Interviews at the NAMM Show 2025 with:

Ed Nijjer and Mike Federici (Dirtbag Republic), Gary Beers (INXS & GGB BASS Guitars) & Loren Scott (Ashen Amps)

DIRTBAG REPUBLIC

DIRTBAG REPUBLIC emerged onto the rock scene with a bang in 2015, founded by the dynamic duo Sandy Hazard and Mick Wood. Their self-titled debut album, recorded and released the same year, quickly sold out within a month. Garnering rave reviews, it was hailed as a “minor masterpiece” by critics, earning impressive scores such as 8/10 from Classic Rock, Powerplay UK, Vive Le Rock and The Rockpit. The album’s standout track, “Socialize,” soared to the top of TBFM UK Radio on September 24, 2015. Powerplay UK praised the album, comparing it favorably to recent releases by Michael Monroe, while Sleazegrinder from Classic Rock declared, “This band is fucking stellar.”

In 2017, DIRTBAG REPUBLIC released their sophomore album, ‘Downtown Eastside,’ mixed by Stu Mckillop (Unleash The Archers) and mastered by Svante Forsback (Michael Monroe/Backyard Babies). This album also sold out quickly, necessitating a second pressing. The band’s sound, often compared to Hanoi Rocks, Michael Monroe, Aerosmith, and DGeneration, continued to resonate with fans and critics alike. ‘Downtown Eastside’ received strong reviews from Classic Rock, The Georgia Straight, Powerplay, Vive Le Rock, Decibel Geek, Sleaze Roxx, and Australia’s Rock Pit, where it secured the #8 spot on their “Best of 2017” year-end list.

The year 2020 marked a significant milestone for DIRTBAG REPUBLIC as they signed with indie label Shock Records/Vanity Music Group, with distribution by Sony Music Entertainment America. Their third album, ‘Tear Down Your Idols,’ was released worldwide on November 26, 2021, available on CD, LP, and digital formats. Produced by Hazard and Wood, mixed by Tim Neuhaus, and mastered by Harry Hess (Monster Truck, Billy Talent), the album received an 8/10 from Classic Rock Magazine (UK), 8/10 from Powerplay Magazine (UK), and 9/10 from The Rockpit (Australia). It was also named The Rockpit’s #7 album of the year and featured on the popular podcast Rock N Roll Geek Show’s top 10 albums of the year.

In 2021, DIRTBAG REPUBLIC released two music videos for the tracks “Wannabees” and “Days are Gone,” which collectively amassed 12,000 views.

2022 saw the band release their ‘Wannabees Maxi Single EP’ on vinyl via Record Store Day through Shock/VMG, with distribution by Sony Music Entertainment. The EP featured the single “Wannabees” from ‘Tear Down Your Idols,’ along with tracks from their first two albums and the digital-only release “Pandemic Blues.” The band launched the EP with an in-store performance at RedRum Records on Record Store Day in British Columbia. That same year, DIRTBAG REPUBLIC played their first show at The Roxy Cabaret in Vancouver to a packed, enthusiastic house, along with several other performances throughout the year.

In 2024, DIRTBAG REPUBLIC recorded their fourth album, ‘Bad Decisions,’ once again teaming up with Tim Neuhaus for mixing, with Hazard and Wood producing. Justin Perkins (Replacements/Jellyfish) mastered the record at Mystery Room Mastering in Wisconsin. The band signed with Sioux Records in the USA to release the LP version of the album, while self-releasing a limited CD edition. ‘Bad Decisions’ is set to be released on September 27, 2024. The three videos released for the album have already amassed an impressive 116,000 views on YouTube.

With a sound that continues to captivate and a reputation for stellar live performances, DIRTBAG REPUBLIC remains a formidable force in the rock music scene.

Sandy Hazard- Vocals, Mick Wood – Guitar, Mike Federici – Guitar, Dave Worden – Bass, Ed Nijjer -Drums…..https://linktr.ee/dirtbagrepublic

Gary Beers (INXS & GGB BASSES)

GGB Basses are the brainchild of Garry Gary Beers, bassist of INXS.

Garry has designed with legendary companies such as Ampeg, Peavey, Fender, Steinberger G&L, ESP, Ibanez and Maton guitars in Australia.

“I wanted to have a bass that feels like an old friend from the moment you first hold it. Then you plug it in and realize that this is like nothing you’ve ever heard or felt before. That’s exactly what I felt when I assembled GGB #1 and that is what I wish to share.” …

Garry has put all of his experience, creativity, passion, and knowledge into building what he believes to be the perfect bass – in sound, feel and style. The shapes and colors of these basses are sourced from the look and feel of vintage basses that Garry has admired since he started playing.

“From the late 70’s I’ve been building, modifying, and experimenting with pickups and control electronics. My passion is creating. You can always see me with a soldering iron or shaping tool in my hands. It has always been my mission to find the exact sound and feel for the basses, bass rigs and pedal boards I design and build.”

“First, it started with my mission to build the perfect pickup. I started working on a pickup design back in Australia in the early 90’s. The sound of a vintage split Humbucker pickup was always priority number one. I eventually cracked the code and finalized and patented my 4 and 5 string “Quad” pickup in Los Angeles in 2017.”

With the pickup design complete, Garry then began work on the basses that were to house them. For the weight, feel and balance of the new basses Garry turned to “Old Faithful” – his 1958 Fender P Bass he found in Chicago in 1985. “Old Faithful” is the INXS bass- she has played on all of the biggest INXS hits including on their biggest record – KICK.

All of Garry’s basses are modeled after “Old Faithful”, the perfect home for the perfect pickup....https://www.ggbbasses.com/

Loren Scott
(Ashen Amps)

Ashen Custom Boutique Bass and Guitar Amplifiers and Cabinets

Based in California, USA, our small, family-run company is passionate about creating unique and memorable cabinets and amps. Whether it’s a custom cabinet or a popular brand product, we aim to provide beautiful, high-quality products that enhance the beauty of your guitar, both acoustically and aesthetically.

Our cheif engineer brings over 50 years of experience in the sound industry, specializing in tube amplifier design, speaker cabinets, drivers, and their components. To him, every part that shapes sound is alive, allowing him to craft exceptional products that musicians truly love.

At Ashen Amps, we constantly focus on creating new product designs that elevate your inspiration to the next level of artistry. Our primary goal is to produce custom cabinets that are lightweight, powerful, great-sounding, and visually stunning while also being easy on your back when transporting them to and from venues. We pour great care, love, and passion into every cabinet we create and genuinely value your experience. That’s why we are always eager to maintain open communication with you even after you have purchased our products so that we can hear your feedback and address any concerns you may have….https://www.ashenamps.com/