Latest news with #Fender
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Khruangbin's Laura Lee and Mark Speer on Recreating Their Signature Strat and Bass With Fender — But in Extremely Limited Quantities: ‘It Would be Weird for Everyone to Have Our Guitars'
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. When Fender reached out to Khruangbin's Laura Lee and Mark Speer — the wig-donning guitarists of the Texas-based, genre-blurring band — with the opportunity to create brand new, custom versions of their Stratocaster and Bass, it didn't even cross their mind that they would design instruments that were different than the ones they've played on stage for more than a decade. More from Variety Fender's Iconic Stratocaster and Telecaster Guitars Get Rare Discount in Surprise Online Sale Fender Teams With Jack White, Finneas and Blu DeTiger on Signature Guitars, Bass and Amplifier Khruangbin Brings It Back to Basics With the Low-Key Majesty of 'A La Sala': Album Review 'I think we literally handed them our instruments and just said 'Make it look like this,'' Speer tells Variety over Zoom. 'It's just what I've been used to. Picking up other guitars I'm like, 'This feels a little different.' There's a distinct clunkiness to the guitar I play and [Fender] was able to accommodate that for me, thank goodness.' 'For us, the most epic guitar that we could put out in the world is the one that we play,' Lee adds. 'And so the reason that we like it is because it's ours.' The storied guitar manufacturer, who has created custom instruments for everyone from Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton to George Harrison, is still going strong in partnering with contemporary musicians. Most recently, they've partnered with who released a custom Player II Telecaster and Brad Paisley on a restored version of a 1967 Telecaster. In the 1940s, Fender revolutionized the industry with the release of the Telecaster (the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar), the Stratocaster and the Precision Bass. So, for Lee and Speer, widely respected in the industry for their distinctive playing style on electric guitar and bass, respectively, the collaboration made perfect sense. While Speer thought the process of recreating his Strat — 'verbatim,' as he says — would be relatively easy, he realized during the process that one of his favorite aspects of his guitar was the outcome of a manufacturing mistake when it was first made in the early 2000s. ''Well, I like it like that,' he recalls telling the Fender design team. 'So it needs to be that.'' The result is the Mark Speer Stratocaster, featuring an Aged Natural ash body, custom-wired DiMarzio Pro Track pickups and a vintage-style synchronized tremolo. Packed with a Custom 'C' neck, jumbo frets and minimalist aesthetic, it's tailored for Speer's expressive tone and fluid, psychedelic playing style. The Strat, which Speer has fondly compared to a DJ console in its ability to change EQ, is at the core of Khruangbin's genre-bending style. 'That's what the guitar is able to do for me,' he says, noting its influence on the very deep jazz-like qualities to the brighter, pluckier tones you hear in Khruangbin's music. 'I'm used to it. I don't really like playing on other guitars. I'm sorry to say, but I just like this one and I know how this paintbrush works.' Lee, meanwhile, found her musical sensibility through her bass, which she's had since 2009. When she began the recreation process with Fender, she wanted it to feel as approachable to new players as she felt when she first began playing. 'It's a really easy, it's not too complicated,' she says of the Fender release. 'It's comfy and I hope that it's warm to people.' The Laura Lee Jazz Bass arrives in a Vintage White finish with matching headstock and gold pickguard. Built with DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups, concentric volume/tone controls, and a Custom 'U' neck, it's a playful, precision-crafted instrument that reflects her minimalist, dub-inspired approach. Aside from essentially creating near replicas of their worn-in instruments, another non-negotiable for the pair was making sure their custom six-strings would only be released in limited quantities. 'I don't want to just have a bazillion guitars that look just like mine flooding the marketplace,' Speer says. 'I know some people make heavy changes to their signature model but that is my guitar. It would be weird to have everyone have my guitar.' Of course, if you're fast enough, you can get your hands on Lee and Speer's exact Fender Strat and Bass. Shop the limited-edition guitars below: Buy Now $1,499.99 $1,499.99 Buy Now $1,499.99 $1,499.99 Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mark Speer's celebrated playing style is due to playing him only one guitar for over two decades
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Genre-blenders Khruangbin may have transitioned from psych-tinged instrumental upstarts to an arena-ready trio with a bulging repertoire and a Grammy nomination to boot – but guitarist Mark Speer still leans on the trusty Stratocaster that has accompanied him from day one (i.e. the past two decades or so): an early 2000s reissue. 'If someone handed me their guitar I'd be like, 'Wow, what a nice instrument,' but I won't sound very good on it,' he tells 'I'm used to mine. I'm not a guitar player – I play that guitar. I've been using that one thing for the whole time. I know exactly where certain notes are going to sing more than others. 'Or if I play here versus here, I can really control the timbre of where things are happening and why – the volume knob, things that I do against the gain structure, it's all part of the voice. Really, it's my voice, right?' Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Speer's recently-announced signature model with Fender is a near-replica of what he plays on the daily – with a '70s Strat pickup sandwiched between DiMarzio Pro TrackTMs, jumbo frets, Graph Tech saddles and string trees, and a Custom 'C'-shape neck with a 7.25' radius – packaged in an Aged Natural finish. 'The guitar is very similar to my main one and that was the whole point,' he adds. 'It also feels the same way. The bit that routes the body out – it was a discontinued way they used to do it. They were very kind to bring that back. I think they just went and found the bit and put it back on the router to make it.' Speaking of signature models, his bandmate Laura Lee has also released her own – marking the first time Fender has simultaneously released a signature electric guitar and bass for two members of the same band.
Metro
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Sam Fender is a rare solution to the fight against toxic masculinity
Newcastle's St James' Park was a sea of black and white this weekend. But this time, flags were not waving for Eddie Howe's Toon Army, but a 30-year-old lad from North Shields called Sam Fender, who by now, everyone – even Southerners – have heard of. Fender is nothing short of a local hero. No other artist has the ability to galvanise a whole city into uniformed celebration like Fender does with Newcastle. More importantly, though: he's making boys cry. In the crowd on Thursday's opening night of the Seventeen Going Under hitmaker's homecoming weekend, I rolled my eyes on seeing we had landed next to a group of teenage boys who were probably the most drunk they'd ever been. There was no escape, as they flung themselves around, pissing on the ground to dodge the queues (which were 100,000x worse for women, by the way), and slobbering as they swayed. Harmless kids, I knew, when I heard one tell the other off for swearing – 'There's kids here!' – before, in classic Geordie style, a bald man informed them, 'You are the kids!' as a chuckle of appreciation spread to those nearby. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But understanding turned into tenderness for these lost, foolish boys, when Spit of You rang around the arena, and a thundering chorus of bass, tenor and alto voices joined in. It's a song about boys and their dads. 'I can talk to anyone, I can't talk to you,' boomed throughout the arena, and these boys sobbed. 'Come here ya dafty,' said one, hugging his friend, who at this point was inconsolable. It was refreshing – and surprising – to see young boys embracing each other and pouring their hearts out like us girls have done for so many years. While we'll never know what in their own lives triggered this overflow of emotion, Fender has clearly found the male heartstring with his guitar pick. He does it time and time again with his lyrics, in Seventeen Going Under when he talks of his younger self 'spiralling in silence', in Dead Boys, and The Borders. Other male musicians have shown their emotions, sure – with Lewis Capaldi opening up about his mental health and Robbie Williams getting real with fans in tender documentaries and heartfelt films. Ed Sheeran is also a young Brit being real about his feelings. But, let's face it: Robbie is for the women more than the men. Lewis Capaldi and Ed are for both. Here's the difference: while many women enjoy Fender, his most evocative songs are speaking largely to men. They desperately need this. And he knows it: Fender embraces his role as defacto mouthpiece for forgotten working class boys. This became clear in his recent interview with The Times, in which he discussed the topic of toxic masculinity, while many famous men would go wide-eyed and quiet at the topic. In it, Fender sparked controversy by saying this country's failure to examine class as a privilege, like we do with white, male and straight privilege, is leading these impressionable young boys to 'demagogues like Andrew Tate'. The People Watching hitmaker emphasised that 'white boys from nowhere towns' are being fed a 'narrative' where they're 'being shamed all the time and made to feel like they're a problem'. 'People preach to some kid in a pit town in Durham who's got f*** all and tell him he's privileged? Then Tate tells him he's worth something? It's seductive,' he said. It's a sweeping statement: it's problematic to assume boys are being pulled like a lifeless rope in a tug of war between sensible discussions about privilege and raging misogyny. They can think, after all. It is also uncomfortable to think of Fender showing Johnny Depp the bright lights of Newcastle off the back of his ugly defamation trial with Amber Heard (while Depp was cleared in the US of allegations of domestic abuse, he was not in UK courts two years prior). So no: Fender is by no means a perfect role model. He's entirely imperfect. But he's trying – and he's also right. Working class boys in the North are victims of governmental neglect. They are victims of British classism, just like their sisters. More Trending The difference is that while teenage girls of any class can furiously bond through tears, Taylor Swift lyrics, and late night sleepover chats in often deeply open friendships, the emotional weight of a teenage boy is carried mostly by him. I hope this is changing. But it's worth remembering that while these 'white boys from nowhere towns' are more privileged than their sisters, they are also more alone. If Sam Fender can make boys feel, share, cry and hug like those teenage lads did on Thursday night, we must applaud him. By doing so, he is one of the most important artists of a generation, not just for boys, but for girls too. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Liverpool target £45m Newcastle United star after agreeing Florian Wirtz deal MORE: Jack Grealish posts update after being axed from Man City Club World Cup squad MORE: Joao Pedro's teammate drops bombshell over summer transfer after Chelsea interest
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Newcastle Utd hero joins Sam Fender on stage in front of 50,000 fans
Fender told the crowd that his three-night run at St James' Park, seen by 150,000 fans, had been the 'best weekend of his life' Geordie superstar Sam Fender was joined on stage by his hero 'Big Dan Burn' for the last hometown gig of his world tour. Fender told the crowd that his three-night run at St James' Park, seen by 150,000 fans, had been the 'best weekend of his life'. For his final night, he had some special guests, including the Newcastle United and England star Dan Burn. The giant defender arrived with the Carabao Cup in his hands to a hero's welcome from the 50,000-strong crowd. He was a hero on Tyneside after scoring the Toon's opening goal in the 2-1 victory over Liverpool in March. Fender gave Burn, 33, a hug before the pair raised the trophy to cheers from the fans. Burn left the stage but then came back to say: "Thank you mum and dad" before he departed once more. There were then a number of special guests, including Fender's elder brother Liam on keyboards. The singer's former guitar teacher Phil Martin also made a guest appearance, and a random 17-year-old fan plucked from the audience. There was a montage of childhood photos of the band on the giant stage screen to mark Father's Day, including a snap of Fender with his dad Alan, an electrician turned music teacher who was a huge influence on his career. The North Shields born singer and Martin stood side by side for a cover of Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back in Town". Easington Colliery Brass Band then appeared for 'Remember My Name' from the People Watching album, dedicated to the star's grandparents. At the end of the show, with a finale of fireworks and flames shooting through the night sky, Fender asked the crowd to donate to the charity Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres). The singer is supporting their work in Gaza, describing their medics as 'real life heroes'. He told the crowd that he could not believe it was his fifth show at St James, the home of Newcastle United. "I never thought that I would say that," he added. "I want to just to take that in. "Thank you for the best weekend of my life." His two shows in June, 2023, attracted around 100,000 fans and were credited with boosting the local economy by around £15m. Dan Burn made his Wembley cup final appearance and then had another dream come true when he was called up for England after getting some tips from the son of Jack Charlton. The People Watching Tour is moving to Silverstone on July 3, then the US, Canada and Australia. *
Otago Daily Times
13-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Part of Phillipps' collection at ReStore
Dunedin ReStore worker Grant McDougall displays treasures from the Martin Phillipps collection for sale. Photo: Gerard O'Brien A compendium of books, records, DVDs and other ephemera which belonged to Martin Phillipps is now for sale at ReStore. The founder of The Chills, who died in July last year aged 61, was also an avid reader, film viewer, music listener and collector. So it came as no surprise to Phillipps' family that there would be boxes of items to sort. But the sheer number of boxes of material surprised even them. Phillipps' sister Rachel Devereux said some of the items had been donated to former members of The Chills or those with family connections; and the more important records and items might find their way into the Hocken Collections. "We've had to take a careful approach, as Martin's collection includes many rare items. Fortunately, we've received invaluable support from Grant McDougall from ReStore and Bill from the former Scribes bookshop. "Their help in sorting through a significant portion of the collection has made the process more manageable." But there was still a treasure trove of material for sale, Ms Devereux said. "Martin cared about helping people and supporting good causes, so giving ReStore the opportunity to benefit from some of his treasures felt like something that would have made him happy." Slowly sorting through Phillipps' life had been "quite overwhelming, especially as we continue to come to terms with his loss", she said. "We've already donated over 20 banana boxes of items to ReStore, with another load being dropped off this weekend. "There's so much to carefully work through. A significant portion of his life's work will eventually be entrusted to New Zealand libraries." She said they had already given his leather jacket, Fender guitar and other special items to Tūhura Otago Museum, where they are now proudly on public display. "Martin had a long-standing connection with the Hocken Library in Dunedin, as has the rest of our family. "The library has already begun receiving some of his items and will eventually be entrusted with a significant portion of his estate to preserve and protect." Ms Devereux said she had often talked with her brother about what would happen with his collections. "He knew I would be the one to handle most of it, and we were always on the same page about that. "We both understood it would be a huge task, though I don't think I truly grasped just how overwhelming it would be." Saying goodbye to his beloved collection had been "incredibly tough", she said. "But it's something that needs to be done. Knowing that we can share his treasured items with friends, family and fans brings some comfort — that's what he wanted. "Going through his belongings is tough. Each item carries special memories and reminds me that he's no longer with us. He had so many plans and dreams left to fulfil, and it's heartbreaking to know that won't happen now."
