NO DOUBT ABOUT IT
I really appreciated your article about No Doubt in the previous issue [“Geared Up to Rock Steady,” February 2002]. It was fascinating to read about their gear, especially the part about how they use backing tracks. In my band we use backing tracks that we trigger from a sampler, but I'm thinking that the hard-disk recorder method, like No Doubt uses, might be a much better approach.
Carl Bellenger
via the Internet
Carl — You might want to check out our recent article on using backing tracks [“Look, Ma, No Hands!” November 2001] that offered some specific tips and advice for using digital recorders (both 2-track and multitrack) for playback. You can locate the complete text for that story (along with all of our back issues) on our Web site at www.onstagemag.com.
— Mike Levine
SERIOUS DOUBTS ABOUT IT
I'm a guitarist in my late 30s, and I haven't ever really paid that much attention to No Doubt. Reading your cover story about them got me interested, so I decided to go out and buy their new CD, Rock Steady. What a disappointment. It's really mediocre. They talk a good game, but apparently their success is more tied to Gwen's good looks than to musical ability. Next time, could you please pick a better band to spotlight?
Pete Richardson
via the Internet
REGGAE REVISIONISM?
I've just read an article [“Up Front: It Happened This Month,” December 2001] in which [the author] Barry Cleveland talks about how Bob Marley as well as others were shot a day before the Smile Jamaica Concert. It is true that Bob Marley was shot in his arm and that there was an attempt to murder him that night, on December 4, 1976. But none of Marley's friends, including his wife, Rita, were harmed. In fact, the concert was free and Marley only wanted to unite the people of his country because of the uprisings between the Jamaican Socialist Party, held by Robert Manley, and the Jamaican Labor Party, which the CIA had helped to defeat Communism. I just wanted to let you know that the information was not accurate and should be double-checked before printing.
Thanks for your time.
Brian J. Duncan
via the Internet
Brian — Thanks for your input. I spoke with Barry Cleveland and he stands by the facts he presented and says that he found a great deal of corroboration for them. Indeed, a perusal of various sources, including the Web site of the Bob Marley Foundation (www.bobmarley-foundation.com/t42.html) confirm that Rita was also shot (although only grazed and not seriously wounded). Marley's official site (www.bobmarley.com) states that “associates” of his were also shot during the attempt. — Mike Levine
PATRIOTIC FERVOR
Being in the entertainment business, I'm frequently sent music-industry-related magazines such as yours. As a rule, I scan through the issues then toss them out or give them away. However, after reading the article “Patriot Yngwie Booed Offstage” [“Up Front: The Buzz,” January 2002] I am not only keeping the copy off this issue but am showing it to everyone I know (and don't know), whether they want to see it or not. As an ex-Marine and Vietnam veteran, this article hit home pretty hard. It's great to see articles like this in the pages of a magazine such as yours. Keep it up.
Thanks.
James Randolph
Ramtrak Guitar
via the Internet
