Josh Klinghoffer with the Airline Bighorn Guitar (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You album cover

10) Red Hot Chili Peppers – I’m With You

When I first saw a photo of Josh Klinghoffer with his green Airline Bighorn, I knew I was going to like this album.

Magazine - No Thyself album cover

Magazine Reunion Tour 2009 concert ticket

9) Magazine – No Thyself

Even if there was no music on this disk – just the lyrics – it would make my top ten list. In fact, it was on my top ten list before I heard it, that is how much a fan of Magazine and Howard Devoto I am. Crazy really, so much so that I bought a concert ticket to their reunion concert in 2009. It was in UK, I am in Canada and I had no intention of going, I just had to have a ticket. Who spends 50 bucks on a ticket to a show they do not plan to attend? Anyway, great record, great lyrics, great to see Magazine back in the saddle.

Bazan - Strange Negotiations album cover

8 ) David Bazan – Strange Negotiantions

You’re a god damn fool, You’re a god damn fool, You’re a god damn fool, and I love you.

Wire - Red Barked Tree album cover

7 ) Wire – Red Barked Tree

WIRE just keeps on impressing. Just when you thought they can’t get better, they do. WIRE should be proud, and all those whom they’ve influenced over the years, get confirmation once again.

Buzzcocks - What Do I Get? album cover

6 ) Buzzcocks – What Do I Get?

It’s a 2011 release, but a LIVE album from a 2003 Sheppard’s Bush concert. It also includes a DVD of the performance and manages to fit 28 tracks into true Buzzcocks breakneck speed. More than a quarter of a century into their career at the time of this show, there’s not even the hint of a suggestion of them slowing down . Word is also out that 2012 will include a couple of shows in UK featuring Howard Devoto and the Spiral Scratch tunes. Too cool.

Dum Dum Girls - Only In Dreams album cover

5 ) Dum Dum Girls – Only in Dreams

The popularity of the single “Bedroom Eyes” (link to the video) brought the The Dum Dum Girls to a much wider audience this year. That’s good. This second album from the band is a leap forward. Give it a spin.

Blackie & the Rodeo Kings - Kings and Queens album cover

4 ) Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

What do you get when you take one of best bands to ever come out of Canada and make a record with an all-star cast of singers? Perhaps the best album of the year, that’s what.

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Mirror Traffic album cover

3 ) Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – Mirror Traffic

I’ve been a Pavement fan since day one and Malkmus has done it again. The meandering vocal lines intertwine with the seemingly sloppy and lazy guitar playing to create a fantastic collection of inspired pop gems. Did I say sloppy/lazy? Not really, just very refreshing to not hear a guitar played along to a click track. Long live this music.

City and Colour - Little Hell album cover

2) City and Colour – Little Hell

Dallas Green’s City and Colour is making us Canadians proud. Lavishly produced, beautiful vocals, haunting electric guitars over warm acoustics – just a great record. Go get it.

The Black Keys - El Camino album cover

1) The Black Keys -El Camino

What a killer record. Something about this album makes me want to quit my job, get the old band together, buy a crappy used van and hit the road. The production on this record makes you feel like you are right there in the middle of The Black Keys rehearsal space – it is compelling and it is making me want to pick up a guitar right now and jam along with them.

My Top 10 Albums of 2011 List (Part 1) from MyRareGuitars.com

11/15/07: Thirty years after its retirement, the STARWAY Guitar made famous by Pete Shelley of the BUZZCOCKS is back. Eastwood Guitars and Pete Shelley have teamed up to make a replica of the guitar Pete used in the early days of punk, including the recording of the famous SPIRAL SCRATCH record. Each guitar is hand-signed by Pete and includes loads of BUZZOCKS memorabilia. This Limited Edition Release will start shipping early in 2008. The FIRST one will go to the WINNER of this contest before Christmas Day 2007.

The contest? Guess the RETAIL PRICE. EMAIL your guess TODAY!

More info about the guitar:

• Limited Edition, only 88 made in this initial production
• Each guitar is hand-signed by Pete Shelley
• Custom form fit hardshell case with original ’76 buzzcocks logo
• Signed and numbered Certificate of Authenticity
• 8×10 Reproduction 1976 buzzcocks photo
• Leather buzzcocks logo strap
• Pete Shelley Signature strings from Rotosound

Pete Shelley autographs his signature Starway guitar

Pete Shelley Signature Starway Guitar from Eastwood Guitars

Custom Pete Shelley Starway Guitar Case

Pete Shelley Signature Starway Guitar from Eastwood Guitars

Pete Shelley Signature Starway Guitar from Eastwood Guitars

Pete Shelley Signature Starway Guitar from Eastwood Guitars

Certificate of Authenticity

Custom Buzzcocks Guitar Strap

Pete Shelley onstage with the Buzzcocks

Pete Shelley (the early years)

Pete Shelley newspaper clippings

Contest Rules:

1. Entry must be received before December 10, 2007.
2. Limited to THREE entries per email address.
3. You can guess in UK Pounds, USA Dollars or EUROS. We will convert the value on December 10th to determine the winner.
4. In the event of a DRAW, we will pick the winner at random from the DRAW pool
5. All shipping, duties and taxes for the prize will be paid for by Eastwood Guitars, INC.
6. The winner will agree to have their name, city and country published by Eastwood and Buzzcocks.
7. The winner will be notified by email on Dec 11, 2007. They will have 72 hours to respond and accept the prize. If we do not receive a reply in the allotted time, we will move to the next winner, and so on, until a winner is determined.

Pete Shelley Signature Guitar Contest (2007) 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