Rod Brakes

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Rod Brakes is a music journalist with an expertise in guitars. Having spent many years at the coalface as a guitar dealer and tech, Rod's more recent work as a writer covering artists, industry pros and gear includes contributions for leading publications and websites such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar World, Guitar Player and MusicRadar in addition to specialist music books, blogs and social media. He is also a lifelong musician.

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Latest articles by Rod Brakes

Watch Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp’s Tantalizing “Venus in Furs” Visualizer

By Rod Brakes published 23 June 22

Video The Velvet Underground cover is the latest teaser from the stars' collaborative new album ’18.’

Video

Richie Foray performs "Walking in Memphis" from his album 'In the Country'

Buffalo Springfield and Poco Founder Richie Furay Shares Immaculate “Walking in Memphis” Performance Video

By Rod Brakes published 22 June 22

Video The country-rock pioneer drops another track from his highly anticipated new album ‘In the Country.’

Video

Punk Goes Acoustic as Dropkick Murphys Gear Up to Release Collaborative Woody Guthrie Album ‘This Machine Still Kills Fascists’

By Rod Brakes published 22 June 22

Celtic rockers pay homage to the “original punk” with an unplugged recording featuring lyrics curated by daughter Nora Guthrie.

Watch Blues Master Kirk Fletcher’s "Afraid to Die, Too Scared to Live" Music Video

By Rod Brakes published 22 June 22

Video The guitarist drops soulful lead single from forthcoming album ‘Heartache by the Pound.’

Video

Todd Rundgren performing at Maritime Hall in San Francisco on June 11, 2000.

Watch Todd Rundgren’s Buck Wild "No. 1 Lowest Common Denominator" Guitar Solo

By Rod Brakes published 22 June 22

Video The Renaissance man of rock paints a surreal sonic landscape in this furious performance.

Video

Watch Greg Howe Shred on the GP ‘No Guitar is Safe’ Podcast

By Rod Brakes, Jude Gold published 16 June 22

Video The formidable virtuoso unleashes a barrage of licks and tricks from his considerable arsenal.

Video

Take a Bow with the New Electro-Harmonix STRING9 String Ensemble

By Rod Brakes published 16 June 22

The latest EHX 9 Series pedal brings a virtual string section to your pedalboard.

Gibson Unveils the Everly Brothers SJ-200

By Rod Brakes published 15 June 22

Brothers Phil and Don are posthumously honored with another signature flat-top.

Leo Nocentelli performs live on stage with American funk group the Meters in London in 1976

“That Song is Phenomenal”: Leo Nocentelli Reveals the Origins of the Meters Classic “Cissy Strut”

By Rod Brakes published 15 June 22

Video Watch Gibson’s revealing interview where the funk guitar legend talks about the genesis of this timeless number.

Video

“It is the Dream Job”: Duran Duran Star Andy Taylor Reflects Upon His Life as a Guitarist

By Rod Brakes published 15 June 22

Video Watch this fascinating interview filmed at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios.

Video

#LicksByLoi Shred Sensation Loida Liuzzi Launches Instrumental Solo Debut, 'The Journey'

By Rod Brakes published 15 June 22

Paraguay’s rising star of rock guitar collabs with Greg Howe, Pete Thorn and Marco Minnemann.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Guitar Amps of the 1970s

By Rod Brakes, Chris Gill, Art Thompson published 14 June 22

Take a trip down memory lane with the decade’s brightest (and dullest) hopefuls.

Rory Gallagher’s School of Blues

By Rod Brakes, Stefan Grossman published 14 June 22

This archive gem could be the best free guitar lesson you’ve ever had.

Theresa Wayman performs at Primavera Sound Festival on June 03, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

“I’m Excited to Keep Honing the Tone”: Warpaint’s Theresa Wayman On Her Ever-Evolving Live Sound

By Rod Brakes last updated 14 June 22

GP catches up with the guitarist on tour following the release of new album, ‘Radiate Like This.’

Jazz Guru Bill Frisell’s Top Ten Tips For Guitarists

By Rod Brakes last updated 13 June 22

The Grammy-winning master offers some of the best wisdom any musician could hope to hear.

This Could Be the Funkiest Finish on a Vintage Archtop You’ve Ever Seen

By Rod Brakes published 13 June 22

This rare 1964 custom color Gibson Super 400 is top-of-the-line and looking fine!

Listen to Eric Johnson’s New Dual Single Releases

By Rod Brakes published 10 June 22

The Grammy-award winning guitarist says his latest material has a “certain personal magic.”

Adrian Quesada ‘Boleros Psicodélicos’ album artwork

Black Pumas Founder Adrian Quesada Releases Psychedelic Balada Masterpiece, ‘Boleros Psicodélicos’

By Rod Brakes published 3 June 22

The Grammy-winning guitarist’s latest takes a deeply soulful trip to the golden era of Latin America's ‘60s and ‘70s.

Taylor Guitars Master Builder Andy Powers Named President and CEO

By Rod Brakes published 3 June 22

Powers will also continue as Taylor’s Chief Guitar Designer.

Meridith Brooks performing on June 14th, 2003 in Oklahoma City.

“I Always Think of ‘Bitch’ as the Resurrection Song”: Meredith Brooks Prepares to be Honored at Today’s She Rocks Awards

By Rod Brakes published 2 June 22

We catch up with the GP cover star as she celebrates the 25th anniversary of her iconic smash at this year’s event.

Carmen Vandenberg of the band Bones poses for a portrait at The Hudson in Los Angeles, California in June 5, 2018.

“I Spent So Much Time Trying Not to Be Seen as a Female Guitarist”: Carmen Vandenberg Talks Identity, Role Models and the Rollercoaster Life of a Musician

By Rod Brakes published 1 June 22

GP speaks to the Jeff Beck and Bones UK guitarist as she prepares to be honored at this year’s She Rocks Awards.

Lzzy Hale of Halestorm performs on stage at The SSE Hydro on November 24, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland.

“That Act of Defiance Became My Superpower“: Host of 2022’s She Rocks Awards Lzzy Hale Talks Finding Her Voice as a Female Artist

By Rod Brakes published 30 May 22

The frontwoman of Grammy-winning hard rockers Halestorm looks forward to spreading the love again at this year’s prestigious awards.

Gretchen Menn plays a Martin SC-10E while performing during the final of Martin and Guitar World's 2022 No Limits Challenge

Watch Gretchen Menn Win the Final of Martin and Guitar World’s No Limits Challenge With This Jaw Dropping Live Performance

By Rod Brakes published 27 May 22

Video The Zepparella guitarist claims victory with an acoustic original performed using a Martin SC-10E.

Video

Taylor Reworks Renowned 700 Series With Ethically Sourced Hawaiian Koa

By Rod Brakes published 27 May 22

The flat-top titan reveals a fresh look, sound and feel with an exciting range of new koa acoustics.

Guitar Center’s Epic Memorial Day Sale Has Started!

By Rod Brakes published 26 May 22

Don’t miss out on this incredible range of deals from Fender, Martin, Epiphone, Vox, Boss, Gretsch and more.

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