Travis Meeks
Encyclopedia
Travis Shane Meeks is an American musician, and is the lead singer, guitarist and song writer for acoustic rock band Days of the New
.
into a musical family. His maternal grandfather was a conductor and composer whose sons were a leader of a church choir and a lounge singer. Meeks's father, Gary, played with Elvis Presley
's brother-in-law and, at the age of 16, recorded with The Box Tops
. When he relocated to Fort Worth, Texas
due to alcoholism
, Travis moved in with him. Regarding his son's childhood, Gary said, "Travis was a real introvert. I always knew he was... The music was kind of his saving grace. It was his therapy
and his way of communicating."
As a child, Meeks worked at Mom's Music in Louisville, Kentucky
. Like his father, he began his music career at a very young age, learning how to play guitar at the age of nine. He soon started playing at clubs, and before long he received a recording contract. In 1994, Meeks started a heavy metal
band, Dead Reckoning, with fellow Indiana teenagers Matt Taul and Jesse Vest, which played heavy, Pantera
-like music. In 1995, Meeks moved to Louisville
and Dead Reckoning changed its name to Days of the New as well as its genre to an acoustic rock, post-grunge
style. Regarding that era, Meeks stated, "I went through paranoia
and acid trips, separation from the mind and body... That’s where my spiritual journey begins." Meeks has also been diagnosed with Aspergers.
album that included the single, "Touch, Peel and Stand
." The song rose to #1 on the Billboard
charts and became the group's signature piece. Opening slots on tour with Jerry Cantrell
and Metallica
further exposed the band to fans around the country. Days of the New then set out on a headlining tour that lasted until a stop in Dallas, Texas
when Meeks' father finally drove him home and canceled the remainder of the tour's shows. Shortly afterward, Matt, Todd, and Jesse parted ways with Meeks over creative differences, and the latter transformed Days of the New into a solo project with accompaniment from several backup musicians. Upon the news of their breakup, it was widely reported and believed that Meeks had in fact fired his fellow bandmates. This account was later contested by Meeks, citing jealousy over the fact that he wrote all of the songs and received all royalty
checks. However, Meeks has claimed to empathize with their actions and not hold resentment. The three former members went on to form Tantric
.
In 1999, Meeks released a second self-titled Days of the New album, Green
. This effort deemphasized the post-grunge feel of the previous effort and instead focused on world music
. That same year, Meeks developed a kidney stone
and became addicted to pain killers. During this time, Outpost was dismantled which caused unfavorable personnel changes for Days of the New. Meeks reentered the studio in 2000 to record a third self-titled release, Red
, which met with less success than previous efforts. Meeks continued abusing painkillers and alcohol during the making of the third album. The original version of the album was completed in 2000. At the record label's request, the album was retooled with producer Ron Aniello enlisted to remix tracks and record several new songs. During the 2001 recording sessions, Meeks' drug use escalated to cocaine. After the album's release in September 2001, Meeks also started using methamphetamine
and lost an extreme amount of weight. Meeks continued abusing alcohol and meth while touring for the album.
Meeks performed a solo tour of small venues during the later half of 2003. Still battling addiction in 2005, he appeared on A&E
's Intervention
, Season 1; Episode #6 entitled "Matt and Travis". He entered rehab, and eventually became sober. On this episode of Intervention, which was filmed in early 2005, Meeks revealed that he had been addicted to methamphetamine for three years. This places the beginning of his addiction around the end of 2001 or the beginning of 2002. Meeks began recording a fourth Days of the New record in October 2007 with drummer Ray Rizzo and bassist Malcolm Gold. Reportedly named Tree Colors, the new record will incorporate classical and ethnic arrangements, in addition to the band's traditional acoustic sound. Meeks is currently looking for a distributor for the new record and touring with a five piece line-up, including a cellist.
Travis Meeks has standing invitations to perform at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, as well as to front the Boston Pops. Recently, he has begun referring to himself as a maestro
due to his self-taught mastery of the acoustic guitar and incorporation of classical sounds into his music.
on the tribute album Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors
, contributing vocals to "L.A. Woman
" and "The End
." In 2002, Meeks collaborated with Lennon Murphy
on the track "My Beautiful." In 2003, Velvet Revolver
was searching for a vocalist. Meeks along with many other acts auditioned, but did not land the part, as Scott Weiland
was given the role.
" live on Late Night with David Letterman
in 1998.
Meeks performed The Doors' "The End
" on VH1 Storytellers
: The Doors to a standing ovation.
In April 2005, Meeks was showcased in an episode of A&E's
hit TV series Intervention
, which was filmed in February that year. Meeks' addiction to methamphetamines was one of the two subjects for this episode. He decided to go to rehab
at Cirque Lodge
in Provo, Utah, but the episode ends with Meeks checking out early after 73 days. After a period of relapsing, he remained sober
since September 19, 2005 until a brief relapse in September 2007. According to a follow-up interview with Intervention, Meeks has since remained sober.
On April 25, 2008, an interview with Meeks was featured on the podcast
series, Uncensored Net Noise. In it, he tells of his new project entitled Days of the New presents Tree Colors and reveals that he is autistic
.
Travis also has 2 daughters from previous relationships. His first daughter was born ca.1994 from his relationship with his first girlfriend Amy. His second daughter Emma was born ca. 2004 from his relationship with his second girlfriend Karen.
and unpredictable behavior as a young adult. In April 1997, after Days of the New missed a Florida
show, they appeared the following day black-eyed and bruised - one of whom also had a broken jaw - after what sources claim was a band brawl. In the early years of Days of the New, fellow band members would often meet with fans post-concert while Meeks was reclusive. However, in later years, he has become more sociable and outwardly appreciative of fans.
Contrary stories also exist regarding the breakup of the original Days of the New. While it was widely reported and still believed that Meeks fired his fellow band members, he now claims that it was their choice due to jealousy and the fact that Meeks was the principal song writer and receiver of all royalty
checks. Several months before Outpost made the official announcement, or the band even finished touring, Meeks was telling interviewers and posting on fan message boards that he was dropping the band. He described them as holding him back and that Days of the New was never actually a band project to begin with. Meeks has since said that their departure was mutual and that he understands their supposed decision.
Travis Meeks has claimed to pay very little attention to other current bands, not even knowing some of the bands he plays with on tour. He has, however, cited Dead Can Dance
as a favorite group. Meeks plays Taylor guitars
for their rich sound but has also used Tacomas
. Much of his catalog is performed in various open tunings. He also favors acoustic guitar
over electric
, once citing:
Days of the New
Days of the New is an American alternative rock band from Louisville, Kentucky, formed in 1995. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Travis Meeks and a variety of supporting musicians...
.
Early life and career
Travis Meeks was born in Charlestown, IndianaCharlestown, Indiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,993 people, 2,341 households, and 1,615 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,570.0 people per square mile . There were 2,489 housing units at an average density of 1,067.4 per square mile...
into a musical family. His maternal grandfather was a conductor and composer whose sons were a leader of a church choir and a lounge singer. Meeks's father, Gary, played with Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
's brother-in-law and, at the age of 16, recorded with The Box Tops
The Box Tops
The Box Tops were a Memphis rock group of the second half of the 1960s. They are best known for the hits "The Letter," "Neon Rainbow," "Soul Deep," "I Met Her in Church," and "Cry Like A Baby," and are considered a major blue-eyed soul group of the period...
. When he relocated to Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
due to alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
, Travis moved in with him. Regarding his son's childhood, Gary said, "Travis was a real introvert. I always knew he was... The music was kind of his saving grace. It was his therapy
Therapy
This is a list of types of therapy .* Adventure therapy* Animal-assisted therapy* Aquatic therapy* Aromatherapy* Art and dementia* Art therapy* Authentic Movement* Behavioral therapy* Bibliotherapy* Buteyko Method* Chemotherapy...
and his way of communicating."
As a child, Meeks worked at Mom's Music in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. Like his father, he began his music career at a very young age, learning how to play guitar at the age of nine. He soon started playing at clubs, and before long he received a recording contract. In 1994, Meeks started a heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band, Dead Reckoning, with fellow Indiana teenagers Matt Taul and Jesse Vest, which played heavy, Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
-like music. In 1995, Meeks moved to Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
and Dead Reckoning changed its name to Days of the New as well as its genre to an acoustic rock, post-grunge
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
style. Regarding that era, Meeks stated, "I went through paranoia
Paranoia
Paranoia [] is a thought process believed to be heavily influenced by anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion. Paranoid thinking typically includes persecutory beliefs, or beliefs of conspiracy concerning a perceived threat towards oneself...
and acid trips, separation from the mind and body... That’s where my spiritual journey begins." Meeks has also been diagnosed with Aspergers.
Days of the New
At the age of 17, Travis Meeks and fellow teenage band members Matt Taul, Todd Whitener and Jesse Vest were signed to a major record label. In 1997, they released their widely successful self-titled OrangeDays of the New (album)
Days of the New is the debut album of world music/post-grunge band Days of the New, and the first of their three self-titled albums. The album was released in 1997 through Outpost....
album that included the single, "Touch, Peel and Stand
Touch, Peel and Stand
"Touch, Peel and Stand" is a song by the rock band Days of the New and the lead single from their self-titled debut album. It was released in 1997 and remains arguably the band's most popular and well known song. The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and retained the...
." The song rose to #1 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
charts and became the group's signature piece. Opening slots on tour with Jerry Cantrell
Jerry Cantrell
Jerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band Alice in Chains, as lead guitarist, backing and co-lead vocalist, and co-lyricist. He performs lead vocals on his solo projects, and is part of Alice in Chains' harmonizing...
and Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
further exposed the band to fans around the country. Days of the New then set out on a headlining tour that lasted until a stop in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
when Meeks' father finally drove him home and canceled the remainder of the tour's shows. Shortly afterward, Matt, Todd, and Jesse parted ways with Meeks over creative differences, and the latter transformed Days of the New into a solo project with accompaniment from several backup musicians. Upon the news of their breakup, it was widely reported and believed that Meeks had in fact fired his fellow bandmates. This account was later contested by Meeks, citing jealousy over the fact that he wrote all of the songs and received all royalty
Royalties
Royalties are usage-based payments made by one party to another for the right to ongoing use of an asset, sometimes an intellectual property...
checks. However, Meeks has claimed to empathize with their actions and not hold resentment. The three former members went on to form Tantric
Tantric (band)
Tantric is a rock band from Louisville, Kentucky. The group has released four studio albums since 2001; although, their last two albums only retain Tantric's original singer, Hugo Ferreira...
.
In 1999, Meeks released a second self-titled Days of the New album, Green
Days of the New II
Days of the New is the second self-titled album of Louisville rock band Days of the New. Released on August 31, 1999, it marks the first album following frontman Travis Meeks' dismissal of the original backing band and the last under Outpost...
. This effort deemphasized the post-grunge feel of the previous effort and instead focused on world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
. That same year, Meeks developed a kidney stone
Kidney stone
A kidney stone, also known as a renal calculus is a solid concretion or crystal aggregation formed in the kidneys from dietary minerals in the urine...
and became addicted to pain killers. During this time, Outpost was dismantled which caused unfavorable personnel changes for Days of the New. Meeks reentered the studio in 2000 to record a third self-titled release, Red
Days of the New III
Days of the New is the third self-titled album by alternative rock band Days of the New. It was released in 2001 and was originally scheduled for late 2000, but Interscope enlisted Ron Aniello to help the band re-record and remix several songs for the record...
, which met with less success than previous efforts. Meeks continued abusing painkillers and alcohol during the making of the third album. The original version of the album was completed in 2000. At the record label's request, the album was retooled with producer Ron Aniello enlisted to remix tracks and record several new songs. During the 2001 recording sessions, Meeks' drug use escalated to cocaine. After the album's release in September 2001, Meeks also started using methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
and lost an extreme amount of weight. Meeks continued abusing alcohol and meth while touring for the album.
Meeks performed a solo tour of small venues during the later half of 2003. Still battling addiction in 2005, he appeared on A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
's Intervention
Intervention (TV series)
Intervention is an American television program about the realities facing addicts of many kinds.Each program follows one or two participants, each of whom has an addiction or other mentally and/or physically damaging problem and believes that they are being filmed for a documentary on their problem...
, Season 1; Episode #6 entitled "Matt and Travis". He entered rehab, and eventually became sober. On this episode of Intervention, which was filmed in early 2005, Meeks revealed that he had been addicted to methamphetamine for three years. This places the beginning of his addiction around the end of 2001 or the beginning of 2002. Meeks began recording a fourth Days of the New record in October 2007 with drummer Ray Rizzo and bassist Malcolm Gold. Reportedly named Tree Colors, the new record will incorporate classical and ethnic arrangements, in addition to the band's traditional acoustic sound. Meeks is currently looking for a distributor for the new record and touring with a five piece line-up, including a cellist.
Travis Meeks has standing invitations to perform at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, as well as to front the Boston Pops. Recently, he has begun referring to himself as a maestro
Maestro
Maestro is a title of extreme respect given to a master musician. The term is most commonly used in the context of Western classical music and opera. This is associated with the ubiquitous use of Italian vocabulary for classical music terms...
due to his self-taught mastery of the acoustic guitar and incorporation of classical sounds into his music.
Collaborations
In 2000, Travis Meeks collaborated with The DoorsThe Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
on the tribute album Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors
Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors
Stoned Immaculate: The Music of The Doors is a tribute album dedicated to The Doors. Producer Ralph Sall gathered an assortment of new, classic and iconic artists for the record. Unusually, the surviving members of The Doors played on this "tribute" record. In addition, recordings of Jim Morrison...
, contributing vocals to "L.A. Woman
L.A. Woman (song)
"L.A. Woman" is a song by American rock band The Doors. The song is the title track on their 1971 album L.A. Woman, the final album with frontman Jim Morrison before his death.In the song's coda, Morrison repeats the phrase Mr...
" and "The End
The End (The Doors song)
"The End" is a song by The Doors. Originally written by Jim Morrison as a song about breaking up with girlfriend Mary Werbelow, it evolved through months of performances at Los Angeles' Whisky a Go Go into a nearly 12-minute opus on their self-titled album. The band would perform the song to close...
." In 2002, Meeks collaborated with Lennon Murphy
Lennon Murphy
Lennon Anne Murphy, named after musician John Lennon, is a singer-songwriter out of Hendersonville, Tennessee, United States.-Early life:Murphy was born in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, New York on March 31, 1982. When she was four years old, Murphy and her mother moved to Hendersonville, Tennessee,...
on the track "My Beautiful." In 2003, Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver is an American hard rock supergroup consisting of former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, alongside Dave Kushner formerly of punk band Wasted Youth. Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland was Velvet Revolver's lead singer from their formation until...
was searching for a vocalist. Meeks along with many other acts auditioned, but did not land the part, as Scott Weiland
Scott Weiland
Scott Weiland is an American musician, lyricist, and vocalist, most notable for his work with Grammy Award-winning rock band Stone Temple Pilots. Weiland is also known for his five-year career with supergroup Velvet Revolver as well as his own solo career...
was given the role.
In other media
Days of the New performed their hit single "Touch, Peel and StandTouch, Peel and Stand
"Touch, Peel and Stand" is a song by the rock band Days of the New and the lead single from their self-titled debut album. It was released in 1997 and remains arguably the band's most popular and well known song. The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and retained the...
" live on Late Night with David Letterman
Late Night with David Letterman
Late Night with David Letterman is a nightly hour-long comedy talk show on NBC that was created and hosted by David Letterman. It premiered in 1982 as the first incarnation of the Late Night franchise and went off the air in 1993, after Letterman left NBC and moved to Late Show on CBS. Late Night...
in 1998.
Meeks performed The Doors' "The End
The End (The Doors song)
"The End" is a song by The Doors. Originally written by Jim Morrison as a song about breaking up with girlfriend Mary Werbelow, it evolved through months of performances at Los Angeles' Whisky a Go Go into a nearly 12-minute opus on their self-titled album. The band would perform the song to close...
" on VH1 Storytellers
VH1 Storytellers
Storytellers is a television music series produced by the VH1 network.In each episode artists perform in front of a live audience, and tell stories about their music, writing experiences and memories, somewhat similar to MTV Unplugged...
: The Doors to a standing ovation.
In April 2005, Meeks was showcased in an episode of A&E's
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
hit TV series Intervention
Intervention (TV series)
Intervention is an American television program about the realities facing addicts of many kinds.Each program follows one or two participants, each of whom has an addiction or other mentally and/or physically damaging problem and believes that they are being filmed for a documentary on their problem...
, which was filmed in February that year. Meeks' addiction to methamphetamines was one of the two subjects for this episode. He decided to go to rehab
Drug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is a term for the processes of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines...
at Cirque Lodge
Cirque Lodge
Cirque Lodge is a for-profit addiction facility located in Sundance, Utah founded in 1999 by Richard Losee. In 2002, Cirque Lodge opened a second facility in Orem, Utah in a former television studio. The facilities combined hold a maximum of 56 patients....
in Provo, Utah, but the episode ends with Meeks checking out early after 73 days. After a period of relapsing, he remained sober
Sobriety
Sobriety is the condition of not having any measurable levels, or effects from, alcohol or other drugs that alter ones mood or behaviors. According to WHO "Lexicon of alcohol and drug terms..." sobriety is continued abstinence from alcohol and psychoactive drug use...
since September 19, 2005 until a brief relapse in September 2007. According to a follow-up interview with Intervention, Meeks has since remained sober.
On April 25, 2008, an interview with Meeks was featured on the podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
series, Uncensored Net Noise. In it, he tells of his new project entitled Days of the New presents Tree Colors and reveals that he is autistic
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
.
Travis also has 2 daughters from previous relationships. His first daughter was born ca.1994 from his relationship with his first girlfriend Amy. His second daughter Emma was born ca. 2004 from his relationship with his second girlfriend Karen.
Personality and musical style
Aside from past problems with drug addiction, Travis Meeks is known for his past antisocialAnti-social behaviour
Anti-social behaviour is behaviour that lacks consideration for others and that may cause damage to society, whether intentionally or through negligence, as opposed to pro-social behaviour, behaviour that helps or benefits society...
and unpredictable behavior as a young adult. In April 1997, after Days of the New missed a Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
show, they appeared the following day black-eyed and bruised - one of whom also had a broken jaw - after what sources claim was a band brawl. In the early years of Days of the New, fellow band members would often meet with fans post-concert while Meeks was reclusive. However, in later years, he has become more sociable and outwardly appreciative of fans.
Contrary stories also exist regarding the breakup of the original Days of the New. While it was widely reported and still believed that Meeks fired his fellow band members, he now claims that it was their choice due to jealousy and the fact that Meeks was the principal song writer and receiver of all royalty
Royalties
Royalties are usage-based payments made by one party to another for the right to ongoing use of an asset, sometimes an intellectual property...
checks. Several months before Outpost made the official announcement, or the band even finished touring, Meeks was telling interviewers and posting on fan message boards that he was dropping the band. He described them as holding him back and that Days of the New was never actually a band project to begin with. Meeks has since said that their departure was mutual and that he understands their supposed decision.
Travis Meeks has claimed to pay very little attention to other current bands, not even knowing some of the bands he plays with on tour. He has, however, cited Dead Can Dance
Dead Can Dance
Dead Can Dance are an ethereal neoclassical duo formed in Melbourne, Australia, in August 1981, by Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry. The band relocated to London in May 1982 and disbanded in 1998. Their 1996 album Spiritchaser reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top World Music Albums Chart...
as a favorite group. Meeks plays Taylor guitars
Taylor Guitars
Taylor Guitars is an El Cajon, California‐based luthier, specializing in acoustic guitars, as well as semi-hollow and solidbody electric guitars. It was established in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug.- History :...
for their rich sound but has also used Tacomas
Tacoma Guitars
Tacoma Guitars is a line of musical instruments from Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Tacoma brand guitars were originally manufactured in Tacoma, Washington.-History:...
. Much of his catalog is performed in various open tunings. He also favors acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
over electric
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, once citing:
- "Acoustic guitars are more musical. They're not all covered up by different sounds and distortions and stuff. Of course we put distortion on our guitars, but I like to go make campfires and sit out by the water, and you can't do that with an electric guitar. Each acoustic guitar has its own soul; it seems way more natural to play than electric."