I Heart Guitar

Gus G

Each time Firewind released an album over the last 20 years, it wasn’t just the brilliancy of exceptional guitarist Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil) that fans were in awe of, but also the skills of every one of the band’s vocalists. Fantastic riffs, hooks and solos by the gifted hands of guitarist Gus aside, it’s the great vocal melody – an integral part of every Firewind song – that’s causing a stir. In that respect nothing has changed in their newest album, simply titled Firewi...

Al Di Meola

World-renowned guitar hero Al Di Meola welcomes a new decade with an ambitious follow-up to his 2013 studio recording All Your Life: A Tribute to the Beatles with a sophomore homage to the Beatles, entitled Across The Universe, due out on earMUSIC on March 13, 2020. Al Di Meola’s exquisite mastery of the fretboard is equal only to his appreciation of the Beatles’ legacy that has inspired generations of both musicians and music fans with their famed recording catalog. A retrospective of Al D...

Andrew Farriss

Songwriter Andrew Farriss offers up a funky country groove 'Good Momma Bad' as the second single from his highly anticipated forthcoming self-titled debut album. I caught up with Andrew to talk about the record, guitars, and the challenges of stepping into the spotlight. Photographer credit: David Christopher Banks

John 5

John 5 is about to begin his first ever solo tour of Australia. We geeked out a bit because of course we did. Full tour details here! https://silverbacktouring.com.au/john5-2019/

Marty Friedman

Pinnacle Music Group are absolutely thrilled to announce that the legendary guitar virtuoso MARTY FRIEDMAN will be returning to Australia, for the first time with his full “Super Band” across four VERY intimate venues. With a career of over thirty years with some of the world’s biggest heavy metal acts on top of an absolutely monumental solo career, Marty Friedman is a household name for guitarists across the world, and Australian fans get the chance to see the legendary shredder himself tea...

Matty T Wall

How does a musician, who happens to be pretty handy on the guitar, but lives in the most isolated capital city in the world, get some of the finest Blues guitarists on the international music scene to take part in his latest project? Simple. He asks them. Australian blues-rock barnstormer, Matty T Wall has been on a rapidly rising career trajectory since his 2016 debut release Blue Skies was nominated as Best Blues Album (International) at the 15th Annual Independent Music Awards. Wall’s 20...

I Built The Sky

Melbourne Australia's progressive instrumental project I Built The Sky will release their third album, The Zenith Rise, on November 1. I Built The Sky is led by guitar wizard Rohan 'Ro Han’ Stevenson and has been slowly climbing the ranks of the progressive shred guitar community for some time now with high level supports, headlining slots and international praise for their previous releases all going towards building an impressive global fanbase. The new album features a few upgrades from ...

Nili Brosh

After two solo records and work with several guitar legends, Nili Brosh (Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil, Tony MacAlpine) is no stranger to instrumental guitar albums. However, her latest effort Spectrum steps beyond the expected and into a global exploration of musical genres. A literal spectrum, the album seamlessly blends from one genre to the next, starting in one place and ending up in a completely different one; all the while suggesting that music - much like humans - is all the...

Live Episode: Jeremy Barnes & James Norbert Ivanyi

Recorded live at the 2019 Melbourne Guitar Show, my guests are James Norbert Ivanyi and Jeremy Barnes as we discuss the state of modern guitar. James Norbert Ivanyi: https://jamesnorbertivanyi.bandcamp.com Jeremy Barnes: https://www.facebook.com/jeremybarnesmusic Want more live episodes like this but wish the sound quality was better? Subscribe to Patreon so I can afford to get a nice Rode Rodecaster Pro and start putting on dedicated live podcast interview events! https://www.patreon.com/i...

Andy Gill (Gang of Four)

GANG OF FOUR Australian and New Zealand November 2019 Tour Dates Saturday November 2nd PERTH Rosemount Tuesday 5th November ADELAIDE Lion Arts Factory Thursday 7th November BRISBANE The Zoo Friday 8th November SYDNEY Manning Bar Saturday 9th November MELBOURNE Croxton Tuesday 12th November AUCKLAND Tuning Fork Wednesday 13th November WELLINGTON San Fran Tickets: On sale now: From: https://metropolistouring.com/tours/gang-of-four/ NZ Tickets: https://metropolistouring.com/tours/gang-of-four...

Bryan Beller

Bryan Beller's new album, "Scenes From The Flood" (out September 13) was many years in the making. It represents a huge leap in Beller's already considerable compositional confidence, and is packed full of so, so, SO many guitar legends. Hear Bryan talk about the album, the personnel, the gear and more in this long-form interview. And watch the video for “Volunteer State," featuring Joe Satriani, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ptMLlkfYew

Michael Sweet

Stryper's Michael Sweet calls in for a chat about his November Australian acoustic tour, his Washburn guitars and other matters of guitaristic importance.

Tal Wilkenfeld

Tal Wilkenfeld has a brilliant new album called Love Remains, packed full of great songs and incredible musicianship. You should totally get it. Wanna support I Heart Guitar (and by extension my little family and our dreams of getting another dog soon)? patreon.com/iheartguitar or paypal.me/iheartguitar, my friend.

Christian Martucci

Help Christian Martucci find his lost BC Rich! Stone Sour/Black Star Riders guitarist Christian Martucci is looking for the BC Rich Mockingbird he lost when he was 16. He’s been searching for this unique and sentimentally important instrument for years with no luck. Do you have a lead on this guitar? Contact Christian via Instagram at instagram.com/christianmartucci and help him get his baby back! Wanna support I Heart Guitar (and by extension my little family and our dreams of getting anot...

Steve Vai

Join my guest Mr. Steve Vai as we discuss the new Generation Axe live album (Vai, Zakk Wylde, Nuno Bettencourt, Yngwie Malmsteen and Tosin Abasi) plus magical thinking, spiritual questing and Vai's current guitar obsession, Synergy Amps. Wanna support I Heart Guitar (and by extension my little family and our dreams of getting another dog soon)? patreon.com/iheartguitar or paypal.me/iheartguitar, my friend.

Devin Townsend

Devin Townsend talks about his new record Empath, the load-lightening joys of acoustic tours, his new Prestige signature guitar and the importance of accepting the silly with the epic. Wanna support I Heart Guitar (and by extension my little family and our dreams of getting another dog soon)? patreon.com/iheartguitar or paypal.me/iheartguitar, my friend. An Evening With Devin Townsend Australian Tour Dates Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne Sunday September 8 New Show Added Governor Hindmarsh...

Stuart Chatwood (The Tea Party)

Tommy Thayer (KISS)

KISS is doing one last lap of the world before hanging up their dragon boots. On this episode my guest is KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer, who talks about what the iconic Spaceman character means to him, plus plenty of good old-fashioned guitar geekery. For KISS tour dates, go here: https://www.kissonline.com/tour

Duff McKagan

Peter chats with Duff McKagan about his new Fender bass and his even newer solo album, Tenderness. And hey, check out The Cure performing Disintegration live in Sydney! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9uSPf9WDbw If you'd like to help support I Heart Guitar, visit patreon.com/iheartguitar or donate to paypal.me/iheartguitar

Dave Leslie (Baby Animals)

Dave Leslie is about to conduct his first ever guitar clinic extravaganza and he wants you to know about it!

Frank Sidoris (The Conspirators)

Guitarist Frank Sidoris is one of the nicest dudes in rock, and he also happens to share his life with an adorable fox. Hear about the finer points of rocking and fox ownership in this episode.

Peter Steele (Type O Negative) from 1999

In 1999, a 20-year-old me interviewed Type O Negative's Peter Steele for a student paper. Here's the admittedly low-quality audio. Happy birthday, Pete.

PLINI

Named #8 in Ultimate-Guitar’s top 12 guitarists of 2015 and listed amongst "MusicRadar's #1 prog guitar player in the world right now" for 2017, Sydney’s independent instrumental progressive rising star, PLINI released his new EP, Sunhead on July 27. I caught up with him ahead of the Australian tour “SUNHEAD” AUSTRALIAN TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUESTS MESTIS (USA) DAVID MAXIM MICIC (SERBIA) FRIDAY 7 SEPTEMBER - THE ZOO, BRISBANE SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER - MANNING BAR, SYDNEY THURSDAY 13 SEPTEMBER ...

Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains)

If you're of my generation, Jerry Cantrell is your guitar god. He shaped the way we think about guitar tone, what a riff could be and how it could sound. And he's still doing it, as iconic as ever. The new Alice In Chains album Rainier Fog is released on August 24 and I finally got to meet Jerry after all these years. Hope you enjoy our chat and that I don't come off as too nut-swingy.  If you'd like to help support I Heart Guitar, visit patreon.com/iheartguitar to support the podcast and ga...

Mark 'Diesel' Lizotte & Justin Norvell

Fender has just announced an Australia-exclusive signature Stratocaster for Mark 'Diesel' Lizotte - one of my earliest guitar heroes, dontcha know - and I caught up with Diesel to talk about it. This episode also includes a chat with Justin Norvell, Fender Senior Vice President, where we talk about Jazzmasters, the new Player series, the glory of Fiesta Red and much more. Big thanks to Graeme Walshe at Fender Music Australia for setting up both interviews. If you'd like to help support I Hea...

Michael Ciravolo (Beauty In Chaos, Schecter Guitars)

Michael Ciravolo is the man who turned Schecter into the guitar powerhouse it is today, but he's also a great musician in his own right. His project Beauty In Chaos is all about ethereal, goth-influenced rock, and you can hear some teasers at www.beautyinchaosmusic.com. If you'd like to help support I Heart Guitar, visit patreon.com/iheartguitar to support the podcast and gain access to subscriber-exclusive episodes, or donate to paypal.me/iheartguitar

Ian Moss

Ian Moss is one of those instantly-identifiable guitarists, whether it be in the context of Cold Chisel or his own brilliant solo work. Mossy has just released his long-awaited new, self-titled album. You can grab it now on CD, limited edition coloured vinyl or digitally at http://smarturl.it/IanMoss, and see all his tour dates at https://www.ianmoss.com.au/tour On this episode we talk about the new record, the magic of the Eric Johnson Fender Stratocaster, and plenty more. Mossy is known as...

Zakk Wylde

Black Label Society. Ozzy Osbourne. Pride & Glory. Zakk Sabbath. Zakk Wylde is the fricken' man. In this, our tenth interview over the years, we talk about the new Black Label Society album Grimmest Hits (no, it's not a Greatest Hits with a cheeky name), his Wylde Audio line of guitars, the upcoming Ozzy tour and plenty more.  If you'd like to help support I Heart Guitar, visit patreon.com/iheartguitar to support the podcast and gain access to subscriber-exclusive episodes, or donate to payp...

Derek Smalls (Spinal Tap)

  My guest for this episode is the legendary Derek Smalls of Spinal Tap. Derek is about to release his new solo album, Smalls Change (Meditations On Aging) on April 13 and it's packed full of great guests like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Steve Lukather, Phil X and many more. I had the rare opportunity to speak with Derek himself about the album, his favourite basses, and what he wishes was different about the documentary This Is Spinal Tap. Also in this episode I share my thoughts about Gibson...

Mark Gemini Thwaite

Mark Gemni Thwaite has an enviable career, having played with The Mission, Gary Neuman, Al Jourgensen, Tricky, Peter Murphy and many more while also making his own music. His solo project has morphed into MGT in partnership with vocalist Ashton Nyte of The Awakening. Their new album is Gemini Nyte and it’s out on February 23. It features Paul Ferguson of Killing Joke on drums plus guest appearances by Burton C Bell of Fear Factory, and The Cure founding members Lol Tolhurst and Pearl Thompson...

Roger Mayer

Roger Mayer is the Father of the Fuzz. Oracle of the Octavia. His early effects for the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page changed the way we listen to and play guitar, and he's still making great gear today. Join us for a chat about why analog is superior to digital, what it was like to work with Jimi Hendrix, and the emotion-heightening impact of a well-placed effect.  Be sure to visit Roger's website at roger-mayer.co.uk. If you'd like to help support I Heart Guitar, visit p...

Ace Von Johnson (Faster Pussycat)

Ace Von Johnson plays guitar for Faster cat and he loves dogs. Proof that cats and dogs can live in harmony. Join us for a good old-fashioned guitar geek-out, and hear the story of how Ace ended up in the rafters at the legendary Rainbow Bar & Grill. https://twitter.com/acevonjohnson If you'd like to help support I Heart Guitar, visit patreon.com/iheartguitar to support the podcast and gain access to subscriber-exclusive episodes, or donate to PayPal.Me/iheartguitar    

Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani is about to release the new album What Happens Next, with the rhythm section of Glenn Hughes and Chad Smith. It's almost like a spiritual successor to 1992's The Extremist, and another daring landmark in Joe's career. Join us as we geek out about the record and other stuff. Preorder What Happens Next from satriani.com If you'd like to help support I Heart Guitar, visit patreon.com/iheartguitar to support the podcast and gain access to subscriber-exclusive episodes, or donate to...

Earl Skakel (Comedian)

Earl Skakel is a comedian from LA who loves his RATT. Join us as we nerd out about 80s rock, the Comedy Store, the Rainbow Bar & Grill and more. Follow him on Twitter and check out his podcast Inappropriate Earl! soundcloud.com/inappropriate-earl twitter.com/earlskakel   If you'd like to help support I Heart Guitar, visit patreon.com/iheartguitar to support the podcast and gain access to subscriber-exclusive episodes, or donate to PayPal.Me/iheartguitar    

James 'Munky' Shaffer (Korn)

Korn's James 'Munky' Shaffer is always a great interview, especially once he gets started on pedals! This interview was conducted for an upcoming edition of Australian Guitar magazine. Hope ya dig it! https://twitter.com/JC_SHAFFER https://www.facebook.com/munkyofficial/ If you'd like to help support I Heart Guitar, visit patreon.com/iheartguitar to support the podcast and gain access to subscriber-exclusive episodes, or donate to PayPal.Me/iheartguitar  

Steve Kilbey (The Church)

The Church were one of the very first bands a young Mr. I Heart Guitar got into. A jillion years later, I finally got the chance to interview frontman Steve Kilbey. If you haven't heard The Church's new album Man Woman Life Death Infinity yet, go go go, buy buy buy. It's incredible. I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did.  https://www.facebook.com/pg/thechurchband If you'd like to help support I Heart Guitar, visit patreon.com/iheartguitar to support the podcast and gain access to subs...

Jon Sullivan (Sully Guitars)

Luthier Jon Sullivan of Sully Guitars is one of the nicest and funniest dudes ever to turn a tree into a musical instrument. If you haven't seen his guitars yet, you soon will! A Sully Guitars '71 is about to be featured on the cover of Guitar Player Magazine. Here's an extended chat with Sully where we geek out about all manner of guitar and music-related topics including his guitar designs, working with one of his musical heroes, and songs that absolutely wreck ya.  This episode's backgrou...

Rita Haney, Tony Mosley, Frank Iero

Rita Haney - @dimebagzhag on Instagram - was Dimebag Darrell’s longtime girlfriend, and she’s spent the last few years putting together DimeVision 2: Roll With It Or Get Rolled Over, a new DVD of crazy stuff Dime got up to behind the scenes. It comes out on November 24. I met Rita at the Seymour Duncan NAMM party earlier this year, and we did this interview a few weeks ago, hence the Halloween talk.  Tony M from Prince’s New Power Generation. NPG are playing at Bluesfest in Byron Bay, Austra...

Gilby Clarke, Derek Sherinian, Lindi Ortega

It’s the ‘Sorry About My Cold!’ Episode! Gilby Clarke is heading to Australia for some intimate shows in November and December, hitting Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra! Here are the dates: Thursday 30th November - Crowbar - Brisbane Friday 1st Dec - Cherry Bar - Melbourne Saturday 2nd Dec – The Basement - Canberra Sunday 3rd Dec – Frankie’s - Sydney Tickets are on sale now from hardlinemedia.net Derek Sherinian was one of the very first people interviewed for I Heart Guitar wh...

Corey Taylor, Buddy Guy, Kenny Aronoff

I spoke to Corey Taylor about the new Stone Sour record Hydrograd a few weeks before it came out, and we had a lot of fun talking about inappropriate swearing, how to pronounce ‘Framus,’ and how to sing after your damn spine has been reconstructed.  This interview with Buddy Guy was done just over two years ago as advance publicity for his appearance at Bluesfest in Byron Bay, and just a couple of days before his most recent album Born To Play Guitar came out. We did the interview after he’d...

Dweezil Zappa, Matt Heafy, Brian Vodinh

This episode kicks off with a quick demo of my Seymour Duncan Magnetar humbuckers in my Kiesel Vader guitar. Then we've got Dweezil Zappa, Trivium's Matt Heafy and 10 Years' Brian Vodinh. Dweezil talks about his forthcoming Australian/New Zealand tour, that really cool clean sound on Frank Zappa's 'Any Kind Of Pain,' and more. Go to dweezilzappa.com for the latest tour dates.  Trivium's new album The Sin And The Sentence is insanely good. Produced by Josh Wilbur and released via Roadrunner ...

St Vincent, Richie Kotzen, Dan Auerbach, Walter Trout

Welcome to Episode 2 of the I Heart Guitar Podcast! This week I’m chatting with St. Vincent, Richie Kotzen, Dan Auerbach and Walter Trout.  St Vincent’s new album Masseduction is out now. This interview was from NAMM in January this year and we were talking about her Ernie Ball guitar, which you can now also get in a Sterling By Music Man model.  The Richie Kotzen interview was done before his recent Australian tour (but I edited out the bits where we talked about the tour so as to not be c...

Rich Ward, Tony MacAlpine, Tony Iommi

Welcome to the very first I Heart Guitar podcast with your host, music journalist Peter Hodgson! This episode features new interviews with Fozzy’s Rich Ward, guitar legend Tony MacAlpine and an archival interview with Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi. You’ll also hear the new Fozzy single, ‘Painless.’ Order the new Fozzy album, Judas, here. Visit Tony MacAlpine’s site here. Website: iheartguitarblog.com Twitter: @iheartguitar Facebook: I Heart Guitar If you'd like to help support I Heart Guit...