEDO Guitar. If you have never been to a BECK show, do yourself a favor, GO!

Here is BECK again the following Friday night in David Letterman:

My thanks to Jessica for making that AIRLINE Tuxedo look better than it ever has!

MGMT performing their mega cool #1 2008 summertime song TIME TO PRETEND featuring the EASTWOOD WANDRE Guitar.

A certain highlight of the week was WIRE at Lee’s Palace. I recently read a review of their new LP OBJECT 47, being called “music from the year 2038″. Why? Because WIRE has always been 30 years ahead of their time. I must agree, find out for yourself. I did not manage to get any video or photo’s (too much beer, perhaps?) but here is some footage on youtube from an earlier show on the tour – featuring Colin Newman with his AIRLINE MAP Guitar.

And perhaps the best show of the week – even though NO Eastwood or AIRLINE guitars were to be seen – was The Notwist. This is a band that you should see. Five piece, with many more than 5 instruments – 2 guitars, bass, Piano, synth, drums, a variety of synth drums, turntables, vintage LP’s, weird remote controlled percussion digital whateverf!!?@, the list goes on… some of the most exciting music being written today. Make sure to check them out, buy the CD NEON GOLDEN check out this track -ONE WITH THE FREAKS – is #1 in my IPOD for the past 12 months, and played LOUD was a HUGE 3rd encore crowd pleaser at the Lee’s Palace Show. Here is the video (turn it up because the audio is REALLY low):

Live in Toronto (October 2008) from MyRareGuitars.com

When Squeeze were coming through Toronto this August, Mike talked with the singer/songwriter Chris Difford, and found out that their two Eastwood guitars went missing. So Mike arranged to replace their guitars free of charge.

After the sold out show at Koolhouse, Mike Robinson presented Chris Difford with a beautiful Airline 3P DLX and handed Glenn Tilbrook an Eastwood Wandre DLX. The smiling British song writing duo were elated by his generosity.

Mike Robinson with Chris Difford & Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze

“When we found out that an amazing band like Squeeze had been swindled out of their guitars, we just had to put it straight. Talent like Difford and Tilbrook deserves great guitars” stated Robinson.

Eastwood is developing a reputation for coming to the aid of musicians. Last summer when Robyn Hitchcock had his guitar stolen in Montreal, Eastwood open their Georgetown, Ontario showroom to him where he selected his new main guitar, as he calls it his “Slinky Blue Airline Twin Tone”.

About Eastwood Guitars
Canada’s Eastwood Guitars is one of the world’s fastest growing guitar manufactures with over 40 distinctive models shipping around the globe. Eastwood is committed to developing and promoting independent music. To help foster the energy of independent music Eastwood has established the following initiatives: The Eastwood Artist Endorsement Program; The Eastwood Big Pick Program; and Eastwood Radio on www.eastwoodguitars.com.

For information
Grant Ivens
say what! communications
grant@saywhat.com
905-417-9428 x 25
http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/

Eastwood Guitars Comes to the Aid of Squeeze from MyRareGuitars.com

In other news, Scott and Peter Buck have teamed up with Steve Wynn and drummer Linda Pitmon to make an entire record of baseball songs. Steve and Linda also dropped by Eastwood headquaters on Monday to say hello. A fine weekend indeed and triple thumbs up to Guitar Tech extraordinaire, Dewitt Burton. Thanks man! Here are some pictures:

1) Hanging out on stage during sound check:

Mike Robinson on stage during the R.E.M. soundcheck

2) Hmmmm… The collection of toy dinosaurs is getting pretty big:

Toy Dinosaurs on the R.E.M. amps

3) Pete and Scott rocking out during the show:

Pete and Scott rocking out during the show

4) R.E.M. with the Eastwood Guitars crew:

Mike Mills, Peter McCracken, Jimmy Lango, Scott McCaughey, (Michael Stipe Background), Mike Robinson, Peter Buck

5) A wee bit of video:

6) Steve and Linda dropped by Eastwood headquaters on Monday to say hello:

Backstage at the R.E.M. Concert from MyRareGuitars.com

Our first day in London included a visit with Chris Spedding

That afternoon we drove up to OXFORD to catch of Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople fame. Unbelievable showman, he rocked the SOLD OUT show.

The next day we drove up to Nottingham in search of Robin Hood, but instead ran into John Cooper Clarke. For those of you unfamiliar with his work, your are missing out. John is one of the best comedians the UK has ever produced, and one of these days I will convince him to come back to North America to treat us to his twisted sense of humor. Here is a sample of what we heard: “A man goes to his doctor for his annual medical examination. Doctor says, “I’m afraid you’re going to have to stop masturbating”. The man exclaims, “Stop masturbating? WHY?” Doctor says, “Well, I’m trying to conduct a medical examination!”

Me with John Cooper Clarke, comedian

Next stop was Sheffield to visit some friends and check out the new JOY DIVISION movie, CONTROL. Great movie, even better because “Ian Curtis” in the movie is playing and EASTWOOD VG6 Guitar. =)

The Undertones

Up to Holmfirth to spend some time with one of the best bands around, The Undertones. The SOLD OUT audience was treated to a memorable set of non-stop hits. I can’t remember seeing a more appreciative group of fans. Just another band on the list of bands we need to get back over the pond. Thanks guys for your hospitality and for getting those EASTWOOD Guitars up on stage and put to good use!

Mike Robinson & Bill Nelson at Nelsonica 07

Next stop was YORK in the North of England. I’ve been planning this trip for a couple of years, and it finally came together. I had to opportunity to interview Bill Nelson, live on stage at Nelsonica 07. An incredible, memorable event. We will have the entire video interview available in the coming months, on-line. I’m hoping to get Bill to bring NELSONICA to North America in 2009. More info to come….

The next morning we braved the 5 hour drive, back down to London (in typical British weather and traffic) to get to the comeback show of Edwyn Collins. Worth twice the drive….

At the Edwyn Collins comeback show

Quite an emotional event. Edwyn suffered a near fatal brain hemorrhage in 2005 and had to relearn how to walk, talk, read and write. All his friends were on hand to support this comeback show, including the BBC, and what a show it was.

Colin Newman and his wife Malka Spigel, who are half of the band GITHEAD

After a day off in London, we made our way over to meet with Colin Newman and his wife Malka Spigel, who are half of the band GITHEAD. We visited them in their home studio, discussed the recent GITHEAD release and then popped out for a couple of pints to discuss the music industry in general. Colin gave me an advanced copy of the new WIRE release, READ & BURN. I will post a review in next months newsletter.

Last leg of the trip we spent with Pete Shelley of BUZZCOCKS fame

Last leg of the trip we spent with Pete Shelley of BUZZCOCKS fame. We are nearing completion of the soon to be released Limited Edition replica of Pete’s famous STARWAY guitar – here we are discussing final details. All the pickguards are signed, the custom signature hardshell fitted cases are in, the signed original photo’s are on their way, and the BUZZCOCKS leather straps are in production. We will be launching a contest in the next few weeks, so stay tuned. Send an email if you want some advanced photographs and specs.

UK Trip (October 2007) from MyRareGuitars.com

Elliot Easton of the New Cars

Elliot Easton of the New Cars

Mike Robinson, Troy Robinson & Todd Rundgren

The New Cars in Detroit, MI (September 2007) from MyRareGuitars.com

Mike Robinson & John Fogerty & Peter McCracken

John Fogerty Band in Toronto (July 2007)

John Fogerty Band in Toronto (July 2007)

John Fogerty Band in Toronto (July 2007)

John Fogerty Band in Toronto (July 2007)

John Fogerty Band in Toronto (July 2007)

John Fogerty Band in Toronto (July 2007) from MyRareGuitars.com

Wally with Nick Cash, lead singer of legendary punk rockers 999

Two days later my brother Peter (guitarist from Surf Cinema) caught up with us, rented a car, and we drove out to Swindon to see the legendary punk rockers, 999. Here is a picture of Wally with lead singer Nick Cash. Wally had dragged his original Vinyl from Toronto – back in 1981 he had stood in line at a record shop to have the lads from 999 sign his record – 25 years later Nick and the boys would sign it again. We ran into the band at a pub before the show, got the album signed, and proceeded to have a great night of music and laughs!

The historic ROYAL St. Georges Golf Club (host to 12 Open Championships)

The following day we changed hats and moved to the gold courses. We played Walton Heath Golf Club south of London, then drove to Dover for the night. The following day we played the historic ROYAL St. Georges Golf Club – host to 12 Open Championships. It was an unforgettable day for Peter and me.

The next day we headed back to London for a three days of LIVE music, Indian food and a long pub crawl. Another friend – Jimmy Lango – decided to fly in and surprise Peter (Peter lives in California, Jim in Toronto, they are childhood friends). So Jim shows up at the hotel, unannounced, playing a Taylor travel guitar and singing a song that Peter and him co-wrote 20 years ago. What a surprise! Good reason to go for a pint! That night we went to see Lloyd Cole at the Arts Theater where he featured his fantastic new CD, Anti-Depressant. Another great show. The following night was an unbelievable and edgy treat by PERE UBU.

The next morning we headed up North….

The Wedding Present in Wolverhampton. David Gedge played his Eastwood Supro.

Our last show of the tour was The Wedding Present in Wolverhampton. David Gedge played his Eastwood SUPRO at the gig. My brother talked me into getting right up in front of the stage for this show, and as you can see in the next shot, it was a tight squeeze fro the entire show. (I turned my camera backwards over my head for this shot). I’m not sure how to setup my camera, so this video I shot is lousy.

It was a tight squeeze for the entire show.

We caught last-call and hoisted a toast

After the show we caught last-call and hoisted a toast to the country and to the great hospitality we enjoyed. Below is our last walk down London streets before heading home for another year. I look forward to my next trip there; in fact Wally is already lobbying for the upcoming ATP Festival 2007 as Wally is a huge Nick Cave fan. After listening to the new GRINDERMAN CD, I agree with Wally!

Our last walk down London streets

UK Trip (Oct. 2006) from MyRareGuitars.com