11 Publishing

[simonkeeping]

I've not posted this on here. I hope it's okay with the mods? I figured it might be of interest to some people on here.

I've been working on this book for around 4 years and finally published it in October last year.
http://www.11publishing.co.uk/sola-sound/

It's the illustrated history of the Tone Bender Fuzz pedal. I working on it with the Macari's who's family first created the pedal back in 1966. Theres websites which have alot of information on how these pedals evolved so we were keen to make this different. So, the text is the 'untold story' from the point of view of the family. The images of the pedals are all printed fuzz size so if you feel the need you can put the book on the floor and imagine playing through these fuzz boxes. It sounds incredibly geeky (and it is) but the main aim was the create something which not only celebrates the pedal but opens it's appeal to a wider audience who can appreciate the beauty of these vintage pedals. And they are beautiful, 40+ years of patina and rust makes these very special objects.

There's some interviews in there too from the likes of Warren Ellis (who LOVES the book - I had the slightly surreal experience of exchanging a lot of emails with him and he loved it so much he bought 2 copies), Kevin Shields, J Mascis, Tony Joe White, Edwyn Collins, Dick Taylor (of the Pretty things), Little Barrie, Bernard Butler the Macaris themselves and a fuzz guru by the name of David A Main.

I'm incredibly proud of what we've created and the response has been overwelmingly positive. Just wanted to share it really.

cheers

[Laz69]

Good on you mate!

[simonkeeping]

Cheers Laz69 !

[clewsr]

Looks beautiful!

[Shinesalight]

Wow Simon, great effort man. I can't play the guitar or anything but do love the whole ethos of effects pedals. Something incredibly geeky about them but amazing how these little things can make such a massive impact to the overall sound of a band. Super cool stuff.

[angelsighs]

geeking out over effects pedals is one of the pleasures of life! this book look really cool.

Warren Ellis seems like one of the good guys

[simonkeeping]

Thank you everyone. Yeah, it's a bit of a geek fest but the pictures are beautiful.

Yeah, Warren is a genuinely nice guy and he is an artist in the purest sense, his style is almost like a musical Jackson Pollock. Very cool and really inspiring.