Hey, welcome back, everyone, and welcome to a new edition of "Here's what's in the latest issue of Guitar World"!
As you can tell from the the photo above (and another one below), Phish's Trey Anastasio is back, making his first GW cover appearance since our gallant January 2016 issue.
I was excited to have Alan Paul investigate the band’s new album, Evolve, which came out last month. Interestingly, however, Alan’s interview (and the resulting feature) evolved into something else; instead of a standard “new album” interview, we got a one-of-a-kind guide to Anastasio’s creative process and inspiring practice regimen.
It’s the sort of story that – with its first- and second-hand advice, courtesy of Quincy Jones – should appeal to any songwriter and/or guitarist, even those who haven’t yet marveled to tracks like Walls of the Cave, Free, The Inlaw Josie Wales, Down with Diease or Crowd Control.
And speaking of crowd control, here's what we've crammed into GW this month:
>>> Renaissance Man: As they celebrate their 41st year together, Phish are in the middle of a major renaissance – and the band is just one of frontman/guitarist Trey Anastasio's many projects. In this one-of-a-kind interview, Trey discusses his musical rebirth, creative process, intense practice regimen and so much more.
>>> Koa-Dependent: Anastasio – while revisiting his two prior GW covers – details his relationship with his custom-made koa Paul Languedoc guitars.
>>> A Live One: An exclusive insider’s guide to Anastasio’s live rig, courtesy of his guitar tech, Justin Stabler.
>>> Man of Adventure: A look at some of the creative ways in which Anastasio draws upon his diverse range of stylistic influences to take audiences on a thrilling musical ride (with tab and audio).
This issue – aka the immedicable October 2024 issue of Guitar World – is available right here, right now!
Hold on – there's also this other stuff!
>>> Saving Savatage: In 1994, following the death of their brilliant young guitarist, Criss Oliva, reeling Tampa metallers Savatage enlisted then-ex-Testament man Alex Skolnick for an album and tour. Although his time with the band was brief, it would have a lasting impact.
>>> Firestorm: Matt Pike and Jeff Matz discuss the lead-up to – and aftermath of – High on Fire’s latest release, Cometh the Storm, an album that couldn’t have come at a better time for the Oakland metal masters.
>>> The D.C. Universe: Carlos O’Connell – half of the Irish rockers’ twin-guitar attack – discusses the importance of space in a mix, the finer points of his Rory Gallagher Strat and why the band’s singer played what just might be the best guitar solo on their new album, Romance.
>>> Eric Bazilian: The Hooters frontman/guitarist talks gear, massive '80s success, his one-take All You Zombies guitar solo and forging hits with Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne and Mick Jagger.
>>> The Gear Hunter – Victory Amps: With notable users including Guthrie Govan, Richie Kotzen, Chris Buck and Bill and Brent from Mastodon, Victory has gone from strength to strength since launching just over a decade ago.
>>> Joe Perry: Rock This Way! Get a grip on the Aerosmith co-founder's style – and put some swagger in your riffs and swing in your solos (with tab and audio).
Plus new interviews with Deep Purple's Simon McBride, the women of Kittie, Beaux Gris Gris & the Apocalypse, Helmet's Page Hamilton (who discusses the making of 1994's Betty), the creator of a new graphic novel about Jimi Hendrix, the Last Dinner Party's Emily Roberts, McKinley James and Samantha Fish, plus guides to Kiss's many session guitarists and Jimmy Page's best non-Led Zeppelin guitar work.
Gear-wise, we explore the history and allure of the Soldano SLO-100 amp and review a whole bunch of cool stuff, namely:
>>> Fender 70th Anniversary Vintera II Antigua Stratocaster
>>> Blackstar HT Series MK III amps
>>> Ultimate Ears Pro UE 150, UE 250 and UE 350 In-Ear Monitors
>>> PJD Guitars St. John Standard
>>> Death By Audio/EarthQuaker Devices Time Shadows II.
We have new columns by Andy Wood, Joe Bonamassa, Andy Timmons and David Grissom, plus transcriptions of Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider, Autumn Leaves by Joe Pass and Kill the Noise by Papa Roach.
You can buy new issues of Guitar World at Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Hudson News, Books a Million and other stores – and online from Magazines Direct. And, while you're at it, why not save on every issue by subscribing?
