Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal
Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal | |
---|---|
Bumblefoot performing live with Guns N' Roses in Helsinki Finland on June 5, 2010. | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Ronald Jay Blumenthal |
Also known as | Bumblefoot, Ron Thal |
Born |
Brooklyn, New York, United States | September 25, 1969
Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal, grunge, alternative rock, avant garde music, progressive rock, Film scores |
Occupation(s) | Musician, guitarist, producer, photographer, actor |
Instruments | Guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, vocals |
Years active | 1982–present |
Labels | Bumblefoot Music, LLC |
Associated acts | Art of Anarchy, Cilver, Guns N' Roses, Lord Farquad, Salem |
Website |
bumblefoot |
Notable instruments | |
Several Vigier custom models Gibson Les Paul |
Ronald Jay "Ron" Blumenthal[1] (born September 25, 1969), better known by his stage name Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, is an American guitarist, songwriter, recording artist and producer. He adopted his nickname from the bacterial infection of the same name, which he learned about while helping his wife study for her veterinary exams.[2] The name went from being just the name of an album, to the name of a record label, to a band name, to eventually his name as a solo artist.[3] He was one of two lead guitarists in Guns N' Roses from 2006 until 2014 and performed on their sixth studio album Chinese Democracy.
Since the early 90s, Thal has released 10 CDs and a live DVD. He has appeared as a guest performer on other albums and on numerous compilation CD's.[4][5] Thal has been the cover feature of GitarPlus magazine in Indonesia [6] and has been featured in several foreign guitar magazines, as well as the subject of many print, radio and web interviews.[7][8] Over the past twenty years, Thal has also worked with numerous bands and artists as producer, engineer, writer, arranger, and performer. He also writes TV jingles, theme songs, and background music.[9]
Career
Bumblefoot & Solo Career
![](../I/m/Ronthalakabumblefoot.jpg)
Raised Jewish, Thal grew up in Brooklyn and then Staten Island, in the Bay Terrace neighborhood.[10] Thal was inspired by Kiss and their album Alive! at age six, Thal claimed his earliest musical goal was to be able to play "like Gene Simmons if someone decided to do a Kiss version of Beatlemania".[11][12][13] At the time his hands were too small to play bass, so he focused on guitar, while his brother, Jeff, played drums instead. Thal stated that he figured out multi-track recording by using multiple cassette recorders at age six.[10]
By the time Thal was thirteen years old, he was playing cover songs in clubs, later focusing on creating original material on his home 8-track.[11] By sixteen, Thal had started engineering and producing music.[10] When he was eighteen, Thal won his first award, winning a Sam Ash Guitar Solo Contest after playing a spontaneous solo.[11] He played in a New York-based band called 'Legend' in the late 1980s.[11] Thal also played in a cover band called Leonard Nimoy that played songs by Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, KISS, and Aerosmith.[14][15]
In 1989, Thal submitted a demo tape to Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records, which caused Varney to feature Thal in the Spotlight New Talent column in Guitar Player Magazine's August 1989 issue.[11] Upon hearing the demo, Varney commented "[Thal's] demo tape is amongst the most impressive I've ever received. It contains elements of classical, blues, and jazz, and at times reminds me of Frank Zappa. His transcriptions are most impressive and detailed, so fans of hot transcriptions might be interested in seeing these musical masterpieces on paper. With its clever melodies, contrapuntal lines, intricate rhythms, and ultra-complex ensemble sections, Ron's sheer musicality will surely gain him much acclaim."[11] In 1993, Guitar Network Magazine described Thal's playing as "Ridiculous... in a good way".[11]
Thal was eventually signed to Shrapnel Records, and his debut album The Adventures of Bumblefoot was released in 1995.[16] Thal released Hermit on Shrapnel in January 1997, his final album on the label.[9] In late 1997, Thal started a production company called "Hermit, Inc.", then fully adopting the band name Bumblefoot while releasing Hands in March 1998.[9] Bumblefoot was a band that featured Thal and his brother Jeff Thal, among other musicians.[9] Bumblefoot released an early version of the album Uncool exclusively in France, touring in the country in March and April 2001.[9] He then began working on his next album Guitars Suck, but after the September 11 attacks, Thal decided to rename the album 9.11 and turned the album into a non-profit fundraising CD, with all proceeds going to American Red Cross.[9] In late 2001, amidst difficulties keeping a steady lineup, Thal broke up Bumblefoot and adopted it as a solo stage name. He worked on finishing Uncool, which was released in February 2002.[9] Thal toured Europe as a solo act in 2002, using members from bands he was touring with, including Sun Caged & Plug-In.[9] Sun Caged drummer Dennis Leeflang would later befriend Thal and work extensively with him in his solo career. Thal released a compilation of songs that weren't finished or officially released in April 2003, the Forgotten Anthology.[9] Thal released Normal in 2005. Thal stated of the album "the album takes you into the world of an insane musician who takes medication and experiences what it's like to be 'normal' for the first time. The only problem is that the medicine silences his ability to make music. Eventually he must choose which life he wants. The songs on Normal follow his real-life journey, leaving you to ponder, "What's 'normal,' anyway?"[17]
![](../I/m/Ron_Thal_2013.jpg)
In 2006, Thal's song "Breaking", from the album Normal, was contributed to the album project Artists for Charity – Guitarists 4 the Kids, a charity that assists World Vision Canada in helping underprivileged kids in need.[18]
In 2007, after 14 months of recording and touring with Guns N' Roses, Thal began recording Abnormal, which was released in July 2008.[9] During this time, Thal also recorded and mixed the audio of live performances on the TV show Talking Metal On Fuse. Thal performed a cover of "Running Wild" by Judas Priest along with Frank Ferrer on the pilot episode. He also performed on the final episode of the show, accompanying Zakk Wylde in an original song "Til the End", written live on the show.[19] In December 2008 Thal released Barefoot – The Acoustic EP, which consists of stripped-down acoustic versions of songs from his previous albums.[9]
Thal's song "Firebrand" was used as the opening theme for the TV show MXC (Most Extreme Elimination Challenge), the American adaptation of Takeshi's Castle. He has also co-written and performed the theme song to VH1 Classic's That Metal Show,[20] an edit of his song "Day To Remember" on his Forgotten Anthology album. Thal has licensed several of his recordings to television shows on MTV and VH1 such as Hogan Knows Best, The Real World, Made, The Osbournes, and others. Thal also wrote and recorded the music for the New York Islanders Hockey Team 2008–2009 season promos.[21]
In February 2009, Thal produced an all-instrumental metal guitar compilation CD entitled Guitars That Ate My Brain.[22] He oversaw the writing, recording and mixing for half the album (co- writing, engineering and mixing as well as guitar and bass playing by Jeremy Krull, drums by Dennis Leeflang), contributed his playing to the song "Disengaged" and mastered the album. Other artists on the album include Devin Townsend, Chris Poland, Shane Gibson, Dave Martone, Paul Waggoner, and James Murphy.
In June 2009, Thal toured the U.S. and Europe playing guitar for Lita Ford for 14 shows.[23][24][25]
Thal's 1995 debut album, The Adventures of Bumblefoot, after being out of print for years, was re-released in August 2010 as a 15 Year Anniversary Edition CD.[26] Thal wrote a 200-page transcription book of the recording. In October 2010, Thal took time out while on tour with Guns N' Roses to give advice and perform with students of The Witchwood School Of Rock in Witney, UK along with Guns N' Roses drummer Frank Ferrer. During the event they played several classic Guns N' Roses tracks, including "Paradise City" and "Sweet Child O' Mine" with members of the tribute band Guns 2 Roses.[27] On December 3, 2010, Thal made an appearance in Sydney as guest guitarist with the heavy metal band Fozzy.[28]
His songs "Guitars Suck", "Real", "Turn Around", and "Dash" were made available in 2012 as additional downloadable content for the videogame Rock Band 3 through the community-driven Rock Band Network.[29]
From January 2011 through December 2011, Thal released a series of singles available as digital downloads, five covers and four original songs. Thal's first single was a cover of the 1967 Motown hit "Bernadette" by The Four Tops.[30] His next single was another cover, this time The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever".[31] Thal released his third single, an original song called "Invisible" in March 2011.[32] Thal claims that he wrote the music of the song in the mid 1990s, and finished adding lyrics in 2010.[32] In April 2011, Thal released a cover of Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road".[33] Thal released another original song in May 2011 entitled "Father", a song dedicated to his father who had Alzheimer's disease.[34][35]
Thal released his sixth single, an original song called "Cat Fight", in June 2011 featuring Mark Tornillo of the band Accept on vocals.[36] In July 2011, Thal released a cover of the Herman's Hermits song "There's a Kind of Hush", his seventh single released in 2011.[37] In September 2011, Thal released the eight single, an original song "Let Your Voice Be Heard".[38] In December 2011, Thal released the ninth and final single in the series, a cover of "The Pink Panther Theme" by Henry Mancini.[39][40]
On October 3, 2012, Thal appeared as a special guest at a concert for the Dubai-based rock band Point of View at the Hard Rock Cafe Dubai.[41] In December 2013, Thal collaborated with online education site JamPlay.com to put together a series of lessons for aspiring guitarists.[42]
Thal's most recent solo album Little Brother Is Watching was released on February 24, 2015.[43] The first single, "Little Brother Is Watching" was debuted on Yahoo! Music on January 28, 2015.[44] The album was composed, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered entirely by Bumblefoot himself in his in-home studio, and features Dennis Leeflang on drums.[45][46]
Thal is currently producing the upcoming album by DMC Generation Kill, a supergroup consisting of Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels & members of the band Generation Kill.[47][48]
Thal has acted in & scored the soundtrack for several independent horror films. He portrayed Thunder in The Meat Puppet in 2012, also contributing to the soundtrack.[49][50][51] In 2013, Thal portrayed Mitch Casell in Gravedigger, as well as scoring the soundtrack.[52] Thal is set to score the soundtrack and portray Jack Hayes in the upcoming film Clean Cut, set for release in 2016.[53][54]
Guns N' Roses (2006-2014)
![](../I/m/Nottingham_July_26_(cropped).jpg)
In 2004, after a recommendation by guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, Thal began talking to Guns N' Roses keyboardist Chris Pitman and sent in a tape of his music.[55] Soon after, Thal claimed on his website he had been asked to join the band but later added "it's not definitely happenin', we're just feelin' it out".[56][57] In response, Guns N' Roses released a statement saying "To set the record straight, no one has been invited to join the band".[56] In a 2015 Interview, Thal claimed he initially turned down joining the band in 2004, citing commitments to part-time teaching and his solo work.[58]
After first meeting the band and jamming with them in 2006, Thal officially joined, filling the position vacated by guitarist Buckethead.[59][60][61] Thal made his live debut with the band at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on May 12, 2006[62] and he also performs on the band's sixth studio album Chinese Democracy, released in 2008. Thal appeared on the Guns N' Roses video release Appetite for Democracy 3D, including a solo spot of his song "Objectify" from Abnormal. Thal has performed solo songs such as "Objectify," "Abnormal," "Glad to Be Here," and a cover of The Pink Panther Theme during Guns N' Roses concerts.
In November 2008, Thal hosted the official listening party for the recently released album Chinese Democracy in New York City.[63] In December 2009, Thal began touring with Guns N' Roses on the Chinese Democracy World Tour. Thal also appeared in the subsequent Up Close and Personal Tour and the Appetite for Democracy tour.
In a 2013 interview, Thal mentioned that when he first joined the band, he was not welcomed by other members who didn't want a third guitarist in the band.[3] He claimed that he had to "get a little violent" to gain other member's respect.[3] Thal later clarified on his first months in the band, stating in a 2015 interview "it wasn't the warmest welcome. I kind of had to earn it. I think it was just more of a situation like a new family member was brought home without the other siblings' consent."[59] In late 2014, Thal announced that he was 'focusing on his solo career'.[64][65] In an interview promoting his solo album, when asked about Guns N' Roses, he said he was "avoiding the whole subject [right now]".[10] In February 2015, Thal stated that he was "honoring a request to not make any public statements" about his status with Guns N' Roses.[66] Thal explained further with, "Let folks know I'm not being forced ... It's on me, I've been trying to please both sides at the same time that have a different approach to things, and everyone loses a little in the process — that's on me, not them [Guns N' Roses management]."[67]
On July 31, 2015, journalist Gary Graff reported that a 'confirmed source within the band' told him Thal was no longer in Guns N' Roses and had left after the 2014 tour, although no official announcement from Thal or the band was made at the time.[68] Thal discussed leaving the band for the first time in a July 2016 interview, stating "All I could say is you reach a time when you just know it's time to move on".[69]
Art of Anarchy (2011-present)
In 2011, Thal formed a band with John Moyer of Disturbed, Jon Votta & Vince Votta called Art of Anarchy. The band was formally revealed in January 2015 with an album set for Spring 2015.[70] Scott Weiland provided vocals for the debut album, but later distanced himself from the project, stating he was 'never in the band'.[71] Weiland claimed "I [just] sang over these stereo tracks and then sent [them] back."[72] Former Creed singer Scott Stapp joined the band as lead singer in 2016 as they prepare work on a second studio album.
Personal life
Thal is Jewish.[3] Thal married his wife, a veterinarian named Jennifer, on May 4, 1996.[73] Thal's father, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, died on December 3, 2013.[35]
Thal is involved with multiple charities, including being on the board of directors of the MS Research Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money for Multiple Sclerosis research.[58][74] Thal has also teamed up with CaJohns Fiery Foods to release a brand of hot sauces, with proceeds going to women's health organizations.[75][76] Other charities Thal is involved with include the Wildlife Trust of India and Operation Smile, among others.[59]
In 1993, to supplement his income, Thal taught photography and music part-time at schools.[9] In 2002, Thal was a part-time adjunct professor at SUNY Purchase College, teaching music production until 2004.[59]
In 2005, Thal started working out after he noticed his health was deteriorating from overworking, losing 80 lbs.[9] In June 2011, Thal was involved in a car accident that totaled his car.[77] Thal suffered severe injuries, stating in a 2012 interview "I was brain damaged for about a month, I couldn’t speak right, I couldn’t raise my arms. I went to physical therapy" and that "I’m not recovering, and I probably never will."[78] In constant pain from his injuries, Thal had to combine over-the-counter drugs and pain killers with alcohol and steroids in order to tour.[3][79][80] In late 2011, Thal chose to tour instead of take time off to heal in order "keep Guns N' Roses alive",[81] later stating the decision resulted in him having nerve damage in both arms in addition to chronic pain 'for the rest of [his] life'.[3] In a 2013 interview, Thal mentioned attempting suicide by drinking himself to death while on tour in 2011, stating "when you torture yourself for a year - post traumatic stress is a real thing, and to have been completely disassociated and becoming very reckless and destructive - getting past that was a really tough time".[3] Thal changed his diet in order to cope with the chronic pain, stating "Food did what medicine couldn't. And I realized that food is the best medicine. When you eat the right things for your body, it'll make more of a difference than any medication could ever do."[3]
Thal revealed in late 2014 that he had a cancerous tumor that was found and surgically removed in January 2014.[64]
Thal lists his favorite musical artists as Kiss, The Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, Engelbert Humperdinck, Nirvana, Tom Jones, Frédéric Chopin, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Iron Maiden, Busta Rhymes, Thank You Scientist & Tom Jobim, along with the genre of Lounge music.[11][82][83][84] Thal also noted Bowie, Iron Maiden, Stevie Wonder, Guns N' Roses, George Harrison and Manowar as influences on his solo material.[85][86][86][87]
Discography
Year | Album | |
---|---|---|
As Ron Thal[88] | ||
1995 | The Adventures of Bumblefoot | |
1997 | Hermit | |
2010 | The Adventures of Bumblefoot (15 Year Anniversary Edition) | |
As Bumblefoot | ||
1998 | Hands | |
2001 | 9.11 | |
2002 | Uncool | |
2003 | Forgotten Anthology | |
2004 | Live at the RMA (DVD Release) | |
2005 | Normal | |
2008 | Abnormal | |
2008 | Barefoot – The Acoustic EP | |
2011 | Bernadette (First song in a series of digitally released singles – January 2011) | |
2011 | Strawberry Fields Forever (Second song in a series of digitally released singles – February 2011) | |
2011 | Invisible (Third song in a series of digitally released singles – March 2011) | |
2011 | Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Fourth song in a series of digitally released singles – April 2011) | |
2011 | Father (Fifth song in a series of digitally released singles – May 2011) | |
2011 | Cat Fight (Sixth song in a series of digitally released singles June 2011) | |
2011 | There's A Kind of Hush (Seventh song in a series of digitally released singles – July 2011) | |
2011 | Let Your Voice Be Heard (Eighth song in a series of digitally released singles – September 2011) | |
2011 | The Pink Panther Theme (Ninth song in a series of digitally released singles – December 2011) | |
2015 | Little Brother Is Watching | |
With Guns N' Roses[88] | ||
2008 | Chinese Democracy | |
2014 | Appetite for Democracy 3D | |
With Tony Harnell & The Wildflowers[89] | ||
2013 | Tony Harnell & The Wildflowers featuring Bumblefoot | |
With Art of Anarchy | ||
2015 | Art of Anarchy |
Guest appearances
Year | Artist | Album | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Jessica Simpson (Hex Hector club mix) | "Irresistible" – CD single | Guitarist and co-engineer |
2003 | Q*Ball | Q*Ball in Space | Guitar and backing vocals |
2004 | Various Artists | Shawn Lane Remembered Vol 2 | Guest fretless guitar solo on Richard Daude's song "From the Inside" |
2004 | Mistheria | Messenger of the Gods | Guest guitar solo in the song "Dynasty of Death" |
2005 | Phi Yann-Zek | Solar Flare | Guest guitar solo in the song "Psychometamorph" – (Thal on synth guitar – right channel) |
2005 | Q*Ball | Fortune Favors The Bald | Guitar and backing vocals |
2005 | Freak Kitchen | Organic | Guest vocals and fretless guitar on the song "Speak When Spoken To" |
2005 | Christophe Godin | Metal Kartoon | Guest fretless guitar solo on the song "Metal Kartoon" |
2005 | Julien Damotte & Fufux | Papa NoHell (unreleased) | Guest guitar solo on Christmas song 'Papa NoHell' by Julien Damotte & Fufux |
2006 | Mike Orlando | Sonic Stomp | Guest fretless guitar solos on the song "Game Over" |
2006 | 24-7 Spyz | Face The Day | Guest guitarist |
2006 | Guthrie Govan | Erotic Cakes | Guest fretless guitar solos on the song "Rhode Island Shred" |
2007 | Various Artists | The Alchemists II | Guest fretless guitar solo on Terry Syrek's song "Threehundredpointtwentyone" |
2007 | Q*Ball | This Is Serious Business | Guitar and backing vocals |
2007 | Jordan Rudess | The Road Home | Guitar solo on "Tarkus" (@19m10s) & fretless guitar solo on "Just The Same" (@3m22s) |
2009 | Orelsan | Perdu D'avance | Guest guitar solo on the song "La Peur De Lechec" |
2009 | Swashbuckle | Back To the Noose | Guest guitar solos on the songs "Cruise Ship Terror" and "Rounds of Rum" |
2009 | Various Artists | OCC Rocks | Performed with Orange County Choppers Band – guest guitar solo on the song "Cold Sweat" |
2009 | Various Artists | We Wish You A Metal Christmas EP | Guest guitar solo on the song "Frosty the Snowman" |
2010 | Liberty N' Justice | Light It Up | Guest guitar solos on the song "Wrestling With God" |
2010 | Ty Tabor | Something's Coming | Guest guitar solo on the song "Free Yourself" |
2010 | Indestructible Noise Command | Bleed the Line | Guest guitar solo on the song "Rain" |
2011 | Scarlet Haze | Reach Down | Laid music tracks for the song "Reach Down" |
2011 | Fredrik Pihl | Silhouettes | Guest guitar solo on title track "Silhouettes" |
2011 | Rick Devin | Tush (Single) | Guest guitar solo on the track "Tush" |
2011 | Various Artists | Embrace the Sun (Japan Tsunami Relief CD) | Guest guitar solo on Milan Polak's song "End of Time" |
2011 | Plug-In | Hijack | Guest guitar solo on the song "Ron to the Hill" |
2011 | Don Jamieson | Live And Hilarious | Introduction |
2011 | Various Artists | Guitar Addiction, Vol. 1 | Guitar solo on "Cacophusion" |
2011 | ElixirOnMute | The Last Halloween | Guitar solo on the "Hourglass" |
2012 | Scarface | Work Ethic | Guitar on "Intro", "Hard In the Ghetto", & "Cold Blooded" (acoustic & rock mixes). Also engineered final mixes & mastering. |
2012 | Madonagun | Grovel At Her Feet | Guitar Solo on "Bloodlust" |
2012 | Liberty N Justice | The Cigar Chronicles | Guitar Solo on "Stuck In the Middle" |
2012 | Rick Stitch | LIV4EVR single | Guitar Solo on "LIV4EVR" |
2013 | Cilver | In My Head | Guitar solo on "In My Head" |
2013 | The Feckers | It's Be Rude Not To | Guitar solo on "Minus" |
2013 | Russ Dwarf | Wireless | Guitar solo on "Driftin' Back" |
2013 | Mattias Eklundh | Freak Guitar - The Smorgasbord | Guitar solo on "Special Agent Bauer" |
2014 | Destrage | Are You Kidding Me? No. | Guitar solo on "Are You Kidding Me? No."[90] |
2015 | DMC Generation Kill | Lot Lizard (feat. Bumblefoot) - Single | Guest guitar & production on "Lot Lizard" |
2015 | Carthagods | Carthagods | Guitar solo on "My Revenge" |
2015 | Bumblefoot & Milan Polak | Devil On My Shoulder | Single - written by Bumblefoot & Milan Polak, featuring drummer Thomas Lang and Megadeth bassist David Ellefson. |
2016 | Fragile Mortals (ft. DMC and Generation Kill | Fired Up | Single - guitar solo / Producer |
2016 | Thank You Scientist | Stranger Heads Prevail | Backing vocals in "Prologue: A Faint Applause" |
Compilations
Year | Artist | Album | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | Various Artists | Ominous Guitarists From the Unknown | Includes "Chopin Fantasie." Co-produced "Story Teller" by Rich Kern |
1992 | Various Artists | Guitar on the Edge No. 2 | Includes "The Shuck Duffle" (renamed "Blue Tongue" on The Adventures of Bumblefoot) |
1993 | Various Artists | Guitar on the Edge No. 3 | Includes "Love Soup" |
1994 | Various Artists | Guitar on the Edge No. 4 | Includes "Bumblefoot" from The Adventures of Bumblefoot |
1996 | Various Artists | SEGA Power Cuts 1 | Includes songs from the Sega CD video game Wild Woody soundtrack |
1996 | Various Artists | Super Guitar Heroes Vol. 1, 2, & 3 | Includes "Chopin Fantasie" (OGFTU), "Blue Tongue" & "Rinderpest" (The Adventures of Bumblefoot) |
1997 | Various Artists | Ondes De Choc | Includes "Hermit" and "Freak" from Hermit |
1997 | Various Artists | Hard Beats From Hell | Includes the title track from Hermit |
1998 | Various Artists | Guitar & Bass No. 50 | Includes "Chair Ass" from Hands |
2000 | Various Artists | Rock Sound, Volume 45 | Includes "T-Jonez" from Uncool |
2001 | Various Artists | Fretless Guitar Masters | Includes "Lost" and "RayGun" from 9.11 |
2002 | Various Artists | The Alchemists | Includes "Mafalda" from Forgotten Anthology |
2003 | Soundtrack | Outlaw Volleyball: Music From The Game | Includes "Meat" from Forgotten Anthology |
2005 | Various Artists | Village of the Unfretted | Includes "Mafalda" from Forgotten Anthology |
2006 | Various Artists | Artists for Charity – Guitarists 4 the Kids | Includes "Breaking" from Normal[18] |
2006 | Various Artists | CMJ – On Air, Vol. 12 | Includes "Rockstar for a Day" from Normal |
2008 | Various Artists | FMQB – SubModern #021 Specialty Show Sampler | Includes title track from Abnormal. Also mixed and co-produced |
2009 | Various Artists | Guitars That Ate My Brain | Includes the song "Disengaged." Also mixed, co-produced and mastered |
2009 | Various Artists | This Is Shredding, Vol. 1 | Includes "Blue Tongue" from The Adventures of Bumblefoot. Also mixed and co-produced |
2014 | Various Artists | Rock 2 Live, Vol. 1 | Includes "Let Your Voice Be Heard" and "Normal". |
Tribute CDs
Year | Artist | Album | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | Various Artists | Crushing Days – A Tribute To Joe Satriani | Tribute to Joe Satriani CD. Covered "Always With You, Always With Me" |
2001 | Various Artists | Warmth in the Wilderness – A Tribute to Jason Becker | Performed a duet solo with guitarist Mike Chlasciak for the song "Out Jam" |
2002 | Lounge Brigade | Sabbath in the Suburbs: The Lounge Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne & Black Sabbath | Thal, as balladeer crooner "Herbert 'Ruffles' Lovecraft", sings Iron Man, Paranoid and Bark at the Moon |
2002 | Lounge Brigade | The Sweet Sounds of Slim Shady: The Lounge Tribute to Eminem | Thal, once again, as crooner "Herbert 'Ruffles' Lovecraft" and also as "Checkers Goldstein". Songs include "Without Me", "Cleaning Out My Closet" "My Name Is" and "Soldier" |
2003 | Lounge Brigade | The Lounge Below: The Lounge Tribute to Outkast | A lounge-style tribute to Outkast. Produced by Thal and featuring "Herbert 'Ruffles' Lovecraft" on vocals |
2004 | Various Artists | The Spirit Lives On – The Music of Jimi Hendrix Revisited, Volume 1 | Covered "Fire". (With Dennis Leeflang on drums) |
2013 | Various Artists | A World With Heroes - A KISS Tribute | Vocals and Guitars on "Detroit Rock City" |
2013 | Various Artists | Thriller - A Metal Tribute To Michael Jackson | Guitar on "Beat It" |
Other projects
Year | Artist | Album | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
1987 | AWOL | AWOL – EP | Thal's six-song EP of his band Awol |
1995 | Soundtrack | Wild Woody SEGA CD video game | Composed and performed entire soundtrack |
2002 | Carlin Music Publishing | Library CD #331 Alternative: Punk vs. Nu-Metal | Songs written by Thal exclusively for Carlin Publishing |
2003 | Soundtrack | Outlaw Volleyball Xbox video game | Music includes "Meat" from Thal's Forgotten Anthology CD |
2004 | Soundtrack | Test Drive: Eve of Destruction PlayStation 2 video game | Music includes Thal's "American Rock-n-Roll" from Carlin Music Publishing's Alternative: Punk vs. Nu-Metal CD |
2005 | Carlin Music Publishing | Library CD #356 Rap & Hip Hop | Songs written by Thal exclusively for Carlin Publishing |
2010 | Soundtrack | Rig 'N' Roll PC video game | Music includes Thal's "American Rock-n-Roll" from Carlin Music Publishing's Alternative: Punk vs. Nu-Metal CD |
2016 | Soundtrack | Clean Cut movie | Composed and performed entire soundtrack |
Producer
Year | Artist | Album | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
1996 | Boiler Room | Low Society | Engineered / Produced. Self-released debut CD of NYC nu-metal band |
1996 | Various Artists | God Shave the Queen | Engineered / Produced, co-wrote, Performed bass, guitar, keys |
1996 | Indecision | Unorthodox | Engineered / Co-produced |
1997 | Inhuman | Evolver | Engineered / Co-produced. NYC band's first full-length CD |
1998 | Indecision | Most Precious Blood | Engineered / Co-produced |
1998 | Evoken | Embrace the Emptiness | Engineered / Co-produced |
1998 | Various Artists | Lost Voices | Engineered / Produced. Tribute album to Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin. Produced the group Tyris performing the Doors' song "Love Her Madly" |
1999 | Future Chicken Farmers | Future Chicken Farmers | Engineered / Co-produced |
1999 | Pat O'May | Breizh / Amerika | Co-engineered / Produced |
1999 | Inhuman | Rebellion | Engineered / Co-produced |
2000 | Various Artists | Hell Rules 2 – A Tribute To Black Sabbath | Engineered / Co-produced |
2000 | Anomos/Stealth | From Here On... | Engineered / Co-produced, mixed and mastered. Performed guitar, choir arrangements |
2000 | Various Artists | Crushing Days – A Tribute To Joe Satriani | Engineered / Produced |
2000 | Evoken | Quietus | Engineered / Co-produced |
2002 | The Wage of Sin | Product of Deceit And Loneliness | Engineered / Co-produced |
2001 | Most Precious Blood | Nothing in Vein | Engineered / Produced |
2001 | One Second Thought | Self Inflicted | Engineered / Co-produced |
2002 | Troy Kurtis (former of Menudo) | Demo | Engineered / Produced. Co-writing, performed all music |
2002 | Q*Ball | In Space | Engineered / Co-produced / Performed guitar, backing vocals |
2003 | Cathy-Ann | Honey Wagon | Engineered / Produced, Performed all music except acoustic guitar/vocals |
2004 | Q*Ball | Fortune Favors the Bald | Engineered / Produced, some Co-writing, Performed guitars, backing vocals |
2004 | Various Artists | Bring You To Your Knees: A Tribute To Guns N' Roses | Engineered, Produced |
2004 | The Nerve! | The Nerve! | Engineered / Produced |
2004 | Nikki Sorrentino | Demo | Engineered, Produced. Wrote and performed music |
2005 | Evoken | Antithesis of Light | Engineered / Produced |
2005 | Zachary Fischer Band | On Borrowed Time | Engineered / Produced |
2006 | 24-7 Spyz | Face the Day | Engineered, co-produced, guest guitar solos |
2007 | Q*Ball | This Is Serious Business | Engineered, produced, some co-writing, performed guitars, backing vocals |
2007 | Hurricane | Abaybay (Rock Re-mix) | Engineered, produced, performed |
2007 | Return To Earth | Captains of Industry | Co-engineered, co-produced, performed some backing vocals |
2007 | Talking Metal on Fuse | FuseTV (November 2007 – March 2008) | Engineered, produced, performed |
2010 | Return To Earth | Automata | Mixed, co-produced |
2012 | Alexa Vetere | Breathe Again | Co-writer, rhythm and lead guitars, backing vocals, engineered/produced, mixed & mastered |
2012 | Poc | Rise Above | Co-writer, all music & backing vocals, engineered/produced, mixed & mastered |
Music videos
Year | Title | Director |
---|---|---|
2000 | "T. Jonez"[91] | unknown |
2006 | "Real" | William Knight |
2010 | "Better"(Guns N' Roses teaser) | Dale "Rage" Resteghini |
2012 | "Invisible" | Eric & Fernando of Swervewolf.com |
2013 | "Glad to Be Here" | Creative Works London |
2013 | "Burning Daylight"with Tony Harnell & The Wildflowers | Charles Whitcher |
2013 | "In My Head"with Cilver | Leon Lyazidi & Uliana Preotu |
2015 | "Little Brother is Watching" | Gabriella Loutfi |
2015 | "‘Til the Dust Is Gone"with Art of Anarchy | Dale "Rage" Resteghini |
2015 | "‘Time Everytime"with Art of Anarchy | Dale "Rage" Resteghini |
2015 | "Don't Know Who To Pray To Anymore" | Vojan Koceic |
Guitars
Thal is an endorser of Vigier Guitars. The company produces a signature Excalibur model for Thal named "Bfoot"[92] and a custom shaped double neck with a fretless neck on top and a fretted neck on the bottom called the "DoubleBFoot"[93]
- Excalibur Custom Clear Black
- Excalibur Surfreter Supra Antique Violin
- BumbleFoot Custom Shaped Guitar
- Vigier Cheese Guitar
- Excalibur Bfoot Edition
- Parkwood PW370M acoustic guitar
References
- ↑ "Ascap Ace". Ascap.com. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ James Yates. "MUSIC: Local guitar hero". SILive.com. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Mikkel Elbech, Jarmo Luukkonen (October 10, 2013). "Interview: Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal: All I've got is precious time". HereTodayGoneToHell.com. HTGTH.com; Jarmo Luukkonen. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
- ↑ "This Is Shredding, Vol. 1 CD Album". Cduniverse.com. March 3, 2009. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "Guitars That Ate My Brain: Various Artists: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "GitarPlus magazine (Indonesia) NOV 2009". Bumblefoot.com. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "Six Strings and a Dream: Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal’s Tips for Working Guitarists". Bumblefoot.com. December 14, 2010. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "Bumblefoot interview – Axe magazine (Italy)- MAY 2009". Bumblefoot.com. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "The official website". Bumblefoot. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 "antiMusic.com: Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal Interview". antimusic.com. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "GUITARIST NETWORK magazine – SEPTEMBER 1993". Bumblefoot.com. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "Ron Thal a.k.a. Bumblefoot Interview". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. September 9, 2004. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Ron Thal a.k.a. Bumblefoot Audio Interview". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. April 3, 2006. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
- ↑ Nathan Smith. "Question: Who the Hell Is Even In Guns N' Roses Nowadays?". Houston Press. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- ↑ Elbech, Mikkel (2007-09-20). "Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal: The same car on a bigger road". mikkelelbech.com. Archived from the original on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
bunch of stuff off of Appetite. I had a band called Leonard Nimoy – you know, the guy on Star Trek? He played Spock – and we would do covers of AC/DC, Kiss and Aerosmith, Guns"
- ↑ "Ron Bumblefoot Thal Interview - Altered Reality Guitar". alloutguitar.com. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Ron Thal a.k.a. Bumblefoot Interview". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. April 3, 2006. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
- 1 2 "Slang Productions – Guitarists 4 the Kids". Slang Productions. September 11, 2006. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- ↑ "Zakk Wylde, Bumblefoot To Guest On Next Week's 'Talking Metal On Fuse' - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
- ↑ Bumblefoot. Fullmetalrock.com. Retrieved on May 20, 2011.
- ↑ Best, Neil (December 3, 2008). "Guitarist named for rodent infection writes Isles music". Newsday. Cablevision.
- ↑ Cracknell, Nick (January 19, 2009). "Guitars Ate Bumblefoot's Brain...". Musicradar. Future Publishing. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Lita Ford". bandsintown.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Guns N' Roses Guitarist Bumblefoot To Tour With Lita Ford - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ Virtuoso, Jessi (July 2, 2009). "Still rockin'". SouthtownStar. Sun-Times Media Group.
- ↑ Elbech, Mikkel (September 7, 2010). "Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal: The continued adventures". HereTodayGoneToHell.com. HTGTH. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ↑ "Guns N' Roses' Jam Session With British Schoolkids". Spinner. October 13, 2010. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "GNR guitarist to appear at FOZZY show". VoltageMedia. November 23, 2010. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ Bumblefoot (August 27, 2012). ""Coming to Rock Band Network next week.... youtu.be/07wtlL1O0r0?hd=1 …#Dash @RockBandNetwork" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ "Guns N' Roses Guitarist Bumblefoot Releases 'Bernadette' Single - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Bumblefoot: New cover song released Strawberry Fields Forever/Bumblefoot: Nuevo cover lanzado Strawberry Fields Forever". facebook.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- 1 2 Aniruddh Andrew Bansal. "In-depth Interview With Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal". metalassault.com. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Bumblefoot on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Guns N' Roses Guitarist Bumblefoot Releases 'Father' Digital Single - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- 1 2 "Guns N' Roses Guitarist Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal's Father Dies - Loudwire". Loudwire. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Guns N' Roses Guitarist Bumblefoot Collaborates With Accept Frontman - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "GUNS N' ROSES Guitarist Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal Releases 'There's A Kind Of Hush' Single". bravewords.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Guns N' Roses Guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal Releases New Single, "Let Your Voice Be Heard"". guitarworld.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Guns N' Roses Guitarist 'Bumblefoot' Releases 'The Pink Panther Theme' Cover". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Guns N' Roses' Bumblefoot Releases Pink Panther Theme Recording ::Bumblefoot News ::antiMusic.com". antimusic.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ http://gulfnews.com/arts-entertainment/music/guns-n-roses-lead-guitarist-to-play-hard-rock-dubai-1.1081249 Gulf News article, September 26, 2012. Retrieved on October 17, 2012.
- ↑ "Ron Thal's Profile on JamPlay". JamPlay.com. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- ↑ "BUMBLEFOOT'S NEW SOLO ALBUM "LITTLE BROTHER IS WATCHING" IS OUT TODAY". eddietrunk.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Get a First Listen to Bumblefoot's 'Little Brother is Watching'". yahoo.com. January 28, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Guns N' Roses Guitarist Bumblefoot To Release 'Little Brother Is Watching' Album - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal to Release 'Little Brother Is Watching' - Loudwire". Loudwire. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Former Exodus Singer Rob Dukes's Generation Kill Recording Album With Darryl 'Dmc' Mcdaniels - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- ↑ "GENERATION KILL Team Up With Hip Hop Icon DARRYL DMC MCDANIELS For New Album, To Be Produced By GUNS N' ROSES Guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal; Promo Video Streaming". bravewords.com. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Incredibly Unique Cast Assembled For The Meat Puppet". Dread Central. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ↑ "The master is at work in new MEAT PUPPET poster.". Horror Society. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Bumblefoot to appear in upcoming movie "The Meat Puppet"". GunsNFNRoses. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ↑ Balkanrock.com "Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal (Guns N' Roses): "You're watching the band write music"
- ↑ Debi Moore. "Twisted Thriller Clean Cut Kicks off Production". DC. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ↑ Rob Caprilozzi. "Production Begins on 'Clean Cut'". horrornewsnetwork.net. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ↑ "In Search of ... Bumblefoot". Live-Metal.net. May 11, 2008. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
- 1 2 "GN'R Deny Hiring". Ultimate-Guitar.com. October 13, 2004. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ↑ "For The Record: Quick News On Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Coldplay, Good Charlotte, G-Unit, GN'R & More". October 1, 2004.
- 1 2 Bhattacharya, Ananya (May 11, 2015). "Guns N' Roses' Bumblefoot: I was kept on suicide watch for long". IndiaToday.in. Aroon Purie; Living Media. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Schallau, Bob (June 16, 2015). "Interview: Bumblefoot Talks Guns N' Roses, Art of Anarchy & Solo Album". Rock.About.com. IAC/InterActiveCorp. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ↑ "Who is Bumblefoot and why is he a guitarist in Guns N Roses? ~ "The Spaghetti Incident?"". Thespaghettiincident.com. November 9, 2008. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ Moore, Brian (November 20, 2008). "Axl's arsenal". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company.
- ↑ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET – GUNS N' ROSES: New York City Setlist Revealed". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "GUNS N' ROSES Guitarist BUMBLEFOOT Talks 'Chinese Democracy'". Blabbermouth.com. November 21, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- 1 2 "Guns N' Roses' Bumblefoot To Focus On His Solo Career: 'I've Tried To Do Both, And It's Been Really Difficult' - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ↑ Solo career is the main focus of Bumblefoot
- ↑ "Bumblefoot Doesn't Want To Make Any Public Statements About Guns N' Roses - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Bumblefoot to fans: Don't treat management as villains". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Source Confirms Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal Has Left GN'R". 93.3 WMMR. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ↑ Thal on his exit from GNR
- ↑ "ART OF ANARCHY: Scott Weiland, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, John Moyer, Jon & Vince Votta Launch Epic New Project!". Icon vs. Icon. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Scott Weiland on Art of Anarchy Supergroup Confusion: 'I Was Never in the Band'". Billboard.
- ↑ Brett Buchanan. "Scott Weiland Refused To Perform With David Lee Roth At Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". AlternativeNation.net.
- ↑ IMDB ref
- ↑ "Official MS Research Foundation website". Msrf.org. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ Saeed Saeed. "Bumblefoot talks heavy metal and hot sauce". thenational.ae. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal launches Award Winning gourmet hot sauces". bumblefoot.com. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- ↑ "NME News Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal survives potentially fatal car crash - NME.COM". NME.COM. June 2, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Interview: Guns N' Roses Guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal Discusses Gear, GNR and Surviving a Serious Auto Accident". guitarworld.com. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- ↑ Thal, Ron (December 27, 2013). "I am Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal - solo artist, producer, and I play lead guitar in Guns N' Roses :) AMA!!". Reddit.com. Reddit.com. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
Thal: "In 2011/2012 to get through touring with the spine injury from the car accident, there were experimental cocktails of alcohol, nerve blockers, pain pills, Advil, enough to kill a horse"
- ↑ Thal, Ron (December 27, 2013). "I am Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal - solo artist, producer, and I play lead guitar in Guns N' Roses :) AMA!!". Reddit.com. Reddit.com. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
Thal: "Only time I had to be drugged up was in 2011/2012 when I toured after a car accident with a spine injury that left me in 24/7 constant pain, was the only way to get through the shows.")
- ↑ "Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal: All I've got is precious time". Mikkel Elbech // Words & Pictures. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
- ↑ Ron, Thal (December 27, 2013). "I am Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal - solo artist, producer, and I play lead guitar in Guns N' Roses :) AMA!!". Reddit.com. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
Q: What's your favorite modern rock artist, and/or your favorite non-rock artist. Thal: "Queen, Zep, Yes..... non-rock - does Motown count? Stevie Wonder, Four Tops... ah, and LOUNGE MUSIC! YEAH!!! Lol... Engelbert & Tom Jones....! Classical - Chopin, Tchaikovsky... jazzy-ish stuff like Tom Jobim... ")
- ↑ Ron, Thal (December 27, 2013). "I am Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal - solo artist, producer, and I play lead guitar in Guns N' Roses :) AMA!!". Reddit.com. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
Q:Which artists/bands are you currently listening to? A:Latest Dillinger Escape Plan album, and the aforementioned THANK YOU SCIENTIST, my fave new band
- ↑ "Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal December 2013 - reddit AMA". Interviewly. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
Love Nirvana, loved where things were heading." "Everything from Piece Of Mind & before, love it all!" "I've listened to & worked with a lot of hip hop artists, yes :) Always a fan of Busta Rhymes
- ↑ "antiMusic.com: Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal Interview". antimusic.com. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
- 1 2 "BUMBLEFOOT CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF HIS NEW CD "LITTLE BROTHER IS WATCHING" - CALIFORNIA ROCK NEWS". CALIFORNIA ROCK NEWS. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ↑ Saint Laurent, Mister (May 4, 2015). "GNRTRUTH INTERVIEW WITH BUMBLEFOOT". GNRtruth.com. GNR Truth, MSL. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- 1 2 "Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal - solo artist, producer, Guns N' Roses guitarist (2006 - 2014)". bumblefoot.com. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal - solo artist, producer, Guns N' Roses guitarist (2006 - 2014)". bumblefoot.com. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-eq1PqtNZk
- ↑ "Bumblefoot – T. Jonez". YouTube. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "Details of Excalibur Bfoot Signature – Vigier". Vigierguitars.com. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "DoubleBfoot". Vigierguitars.co.uk. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
External links
- Official website
- Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal at the Internet Movie Database
- Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal on Twitter
- Bumblefoot on Facebook
- Bumblefoot on Youtube's channel on YouTube