Not a new band, but I just discovered the downright demented guitar playing of Mattias IA Eklundh. After the first listen I was like "damn I really need to get me a Digitech Whammy." Come to find out, it's not a Whammy.... It's all done with harmonics! Crazy fool.
In the case that something terrible should happen to Tres Aardvark, I get first dibs on his chap.
All joking aside, I hope he gets well soon. Thats one hell of a story.
Vernon still has, and tours with, all of his Hamers including the E=MC2. BTW, check out Vernon Reid & Masque - Known Unknown released on Steve Vai's Favored Nations label. Its incredible! Not at all what I expected. Also... a new Living Colour record in the works.