Steve Cradock recruits Blackstar - July 2008
Blackstar are proud to announce Steve Cradock is using the Artisan 30 combos on tour with Paul Weller. The distinctive guitarist was among the first players Blackstar approached and Steve warmed to the amps beautiful tone straight away. Widely regarded as one of the most talented British guitarists, Cradock has taken a backline of two A30 combos and two Artisan 2x12 combos on Weller’s tour. The amps have also been seen on the band’s television appearances including, Later with Jools Holland and The Jonathon Ross Show. The tour continues in Japan, Australia and the USA.
Blackstar do Donington! - June 2008
It was a weekend of Heavy Metal at the UK Download festival, held at Donington Park. The line up including legends such as Judas Priest, Kiss and Saxon as well as The Lost Prophets, Biffy Clyro and Jimmy Eat World. In the midst of the festivities was a backstage warm up tent where the Blackstar team showed off the Artisan and HT Pedal line to artists. Ian Love from Rival Schools found exactly what he was looking for in the HT-BOOST pedal while the Rose Tattoo crew picked up extra cabinets to fill the stage with a wall of Blackstar! Other highlights included Dan P Carter from the Radio One show stopping by for a photo shoot by the amps and Haunts using two Artisan 30s during their set. Blackstar done Donington!
Rose Tattoo on tour - May 2008
Australian blues rockers Rose Tattoo are gearing up for a busy summer, which includes touring with UK Metal legends Iron Maiden and playing a host of rock festivals throughout Europe. Guitarist Dai Pritchard is a Blackstar user choosing Artisan 100 heads and cabinets combined with an HT-DUAL as his weapons of assault. For all the latest on Dai please visit his website www.daipritchard.com.
I Was A Cub Scout on tour in April - April 2008
Nottingham, England based I Was A Cub Scout embark on a UK tour with Get Cape Fly Cape in April. The two-man synthpop band consists of William Bowerman on drums and Todd Marriott on guitar and synths. Todd is using an Artisan 15 and Artisan 30 with an HT-DRIVE in front. Since forming in 2006, the band has gained popularity through increased airplay on BBC Radio 1 and MTV 2. Please visit the I Was A Cub Scout website for tour dates.
Big Jim Sullivan live at the Musik Messe - March 2008
The legendary Big Jim Sullivan was a guest at the Frankfurt Musik Messe. Big Jim did two clinics on the Friday and Saturday of the show using an Artisan 30 and HT-DRIVE pedal. The clarity of the amp complemented Big Jim’s fantastic playing technique. Credits for Big Jim are too long to list. Please check out his website for further details. Thanks to all at Peerless guitars.
Haunts touring with Blackstar - March 2008
Haunts embark on their UK tour in March. NME comments, ‘Haunts make music that recognizes the romance in tragedy and sees the glamour in failure, while their raucous live shows leave you in no doubt that you’ve witnessed the real deal.’ ‘...one of the most captivating things you’ll see this year.’ Guitarists Banks and Alex are both using Artisan 30 combos and HT Pedals. Blackstar highly recommends you catch the band at a town or city near you. Check out www.hauntslondon.com for all the tour dates.
Funeral For A Friend on Tour With Blackstar! -December 2007
Wales' finest rock quintet, Funeral For A Friend completed their sold out UK tour at the end of 2007. Blackstar caught the band in rehearsals for the tour and delivered two Artisan 30 combos and some 4x12 Blackstar cabinets. The decision was instant, out with the old combos and in with the Artisans for all the clean sounds. The award winning Artisans sounded awesome in Darran and Kris’s rigs and are now a permanent fixture in the band's backline.
Pat Travers Powered By Blackstar -January 2008
The legendary guitar maestro, Pat Travers, is among the latest artists to fly the Blackstar flag. On a recent US and UK tour, Pat used the Artisan 100 head while his guitar partner Kirk McKim used an Artisan 30 combo through a Blackstar 4x12 cabinet. Pat also plugged into an Artisan 30 at the prestigious Hilton Lobby after show party at the NAMM Show in LA. Pat’s reaction? ‘That’s the best amplifier I’ve ever plugged into! At last I can hear my eight thousand dollar guitar!’ Click on the link to the Blackstar MySpace page to see footage from the tour.
Photo Credit: Brookdale lodge photo by VIX PHOTOGRAPHY
A Blackstar of what you fancy -August 2007
A sunny August afternoon saw The Quireboys use a full Blackstar backline as they supported Status Quo at the Bedford in the Park Festival. Guitarists Paul Guerin, Guy Griffen and bass player Jimi Crutchley were so impressed with the Artisan amplifiers they were requested for this high profile show. Paul used an Artisan 100 through a Artisan 4 x12 with a HT- Dual pedal while Guy used the Artisan 30 combo through a Artisan 4 x12 and HT-Drive pedal, Jimi also stuck a HT-Boost pedal through his bass rig to add that big valve boom!. Paul commented after the show, "The Artisan sounds like a valve amp should sound, the clarity, warmth and above all the TONE is outstanding, this amp isn’t hiding behind a wall of fizz, it’s pure valve tone all the way".
Blackstar Hold Steady -July 2007
Blackstar Amplification were invited to the 10th Anniversary party of ‘Uncut’ magazine, held at the impressive IPC Media building in Southwark, London. As part of the celebrations The Hold Steady performed a 30 minute set. The gig was due to take place on the 11th floor roof top, but the English summer rain put an end to that
idea and the show was ushered in doors.
Vocalist and Guitarist Craig Finn from The Hold Steady used the ARTISAN 30 Watt combo during the set and the amp cut through like a dream. Craig commented, “that sounds great.”
The band was then rushed into a nearby splitter to take them to the Shepherds Bush Empire where they were headlining that night.
Thanks to all at Cato Music.
Photo credit: Terry Beasley
HT-DUAL is The Answer! -June 2007
The Answer’s guitar maestro Paul Mahon was looking for something to cut through and give his solos more drive, so the Blackstar team met up with Paul before the band’s warm-up show for Hyde Park. After trying a selection of our all-valve HT pedals the HT-DUAL proved perfect for Paul’s requirements. When we arrived for the show later that night the pedal had already found its way onto Paul’s pedal board and was then used the next day when the band supported Aerosmith at Hyde Park.
Thanks to The Answer and all the crew.
Photo credit: Dan Griffiths
FFAF Tell Blackstar Tales -March 2007
The Blackstar team met up with Welsh quintet, Funeral For A Friend at RAK studios in London earlier this year. The band were immediately impressed with the sturdy
stomp boxes of our all-valve HT Range and the pedals found their way onto the bands superb new album, ‘Tales Don’t Tell Themselves’.
Famed producer Gil Norton was working on the album and was blown away by the pedals, especially the ISF control, and took a set as a vital recording tool.
(see Artist quotes). When we met up with the band on tour a few months later we were pleased to see the pedals being used live by guitarist Darran Smith and
bassist Gareth Jones (check out the Artist Quotes page). Darran also became the first player to perform live with the ARTISAN 30 combo
at the Cambridge Corn Exchange gig in May.
Thanks to Funeral For A Friend and all crew and management. ‘Tales Don’t Tell Themselves’ is out now!
Blackstar are the bomb at Band Blitz -September 2007
Always keen to promote up and coming talent, Blackstar Amplification supported the Buckinghamshire Battle of the Bands competition throughout the summer. The Competition comprised of 5 heats with the winning band going through to a grand final. The quality of the bands was extremely high with Milton Keynes based ‘Aurora Shadow’ edging the top slot. All the bands were winners in our eyes. The guitarist from each band was awarded the prize of a HT Pedal that best suited their style. Please check out our myspace page to read comments from the bands involved.
ARTISTS NEWS
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