Category: Guitar World Interviews

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Digging Up a Classic Sound: Heaven & Earth’s Stuart Smith and Chuck Wright Discuss New Album

digHeaven & Earth’s new album, Dig, celebrates the sound of iconic ’70s rock music, a time when rock was at what some consider its purist, most accessible form.

Originally an all-star project for guitarist Stuart Smith, Heaven & Earth has since evolved into a full band that includes Joe Retta (vocals), Chuck Wright (bass), Richie Onori (drums) and Arlan Schierbaum (keyboards).

Picking up where iconic bands like Deep Purple and Bad Company left off, Heaven & Earth are on a mission to resurrect the sanctity — or lat least the sound — of classic rock.

I recently spoke with Smith and Wright about the new album, their gear and more.

GUITAR WORLD: How did this album come together?

WRIGHT: Stuart called me and told me he was doing a new Heaven & Earth record and asked if I wanted to take part. I had played on the other Heaven & Earth albums, but those were more like solo records for Stuart, with a lot of guest stars on them. For this one, he wanted us all to get together in a room and hash things out. Get a real band sound going and do it for real. So we partnered up and came together as a band.

SMITH: Joe Retta [vocals] and I have been playing in Sweet for a while. He has such an amazing voice and reminds me of a young Paul Rodgers. Chuck is such a great bassist and also an amazing writer.

gw_logoYou can read the rest of my interview with Stuart Smith & Chuck Wright
plus see TWO Heaven & Earth videos by Clicking Here

1980's, Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: John Waite Discusses New Live Album, Guitars and The Babys

JohnWaiteJohn Waite’s new live album, Live All Access, is as real and raw as it gets.

Recorded live in Philadelphia and New Hampshire with absolutely no overdubs, the album features Keri Kelli on guitars, Tim Hogan on bass and Rhondo on drums and showcases the former Babys and Bad English vocalist at the top of his game.

Waite has achieved international success over the course of his 35-year career. His hits included 1984’s “Missing You,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

I recently spoke with Waite about his new live album and more.

GUITAR WORLD: What made you decide to do a live album?

The band was the reason. We also added Keri Kelli as our guitar player, which really upped the ante. I remember there were nights when we were out on stage and I just looked around and thought, “God, this is where I want to be!” This is where I live and I want to share it with people. It sounded so great. I knew I had to get it on tape somehow.

gw_logo
You can read the rest of my interview with John Waite by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Parmalee’s Matt Thomas and Josh McSwain Talk Music, Gear and Overcoming Adversity

ParmaleeComprised of brothers Matt and Scott Thomas (lead vocals/guitar and drums, respectively), cousin Barry Knox (bass) and lifelong best friend Josh McSwain (guitar), Parmalee has been riding the wave of country music with their catchy riffs and good-time attitude.

The band’s current single, “Carolina,” is cresting the Top 30 of mainstream country radio.

Parmalee was handpicked by Southwest Airlines as the first act to perform on its “Travelin’ Taylor Tour Series” [sponsored by Taylor Guitars], where they performed at 35,000 feet for passengers on a direct flight from Nashville to Houston.

But the members of Parmalee also have had to face adversity on their road to success. In September 2010, after being involved in an attempted robbery and shootout outside a club where they had just played, drummer Scott Thomas was shot three times and was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he was given a 5 percent chance of survival. Miraculously, he survived the ordeal and spent the next 40 days recovering from his injuries in a hospital bed.

Parmalee are working on their debut album for Stoney Creek Records. I spoke with guitarists Matt Thomas and Josh McSwain about the band’s music, gear and more.

gw_logo

You can read the rest of my Guitar World interview with Parmalee by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Isaiah Stuart Discusses New Madlife Album, ’21st Century Megalomaniac’

Madlife

Madlife single-handedly redefining the term industrial rock.

The Los Angeles band’s fourth album, 21st Century Megalomaniac, which was released in May, continues to raise the bar set by their earlier albums with a sound that’s allowed them to share the stage with artists like Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat, Korn and Marilyn Manson.

The band’s unique approach to songwriting is fueled by its use of catchy guitar tones, electronica and infectious grooves combined with the angst-driven vocals of Angry Phil. Songs like “Just One Gun” and “To Live and Die in Hollywood” have become absolute must-haves for any metal head’s playlist.

Produced by Society 1 vocalist Matt Zane, the video for “Just One Gun” also features the beautiful Lexus Amanda (Blacklisted Me), who gives a performance guitarist Isaiah Stuart describes as no less than visually hot and disturbing. With the album and video now complete, the band is prepping for a tour of the northwestern part of the US.

You can read the rest of my Guitar World Interview with
Isaiah Stuart by Clicking Here.

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Oleander Guitarists Discuss New Album, “Something Beautiful”

OleanderFor Something Beautiful, the first Oleander album in eight years, guitarist Rich Mouser wanted an aggressive combination of hard-edged guitars and layered vocals.

Judging by the evidence presented, his idea of a dense production meets both requirements — and more.

Mouser has worked on the production end of Oleander projects from the very beginning. But it wasn’t until the band returned from an extended hiatus that Mouser was asked to become a full-time member. Together with guitarist and founding member Ric Ivanisevich, Oleander now possesses a powerful one-two guitar attack.

The band is gearing up for a Midwestern tour with Three Doors Down and Daughtry before returning to the West Coast to do some shows of their own. I spoke with Ivanisevich and Mouser about the new album.

Read The Rest of My Guitar World Interview By Clicking Here

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Former Police Guitarist Andy Summers Discusses His New Band, Circa Zero

Summers1Circa Zero — a new band featuring guitarist Andy Summers (the Police), singer/bassist/guitarist Rob Giles (the Rescues) and Canadian drummer Emmanuelle Caplette — got together after a mutual friend invited Summers to Giles’ shows with the Rescues.

Summers was immediately impressed by Giles’ vocals and instrumental skills. After getting together to jam and kick around song ideas, it quickly became apparent the duo needed to work together. They began creating edgy, lyrical rock tunes that manage to capture a sound that’s both modern and classic.

While their debut album, Circus Hero, isn’t expected until later this year, their debut performance takes place this very week — Thursday, July 25, at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.

I recently spoke with Summers about Circa Zero — and also got his thoughts on the 30th anniversary of the Police’s monster album, Synchronicity.

l to r: Andy Summers, Emmanuelle Caplette and Rob Giles - Circa Zero
(l to r): Andy Summers, Emmanuelle Caplette and Rob Giles – Circa Zero

Read the rest of my interview with Andy Summers by Clicking Here

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

The Winery Dogs: Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan and Mike Portnoy Discuss Debut Album

DogsAre they a supergroup? Well, yes.

With guitarist Richie Kotzen (Mr. Big, Poison), bassist Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, Talas, Niacin) and drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Adrenaline Mob) in the mix, how could they be considered anything else?

Just don’t use that moniker around the guys in the band.

“Most supergroups are short-lived and usually have internal problems,” Sheehan said during my recent conversation with all three Winery Dogs. “We didn’t get together to try to capitalize on what we’ve done before. We wanted to do something that was straight out of the box.”

The guys prefer to be considered a classic power trio, and they’ve already released a powerful trio of music videos in advance of their debut self-titled album, which will be released July 23 via Loud & Proud Records. The disc was produced by the band and mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour, Steel Panther).

I recently sat down with Kotzen, Sheehan and Portnoy to talk band origins, gear, the new album and the secrets behind Kotzen’s sound and hybrid picking style.

Read my complete Guitar World interview with The Winery Dogs by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Rival Sons Guitarist Scott Holiday Discusses “Head Down”

RivalSonsIn an age when most new albums begin with the tracking of instruments in home studios and emailing files back and forth cross-country, it’s refreshing when a band comes along that likes to do things the old-fashioned way.

It’s a method similar to what early ’70s blues/rock pioneers did when recording: They get in a studio and let the creative process take control.

Formed in 2008, Rival Sons consists of Scott Holiday (guitar), Jay Buchanan (vocals), Robin Everhart (bass) and Michael Miley (drums). The band’s new album, Head Down, evokes the same kind of emotion heard in early Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith releases.

RivalSons-ScottHoliday

Written and recorded over a span of 20 days, the band’s creative, riff-oriented approach is real and raw. The result is an album that’s not only bluesy and instinctive, but also insanely good.

I recently spoke with Holiday about the album, his live setup as well as his recent encounter with Jimmy Page.

gw_logoRead the rest of my interview with guitarist Scott Holiday by Clicking Here

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Cinderella Guitarist Tom Keifer Discusses New Solo Album, ‘The Way Life Goes’

Tom Keifer - Photo Thomas PetilloFor guitarist Tom Keifer, The Way Life Goes is an appropriate title for his first solo album.

The Cinderella frontman has had to endure many personal and emotional struggles over the years, including being diagnosed with a partially paralyzed vocal cord and being told he’d likely never sing again.

Having battled back from vocal injury, and now finding himself at the right place in life, Keifer has delivered an album that takes an honest, introspective look at the man who’s written some of the most memorable hard rock songs of the ’80s.

Although production for The Way Life Goes began in 2003, the real roots of the 14-song album can be traced as far back as the mid-’90s, when Cinderella parted ways with their record label and Keifer first began considering a solo project that would eventually take years to complete.

Fans who’ve been clamoring for new Cinderella music will no doubt find comfort in The Way Life Goes, but the album also has Keifer exploring new ground and brings a sound that immediately conjures images of a young Rod Stewart or the Rolling Stones. Even more important than the vibe or showcasing the roller coaster ride he’s been on, the album exposes the refreshingly deep writing style Keifer shares with his wife Savannah (who co-produced the album with Keifer and Chuck Turner).

gw_logo

Read the rest of my Guitar World interview with Tom Keifer by Clicking Here

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Joel Hoekstra Update on New Night Ranger Album
Joel Hoekstra and Brad Gillis of Night Ranger
Joel Hoekstra and Brad Gillis of Night Ranger

Whether he’s performing as part of the hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages or jetting around the country for Night Ranger recording sessions and shows, Joel Hoekstra is easily one the hardest-working guitarists you’re likely to meet.

In addition to his aforementioned commitments, Hoekstra finds time to tour every fall with Trans Siberian Orchestra.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Night Ranger’s monster 1983 album, Midnight Madness, and Hoekstra and the rest of the band — Jack Blades, Brad Gillis, Kelly Keagy and Eric Levy — are excited to celebrate it by recording a new album and performing more headlining shows.

I recently caught up with Hoekstra, who told me how Night Ranger’s new album is coming along and his other musical projects.

gw_logo

You can check out the rest of my Guitar World interview with Joel and watch videos of him working his magic by Clicking Here.