2 NEW PEDALS

I've added a couple of pedals to my board. First off the Boss DD-20 has gone and been replaced by the T-Rex Reptile. Secondly I've added a T-Rex Mudhoney, which provides another overdrive option.

Loving both pedals, the Mudhoney provides a much more compressed overdrive/gain than I've had before. I've had a few gain pedals over the years, but none with such a compressed tone as this one. I expect I'll use this for more sludgy/fuzz type tones. The Reptile is the best Delay I've owned. I was bored with the DD-20, decent pedal, I just didn't use half the features, just tended to leave it on 330ms on the analogue setting. Made sense to get rid and replace it with an analogue pedal. Well happy so far.

Delays I've owned: Boss DD-6, Boss DD-2, Boss DD-20

Overdrive pedals I've owned: Durham Electronics Crazy Horse, Marshall Shredmaster, Proco Rat, Modded Proco Rat, Boss OD-20 Drive Zone (awful pedal - what was I thinking?).

Which show how much of a pedal fanatic I am. Currently looking for one more pedal to fill that gap next to the MXR Phase 90. Not sure yet what I want.

A WEEK OF GIGS

Well that was some week, seen four bands and have to say I was impressed with them all. First off, last Sunday went down to Nottingham to see Dead Confederate and The Whigs at Bodega's Social Club. I've wanted to see Dead Confederate for quite a while and missed them on their last UK tour. They were excellent and are even better live than on record. Support band The Whigs are also great and I picked up their CD which has been getting a lot of plays.

On Thursday I saw Californian band Or, The Whale at an empty New Roscoe in Leeds. The bands gave a great performance, there four part harmonies went down a storm with the hand full of people who made the effort to turn up. Had a chat with them afterwards and they're great people. Definitely a band I'll go and see again.

On Friday went to a sold out Cockpit to see The Boxer Rebellion who were outstanding. There's a real buzz around this band and I reckon they'll make it big this year. Judging by the crowds response they've already done so in Leeds. An excellent gig.

SOME NEW ALBUMS I'VE BOUGHT

1. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

As different as any PJ Harvey release is going to be, you really never know what you are going to get. This is a strong set of songs with a war theme throughout, don't let that put you off, there are some great tunes on this album.

2. The Greenhornes - "****"

60's pop with crunchy guitar from the bass guy from the Dead Weather and the Raconteurs. Great stuff.

3. Arbouretum - The Gathering

Fuzz ridden Americana, touches of Rust Never Sleeps side 1. Going to have to try and catch these guys in Manchester in a couple of weeks.

4. The Twilight Singers - Dynamite Steps

Greg Dulli by numbers. That ain't a bad thing as I love his stuff, though nothing new here, just more dark pop from the ex Afghan Whigs main man.

5. The Whigs - In The Dark

I saw these guys supporting Dead Confederate on Sunday and was really impressed with them live. The album is a bit of a let down and doesn't come close to capturing their awesome live sounds. Still some good tracks and hopefully a sign of better things to come.