How a 1965 Fender amp became the holy grail for modern rock guitaristsFor a certain breed of guitarist, gear is more than equipment. It is identity. The chug of a cranked tube amp, the shimmer of a blackface circuit, the smell of…America’s Rock Bars for Live Music and Cold BeerAmerica’s best rock bars are rarely the biggest rooms in town. They are compact, loud and slightly worn around the edges, with a serious stage, a dependable…Why Bass Guitar Is Classic Rock’s Unsung HeroClassic rock is often remembered through the flash of a guitar solo, the crack of a snare, or a singer’s unmistakable howl. Yet underneath those headline…The Static Hounds Bring 1970s Punk Heat Into the PresentThe Static Hounds arrive with Redline Youth, a new album from a garage rock trio that understands the value of a short fuse. Guitarist and vocalist Mick Vale,…The Best Rock Playlist for a Rainy Day in a Mountain CabinRain changes the shape of a mountain escape. The bush turns dark green, the roof becomes percussion, and every crackle from the fire seems to land between…When the Riff Made Riders Slow DownFew songs turn a road accident into such a vivid piece of pop mythology as “Leader of the Pack”. The Shangri-Las’ 1964 hit follows a young woman, a rebellious…The Greatest Live Rock Tracks That Were Accidentally RecordedThe most exciting live rock recordings often begin with a technical compromise, a borrowed tape machine or a microphone nobody expected to become historically…Why The Stranglers Took Their 1981 Tour UndergroundThe final night of The Stranglers’ 1981 run has acquired an almost mythical quality: after months of theatres, halls and hard-driven club dates, the band…The Art of the Rock Album’s Hidden TrackA hidden track is a small act of mischief built into an album. It rewards patience, confuses the running time, and turns the listener’s final moments with a…When National Parks Become Rock Song TitlesRock has always been drawn to places that feel larger than ordinary life. A national park supplies instant atmosphere: red stone, high country, desert heat,…