LA Weekly Music @LAWeeklyMusic Sep 23
Green Day's @MikeDirnt talked to us about why Fender's move to Hollywood is important.
Someone broke into Mike Dirnt’s home when he was 15, stealing the young punk rocker’s guitars. Luckily Dirnt's bass was over at friend Billie Joe Armstrong’s house. “That sealed the deal. I was now a bass player for good,” Dirnt recalls now.
Almost 30 years and millions of Green Day albums sold later, Dirnt has his own signature Fender Road Worn Precision Bass model. Dirnt worked with Fender for two years on the design of the bass, which launched in 2013.
And when Green Day plays their sold-out Oct. 17 Hollywood Palladium show, it will be easier than ever for Dirnt, who resides in Oakland, to meet with Fender artist relations and product developers. The iconic music instrument company’s new offices, at 1525 and 1575 North Gower Street, are a block away from the Palladium. The company will also maintain its Scottsdale, Ariz., offices, a small artists relations office in Burbank, and a manufacturing facility in Riverside County.
“I think being able to physically sit down at Fender headquarters and go over details and specifics of the gear that we are using is really important,” Dirnt writes via email. “Every type of musician you can think of either exists in Los Angeles, or travels through Los Angeles/Hollywood. I think Fender relocating opens up a lot of possibilities to connect with musicians of all genres.”
http://www.laweekly.com/music/fender-guitars-has-a-new-home-in-the-heart-of-hollywood-photos-7410496