Enter for a chance to win an RC-3 Loop Station pedal autographed by John-5, Steve Stevens, Billy Duffy, Herman Li, and Darryl Jones. Contest ends April 5, 2013.

On Friday evening, January 25, 2013, loop artists from 12 different countries gathered at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney to compete in the international finals for the BOSS Loop Station World Championship 3. Held as part of Roland Connect during the 2013 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, the finals event was an exciting conclusion to the BOSS global competition that began in the summer of 2012. Over 500 looping fans were in attendance, with another 8,000-plus viewing live on the web as the event was streamed online.

RC-3 giveaway ends April 5, 2013

The large audience enjoyed an entertaining evening of inspired and innovative performances, with all the loop artists delivering high-level musical presentations. Ultimately, Grison Beatbox of Spain claimed the looping title with a mesmerizing beatboxing performance that featured impressive technical skill with his RC-300 Loop Station and VE-20 Vocal Performer effects. For his efforts, he earned $3,000 in BOSS gear.

Now in its third year, the BOSS Loop Station World Championship spotlights artists around the globe that make fresh and inventive music with BOSS’ industry leading Loop Station products. This year’s international finals showed how the relatively new and wildly expressive art form of live looping continues to evolve at a lighting pace, with the artists performing an eclectic array of music styles with vocals, effects, a huge range of instruments, and full-throttle musical creativity.

All 12 loop artists were winners of BOSS Loop Station competitions held in their home countries throughout the latter part of 2012. Regions represented were the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Iberia, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Eastern Europe, and Central Europe.

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Related links and articles:

• The Art of Looping
• Meet the Loop Station World Championship 3 Judges
• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1

Led by guitarist Billy Duffy and vocalist Ian Astbury, British post-punk band The Cult is still going strong after nearly 30 years. Formed in 1983 and strongly influenced by classic rockers from the ’60s and ’70s, the group unleashed a hard-edged sound with shades of psychedelia that presented a strong contrast to the drum machine-driven synth pop that led the UK music scene at the time. Powered by Duffy’s melodic riffage and Astbury’s bluesy wail, the essential ’80s albums Love, Electric, and Sonic Temple saw the group evolve in an increasingly heavier direction, a tradition carried on today with their latest release, Choice of Weapon.

From the very beginning of The Cult, BOSS and Roland gear has been at the heart of Billy’s guitar tone. BOSS stomps have been his pedalboard mainstays for three decades, while the Roland JC-120 amp and its built-in chorus effect has a permanent home in his backline. “She Sells Sanctuary,” recorded in 1985 and one of the band’s most enduring songs, features this setup prominently, with multiple BOSS pedals and JC chorus shaping the tune’s memorable guitar intro.

BUG recently sat down with Billy to discuss The Cult’s music, his thoughts on tone, and his long history with BOSS and Roland. He also gave us a demonstration of how he developed the classic sounds in “She Sells Sanctuary” and “Fire Woman,” another iconic song that showcases Billy’s unique style.

When did you start using BOSS pedals?

The first time I got my hands on a BOSS pedal was really early in ’83. A guy called Jamie Stewart joined The Cult [on bass] when we put the band together in England. He used to be a guitar player, so he came with guitar effects. He handed them over and said, “I won’t be needing these anymore.” One of them was a BOSS Super Overdrive, which I’ve pretty much used until today. That was the first time I’d seen a BOSS pedal. Very quickly thereafter I started getting into BOSS delays—the old DM-2, the analog one, and I think it was a DD-2. And then I used a [BOSS] flanger. I never used chorus, because I always used [the built-in chorus in] my Roland JC-120.

A funny story about that: the first gig I ever did with The Cult was in a club in Oslo called Rats. We kind of debuted the band out of the UK. We did our first Led Zeppelin copy, which was “play outside the UK first, get your chops up, and come back.” So we did a gig in Oslo, and they gave me a thing called a JC-160, which I believe was a 4×10 [version]. I’ve never seen one since. That was the first amp I ever used [live with The Cult].

What is it that makes BOSS pedals appealing to pro players like you?

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Related links and articles:

• Meet the Loop Station World Championship 3 Judges
• Steve Stevens V-Guitar Experience Interview
• Guitar Amp Roundtable Discussion Part 1

Darryl has played bass guitar for the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Cher and Peter Gabriel. He also plays with an amazing trio, the Stone Raiders. Darryl uses BOSS effects and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer.

John 5

John plays guitar for Rob Zombie. He has also played with Marilyn Manson, Rob Halford, David Lee Roth and many others. John’s innovative and versatile guitar style has been featured on many projects. John plays BOSS compact pedals and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer. John is featured on the new BOSS compact pedal Connect videos.

Watch the Loop Station World Championship 3 live and vote

Steve Stevens

Steve is the guitarist for Billy Idol. He has performed with Michael Jackson, Vince Neil, Ric Ocasek, Robert Palmer, Tony Levin, Terry Bozzio, the Atomic Playboys and Flamenco a GoGo. He played guitar on the mega-selling soundtrack “Top Gun” which earned him a Grammy Award for Pop Instrumental Performance. Steve plays BOSS compact pedals, the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer and Roland G-5 V-G Stratocaster.

Billy Duffy

Billy has played guitar with Johnny Marr, Morrissey and many others. He is best known for his work as guitarist for the Cult. His iconic guitar riffs are known to millions of music fans. Billy plays BOSS compact pedals and the Roland JC-120 amplifier.

Herman Li

Herman plays guitar for DragonForce. His blindingly fast and precise guitar playing has won the respect of many fans around the world. Herman is originally from Hong Kong and studied in the UK where he now lives. Herman uses BOSS compact pedals, BOSS eBand and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer.

Gary Lenaire

Gary Lenaire is the Product and Marketing Manager for BOSS and Roland Guitar Products. As a guitarist and composer and is mostly known for his work with the bands Tourniquet and Echo Hollow. He has released 12 records and has published over 90 songs worldwide, including those found in the Roland VS-2480, BOSS® MICRO BR and BOSS BR-800.

Watch the Loop Station World Championship 3 live and vote

Related Links and articles:

• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 2
• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1
• 18 Exciting New Products For Winter NAMM

Billy Duffy is one of the founding members of the extremely influential band The Cult. He and singer Ian Astbury have been in the band since 1983. Billy discusses the early days of the band and how he discovered his signature sound. According to him, BOSS pedals have been part of his sound for over 30 years. Find out which pedals he’s talking about.

Related links and articles:

• Mike Scaccia: My Pedals
• Mike Scaccia: How I Got My Tone
• Herman Li of DragonForce