The Riffhard Podcast

Dean Lamb and Tobi Morelli are the guitar players and songwriters for the technical death metal band Archspire.  On this episode, the guys discuss the following with Eyal Levi: Writing extremely technical music in the same room Endurance building Using the right pick for the job How local bands torpedo their careers And more! Follow Dean on Instagram and YouTube. Follow Tobi on Instagram. Listen t...

JB Brubaker is a guitarist and one of the main songwriters in August Burns Red. The Grammy Award-winning band is one of the most revered in metal. On this episode: ABR deciding to become self-managed Keeping busy during COVID times You can’t account for adrenaline when practicing guitar Why the band re-recorded Leveler And much more! Follow JB Brubaker on Instagram and Twitter.  Listen to August B...

Nita Strauss is a guitar player, songwriter, and business owner who is currently the touring guitarist for Alice Cooper. She also releases her own solo music. She previously played guitar in the house band for Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons’ arena football team LA KISS and worked with the WWE. On this episode: How the definition of being a professional musician has changed Having discipline and doi...

Myles Kennedy is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist in Alter Bridge and the lead singer in Slash’s backing band, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. On this episode: Knowing how to spot opportunities is crucial You’re never too old to pursue your passion Focus is a determining factor in what you do long-term Why healthy narcissism is necessary as a creator Check out Myles Kennedy on YouTube. Fol...

Francesco Artusato is the guitarist in Light the Torch and formerly for All Shall Perish. He’s also a freelance 3D animator and concept artist with an impressive list of corporate and television credits. On this episode: How injury led Francesco to guitar Becoming as good as you can, not as good as someone else The willingness to go all-in on new skills How to approach a new instrument And more! F...

Charles Caswell is a guitarist who is currently working on his solo project, Berried Alive.  On this episode: Work ethic and how some people are just born with more of it The best way to learn a new technique Why thought experiments are important for creating Leaving a band to go out on his own The reason bands don’t need labels as much as they once did Check out Berried Alive on YouTube. Follow C...

Devin Townsend is a legendary musician, songwriter, and producer who is best known for his bands Strapping Young Lad and The Devin Townsend Project, as well as work with Lamb Of God, Misery Signals, Gwar, and many others. What should your priorities be as a musician or producer? Why failing isn’t failure  The art of pivoting quickly is crucial for survival Follow Devin Townsend on Instagram, Twitt...

Dan Sugarman is a guitarist in Ice Nine Kills. He is also a solo guitarist, the owner of Sugarman's Lesson Lounge, and was formerly a member of As Blood Runs Black. 1:48 - Carrot and stick method of learning 17:49 - The education business is not easy money 37:06 - Artists need to be emotional, but also educated on the business 50:31 - Knowing your role within a band 1:06:05 - How the mind connects...

Bart Hennephof is a solo guitarist and producer and was formerly the guitarist in Textures. 1:45 - Important things that are hard to teach 11:26 - Bart doesn’t use a noise gate in front of his amp 25:41 - Stretching while on tour 35:56 - Start a band in 8 weeks 55:46 - Music comes first 1:08:09 - Don’t just blindly trust people 1:19:12 - How much time does Bart spend practicing guitar? Want to lev...

Mark Holcomb, Misha Mansoor, and Jake Bowen are guitarists in Periphery. 1:33 - Working on new music and the impact of COVID 12:10 - What makes the band avoid a specific tour market 21:00 - The role that Periphery’s manager plays 46:24 - How the band focuses on the music 1:06:20 - Figuring out how to turn high risk into success 1:25:24 - Deciding who plays what, especially in the studio 1:39:49 -...

Jack Gardiner is a guitarist with a very active and growing YouTube channel who also plays for Stu Hamm and China Crisis in addition to working on a solo project. 1:46 - Jack’s MasterClass and visualization 12:32 - 3 note per string scales can hold some people back 30:06 - Play with people who are better than you 49:53 - The typical trajectory in music 1:05:25 - Developing your own voice 1:17:51 -...

Matt Halpern is the drummer in Periphery and the co-owner of GetGoodDrums. 1:47 - Matt, Browne, and Eyal’s tour adventures 22:28 - Band chemistry and communication are crucial 40:40 - Deprivation work and putting other people first 49:31 - How drummers communicate with guitarists 1:14:20 - Can you develop pocket and rhythm? 1:23:37 - The relationship between the kick and riffs 1:29:18 - Choosing c...

Chris Kelly is the guitarist in Alustrium and was the lead guitarist (Darth Vader) in Galactic Empire. 2:14 - The most annoying interview questions 18:06 - Spending too long on songs 35:54 - Confidence is required as a musician 51:32 - Handling the extra time during COVID 1:13:50 - Metal was more violent in the 90s 1:24:12 - Terrible tour bus stories 1:37:50 - Working on rhythm guitar playing 1:47...

Josh Middleton is a guitarist in Architects and has his own band, Sylosis. 4:18 - Time management during COVID 15:06 - How engineering comes into play for Josh 32:15 - Finding time to practice guitar 44:04 - Recording yourself is a great tool 59:49 - You can’t judge gear based on spec sheets 1:05:02 - Knowing when a song is good enough 1:16:47 - What’s the job of a producer? 1:24:55 - Architects’...

Mark Vollelunga is the guitarist for Nothing More. 3:53 - Vegetable oil vans 11:55 - Standing out as a band without it feeling contrived 21:44 - Fighting for an idea that is right 42:06 - Some of Mark’s biggest failures 52:01 - The sex, drugs, and rock n roll lifestyle is not the whole story 1:07:41 - Mark’s musical priorities 1:32:19 - Christian rock and metal bands 1:47:31 - Being a musician and...

Pat Sheridan is a guitarist in Fit For An Autopsy and a tattoo artist. 1:17 - Why musicians suck with time management 8:19 - Opening bands and tour managers 29:05 - Misconceptions about successful bands 36:38 - How long Pat was in local bands 54:37 - Running a band as a business 1:15:32 - The right hand is the most important thing 1:44:29 - Being a successful band and working with Will Putney 1:58...

Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal is a legendary guitarist. To call him an innovator would be to sell him short. He is currently the guitarist for Sons of Apollo and previously played in Guns N’ Roses, but his full credits are way too long to list here. Sponsored by: Sheet Happens Publishing (use code RIFFHARD for 15% off) 2:12 - Bumblefoot’s prolific childhood 17:48 - You shouldn’t need to be motivated to do...

James Monteith is a guitarist in TesseracT and a founder at Hold Tight where he is a publicist for many amazing guitarists. Sponsored by: Sheet Happens Publishing (use code RIFFHARD for 15% off) 3:47 - Livestreams during the pandemic 16:11 - Working in PR 40:44 - How James fits in guitar playing 58:49 - The future of marketing guitar players 1:21:09 - The terror of being in a band 1:42:16 - Knowin...

Jeff Loomis plays guitar in Arch Enemy and is best known for his legendary work in Nevermore. 1:40 - How Jeff has spent his time during the pandemic 12:33 Grunge bands and the Seattle scene 21:11 - Not knowing theory doesn’t mean you can’t be good 28:35 - Pre-production is done differently today 41:55 - Jeff’s rhythm guitar playing 54:58 - The bands that blow up have a certain energy about them 1:...

Plini is a guitarist and songwriter who was called “the future of exceptional guitar playing” by Steve Vai. Sponsored by: Sheet Happens Publishing (use code RIFFHARD for 15% off) 1:31 - Waking up early and having a routine 12:22 - Defining artistic validity 29:19 - You favorite songs vs fan favorites 42:04 - The price of success 1:00:15 - Does Plini practice on a regular basis? 1:16:36 - Balancing...

Trey Xavier is a guitarist and the Editor-in-Chief of Gear Gods. 2:10 - Gear will not make you better 19:10 - Outcome based playing vs just for enjoyment 32:08 - Interacting with comments on the internet 42:04 - The base skill set level for musicians 1:01:28 - What to look out for when buying new gear 1:11:00 - The future of recording 1:36:26 - Outsourcing Want to level up your guitar game? Check...

Chris Wiseman is the guitarist for Currents and Shadow of Intent. 3:46 - How Chris is using his entrepreneurial mind during quarantine 19:38 - The loss of touring and using the internet to get big 54:28 - Does Chris practice guitar? 1:09:09 - Most people are well-intentioned and nice 1:16:13 - Having a routine and focus 1:28:30 - Writing for two bands without them sounding the same Want to level u...

Mike Stringer is the guitarist for Spiritbox. 1:44 - Stupid riffs 22:00 - The importance of image 36:15 - Spending time on music vs. everything else 54:56 - Creating the ethereal elements in Spiritbox 1:13:30 - The role of a producer 1:26:32 - Wearing many hats as a professional musician 1:42:37 - Are people too obsessed with genre? 1:51:10 - How Mike approaches dynamic writing Want to level up yo...

Zach Johnson and Chris Davis are the guitarists for The Ghost Inside. 1:37 - Practicing while standing 14:33 - Recalling the correct breakdown 27:22 - Not touring due to injury vs. not touring due to COVID 35:11 - How Zack and Chris create riffs 58:42 - Work ethic is key 1:32:34 - Working with someone who is different and how to get out of the way 1:43:04 - Everyone having a say can be dangerous 1...

Jen Majura is the guitarist for Evanescence. 2:16 - Live streams are tiring 12:24 - Artists and craftsmen are both necessary 25:14 - Replacing a band member is hard 39:28 - Adapting in 2020 54:08 - Jen’s guitar habits during quarantine 1:28:45 - Designing tones Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices