Tone Chasers and String Benders

Chaz Charles & Dr. Porifera Glund
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A journey through the players who shaped the sound of modern music. Each episode spotlights five guitarists — where they came from, the guitar they’re known for playing, the bands and recordings that defined their sound — and the track that best captures what made them legendary. Rock, jazz, blues, country, fusion, classical, session masters, innovators, and tone pioneers — all part of the six-string story. Five guitarists at a time… until we reach one thousand. For tone chasers, string benders, chicken pickers, boomer bombers, fuzz freaks, and anyone who ever lost a day chasing the perfect riff.

  1. 10h ago

    Mired in B's

    The B's refuse to end. In Episode 15 of Tone Chasers & String Benders, Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund continue their alphabetical expedition through 1,000 legendary guitarists, moving from psychedelic pedal steel and the thunderous beginnings of heavy metal to prewar blues, ragtime and extraordinary acoustic virtuosity. Featured guitarists in this episode: Bobby Black – The pedal-steel wizard of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. What once sounded like countrified hippie nonsense to the Doctor now sounds remarkably good. The guys revisit the band's wonderfully irreverent blend of Western swing, country and rock, discovering that sometimes the best guitar playing comes from musicians you didn't appreciate the first time around. Ritchie Blackmore – Deep Purple. Rainbow. Blackmore's Night. A Fender Stratocaster pushed to the brink of amplifier destruction and a musical legacy that helped establish the vocabulary of hard rock and heavy metal. Chaz makes the case for Blackmore's enormous influence on the Sunset Strip guitar generation, while also revisiting the stories surrounding his treatment of a young Eddie Van Halen. The Doctor remembers seeing Deep Purple in 1968, and the guys reach all the way back to The Book of Taliesyn for a little "Wring That Neck." Blackmore deserves an episode of his own. Naturally, they don't have time for that. Scrapper Blackwell – From British hard rock to the foundations of American blues. Francis Hillman "Scrapper" Blackwell takes the show back to the early twentieth century, where his partnership with pianist Leroy Carr helped establish a guitar language that would echo through generations. The guys discover his remarkable playing, explore the blues recordings that survived him, and add another follower to a guitarist whose influence deserves far more attention. Blind Blake – A master of Piedmont blues and ragtime guitar whose intricate fingerpicking could make one acoustic instrument sound like an entire ensemble. The conversation turns to the astonishing precision of early recorded guitar music, the instruments and strings of the period, and the realization that virtuosity existed long before anybody plugged into a Marshall stack. Norman Blake – Acoustic virtuosity of another kind. The celebrated flatpicker brings the episode into the world of traditional American music, where breathtaking technique, melodic imagination and a deceptively simple acoustic guitar prove that you don't need electricity to leave two guitar enthusiasts speechless. Featured recordings include: Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen – Live selections featuring Bobby BlackDeep Purple – "Wring That Neck"Scrapper Blackwell – Early blues recordings and solo selectionsBlind Blake – Piedmont blues and ragtime guitar recordingsNorman Blake – Acoustic flatpicking performancesAnd in between? The Guitar Freemasons emerge from the shadows. Sacrificial ice cream becomes an alarming possibility. The Doctor confronts his former prejudice against Commander Cody. Ritchie Blackmore's tone threatens to blow up another amplifier. Hendrix, Clapton and Eddie Van Halen enter the conversation. The history of guitar strings becomes a surprisingly serious subject. And somewhere along the way, the guys realize that nine more pages of B's may be waiting for them. This isn't a ranking. It isn't a lecture. It's a journey through the people who made the guitar what it is—five players at a time, with absolutely no guarantee of staying on the subject. Five more guitarists down. 925 to go. Hosted by Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund. Only on the Boneless Podcasting Network.

    Mired in B's

  2. Sep 30

    The B's Have It

    In this fourteenth episode of Tone Chasers & String Benders, co-hosts Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund continue their seemingly endless journey through the B's—and somehow manage to travel from the Fillmore East to Canadian jazz clubs, through electric blues, across the classical guitar repertoire and straight into the glorious noise of Babes in Toyland. Along the way, the Doctor recalls seeing the Allman Brothers in their prime, including the extraordinary occasion when he wandered up behind Gregg Allman's Hammond organ, requested a song and actually got it played. There's a Chicago concert that didn't quite go according to plan, some serious discussion about the art of playing together rather than showing off, and the inevitable discovery that remembering rock history and having actually witnessed it are two entirely different things. And somewhere in the middle of all that? We encounter Canada's favorite heavy metal band, a discussion about talcum powder, and the Doctor's apparently inexhaustible supply of questionable recollections. Featured guitarists in this episode: Dickey Betts — The Allman Brothers' melodic Southern rock architect. We explore his interplay with Duane Allman, his contributions to the band's unmistakable sound and his subsequent adventures with Great Southern. Ed Bickert — The Canadian jazz guitarist who made a Fender Telecaster sound like it belonged in the most sophisticated jazz clubs on the planet. An exercise in restraint, harmonic sophistication and knowing precisely which notes NOT to play. Elvin Bishop — From the Paul Butterfield Blues Band to his own distinctive brand of blues-rock, we encounter a guitarist who knows his way around a groove. Ernesto Bitetti — We put down the electric guitars and venture into the world of classical guitar, where the fingers do the talking and there's nowhere to hide behind an amplifier. Kat Bjelland — Babes in Toyland's ferocious guitarist brings distortion, attitude and an entirely different definition of tone to our increasingly unruly alphabetical expedition. Five guitarists. Five completely different musical worlds. Two hosts who probably shouldn't be allowed to operate heavy machinery. Five more guitarists down, 930 to go! 1,000 Legendary Guitarists. A Fiver at a Time. Only on the Boneless Podcasting Network.

    The B's Have It

  3. Sep 24

    We Got Yer B's Right Here

    The B’s refuse to leave. In Episode 13 of Tone Chasers & String Benders, Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund continue their increasingly improbable alphabetical journey through 1,000 legendary guitarists with five players who manage to cover jazz sophistication, Texas swing, the invention of rock & roll, a genuine mystery man, and modern virtuosity—all before the guys can finally escape the letter B. Featured guitarists in this episode: George Benson – Before the smooth vocals and crossover stardom, there was one hell of a jazz guitarist. Benson sends Chaz and the Doctor into his early work, his unmistakable phrasing, the relationship between the notes he plays and sings, and the realization that “smooth” doesn't have to mean easy. The man can flat-out play. Ray Benson – From one Benson to another, but that's about where the similarities end. The towering leader of Asleep at the Wheel brings Western swing, Texas-sized musical history and a Telecaster into the proceedings. Bob Wills inevitably enters the room, and the guys discover once again that following the guitar backwards usually opens several more doors than it closes. Chuck Berry – Two notes. That's about all it takes. Chaz and Glund dig into the riffs, double-stops, movement, songwriting and guitar vocabulary that became part of rock & roll's basic DNA. There's the duck walk, memories of seeing Berry live, the question of just how much subsequent rock guitar traces directly back to Chuck—and, naturally, an encounter with the infamous John Lennon/Yoko Ono performance that sends everything briefly off the rails. Skeeter Best – And then things get difficult. A respected jazz guitarist with an impressive résumé who proves remarkably hard to actually find. What begins as another entry on the list becomes an on-air musical investigation involving search results, wrong Skeeters, questionable recordings and the recurring Tone Chasers dilemma: how can someone be considered legendary when two guys with the entire Internet at their disposal can barely locate the guitar? Nuno Bettencourt – Finally, the B's arrive in the modern age with one of the great technicians of his generation. Extreme, Pornograffitti, rhythm, melody, impossible-looking technique and a player whose chops never completely obscure the song. And when Nuno's connection to Eddie Van Halen enters the conversation, Chaz finds the performance that gets him every time. And in between? George Benson guitar archaeology. Asleep at the Wheel. Chuck Berry's astonishingly economical recipe for rock & roll. John Lennon trying to play along. Yoko. The mysterious Skeeter hunt. Guitarists singing their own solos. Nuno paying tribute to Eddie. And another reminder that five names on a list somehow never means discussing only five guitarists. Because around here, every guitarist opens another door. Five more guitarists down. 935 to go. Hosted by Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund. Only on the Boneless Podcasting Network.

    We Got Yer B's Right Here

  4. Sep 21

    More B's For Your Buck

    The B’s keep coming—and apparently they’re determined to give Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund their money’s worth. In Episode 12 of Tone Chasers & String Benders, the alphabetical journey through 1,000 legendary guitarists rolls through early rock & roll, art-rock weirdness, Big Star melancholy, British pub rock and a guitarist whose name wasn’t actually his name. Five guitarists. Five completely different corners of the instrument. And, naturally, several doors that probably should have remained closed. Featured guitarists in this episode: Franny Beecher – Before rock guitar had figured out what it was supposed to be, Beecher was already tearing it up behind Bill Haley & His Comets. A jazz guitarist dropped into the middle of the emerging rock & roll explosion, Beecher brings the guys back to the days when this music genuinely sounded dangerous. There’s vintage footage, devil’s music, barbaric guitar playing—and the realization that somebody had to play those licks while Bill Haley stood out front. Adrian Belew – Where do you start? Frank Zappa. David Bowie. Talking Heads. King Crimson. Robert Fripp. Discipline. Lone Rhino. “Big Electric Cat.” Belew’s ability to make a guitar sound like virtually anything sends Chaz enthusiastically into the weird while the Doctor becomes increasingly unconvinced that “genius” necessarily means “something I want to hear in the car.” And then Robert Fripp’s orbit opens yet another door. Chris Bell – Big Star takes the show somewhere completely different. Bell’s guitar work and songwriting on #1 Recordlead into the extraordinary “I Am the Cosmos,” Alex Chilton, the strange fate of Big Star and one of rock history’s great cult figures—a musician whose influence became vastly larger than the audience he found during his lifetime. Martin Belmont – From Ducks Deluxe to Graham Parker & The Rumour, Belmont brings the show into the sweaty world of British pub rock: economical playing, great hooks and guitar parts built to serve the song rather than announce themselves. Naturally, finding the guitar solo they're looking for becomes an adventure of its own. Ariel Bender – Except Ariel Bender is really Luther Grosvenor, which is exactly the sort of thing this show was designed to stumble into. Spooky Tooth leads to Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs and the glorious theatrical racket of British ’70s rock. Somewhere along the way, Chaz finds himself unwilling to stop the record—which may be the highest honor Tone Chasers can bestow. And in between? Skechers somehow become a discussion of tone and value. Robert Fripp and Toyah wander into the proceedings. Chaz discovers music he could apparently write code to all day. Ducks Deluxe gets confused with Bebop Deluxe. Dr. Glund starts running dangerously low on old concert stories. And then an old thread comes roaring back when Lothar and the Hand People finally get their promised investigation—only for the guys to discover that Lothar wasn't a person at all. Lothar was the theremin. At last: a digression with a point. This isn’t a ranking. It isn’t a lecture. And at this point, pretending the rabbit holes aren't part of the methodology would just be dishonest. It's five guitarists at a time, one record leading to another, until somebody remembers there are still several hundred names left on the list. Five more guitarists down. 940 to go. Hosted by Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund. Only on the Boneless Podcasting Network. (rss.com)

    More B's For Your Buck

  5. Sep 10

    Shape of B's

    The B’s are getting so crowded that apparently started pulling in the C's.. In Episode 11 of Tone Chasers & String Benders, Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund continue their alphabetical journey through 1,000 legendary guitarists with two Becks, two Beckers… and a Larry Coryell who wanders into the proceedings and refuses to remain merely a diversion. Featured guitarists in this episode: Jeff Beck – Where do you even start? The Yardbirds. Truth. Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood. “Shapes of Things.” “Heart Full of Soul.” “Beck’s Bolero.” Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Eric Clapton, Hendrix, Les Pauls, Strats, Tone Benders—and a guitarist who seemingly spent his entire career refusing to sound like anybody but Jeff Beck. The guys follow him all the way to Ozzy Osbourne’s “Patient Number 9” and discover the obvious problem with putting Jeff Beck on a five-guitarist show: eventually you have to stop talking about Jeff Beck. Joe Beck – Jazz guitarist, session monster and owner of a résumé that casually includes Miles Davis, James Brown, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra and Gil Evans. The trail leads through Esther Phillips, Kudu and CTI Records, “From a Whisper to a Scream,” “Lay Down Beside You,” and Beck’s own 1975 solo work. Another record gets saved to Chaz’s library. Mission accomplished. Larry Coryell – Except Joe Beck inevitably opens another door. Coryell was supposed to be a diversion. Then they actually start listening. And once Tone Chasers starts digging through a guitarist’s records, there really is no such thing as a diversion anymore. Coryell officially earns his place in the five as the show veers deeper into jazz fusion—and even plants the seed for a future visit to that Jim Pepper “peyote chant” where Coryell absolutely cranks. Jason Becker – A genuine shred phenomenon whose trajectory seemed limitless: Cacophony with Marty Friedman, then the David Lee Roth gig following Steve Vai, with the chops to stand in a lineage that included Eddie Van Halen. ALS tragically ended Becker’s performing career, but not his music or his connection to the guitar community. Chaz and the Doctor listen to the Roth-era work, marvel at Becker’s playing, and naturally find time to examine a few of Diamond Dave’s more dependable lyrical and visual trademarks. Walter Becker – Just when it seems the episode might be over, another Becker appears. The guitarist, bassist, songwriter, producer and Donald Fagen’s partner in Steely Dan leads straight into the question of what Walter himself brought to a band famous for hiring some of the greatest guitarists alive. The answer becomes clearer when the guys hit Becker’s solo work—11 Tracks of Whack, “Junkie Girl” and Circus Money—and hear just how much unmistakable Steely Dan DNA came directly from Walter Becker. And in between? There’s unfinished Don Beck business, the Yardbirds family tree, Jimmy Page sightings, guitar-gear archaeology, CTI session-player rabbit holes, Larry Carlton, Marty Friedman, Diamond Dave being Diamond Dave, and the increasingly obvious realization that “we’ve diverted a lot on this show” may actually be the show’s mission statement. This isn’t a ranking. It isn’t a lecture. It’s five guitarists at a time—unless somebody finds another record and everything goes sideways. Five more guitarists down. 945 to go. Hosted by Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund. Only on the Boneless Podcasting Network.

    Shape of B's

  6. Sep 4

    The B's Keep Coming

    In Episode 9 of Tone Chasers & String Benders, Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund discover something they probably should have figured out by now: the B’s are going to be around for a while. Five more names come off the list, and this may be one of the strangest combinations yet. We go from the swampy grooves of Little Feat to the psychedelic birth of Pink Floyd, take a hard left into Cuban classical guitar, climb aboard a freight train with a Dobro, and finally arrive at a guitarist so obscure the guys begin questioning the list itself. In other words, business as usual. Featured guitarists in this episode: Paul Barrere – Longtime Little Feat guitarist whose Stratocaster, slide work and greasy Southern-meets-Louisiana tone helped define one of rock’s great cult bands. Chaz admits Little Feat largely passed him by the first time around—but Barrere’s playing makes a convincing case for catching up. Syd Barrett – Founding force behind Pink Floyd, psychedelic visionary, Telecaster and Danelectro player...but one of history’s great guitarists? Arnold Layne, See Emily Play and The Scarecrow launch a debate over whether Barrett belongs here for his guitar playing—or because without Syd, there may never have been Pink Floyd. Manuel Barrueco – From psychedelic Cambridge to Santiago, Cuba, and suddenly everybody gets quiet. Barrueco’s nylon-string classical playing sparks a conversation about feel—and whether playing slowly, with every note exposed, can actually be harder than playing fast. Guitar as conversation. Guitar as narrative. Nothing to hide behind. Bashful Brother Oswald – Born Beecher “Pete” Kirby, the Dobro pioneer associated with Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys transports the show to another time: freight trains, Tennessee countryside, front porches and, naturally, a big bloodhound sitting nearby. Different instrument. Different era. Same chase for tone. Cal Batchelor – An English guitarist associated with Quiver and Sutherland Brothers and Quiver, Batchelor sends the guys down another rabbit hole—through Tim Renwick, Quicksilver Messenger Service and John Cipollina—before raising the inevitable question: does every guitarist on a list of 1,000 great guitarists really belong there? Featured recordings include: Skin It Back / Feats Don’t Fail Me Now – Little Feat with Paul Barrere Arnold Layne / See Emily Play / The Scarecrow – Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett The Radiant Guitar – Manuel Barrueco Dobro selections – Bashful Brother Oswald Sutherland Brothers and Quiver selections – Cal Batchelor And in between? Syd Barrett versus David Gilmour. Joan Baez wanders back into the conversation. Classical guitar becomes a meditation on speed versus feel. Brother Oswald gains a couple of followers in real time. Quiver somehow leads to John Cipollina’s legendary amplifier rig. And eventually the guys look at this particular batch of B’s and wonder whether the middle of the list might contain just a little bit of... BS. This isn’t a ranking. It isn’t a lecture. And increasingly, it may not even be a good idea. But it’s one hell of a way to discover guitar players. Five more guitarists down... Nine hundred and fifty-five to go... Hosted by Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund. Only on the Boneless Podcasting Network.

    The B's Keep Coming

  7. Aug 18

    The B's Get Crowded

    The B’s are getting crowded. In Episode 10 of Tone Chasers & String Benders, Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund continue their alphabetical journey through 1,000 legendary guitarists, moving from outrageous metal virtuosity and Michael Jackson-sized stages to bebop, Steely Dan precision, pedal steel and the Flying Burrito Brothers. And somewhere along the way, they may even find the right Don Beck. Featured guitarists in this episode: Michael Angelo Batio – Metal virtuosity taken to its logical extreme. The famous double guitar, ambidextrous playing, sweep picking and enough technique to make two fretboards seem almost reasonable. Jennifer Batten – Known to millions as Michael Jackson’s guitarist, but listen beyond the spectacle and there’s serious command of the instrument: tapping, harmonics, trills and little technical details everywhere. Her connection with Jeff Beck opens a larger discussion about influence and developing your own voice. Billy Bauer – Back to the sophisticated jazz guitar of the 1940s and ’50s. Bauer worked with musicians including Lennie Tristano and Woody Herman, playing guitar that converses with the ensemble rather than trying to dominate it. An unfamiliar name becomes exactly the kind of discovery this show exists to make. Jeff “Skunk” Baxter – Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers and one of the great lessons in knowing exactly where the guitar belongs. Baxter could step forward when required, but his real genius may have been understanding how a perfectly placed guitar part can help make the entire record work. Don Beck – Supposedly the pedal-steel guitarist associated with the Flying Burrito Brothers. Unfortunately, the first Don Beck Chaz and Glund find doesn't sound remotely like that guy. Cue an on-air investigation involving multiple Don Becks, questionable internet evidence, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman and an increasingly desperate search for the guitarist they're actually supposed to be discussing. Featured recordings include: Michael Angelo Batio / Manowar – “Kings of Metal” Jennifer Batten – Live at the Blue Note Jeff Beck – “Highway Jam” (discussed in connection with Batten) Billy Bauer – “When It’s Sleepy Time” Jeff “Skunk” Baxter – “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You” Steely Dan – “Bodhisattva” and early Baxter-era selections Don Beck – “War Gods” — definitely listened to; apparently the wrong Don Beck The Flying Burrito Brothers – selections from The Last of the Red Hot Burritos featuring the Don Beck they were actually looking for The Flying Burrito Brothers – “Sin City,” “Dark End of the Street,” “Juanita” and “Hot Burrito” material Sometimes you discover a guitarist. Sometimes you rediscover one. And sometimes you go looking for a pedal-steel player and wind up listening to “War Gods.” Five more guitarists down. 950 to go. Hosted by Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund. Only on the Boneless Podcasting Network.

    The B's Get Crowded

  8. Jul 23

    The Killer B's

    In this episode of Tone Chasers & String Benders, co-hosts Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund dive headfirst into what they quickly discover is one of the deepest sections of the alphabet. The B's aren't just crowded—they're loaded. After marveling at the sheer number of contenders, the pair curate another eclectic lineup spanning progressive rock, big band jazz, Western swing, and pioneering electric jazz guitar, proving once again that guitar history refuses to stay in one lane. The episode opens with the hosts assuring listeners that this list wasn't assembled by AI—followed immediately by an extended and completely unnecessary discussion about the one thing artificial intelligence still can't convincingly fake. It's exactly the kind of detour you've come to expect. Featured guitarists in this episode: Peter Banks – The original guitarist and founding member of Yes, whose Gibson ES-335 helped shape the band's earliest psychedelic and progressive explorations before Steve Howe took the reins. The hosts revisit the debut Yes album, marvel at Banks' inventive playing, and rediscover just how good those first recordings really were. Dave Barbour – Swing-era guitarist, Gibson ES-5 and ES-150 devotee, Peggy Lee's husband, and a master of tasteful jazz phrasing. Chaz and Dr. Glund explore his work with Benny Goodman and Red Norvo while inevitably veering into jokes that would make a 1940s nightclub blush. Junior Barnard – One of the architects of Western Swing guitar with Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. His fiery blend of country, blues, and jazz earns admiration from both hosts, who celebrate the overlooked musicians who quietly built the bridge between early country music and modern electric guitar. George Barnes – One of the first great electric jazz guitarists, known for his elegant Guild and Gibson archtops and his beautifully lyrical duet recordings with Carl Kress. What begins as an unfamiliar name quickly becomes one of the episode's biggest discoveries as the hosts stumble into a catalogue of remarkably tasteful guitar performances. Martin Barre – The longtime guitarist of Jethro Tull, whose precise, muscular playing helped define classics like Aqualung while somehow standing shoulder to shoulder with Ian Anderson's flute. The conversation explores Barre's underrated legacy and why he deserves far more recognition among rock guitar fans. Featured recordings include: Every Little Thing – Yes featuring Peter BanksStompin' at the Savoy – Dave BarbourFat Boy Rag – Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys featuring Junior BarnardBlue Moon – George Barnes & Carl KressAqualung – Jethro Tull featuring Martin BarreAnd in between? You get vintage Yes albums rediscovered in real time. Western Swing history lessons. Peggy Lee stories. Hollow-body guitar "appreciation". A detour into Eddie Lang and Dick McDonough that sends everyone down another musical rabbit hole. Arguments over forgotten jazz masters with barely two thousand monthly Spotify listeners. And, somehow, Norm Crosby, Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Max Headroom, and flatulence all make appearances before the first half-hour is over. Because around here, every guitarist opens another door. Five more guitarists down... Nine hundred and sixty to go... Hosted by Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund. Only on the Boneless Podcasting Network.

    The Killer B's
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A journey through the players who shaped the sound of modern music. Each episode spotlights five guitarists — where they came from, the guitar they’re known for playing, the bands and recordings that defined their sound — and the track that best captures what made them legendary. Rock, jazz, blues, country, fusion, classical, session masters, innovators, and tone pioneers — all part of the six-string story. Five guitarists at a time… until we reach one thousand. For tone chasers, string benders, chicken pickers, boomer bombers, fuzz freaks, and anyone who ever lost a day chasing the perfect riff.

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