Jump to content
Hamer Fan Club Message Center

Grimm Pickins

Supporter
  • Posts

    65
  • Joined

  • Last visited

About Grimm Pickins

  • Birthday 04/26/1974

Previous Fields

  • guitars
    2001 Hamer Newport
  • amps
    Gibson GA-20RVT
  • fx
    Rackmount Ibanez Delay, Volume Pedal, Musician's Junkyard Guitar B-Que

Contact Methods

  • Website URL
    http://

Profile Information

  • Location
    Springfield, VT
  • Interests
    Wrangling six strings, eight strings, and general deviltry in a twang rawk setting... Honky Tonk Psychobilly Western Swing...<br /><br />Cooking (I sling saute pans by day), Folklore/Mythology/Archeology (Celtic/Slavic), gaming...

Recent Profile Visitors

1,127 profile views

Grimm Pickins's Achievements

Member

Member (1/4)

0

Reputation

  1. Well, you didn't ask me... but I can't resist: I'm very fond of "Once Sent From the Golden Hall", it does reek of that Bathory battle-viking vibe (which I think is quite enjoyable)... The second is harder, "Versus The World" perhaps? Dave
  2. They are from Stockholm Sweden. I'm not into this kind of music, but it's cool that the have fans around the globe. The real vikings were som tough bastards, so I guess music that takes influences from them must be hard. May the true Gods of Valhalla be with them! I thought everyone from Sweden loved melodic death metal I knew they were from Sweden, I wasn't aware it was Stockholm (though if I HAD to guess, I suppose it would be close to the top). They tour A LOT, which is true of many metal acts overseas - and Hel knows that some of our best make their cash in Europe (Iced Earth, I'm looking at you). Sweden produces a lot of fine metal, Norway produces a lot of creepy musicians (Varg alone takes the cake), and Finland somehow conjures up shredders and metal squeeze boxers... What's going on over there in the northlands, is it something in the water? If so, can I have some? Dave/Grimm
  3. Heh, Amon Amarth is one of my favorite metal acts - they are equally as tight and, umm, barbaric live. I am a pretty big fan of European metal, not many American acts - there is a larger movement of bands in this style, which is usually tagged "Pagan Metal". There are folk based metal acts like Eluveitie and Finntroll for those who are kind of put off by this level of Cookie Monster. The vocal technique is not easy, and smoking is a detriment (though countless metal singers do so). It's certainly an acquired taste, but I can actually pick out most words when I listen... Dave
  4. Violin (5-string & electric included) and Uillean Irish Pipes. I tried violin and was scared away from the Irish bagpipe by a friend who plays. I hate stringed instruments that I can't "figure out" in a few hours (I play mandolin fairly seriously, so violin fingerings were no problem but that DAMNED bow). I'd like to say voice, but any attention I've ever gotten has been by singing "badly". Tom Waits, Screamin' Jay, Death Metal - that's not good voice work, it's emotion. So, I fear, if I sang well I'd suddenly be singing stuff I could care less about Dave
  5. This both drives me insane and makes me a happy player - I just can't afford the new prices, as much as I feel they are truly worth it. When I eventually go down that road, I'll make sure it's one to never part with... My first Hamer was a late 90s Studio, which I bought from a music store I worked at (new) - after playing it, I didn't complain about the price (which was better with my discount) - I was also unaware of anyone playing them until I bought one (I had seen a few ads in Guitar Player). The store, of course, stopped carrying Hamer as they didn't move well, everyone wanted one of the big two logos on their headstock. I gave them shit for not trying harder, but they all played Fenders and Gibsons themselves. I held onto that guitar longer than any other axe, probably 5-6 years - only giving it up to buy a "metal axe" upon moving to Vermont (when I came here, the only players I found immediately were heavy rockers). I regret the day I sold it for an early Japanese Jackson (Kelly). I also miss my Bluesbreaker Marshall (possibly the worst tube amp for metal, YMMV). I was on the board during those days, but I went away in shame... and went through endless lackluster axes searching for the elusive "tone". I also remember how badly I wanted a Newport when they first hit... It took me 10 years, but I eventually went for it... Again, I really don't know of any "famous" musicians playing those... I got distracted by Gretsch, who have a huge roster. Know what? My Newport does rockabilly as well as a entry level 6120, and has fewer problems with fit and finish. Any cats playing them in rockabilly? Nope, 'fraid not. Why? Other than hero worship and the shallow body depth, I really can't say... Even Sparrow has made a serious in-road into that arena, and not just for the Big Daddy. It is a pitiful shame that assembly lined, mass produced instruments that are inferior (IMHO) hold their value better - and actually gain value. I've never played a neck I like more, and the only other guitar I miss as much as that Studio was my old Rickenbacker 330 Custom... I could rant on this, like most of you, for quite some time. I'm not certain that Hamer really wants the attention, though I wonder where Fender will stand on that... Grimm
  6. Hmmm... Greatest influence? That's tough... there are too many... but... if I had to choose one... Guitar-wise, however, it's probably Richard Thompson or Brian Setzer. Unknown Hinson earns a very honorable mention. I'm very caught up in the spooky edge of roots rawk, as you might guess. Grimm Dave Odd when this happens, as I constantly get the same comparison - I've had at least a dozen people compare my playing to Mark Knopfler. I rarely listen to Dire Straits and I've never owned an album. I have no problem with Mark (I do admit to liking his guitar tone, since the comparisons started - I guess similar taste in amps/guitars), but it always strikes me as weird that I "sound like him". I'm guessing that these types of situations happen due to common influence and taste. Nobody misses (or gets wrong) the Tom Waits influence when I open my mouth to sing... err... caterwaul. Grimm Dave
×
×
  • Create New...