Sick Riffs #121: Since their 2012 debut Telephone, Pennsylvania indie-rockers The Districts have enjoyed an enviable trajectory, reeling in legions of listeners who resonate with their diverse guitar-driven sound.
March 2020 saw the release of the group's latest full-length - You Know I'm Not Going Anywhere - and while the COVID-19 pandemic hindered the possibility of any promotional touring, the record has struck a chord with their fanbase nonetheless.
Today's episode of Sick Riffs sees guitarists Rob Grote and Pat Cassidy teach you a luscious open-string-fueled chord progression for acoustic guitar and an ethereal, effects-laden electric guitar riff from one of the album's standout cuts, Cheap Regrets.
Grote plays a '90s Alvarez Regent acoustic, while Cassidy uses a Fender Mustang electric through a stacked pedalboard consisting of a GFS Twin Clean [overdrive pedal], EarthQuaker Organizer [polyphonic organ emulator], EHX Memory Boy [delay, chorus and vibrato], Boss DD-7 [delay], Memory Man [reverb, delay, chorus, vibrato] and a Big Ear Frank [overdrive].
"“The pandemic was a huge blow to touring and unfortunately coincided with the serendipitous Friday the 13th release of our record, You Know I’m Not Going Anywhere," Grote says.
"Nonetheless, it’s been a chance to create, slow down to reflect, and learn a lot through the inspiring voices of the Black Lives Matter movement. We deeply hope everyone stays healthy and safe through these times, and doesn’t forget to vote."
Support The Districts
https://www.thedistrictsband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thedistrictsband/
https://www.instagram.com/thedistrictsband/?hl=en
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP9D1TM1q2_xKO_GsnWXoaQ
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2xzMLG4sd8VyBajBVW0vki
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-districts/414833769
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
Sick Riffs is a Guitar World video series designed to help guitarists affected by the coronavirus. Self-isolating players around the world have each filmed a lesson where they teach you one of their own guitar riffs, up close and personal. If you dig the lesson, we encourage you to buy music and merch from the artist or stream their music.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**
Join now for unlimited access
US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year
UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year
Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Sam was Staff Writer at GuitarWorld.com from 2019 to 2023, and also created content for Total Guitar, Guitarist and Guitar Player. He has well over 15 years of guitar playing under his belt, as well as a degree in Music Technology (Mixing and Mastering). He's a metalhead through and through, but has a thorough appreciation for all genres of music. In his spare time, Sam creates point-of-view guitar lesson videos on YouTube under the name Sightline Guitar.
Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force changed the game with its jaw-dropping display of mechanical mastery, classical themes, and reckless, extended soloing – celebrate 40 years of his essential debut with this neo-class shred masterclass
“I’m playing a nice old Gibson ES-335 through Lowell George’s Dumble amplifier…” Joe Bonamassa brings out the holy grail gear to explain how to get into a slow blues jam – and, crucially, how you can get out of it