Blackstratblues

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Blackstratblues

Background information
Birth name Warren Mendonsa
Born September 12, 1979 (1979-09-12) (age 28)
Bombay, India
Genre(s) Blues
Instrumental Guitar
Rock
Rock & Roll
Pop Rock
Occupation(s) Musician
Songwriter
Guitarist
Sound Engineer
Instrument(s) Guitar
Bass Guitar
Fretless Bass
Drum Programming
Keyboards
Software Synthesizers
Years active 1998 – present
Label(s) Unsigned
Associated acts Zero
3 Guys & A Girl
Website Official Website
Notable instrument(s)
Fender Stratocaster

Blackstratblues (born Warren Mendonsa on September 12, 1979 in Bombay, India) is a guitarist, composer, and record producer.

Contents

[edit] Biography and playing history

[edit] Early Years: Late 1990s

After picking up the guitar at the age of 15, Warren would go on to play rhythm guitar in a few local bands with friends Siddharth Coutto (drums), & Girish 'Bobby' Talwar (rhythm guitar, bass). Sometime around 1997-98, they would go on to form Zero, with Rajeev Talwar on vocals.

[edit] With Zero: 1998-2005

Over the years, Zero grew to enjoy nationwide popularity in India. With Warren, Zero released 2 albums & an EP - Albummed (1999), Hook EP (2002), & Procrastination (2005).

Besides his work in Zero, Warren recorded & released numerous instrumentals - Christmas In July, Spitleaf, & Evil, to name a few popular songs - which enjoyed some fame on online music forums like Gigpad, & Harmony Central. He was also involved in many online collaborations with musicians - most notably Adam Martin, Ed DeGenaro, & Zorran Mendonsa - which resulted in a few songs. In late 2004, Warren moved to Auckland, New Zealand, thereby quitting Zero.

During this period, he was also a highly sought-after recording engineer & session guitarist in Bombay, having worked on various film soundtracks, ad jingles, & other albums.

[edit] 2005-2007

After moving to Auckland, Warren began work on solo instrumental material. While visiting India, he reunited with Zero for a few gigs, most notably at the Great Indian Rock Festival 2006.

[edit] Nights In Shining Karma

Blackstratblues' debut album, Nights In Shining Karma was released on 18 April 2007 as a free digital-only download.

The album garnered significant appreciation & fame on online music forums.[1][2][3]

“ In contrast to most instrumental guitar albums, Nights In Shining Karma travels effortlessly between melodic, ethereal and beautiful mood pieces and rocking, up-tempo numbers. Warren Mendonsa navigates through this varying musical landscape with a sure hand and impeccable musical instincts, creating an album both guitarists and casual listeners will find alternately touching, uplifting and energizing.

Eschewing the gymnastic stunts of many high profile solo guitar artists, Mendonsa's stunning technique weaves itself subtly into the musical tapestry of completely realized songs, rather than mere vehicles for a vulgar display of ability.

With golden tones and unassailable taste and touch, Mendonsa echoes Gilmour and Johnson without being derivative of either.

Nights In Shining Karma is surely the 'I'm here!' album from an emerging master.

 ”

[edit] Musical Influences & Playing Style

He is known for his instantly recognizable, distinctive guitar sound & playing, incorporating immaculate phrasing and abandoning traditional, flashy 'guitar hero' techniques, in favor of composing memorable melodies and playing with feel.[4][5]

[edit] Equipment used

[edit] Guitars

[edit] Pedals & Effects

Pedalboard
Pedalboard
Amps
Amps

Arion SCH-1
Lovepedal Vibe
BJFE Sea Blue EQ
RMC Wizard Wah
MXR Phase 90
Xotic BB Preamp
Xotic RC Booster
Handmade Octavia Clone
Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
Lexicon MPX-1
Boss DS-1 Distortion
Line 6 POD XT Pro (Zero c. 2003)
Line 6 DM4
Line 6 FBV controller
Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Marshall BB-2 Bluesbreaker II
Marshall SV-1 Supervibe Chorus
ADA Microcab
Roland GR-30 Guitar Synthesizer
Lexicon LXP-1
Boss DE-200 delay
Alesis Midiverb IV
Tech 21 Sansamp PSA-1 (Zero c. 2001)
Korg AX1000G (Zero c. 1999)
Korg Pandora PX-2 (Zero c. 1998)

[edit] Amplifier Heads

Marshall JMP 2204 50W
Marshall JTM45
Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-Verb 50W (2006)
Marshall JCM800 2203 100W (2003 - 2006)
Fender Bassman Blackface 50W (1999 - 2003)
Suhr Guitars Badger (2008)

[edit] Cabinet

Marshall 1960B 4x12

[edit] Discography

[edit] Solo Albums

[edit] With Zero

Year Artist Album
2000 Zero Albummed
2002 Zero Hook
2005 Zero Procrastination

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes & References

  1. ^ Harmony Central Acapella Forum, 2007-04-20, <http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1607446> 
  2. ^ Petrucci Forum, 2007-04-21, <http://www.petrucciforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46117> 
  3. ^ Harmony Central Acapella Forum, 2007-04-20, <http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=9da6649f5a3dc5af06b89adf652148cc&p=22158908#post22158908> 
  4. ^ Gigpad, 2004-08-30, <http://www.gigpad.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=45> 
  5. ^ Harmony Central Acapella Forum, 2007-04-20, <http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showpost.php?p=22158908&postcount=87> 

[edit] Further reading

v • d • e
Blackstratblues
Studio albums
with Zero
Albummed · Hook · Procrastination