Quick Takes: Van Halen, Tom Morello, Alex Lifeson, & Kirk Hammett, Guns N’ Roses

David Lee Roth revealed that he in fact designed Eddie Van Halen's signature red, white, and black Stratocaster — commonly referred to as the “Frankenstrat.” Roth posted a video after uploading one of his paintings that bore a distinct resemblance to the iconic axe, in which he expalined, “We've been getting a lot of cards and letters — digitally, so to speak — in regards to (the fact) that there's similarities between my work and the stripes on Eddie's guitar, and that's because it's my work.”
He went on to explain that around 1975 or '76 he brought a roll of gray duct tape, black electrician’s tape and blue art tape into band rehearsal to create the guitar's unique design: “We laid it down and kaboom. Within like four minutes, I laid it out.” (Ultimate Classic Bands)
Out now is “I Have Seen the Way” — Tom Morello's new collaboration with Rush's Alex Lifeson and Metallica's Kirk Hammett. The tune is from Morello's latest solo set, The Atlas Underground Flood, with the track also featuring electronic dance music artist Dr. Fresch.
- Back in April, Alex Lifeson was quoted by Loudwire as saying, “I really loved doing it. He said, 'Put whatever you want on it — the more, the merrier.' He was going to give it to Kirk Hammett to do the same thing. . . Being the contrarian, I did all of (different styles of guitar playing), not just heavy rock stuff. We were all talking to each other while we were doing it, and we just had such a riot. I sent my stuff in, and it went to Kirk then, and he sent his stuff in.” (Loudwire)
Guns N' Roses has just dropped the lyric video for “Hard Skool” — the title track to their upcoming EP due out on February 22nd. The Hard Skool tracklisting is: “Hard Skool,” “ABSUЯD,” “Don't Cry (Live),” and “You're Crazy (Live).” (Blabbermouth)
- Guns fans have been aware of the “ABSUЯD” track for some time now, as it was originally recorded under the working title of “Jackie Chan” during the band's sessions for their last album, 2008's Chinese Democracy.