Published by Motorbooks, this deluxe collection of stories is jam-packed with photos of some of the sweetest rides across the nation. In addition to the 13-page spread of Mad Anthony’s hot rods, the book also features the collections of Sammy Hagar, Keith Urban, Brian Johnson, Brad Whitford, Billy Joel, Jimmie Vaughan and Nick Mason among others. Foreward by Billy F. Gibbons.

We are also pleased to announce that you can purchase your own copy of the book directly from Mad Anthony’s Cafe Online Store for just $24.95! As an added bonus, we are also offering autographed and personalized copies for only $49.95! Visit the online store to get yours today!

Eddie Trunk Live SiriusXM Satellite Radio

Michael was a guest on Eddie Trunk‘s SiriusXM Satellite Radio show “Eddie Trunk Live” on April 8 and the two discussed the passing of Andy Johns, working with the legendary engineer and producer, hot sauce, David Lee Roth and all sorts of things in between.

Check out an MP3 of the interview, which lasts for approximately 21 minutes.

Eddie Trunk Live broadcasts weekly on SiriusXm Satellite Radio Channel 39.

Come on out and celebrate Cinco De Mikey with us – LOUD, PROUD and IN YO FACE!!!

R.I.P. Andy Johns

Mad Anthony’s Cafe has learned that legendary engineer and producer Andy Johns has passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2013.

Johns was a master at his craft, having produced and/or engineered albums for The Rollling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen and Chickenfoot among numerous others.

“Just heard about the passing of my friend and producer, Andy johns. Words cannot express my sadness upon hearing this. Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing and working with Andy, you know what I’m saying. I loved you brother. Annette, you are in my thoughts and prayers.” – Michael

For more photos from the distillery, visit Mad Anthony’s Cafe on Facebook!

I was recently on Maui with my wife Sue celebrating our anniversary and decided to take the trek over to Sammy’s rum distillery.

It’s run by Mark Nigbur who also makes his own brand of Vodka there called “PAU” which TOTALLY rocks.

Mark showed me the whole process of how Sam’s rum is made and bottled. I have to say I was pretty damn impressed!! He also stocked me up with plenty of rum and vodka which made the rest of my vacation on Maui a little fuzzy!! ALOHA!

Michael Anthony debuts his new Signature Peavey VM-MA Bass Amplifier at NAMM 2013. For more NAMM photos visit Mad Anthony’s Cafe on Facebook.

Michael has teamed up with Peavey Electronics to bring you his new Michael Anthony Signature VB-MA bass amplifier which debuted to the public at January’s NAMM Convention in Anaheim, CA.

The all tube amp has a 300 watt head, packs a kick ass wallop and weighs a mere 38 pounds!!

“Having road tested the Peavey VB-3 around the world with Chickenfoot, I can honestly say that these amps rock … and rock HARD!! I am excited that we have taken the VB-3 to the next level with my VB-MA signature amp. You can make this brute snarl at high -and- low decibel levels with the blending of my clean and overdrive channels. Hold on to your shorts kids, this amp will KICK YO ASS!!” – Mad Anthony

Based on Peavey’s popular VB-3 bass amplifier, the dual-channeled VB-MA combines four 12AX7 and two 12AT7 preamp tubes with a matched octet of EL34 tubes that give players tons of characteristic tube tone with uncharacteristically tight response for an all-tube amplifier. An innovative, and tour necessary world-compatible switch-mode power supply and advanced design provide stadium levels of tone.

Backing up the amplifier’s organic tube tone is a vintage three-band active/mid-cut EQ that combines traditional high and low tone controls with a mid control featuring a four-position midrange selector switch that allows players to set the mid-frequency at 200, 450, 600 or 800 Hz. Combined with the nine-band, constant-Q graphic equalizer—spaced at optimized frequencies, with each slider providing 15 dB of cut and boost—the VB-MA allows for virtually any EQ curve imaginable.

Peavey’s patented Resonance and Presence controls, which adjust the damping factor at the low and high ends, respectively, along with a three-way speaker impedance selector, enable players to match the VB-MA to virtually any bass speaker enclosure. Resonance and Presence are also useful in dialing in tones for particular styles, including “tight” sounds that are not normally associated with tube amplifiers.

Voiced and styled to match the VB-MA tube bass amplifier, the new VM-810 bass enclosure features the exclusive Michael Anthony logo, and eight custom-designed 10” ceramic-magnet loudspeakers paired into four tone chambers. It can be operated in stereo or mono modes with 800 watts power handling.

The Michael Anthony Signature VB-MA bass amplifier will be available starting Summer 2013 and will be available with three types of speaker cabinets: one 18″ speaker, two 15″ speakers or four 10″ speakers.

Check out the Gear Page for all the specs!

Video Interviews and Reviews:

backstageaxxess.com:

Eddie Trunk:

Madcap Music Reviews:

KLOS 95.5, Los Angeles:

Blues-E-News.com:

You can find him at the Yamaha booth at 1:00 PM and at the Peavey booth at 2:30.

Please Note: This year, the Peavey booth has moved from the main floor to one of the upstairs levels accessible via the escalators at the front entrance of the Anaheim Convention Center. Check with the Information Booth for their exact location – we’ll see you there!

Claude Nobs, founder of Switzerland’s Montreux Jazz Festival, passed away on Thursday according to The New York Times.

“I am saddened to hear about the death of Claude Nobs. We knew Claude in the early days of VH, and more recently, I got to hang with him when Chickenfoot played at the Montreux Jazz festival in 2009. He will be greatly missed! My condolences to his family.” – Michael

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Frank Barsalona. He was a great pioneer in the industry as an agent, and Eddie, Alex, Dave and myself were represented by Frank and Premier Talent in the early days of Van Halen. He will be greatly missed. My condolences go out to Frank’s family.” — Michael

More information is available at Ultimateclassicrock.com
Photo: Scott Gries, Getty Images