UPCOMING TOURDATES


Aug. 23rd, 2008 - Las Vegas, NV
Rock Against Diabetes


CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF PAST TOUR DATES / APPEARANCES

CLICK HERE FOR 2006 TOURBLOG
 

NEWS

1 JUNE 2008

 
ROCK AGAINST DIABETES AUCTION

New Vigier Excalibur "Bumblefoot Signature Series" Guitar
Bumblefoot will personalize the autograph for the winner


http://cgi.ebay.com/VIGIER-EXCALIBUR-BUMBLEFOOT-SIGNATURE-MODEL-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ180249357539QQihZ008QQcategoryZ2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

19 MAY 2008

 
Bumblefoot "Abnormal"
CLICK HERE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD


MIRROR DOWNLOAD SITE:
http://www.rockagainstdiabetes.org/abnormal.htm
www.newgnr.com/bumblefoot

 

14 MAY 2008

 
BUMBLEFOOT TO RELEASE TITLE TRACK TO NEW CD “ABNORMAL” FREE FOR DOWNLOAD
 
 

Ron Thal aka Bumblefoot is treating his fans new and old to a bit of free music before his new album “Abnormal” is released to the public for sale, by offering the title track free for download. As with his previous albums Thal will be self-releasing “Abnormal” online.  I never went along with the way the music industry did things, and have always been rebelliously against it, spouting off how the system doesn't work, and how bands should be DIY and make it just about the music and the fans.  10 years ago I was giving away songs on Napster and releasing my own albums, selling them online.  10 years later, I still do it and still stand by it - fuck the business, connect directly with the fans.”  The recording and creative process has also been a very fresh experience, as Thal has been making videos of the recording process and posting them online, running contests to include backing singers to perform on the album, and giving progress reports on his forums to keep everyone there with him while the album was coming together. “It's been great being able to share the experience as it happens.  It'll be another month before the CD is manufactured - until then, I wanna give away a little taste.  Download it, share it, delete it, it's yours to do as you wish.”

“Abnormal”
, the follow-up to Thal’s previous offering “Normal”, is a hard rock album flavored with a light-hearted mix of different styles and genres, with catchy hooks and blistering guitar work. When asked about the new project, Thal had the following to say: “It was October last year, I was about to fly into a fucking rage, went to go crash out at the studio, and all these songs just started flying out of my head.  Spent the next few months recording drums, bass, guitars, vocals, opera singers and tuba players.  Some people heard it and said it reminds them of the Sex Pistols with a little Beatles/Queen vibe to it. Didn't have a plan, just did what I felt, and in the end this is what I got.”
 

With recording completed and finishing touches being added to the tracks and art work, “Abnormal” will be ready for release In early June, with the free track available for download Monday May 19th, 2008. See www.bumblefoot.com for more information.  Along with CD’s being available for purchase, the tracks will be available for download on iTunes, and a very special limited edition Fan Pack will be available for diehard fans that want something a bit different in a limited quantity. The CD will be available at www.cdbaby.com , www.amazon.com as well as Bumblefoot’s own artist-run partner Bald Freak Music. www.baldfreak.com
 
Check back to DOWNLOADS page on Monday May 19th to get your copy of the title track "Abnormal"
 

13 MAY 2008


         
Special one of a kind "Bumblefoot" Edition VIP tickets for
                    Rock Against Diabetes 2008 now on auction


Only 50 sets of these tickets exist and only ONE set of these Bumblefoot special edition tickets are available. Ticket holders will be the ONLY guests at the live event of Rock Against Diabetes 2008 from Las Vegas NV. All other guests will enjoy this unique experience in broadband HD from the comfort of their homes.

This pair of tickets will allow the ticket owner full access all day to the live event at Deep Rock Drive. Intimate access to Evel Dick Donato, our host and the acts performing including Bumblefoot and his All Star Band, Eric Martin, Rafael Moreira's Magnetico, Y&T, LA Guns, Cliff Morrison (son of the Doors' Jim Morrison) and the Lizard Sun Band and the many special guests that may pop in during the show. There will also be one of a kind swag being given away by Rock Against Diabetes, the bands, and Deep Rock Drive. A VERY cool limited edition T-shirt, perfect to have signed, autograph sessions from the bands, and a part of the recording of the entire event!

This pair of tickets is for the event only, and does not include travel or lodging in Las Vegas.

Bid on these tickets: http://www.rockagainstdiabetes.org/auction/item.php?id=8
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, GO TAKE A SHOT AT ATTENDING A ONE OF A KIND SHOW!!

This special Bumblefoot edition of tickets includes:
The tickets, an autographed Bumblefoot T-shirt, A limited edition (only 3 in existance) Bumblefoot/Rock Against Diabetes Spectraflex guitar cord, an autographed set of Normal and Abnormal CD's and a few other cool items from Rock Against Diabetes. This ALSO offers the ONLY way to get a free pass into the Rock Against Diabetes PRE CONCERT KICKOFF party.

This show is on August 22nd, at Club ROX on the strip, sponsored by Budweiser, and will feature performances by DARIO LORINA'S (the young guitar prodigy of the Jani Lane Band)new band KARNEVAL, LA GUNS, RAFAEL MOREIRA's power trio MAGNETICO, and of course, BUMBLEFOOT and other guests that are going to get up and play for you. Drink tickets and food are part of the deal.

All proceeds go to funding this first of it's kind event and the initiatives set out by Rock Against Diabetes to help ease the suffering and pain of diabetics, through proper nutritional education and support.

Bid on these tickets: http://www.rockagainstdiabetes.org/auction/item.php?id=8

PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR BAND LINEUP AND INFORMATION
www.rockagainstdiabetes.org

Good Luck!!!!
 

1 MAY 2008

 

Guns~N~Roses Guitarist BUMBLEFOOT to Create ALL-STAR BAND

In support of 2008 ROCK AGAINST DIABETES Charity Concert

HOLLYWOOD, CA (May 1, 2008) - Guns N Roses guitarist Ron Thal (aka Bumblefoot) has committed himself to this years Rock Against Diabetes event by orchestrating an All Star Band composed of top metal/rock artists of the last two decades.

"I want to help bring attention, awareness,  and hopefully get some people thinking about what they can do to prevent  diabetes, or how they can lend a hand to someone living with it" explains Thal. "I have been reaching out to musicians to form a group that hasn't ever played together before, something very special just for this one night.  This is an important event, and it's a privilege to be able to participate.

Participants of the All Star Band, yet to be named will be announced once they commit to the project. More information on the All Star Band, as well as current and any other lineup changes can be found at www.rockagainstdiabetes.org.

The band will perform live at  www.deeprockdrive.com  in Las Vegas.  There are a very small amount of VIP tickets available only by auction. To bid on these limited edition VIP tickets, visit www.rockagainstdiabetes.org/auction .The rest of the world, will be able to take in the event from the comfort of their homes, in HD as a fully interactive web broadcast. Tickets are available at www.deeprockdrive.com/event/5462/rock_against_diabetes_2008 Tickets are only $9.99 and each ticket purchaser has the option to invite 5 friends to view FREE.

For more information visit www.rockagainstdiabetes.org, www.bumblefoot.com, or www.deeprockdrive.com

ABOUT ROCK AGAINST DIABETES
Rock Against Diabetes was created my Vancouver music writer and diabetic amputee Darrin Buchanan in 2007. After diagnosis as a type 2 diabetic in 2006, and a resultant below knee amputation of his right foot in March 2008, Darrin has chosen to dedicate his energies to this project to help ensure others do not walk down the same path that he chose previous to diagnosis. The main objective of Rock Against Diabetes, is to provide a FREE worldwide online tool, for all diabetic suffers as well as pre-diabetics to use to eat correctly, set goals and prevent the sometimes brutal complications the disease can inflict on sufferers. 88% of diabetic complications can be slowed or prevented with a proper safe diet.  Rock Against diabetes will also donate a portion of all money collected to The BC Children's Hospital, to support the Endocrinology and Diabetic area of care, as well as the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, to support the breakthrough studies in diabetic research they have had. For more information on the causes supported by Rock Against Diabetes, visit www.rockagainstdiabetes.org/causes.htm. For more information about Rock Against Diabetes 2008 Darrin Buchanan darrin@rockagainstdiabetes.org
 

23 APRIL 2008

 
Chiller Theatre
(Parsippany, NJ)
Fri. May 2 - Sun. May 4

Hey all, I'll be hangin' out at Chiller Theatre at the Hilton Hotel in Parsippany NJ, first weekend in May '08.  Will be doing a little jamming that Saturday night.

Gonna have a table set up with some merch - anything ya pay over the price for each item will all be donated to Multiple Sclerosis research.

Come say hello and show your support - thanks.

Ron

 

6 MARCH 2008

 
Bumblefoot video guitar lessons online

There's a 6-page Bumblefoot interview / lesson
in Guitar Player (US) magazine, April 2008 issue.

Accompanying video lessons are now online.

Go to www.GuitarPlayerTV.com,
click on "GP Lessons Apr. 08", then "Masterclass".

There are 4 videos:
The Thimble, Thimble Octaves, Thimble Blues, Thimble Madness.

Enjoy!

*BIG thanks to Chris Buono for makin' it happen - the interview, photo & video shoot...
check him out at www.chrisbuono.com

 

29 FEBRUARY 2008

 
THE GREAT 2008 OPERA CHALLENGE ! !
 

ENDS MARCH 7th, 2008

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZKhJlbP-a_A


Head over to Bragster.com and leave your video,
or a link to your audio on their comment board.

http://www.bragster.com/bet/9061-nobody-can-sing-best-opera-rendition?ref=bl
 

27 DECEMBER 2007

 
NEW BUMBLEFOOT MINI-GUITAR REPLICAS FROM AXE HEAVEN!
 
    
CLICK IMAGES FOR MORE INFO
 
Pick up Axe Heaven's collectible miniature guitar replicas, hand-crafted exclusively for Ron Thal
This miniature is a must-have collectible!  Stand included.
 
Visit the Bumblefoot store...

(USA)

http://www.baldfreak.com/storebfoot.htm

(non-USA)

http://www.baldfreak.com/storebfoot-nonusa.htm

 

16 DECEMBER 2007

 
Working on the next BBF album, shooting some video of the process.
Will upload more vids over the next few months, as things move forward.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOS
 

8 NOVEMBER 2007


"TALKING METAL on FUSE" 12:30AM EST (9:30PM PST), FRI NOV 9th

Fuse, the national music television network, has green-lighted "Talking Metal on Fuse", a one-hour pilot that brings the 1 heavy metal/hard rock podcast on iTunes to television.

Premiering 12:30AM EST (9:30PM PST) Friday night November 9, "Talking Metal" hosts Mark Strigl and John Ostronomy bring you guitar lessons with Dave Mustaine, a book-signing road trip with Nikki Sixx, cocktails with Serj Tankian and a home studio makeover-turned-impromptu jam session with Frank Ferrer and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal of Guns N' Roses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8iV98cZCfM
   

15 OCTOBER 2007

 
WINNER OF BUMBLEFOOT GUITAR CONTEST CHOSEN

The winner of the year-long contest to design Ron Thal's next guitar has been chosen.

The guitar design of Jason Miskimins of Cleveland, Ohio, was selected from thousands of submissions. According to Ron, "This guitar design is very different from the first Bumblefoot guitar, and that's what I was lookin' for. The first guitar was silly and fit me when it was made 10 years ago, the new guitar is more about now. It has a classic rock vibe to it like Jimmy Page's double-neck, but with a fretless neck. It's gonna allow me to work fretless into more songs, and the look will fit both Guns and my solo stuff."

Vigier Guitars will build one guitar for Ron, one for Jason. The design of the guitar will be unveiled upon their completion.

Ron and Vigier Guitars would like to thank everyone who submitted designs for their creativity and effort.
  

12 SEPTEMBER 2007

 
New Bumblefoot "Flying V" T-shirts & baby-doll T's...

IMAGE FROM THE GUNS N' ROSES 2007 JAPAN TOUR
PHOTO BY JARMO LUUKKONEN

CLICK FOR CLOSE-UP OF IMAGE


Available now at the BaldFreak.com store
 

15 AUGUST 2007

 
The Foot Guitar v2 contest will officially end on Sept. 15th, 2007.

Immediately after, Vigier and I will begin the process of choosing the winning design, and the winner will be announced on or before Oct. 15th, 2007.

I thank everybody for your submissions.

Ron
 

9 AUGUST 2007

 
PRESS RELEASE FROM BALD FREAK MUSIC


Bald Freak Music invades Locobazooka! 2007, an all-day all ages rock music festival featuring over 50 national & local artists, Sunday, SEPTEMBER 9, including our own SWASHBUCKLE, plus a special guitar clinic and meet-and-greet with BUMBLEFOOT.

GENERAL ADMISSION tickets get you access to all the performances, including headliners HEAVEN AND HELL, ALICE COOPER, QUEENSRYCHE, & SHADOWS FALL!

Purchase a ticket from us for only $39.99, and come visit us at the Bald Freak booth to meet BUMBLEFOOT & SWASHBUCKLE!

Plus, we'll include in a copy of Bumblefoot's NORMAL or Swashbuckle's CREWED BY THE DAMNED (your choice) with every ticket purchased!

Tickets available at
http://www.baldfreak.com/store-usa.htm
 
   

8 FEBRUARY 2007

 
Foot Guitar v2 contest continued...

Thanks to everyone from me and Vigier, for all your "Foot Guitar v2" submissions.  We haven't found the winning design yet, and want to help the process along with a few ideas...

Would rather it not look so literally like a human foot, the way the first guitar did.   Wouldn't mind going a bit darker, less comical this time around.  Can picture something with the look of dark metallic armor, or maybe something with sharper lines and more claw-like.  Or maybe something subtle, more of a classic rock vibe.   We're *not* looking for a modified version of the first foot guitar - looking for something entirely new.

Send your designs to Footguitarv2@vigierguitars.com - contest is open-ended, we're continuing until we find the winning design.  When we find it, we'll announce it at www.bumblefoot.com - Vigier will build one guitar for the designer, and another for me.

Appreciate the efforts of those who took time to design something, and those who will be submitting designs - thank you!

Ron Thal
   

3 DECEMBER 2006

In new issue of GUITAR ONE magazine (JAN 2007 issue)

Includes interview and DVD guitar lesson
 

15 SEPTEMBER 2006

So, the ol' "Foot Guitar" suffered some damage during the European GnR tour - busted wood, damaged wings... I spoke to the good folks at Vigier Guitars ( www.vigierguitars.com ) and we've decided it's time to create the "Foot Guitar version 2.0" - something new, something cool, something designed by YOU!

If you'd like to be the designer of the Foot Guitar v2, send your designs, drawings, photos, ideas to Footguitarv2@vigierguitars.com. Patrice Vigier and I will choose the guitar's design from all submissions, and the guitar will be unveiled in 2007.

Two of the guitars will be made - one for me, one for the designer.  But maybe, if the guitar is really cool, it'll go into production, made available to all...

Looking forward to seeing what y'all come up with!

BfoOt
 

18 JUNE 2006

Hey all!  I've always enjoyed corresponding with each of ya in the past, reading and answering every email personally. But after exceeding hundreds of emails a day, spending 6 hours a day doing it, the typing started causing numbness and pain in my hands and started to affect my ability to play guitar. I've had this problem in the past, and need to back off on typing before the damage gets worse, and permanent.

*It is not my place to make announcements about Guns N' Roses' album release, tour dates, setlists, future plans, etc. Any interviews I do are for entertainment only, take it lightly as it's meant - you will NOT hear any GnR breaking news from me. GnR will give you confirmed information at their discretion. If you don't hear it from them, it's probably just a rumor.

*If we haven't spoken since age 10, please don't ask if I can get your cousin's friend's wife's co-worker's neighbor's son free tickets and backstage passes for all his friends to next week's show. There are security issues, plus you're asking me to strain my relationship with everyone in the group by being responsible for people I don't know and have them hang where other members need their privacy and space to prepare for the show. The requests have reached nearly 1000 in two months time... :P

*I am *NOT* MySpace tech support - I don't know why your media player still isn't working properly, even though I walked you through the process three times. Too many people ask me to leave comments on their MySpace pages for me to oblige, can't get to it all.

*MySpace Top8 is reserved for close friends and people I make music with, only.

*It takes a lot of time to write out guitar parts for your favorite songs - I just don't have enough time to do it. I don't know why your guitar isn't working right, I can't diagnose the problem and fix it through emails.

*I do not post or answer messages on YouTube or any other forum other than the BumbleForum.

*I can't be your band's semi-manager, setting up a business plan and giving contacts and continued advice. I can't be your band's booking agent either - I can't help you get gigs, I don't know where you should play when visiting the US.

*I can't be your therapist. I'm not qualified.

*I can't get you free or discounted musical equipment.

*I'm not giving one-on-one guitar lessons. With the recording and touring schedule as it is, I have only a few months to fit a year's worth of life into, can't do it all, schedule's too unpredictable, had to stop teaching private lessons. If that changes, I'll post an announcement.

*I'm not looking for an intern at my recording studio. If that changes, I'll post an announcement.

*I'm unable to donate to every charity and organization that comes to me.

*I'd prefer not to give Axl your personal messages - it's a bit awkward... and I can't get you everyone's autograph on a flag or poster and mail it to you - it's not my place to make this kind of merch available.

Thanks so much for your understanding :)

bbf

18 MAY 2006

BumbleDrummer Dennis Leeflang will be doing a drum clinic
May 27th in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at
Muzikantendag/Melkweg , 12 noon - 1pm
 

12 MAY 2006

Playing guitar in Guns N' Roses, will be on tour May - July.

CLICK HERE FOR TOUR DATES
 

16 APR 2006

NEW VIDEO - "Real"

Click the VIDEO link...
 

20 MAR 2006

NEW BUMBLEFOOT MERCH AVAILABLE

Click the STORE link...
 

27 FEB 2006

BUMBLEFOOT ON THE RADIO

The Normal CD is getting spins on college & rock radio - click the link below for more info...

http://www.baldfreak.com/normal-request.htm

 

10 JAN 2006

VIGIER GUITARS RELEASES
BUMBLEFOOT SIGNATURE SERIES GUITAR

Nothing crazy, not a flying foot or a chunk of cheese - a 'Normal' guitar, customized with the pickups and wiring I use (split coil and out-of-phase settings,) non-floating vibrato (stays in tune when you break a string,) and a hole to stick your thimble when you're not using it  :P   More info at www.vigierguitars.com

 

1 JAN 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Here's a recap and some highlights of 2005...

JAN/FEB
Start recording the Normal CD, gigging in LA, helping raise $60G in disaster relief funds for tsunami victims playing guitar alongside Nancy Sinatra, Sandra Benhardt and guest Cyndi Lauper in NYC, and a benefit concert in NYC to raise research money for Multiple Sclerosis (www.msrf.org)

MAR/APR
Gigs in Holland, France, Switzerland, begin recording 24-7 Spyz' new CD.  Recording guest solos for Freak Kitchen, Christophe Godin, Guthrie Govan and more.

MAY/JUN
Playing in NYC, Chattanooga TN, four days in Raleigh NC with Mattias Eklundh, finish recording Normal.

JUL/AUG
A week with Freak Kitchen at Freak Guitar Camp in Sweden, jamming in NYC with 24-7 Spyz, Dug Pinnick & Stacey-T, finish mixing Normal.

SEPT/OCT
Finish mixing 24-7 Spyz' album, gigs in Moscow, Holland, France.

NOV/DEC
Gigs in Belgium, France, Italy, release of Normal CD, voted "2005 Guitarist Of the Year" - Guitar Part magazine (France)

Thanks to all of ya's for making it a great year  :)

bbf

1 DEC 2005

NORMAL CD NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AT BALDFREAK.COM

New merch will be available in the next few months - we'll keep you posted...

Vigier Guitars is in the final stages of designing the Bumblefoot signature series guitar - more info soon...