Murder of Lilies, a San Francisco band in existence for just over a year, took some time to talk with Gearwire about aspects of their gear. Singer Daniel Lily took time to talk a little about the microphones and vocal effects he uses live and in the studio. His live mic is one most singers will be familiar with.

"I use an SM 58 that an old drummer left in my garage in 2001, the spray screen has dents in it that fit my lips perfectly," says Lily. "We've always used the Neumann mic in the studio, but I am generally uncomfortable with the orthodox style of recording, which involves standing like a statue... and I don't like headphones."

Lily uses minimal effects on his voice both live and in the studio. He uses some reverb live, and in the studio they play with some delay and reverb; but very little beyond that.

When it comes to guitar, Lily keeps it fairly simple.

"Nothing fancy, just a standard U.S. Strat with three single coil pick-ups. For the type of music I write, the tones that I get out of the strat work quite well," he says. "I tend not to like super over driven tones from really hot pick-ups."

Lily had some problems with an amp he used and had to switch.

"I went through three Fender 65 twin Custom 15' combo amps, and after having soooo many problems with that amp, I settled for a solid Fender Hot Rod Deville 212," says Lily."I haven't had any problems with this amp so far and I've been able to get some crunchier tones out of this amp as well."

When it comes to effects he uses the Boss Super Overdrive pedal, a Boss Digital Reverb and the Electro Harmonix Small Clone.

The band are currently working on an EP that is being produced by Allen Davis of Every Move A Picture. There is no current release date but it should be out by the end of the year. The band will not be performing much until the EP is out, but they have a show in San Jose with The Birthday Massacre on September 21.