I don't need any more stringed-instruments; I have my main electric guitar; a backup electric; another electric that's strictly for sentimental decor and only occasional strumming; an acoustic-electric; an electric bass; an upright dulcimer; a lap-steel guitar; and a mandolin. But I definitely want more instruments (specifically a high-end Dreadnought acoustic and/or one of several hollow bodies I've been eyeing). So whenever I see a music sale coming up, I take a look, just in case.

Which is how I found myself flipping through Guitar Center's 4th of July Sale, and stumbled on these disgusting beasts.

These special edition Game of Thrones Fender Custom Shop guitars were released in April 2019, and run between $25,000 and $35,000 a piece. Yes, you read that right: twenty-five thousand to thirty-five thousand dollars. And according to Fender, they each take around 100 hours to make, which makes them a little less absurdly priced, but still completely unnecessary.

Even if I had that kind of money, I don't think I'd go much higher than this $4,350 thinline semi-hollow Telecaster (hint hint). I genuinely cannot fathom who the market is for these hideous GoT axes. Was Fender approached by a Private Equity Consultant who encouraged them to target the niche market of a billionaire trustfund babies who love fantasy and collect guitars to display in their homes?

The $30,000 Lannister Jaguar (center) does come with a 24K gold leaf over on the front, back and headstock, as well as a gold-plated pickguard; the shiny finish on the body is actually just paint. Read the rest

Wow. This is a thing of great beauty. A giant 3D topographic wood map of Westeros, the world of Game of Thrones, by IMGURian @ARUNK55. It's 60"x35". Read the rest

This wonderful crafty person made their very own Game of Thrones 'Risk' game board out of a used wooden table they picked up for twenty bucks. Read the rest

You might recognize Wilko Johnson's  as Ser Ilyn Payne from Game of Thrones, but that role's small potatoes compared to his musical legacy. As the lead guitarist and song writer for the British pub rock band Dr. Feelgood, Johnson's choppy, percussive style of playing is considered to be one of the earliest influences of the early UK punk scene. When you listen to Joe Strummer hacking away with his axe in The 101ers, you're hearing Wilko.

In this brief video filmed back in 2012, Wilko demonstrates the ins and outs of the fierce, economic playing style that helped give rise to The Sex Pistols and The Clash. I've been a fan of the man for decades and, last week, was fortunate enough to spend a good chunk of time chatting with him. Look for my interview with Wilko to pop up on the site at some point in the near future.

Image courtesy of Abigail Elizabeth Photography Read the rest

The last few seasons of Game of Thrones weren't great... for Game of Thrones. Read the rest

The United Kingdom's security minister, Ben Wallace, really gets Lord Varys from Game of Thrones, you know? The Spider had it going on, man. He was hip and, also, with it. That imaginary man who had his love pump lopped off knew from HUMINT, apparently.

From The Telegraph:

Ben Wallace says there is “increasing scope” to recruit “juvenile” undercover agents because of the growing numbers of children involved in serious crime both as perpetrators and victims.

Records show the children - most aged 17 - have already been used as “covert human intelligence sources” (CHIS) by police in the past three years to provide information on murder, gang violence, drug dealing and the use of weapons.

The evidence emerged in a legal challenge in the High Court by campaign group Just for Kids Law who maintain there are a lack of safeguards to protect the children from potential physical and emotional harm. They claim the failings are a breach of the children's human rights.

Little Birds! Wallace's bullshit is currently before the courts in England as the Home Office is pushing to raise the current amount of time that folks under the age of 18 can work as an undercover informant from one month to four.

With no guaranteed protections against the type of psychological or physical trauma that they could potentially endure, even if they're not caught snooping, I can't think of anything less scrupulous than to enlist a child to keep tabs the sort of individuals that governments at the local or state level count among their enemies. Read the rest

This is one of Screen Rant's best "Pitch Meeting" episodes ever. Now I don't want to and don't need to see the final season of Game of Thrones. [Contains spoilers.] Read the rest

Two weeeks ago, it was a coffee cup. For the finale, a final insult: water bottles visible on-stage throughout the last episode's ███████ scene.

Read the rest

Last night, Game of Thrones' last episode played out. Without spoiling details, the fan consensus is that while the writing was as bad as the rest of the show's abrupt and stumbling final season, satisfying notes were struck, the characters generally ended up in the right places, and some arresting imagery was crafted.

But, but, there are still so many questions.

Expect spoilers in the comments. Read the rest

"Best season ever!"

I understand that the "looking up and to the right" marker for deception is a myth, but I also suspect that Peter Dinklage knows this.

Previously: Stuff Happens In Game Of Thrones Read the rest

This FunkoPop figure of Ghost, Jon Snow's albino dire wolf, comes without Jon Snow, which is how Ghost spent most of his time on the show.

The only characters I've cared about on Game of Throne's are Tyrion and the dire wolves. Ghost is played by an arctic wolf, but when I walk my Great Pyrenees we hear an awful lot of "Ghost!!!"

There is no Falcor Funko, yet. Which is whom my dog most resembles, evidently.

Neverending Story is on our wish list!

— Funko (@OriginalFunko) November 16, 2017

Funko POP! Game of Thrones Ghost Vinyl Figure via Amazon Read the rest

From u/dozzinale, "The Downfall of Game of Thrones Ratings." I stopped watching after Season 6 because by the time Season 7 started, I couldn't remember much of what happened. I guess our family will have to binge watch the entire run like we did with the Walking Dead a few years ago. Read the rest

I have not watched an episode this season. I will likely listen to the Boars, Gore and Swords podcast during a brief road trip this weekend and see if I need to watch. Read the rest

In a piece for The Cut, Senator Elizabeth Warren (presidential candidate and HBO fan) shares her love for Game of Thrones. It's loaded with spoilers and political metaphors, so proceed with caution if you're not caught up or allergic to allegory.

Dany believes fiercely in her right to rule, but she despises what ruling means in the world she’s grown up in. She doesn’t want to be a slave owner or a dictator — and she definitely doesn’t want to become her murderous father. She tells Ser Jorah: “Slavery is real. I can end it. I will end it. And I will end those behind it.” Before sailing across the sea to Westeros, she frees the enslaved people of Meereen and creates an army that fights because they want to, not because they have to. (Also, she has dragons.)

Senator Warren isn't the only 2020 candidate making Thrones noise. The current occupier of the White House tweeted a GoT meme after the release of the redacted Mueller Report. HBO was less than thrilled. Read the rest

Here is a wonderful tl;dw meme recap of the premiere episode of the 8th season of Game of Thrones, by chrysreviews. There are 260 frames here. A work of genius by a fan, don't sue please.

Spoilers below. Read the rest

I'm not a Las Vegas fan, but I wish I could plop myself at the Bellagio hotel for just four minutes one night this week to watch their Game of Thrones water show, which began last night. It looks spectacular.

From Las Vegas Review Journal:

A medley of the theme for HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and the song “Winter Is Here” from the show premiered at Bellagio Fountains water show on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday night. The new number will run at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily, in rotation through April 13.

The final season of Game of Thrones premieres April 14th. Read the rest

Game of Thrones fans will have a chance to walk through Winterfell.

HBO has announced plans to convert several of their filming sets located in Northern Ireland into tourist attractions, as the show ends its historic run in 2019. Read the rest