A surprisingly strong summer for new music continues with a Soundcloud-exclusive track from SWMRS. I first stumbled upon SWMRS while in college during the summer of 2017, fresh off the release of their debut album “Drive North”. Flash forward to April 2026 and I’m watching the band play a gig on the album’s 10th anniversaryContinue reading “SWMRS Returns After Successful Tour With “New Horse” And New Energy”
Author Archives: Matt Dunn
Getdown Services Brings the Glam and Garage Rock On “I Can’t Die Like That”
As guitarist Josh Law alluded to in an interview with me last year, the band’s got the guitar front and center these days. Getting to know the music of Getdown Services has been one of the more fun developments of the last year or two. As I wrote about ahead of my interview with oneContinue reading “Getdown Services Brings the Glam and Garage Rock On “I Can’t Die Like That””
Weezer Has Struck Gold With ‘We Might As Well Be Strangers’ Off The Upcoming Gold Album
Been stoked about a Weezer single in 2026 was not on my bingo card. Summer is finally here and there’s some exciting gear reviews coming up soon, including an overdrive pedal made in Switzerland by RhPf Electronics, and a DIY Tele kit from GuitarKitWorld. But before we can get there I am busy constructing myContinue reading “Weezer Has Struck Gold With ‘We Might As Well Be Strangers’ Off The Upcoming Gold Album”
Summer School Electronics Fuzz 101 Does Exactly What You Want A Fuzz Pedal To Do
Summer School sends you back to the basics of fuzz with their latest high gain pedal release. Earlier in the spring, our good friends at Summer School Electronics dropped the Fuzz 101, the latest in a long line of satisfying fuzz pedals from teacher/pedal guru Mark. While I was quick in getting my demo ofContinue reading “Summer School Electronics Fuzz 101 Does Exactly What You Want A Fuzz Pedal To Do”
Hardware Fixations Launches SLEDGE, A Simple And Streamlined Drive Pedal
Two knobs and the truth is all you need for a set it and forget it gain tone. Hardware Fixations has just announced and released their latest pedal, The SLEDGE overdrive. While you may often find me waxing poetically about pedals loaded with features, this is a sharp departure back to a streamlined product. ButContinue reading “Hardware Fixations Launches SLEDGE, A Simple And Streamlined Drive Pedal”
Klowra Pedals Disrupts The Boutique Market With Vein Pitch Shifter and Mantra Dual Expression Pedal
For far less cost than comparably powerful pedals, Klowra’s pedals offer a significant amount of premium features. Klowra’s Pedals Are Both Familiar And New To The Marketplace When I first saw the Klowra pedal designs, I was struck by how much they reminded me of the ALABS Audio pedals I had previously reviewed. Turns out,Continue reading “Klowra Pedals Disrupts The Boutique Market With Vein Pitch Shifter and Mantra Dual Expression Pedal”
Guitar Gear Small Business Profile: FRET12 Brings Culture And Community To Chicago’s Music Scene
Guitar gear stores can no longer survive off of Fender Strat sales but don’t worry, FRET12 may have the solution. Supporting small businesses in the guitar and music industry is one of the primary goals of Guitars For Idiots. If you’re a repeat reader you probably already know this, as the site has transitioned toContinue reading “Guitar Gear Small Business Profile: FRET12 Brings Culture And Community To Chicago’s Music Scene”
Summer School Electronics & Supercool Pedals Team Up For Nirvana-In-A-Box Guitar Pedal
A classic combo of small clone-style chorus and DS-1-style distortion living under one shared roof. Meet The Smoking In The Boys Room Pedal Despite the name suggesting this is some sort of ’80s glam rock pedal, it is actually quite far from it. Smoking In The Boys Room combines a modified EHX small clone chorusContinue reading “Summer School Electronics & Supercool Pedals Team Up For Nirvana-In-A-Box Guitar Pedal”
NOKILL Pedal Co. Chinese Crested Space Invader: A Surprisingly Musical & Useful Synth Pedal
Usually a lot of these synthy/fuzzy/glitchy pedals are plenty fun but hard to fit into a musical context – but maybe not this one! The Dog-Themed Synth Pedal Up next from our dear friends at NOKILL Pedal Co. is the Chinese Crested Space Invader, another dog-themed pedal that nicely follows up on the Borzoi GlitchContinue reading “NOKILL Pedal Co. Chinese Crested Space Invader: A Surprisingly Musical & Useful Synth Pedal”
2025 Guitars For Idiots Guitar Pedal Review Rankings
If you want the inside scoop on 2025’s best in boutique and indie-built pedals then read on! Welcome Back! By my count this is the 5th time we’ve done guitar pedal review rankings in the site’s history. As has been the recent trend, this list is devoid of big box brands and singularly focused onContinue reading “2025 Guitars For Idiots Guitar Pedal Review Rankings”
