Mike Dawes has an electric side that needs to be unleashed. You may think of him as Michael Hedges’ legacy…but that comparison stops when the amps begin to glow.
Nik Mystery is a side project (meaning an official detour from his official acoustic guitar career) into guitar/synth/pop/rock power trio-ness with Jukka Backlund and Spencer Sotelo (of Periphery).
Their latest song is: The Internet (available on Bandcamp). Mike plays his Goshawk™ nicknamed “Beanst” on the guitar tracks. Check out his shred solo…
Cradling a cup of coffee in my left hand, I sat at the kitchen counter as Steve Sjuggerud scrambled eggs. The lure of frying bacon would soon wake Mike Dawes — currently sleeping off a six hour time zone difference.
Steve was also simmering baked beans.
“Are beans a Southern breakfast specialty?” I asked. “I’ve had grits and gravy before…”
“Actually, they’re for Mike,” Steve replied. “I think the English like beans with breakfast.”
Photographer Adam King arrived, along with his cousin. “What’s with the beans?”
“They’re for Mike.”
Hoodie-draped Mike appeared, long pale arm extended. Grim Reaper seeks caffeine. “Why does everyone always make me beans at breakfast…?”
So, Mike’s Goshawk™ 6-string electric is nicknamed: Beanst.
Beast + Beans
PHOTO: Mike Dawes with his Goshawk™ 6-string electric guitar. (Photo: Adam King)IMAGE: Mike Dawes on Instagram.PHOTO: Future stadium tours and Marshall stacks loom. Acoustic guitar virtuoso Mike Dawes has been corrupted by the lure of distortion and pinch harmonics… (Photo: Adam King)
It is such a joy to get time with great friends, especially involving music. When Steve Sjuggerud invited me to visit him in Florida this past week, it was an immediate yes.
The occasion was a live performance featuring Steve, Dan Ostrowski (drums), and acoustic guitarist Mike Dawes. Mike was visiting from UK, enroute to tour dates of his own. Also, we would be filming video…of the live performance, plus interviews.
More on that soon.
The next several days were just Mike, Steve, and me hanging out and testing guitars. Steve owns a stunning collection of original iconic vintage gear, lovingly curated, in perfect playing condition: Trainwreck, 1969 100-watt Marshall, Fender 1959 Strat. Plus some of the best new gear: Gil Yaron 1959 Les Paul replica, 1964 Fender Tweed replica, Blug amplifier system.
Essential benchmark guitar tone references.
Against them, we would be comparing two Goshawk™ 6-string prototype guitars I’d just completed.
What you might not know, what you might not expect, Mike Dawes — although known for his acoustic skills — is actually one of the best electric guitarists I’ve ever heard. His playing is fluid, melodic, effortless. Metal, shred…
Mike and Steve ripping together through Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” at concert volume still has me grinning ear to ear, a few days and a few thousand miles later.
PHOTO: Rick Toone, Steve Sjuggerud, Mike Dawes.PHOTO: Steve works through pickup coil combinations on Goshawk™ 6-string.PHOTO: Rick Toone original prototype 6-string (2012). Signatures of those who have played or helped develop this guitar. Note early patent pending tuner.PHOTO: Rick & Steve, mid-testing.PHOTO: Steve looks on as Mike explores Blueshift™ 7-string ER. Antares 6-string in foreground. Photographer Adam King works the angle.PHOTO: Our location…overlooking a tidal marsh, Florida coastline.
