An acquaintance, who at the time was doing tech work for the latest incarnation of Guns N' Roses (aka Axl & The Fill in the Blanks), told me about a guy in the guitar slot on the current tour.

Said his name was Bumblefoot , played very well and that I should check him out.
Never being a fan of GN'R anyway (especially *Axl who to me smelled like a schmuck from day one ), I thought to myself, "This can't be good."

Anyway, after checking out the band website and a few videos on YouTube I became more interested in this Bumblefoot character whose actual name is Ron Thal.
What I picked up was that this fellow did play very well but more importantly didn't take himself that seriously (ala Yngwie)...



...On this YouTube clip he's asked to play his "favorite song" and launches into These Eyes


The unique Bumblefoot Guitar (designed by Ron, made by Vigier Guitars) used in the video...



...has wings that "spread" when pressure is applied to the vibrato bar.


He has been playing and building (or reconstructing) guitars since about 1978.

What really got my attention was the Normal album...



...features backing vocals from 24-7 Spyz.

Normal brings you into the world of an insane musician who takes medication and experiences what it's like to be 'normal' for the first time - but the medicine silences his ability to make music. Eventually he must choose which life he wants. The songs on Normal follow his journey, leaving you to ponder, "What's 'normal,' anyway?"

http://www.bumblefoot.com/index2.htm


Instead of the typical metal meanderings that I anticipated, it turns out that he's got a true penchant for Pop melodies/harmonies with a satire fueled lyrical perspective.


Rockstar For A Day

I just turned 19 for the 16th time
Posing with bottles of the finest wine
I'm only seen with people just like me
So rich that we get everything for free
Spouting politics from my limosine
Because you care - About the product in my hair
About the clothes I'm gonna wear
To the event where we congratulate ourselves

I wanna be a rockstar for a day - I want my 15 minutes of fame
But I've got face that's made for radio - And my body's a disgrace
I wanna be a rockstar for a day - I wanna get botox in LA
'Cause I've got a face that's made for radio - And a voice that's made for... I don't know
But you'll love me anyway

So tell me tell me tell me - am i great?
Will you tattoo my CD cover on your face?
So do you wanna win a date with me?
We can talk all night about me me me? me?
Sitting by candlelight telling stories about by care
Because you care - About the product in my hair
About the clothes I'm gonna wear
To the event where we congratulate ourselves

I wanna be a rockstar for a day - I want my 15 minutes of fame
But I've got face that's made for radio - And I never could get laid
So I wanna be a rockstar for a day - I'm gonna get a pornstar for a date
But I've got a face that's made for radio - And a voice that's made for... I don't know
But you'll love me anyway

All of my entourage can join my fanclub membership
And get a year free for 1 friend & my autographed guitar pick
As for the ugly rumors they're all started by my publicist
And yes it's true - I was born on the moon and have 3000 kids
My contribution to humanity is saying I'm part of it
And when I sneeze it's history - in a century you'll read about it
Because you care - so let's congratulate ourselves.

I wanna be a rockstar for a day I want my 15 minutes of fame
But I've got face that's made for radio - And my body's a disgrace
So I wanna be a rockstar for a day - Got implants everywhere except my brain
'Cause I've got a face that's made for radio - And a voice that's made for... I don't know
And my songs are kinda lame - Tomorrow you'll forget my name
But you'll love me for today - But you'll love me anyway
Yeah ya love me anyway


Ron Thal co-produced (w/Jimi Hazel) the 24-7 Spyz release...



...Face The Day.


He's also a volunteer for the MS Research Foundation.

http://www.bumblefoot.com/index.htm
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*Sidebar:
I will give the guy credit for using the music industry's greed and stupidity against them.
What's the figure now? Is it $13 million he's squeezed out of Geffen over more than a decade for the vapor-album Chinese Democracy?
Nice work if you can get it.

And you wonder why the industry is filling the airwaves with nothing but easily controlled Pop-Puppets.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

The Color Of Justice

Good luck in the afterlife – don’t forget to bring your suntan lotion
Good luck in the afterlife – don’t forget to bring an ice cool ocean
Thank you for the vision of truth – you’ve shown me the world like I’d never seen
How right and wrong are clear as day – but the color of justice is green

Good luck in the afterlife – don’t forget to bring what ya got paid to
Good luck in the afterlife – don’t forget the pictures of those poisoned by you
Thank you for making me stare into the dark and focus on the ugliest scene
Where right and wrong are too clear to see and all you’re looking for is green

Good luck in the afterlife – don’t forget to rot in your empty shell
Good luck in the afterlife – don’t forget the way you made this life Hell
Thank you for the taste of blood pressed from the life between my teeth
When right and wrong were chewed away – and you left the taste of grief

Remember all the people you showed no love to.
Remember all the people you drove to hate you.
Remember all the people you were a disease to.
Remember all the people you wouldn’t say please to.
Remember all the people that offered compassion.
Remember all the people that you turned your back on.
Remember when you sold your last decency
When you’re done, remember me.



Almost forgot about...



...the fretless guitar. Another collaboration with Vigier Guitars.



tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431