Gruno

For the past year, I've helped produce some new releases for Kevin Gilbert. THUD is his 1995 masterpiece. In honor of its 20th anniversary, we present this 3 CD set & 2 LP set. They are limited to 1000 units (500 CD sets/500 CD/LP set combo) and these will sell out. There will be no repressing of this title. If you are on the fence about purchasing this, don't hesitate too long.

www.StudioGruno.com

I love skulls & crossbones except pirate-style. Skeletons are okay.

It's the one's in the closets that some fear. For some people -- they should ;)

Here is 2012! Happy New Year!

I had to remove some of the posts from the last year on this blog. It appears some, especially from overseas, are stealing my photos (of musicians) to use elsewhere. Some say, "It is the internet -- it is for everyone." and silly things like that. That seems to be the way of the 20-somethings out there these days. Not all of them, but some I encounter. I don't understand their thinking.

Photos are very much like music: they are owned by someone. I have legally copyrighted all my photos and I use a watermark when posting them online. When I post the pics, I ask those viewing to not share them with anyone else unless they get my approval first. Not only do some not respect that, they seem to go further and bad mouth me and/or my photography. I find it quite fascinating that they will say bad things about me, yet, they steal what I have created.

So, to those that have enjoyed my photography -- thank you! I am sorry the few have ruined it for others. I had planned on keeping within the series of posts I started back in August with regular photo updates. I recently went through 20,000+ photos from my archives. Sadly, those images will not get a public viewing -- ever.

Those that know me personally, don't worry -- I have started to compile physical coffee-table-style books to feature some of the best images from the last 20+ years. From concerts to traveling to family to weather -- it will all be represented.

The next time you come across the "Studio Gruno" logo or  "Goblynz Groove Media" logo on photos that are located on someone's blog, FaceBook page, website, etc., -- chances are good that they didn't get permission from me to post them. 

Getting ready for the Tears For Fears tour. Rehearsals start this weekend, but the work has started long ago. I will be penning some notes and photos here on this blog from time to time during the tour. Of course, with the rigors of touring, posting may not be as easy as one may think. Also, when touring out of the United States, we are at the mercy of local internet speed and system.

Amy Winehouse passed away this weekend. Tragic? It is up to you to decide. I am not about to debate her music or lifestyle. What is ridiculous is the way people jump to Twitter, FaceBook, and social media in general, to post about her passing. It's not the sentiment that I am questioning. No. What I do question are the voices behind the postings.

The mass killings in Norway was the top news this weekend, yet, as soon as it was announced that Amy Winehouse was found dead, people immediately jumped on the bandwagon to post and re-post music videos and the news of her death. Some carried on as if they had lost their own daughter. I do understand that music can be personal to some, including me. The people who I am singling out know who they are -- that is, if they stepped back a sec to check themselves. I am not the Posting Police™ and to be honest, I use social media very, very sparingly.

Some people travel with a flat stanley to document their travels. I opted for The Boss. Is he a stuffed animal? Is he a keychain? I've been told that he is my tchotchke. To me, he's just a cool little gorilla that gets to hang out with fun people all around the world.

The Boss in Las Vegas, Nevada:

Adelaide, Australia with Charlton Pettus (Tears For Fears):

Denver, Colorado with Ed Kowalczyk (LIVE):

Penfold's Winery-Australia:

Chaz Martin (The Kory Carter Experience) in Australia:

members of Spandau Ballet's road crew in Auckland, New Zealand:

Another year, another NAMM convention under my belt. This year marked my 24th consecutive NAMM show. NAMM is the National Association of Music Merchants; a non-public trade show for those involved in the music industry. Winter session is held each year in January at the Anaheim Convention Center, which is located directly across the street from Disneyland.

All the major music manufacturers are there to promote their products to current and potential retail outlets. Musicians are there to represent the companies that endorse them. There are also special concerts and presentations throughout the weekend.

NAMM now has a special 4-hour media preview day to kick-off the convention. One of the media events had Phil Collen (Def Leppard) promoting his guitar line and music application for the iPad:

Vinnie Vincent has not been at NAMM since 1987. This year marked the return of him, so to speak; the unveiling of his ridiculously expensive guitar line:

Robin Zander, lead singer of Cheap Trick:

l-r: Lita Ford; Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme); Jeff Pilson (Dokken); George Lynch (Dokken)

NAMM wouldn't be the same without a Gene Simmons display: