Now how's that for some alliteration? I am, of course, referring to the fact that Camp Freddy appear to be closing the huge Tsunami Benefit concert at the Arrowhead Pond Arena in Anaheim next Friday. It's pretty unbelievable, and I am completely humbled and honored to be a part of the evening. We will be playing a set that includes songs with AFI, Rob Zombie, and Ozzy Osbourne, and the rest of the bill includes sets by Linkin Park and Jay Z, Blink 182, No Doubt and Jurassic 5. A pretty amazing line up, and very exciting for me to be involved. Should be a fun night.

So, what's been going on recently? Well, I have to give a big shout out to Audio Technica. I use their 5000 series wireless and it has been the clearest sounding, easiest, trouble-free wireless system I have ever used. And they have now sent me some vocal mics to try out. Thanks AT. I'm looking forward to getting them hooked up in the rehearsal room. How come all rehearsal rooms, no matter how good, always have SM58's that have been dropped, cracked, thrown around the room in 'rock star-like' tantrums? They are always dented, and stink of garlic!

And I am awaiting the arrival of a genius piece of kit from Tech 21 - the RBI Sansamp Rackmount. Every studio needs one - the easiest and best sounding bass tone for recording ever! Once mine arrives, I'll put it through its paces and let you know how it sounds.

I went to see Kid Rock and Lynrd Skynrd at the L.A. House Of Blues last night and those guys tore the place up. Absolutely perfect out-front sound. And that guy knows how to entertain an audience! Southern-hip-hop-cowpunk-blues-metal - it's a genre completely on its own. Is Kid Rock the white Puff Daddy? Whatever your feelings, the show was incredible and I had a great time.

Today is a studio day again (after spending two days celebrating my birthday!) and I am mixing some of the new Doheny stuff. On my actual birthday, I had the pleasure of being in the Camp Freddy studio (where we are still working on our record) watching Mr. Sex Pistol, Steve Jones, lay down some killer lead on one of the tracks. He was using my black Les Paul Custom going through my super-sounding Roccaforte 80 watt head. Steve is the reason I started playing guitar, so imagine how cool that was - to be hanging out, watching him record some stuff on my record, using my gear. A great birthday present.

The whole Modern Guitars thing is really taking shape. I love this site, and all the news, features, interviews, columns and journals - I wish something like this had been around a long time ago. I hope that it continues to go from strength to strength and I would like this opportunity to thank the co-founders, Rick and Tom, for allowing me to basically ramble inanely every week. I hope it's of interest to some of you (feel free to let me know what you want to hear about - technical stuff, studio stuff, or what I had for breakfast) and I will be back next week with more of the same.

I dug out the photo at the top of a rather 'short haired' me, with a certain Mr. Alice Cooper - no more Mr. Nice Guy!

Peace.

Billy