The Riffhard Podcast

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’ guitar tone

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 entrepreneur

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 1:58:30 - Backing companies without endorsement deals Want to level up your guitar game? Check out...

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 something you love 25:57 - Time management strategy 53:10 - Creation vs. playing someone...

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 - Knowing your limits Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.

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 1:06:17 - Endorsements and how they work 1:12:57 - Hands vs. gear 1:36:33 - How bands...

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 a competitive nature while keeping a low stress level 1:38:36 - There’s no set timeline...

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 out Riffhard.

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 up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.

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 your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.

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 1:52:30 - What is a producer’s role? Want to level up your guitar game? Check out...

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.

Jake Bowen is a guitarist in Periphery. 3:02 - Eating high-calorie meals 9:21 - Jake’s problem with airports and authority figures 29:16 - Humans are still animals even though society has modernized 43:51 - How the band is handling staying home 57:18 - Anxiety and being a people pleaser 1:05:03 - Playing guitar live 1:21:00 - A day in the life of Jake 1:32:13 - Battling depression 1:44:02 - Being influenced by his uncle, John Petrucci 1:55:36 - Jake’s riff style Want to level up...

Eugene and Roman are the bassist and guitarist, respectively, in Jinjer. 1:59 - Working with Max Morton and writing songs 12:07 - Throwing ideas and riffs away 25:44 - The band’s communication 37:16 - Eugene’s bass lines 50:21 - Writing during lockdown and writing rigs 1:02:51 - Being able to travel with your own console 1:12:06 - Staying grounded 1:34:36 - Writing a song in 5 hours Roman Ibramkhalilov (@kazyolli) • Instagram photos and videos Eugene Abdukhanov (@jinjerbass) •...

Ruud Jolie is the lead guitarist of Within Temptation. 12:22 - How European culture treats metal music 23:19 - You can make music work without a band 37:15 - Ruud’s job as a guitarist in Within Temptation 56:48 - Guide for refining riffs 1:21:20 - Defining personal style 1:43:36 - Longevity is a rare thing 1:52:07 - Rehearsing before tour Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.

Nick Sampson is a producer, engineer, and guitar player for I Am Abomination. 3:14 - Handling COVID 11:11 - Gaining trust and respect 17:03 - How guitar players can prepare 36:47 - Scheduling and time management 57:51 - Making your guitar as playable as possible 1:17:50 - Building and patenting a guitar 1:38:57 - Buying weed used to be difficult 1:57:39 - There’s no liposuction for guitar Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.

Angel Vivaldi is a virtuoso guitarist as well as a songwriter and producer. 5:07 - Angel doesn’t miss being on the road 18:07 - Eddie Van Halen 28:10 - Finding what works best for your health 45:46 - Does Angel’s discipline with health and fitness transfer to guitar playing? 59:48 - Getting away from drugs and abuse 1:11:51 - How Angel recorded his first demo 1:33:00 - Working with Will Putney 1:53:40 - Angel’s writing process 1:58:42 - Angel’s practice regimen Want to level up...

Angus Clark is a lead guitarist best known for his 20 year stint with Trans Siberian Orchestra as well as playing for artists such as Cher and Kitaro among others. 2:21 - The hired gun life 16:11 - Self-awareness is crucial 31:38 - Getting the TSO gig 49:42 - Tone is in your ears 1:08:24 - You don’t have to choose between writing and playing 1:19:21 - Knowing who you are 1:30:03 - The entrepreneur’s curse 1:37:49 - Working with Cher 1:49:15 - What Angus tells people who aspire to do...

John Browne was a guest on the URM Podcast. He plays guitar in Monuments, Flux Conduct, and is the co-founder of Riffhard. 6:31 - Why rhythm guitar is important 16:23 - The relationship between Dillinger Escape Plan and Mr. Bungle 23:27 - What bands are pushing the envelope? 36:00 - Rhythm and phrasing 55:23 - How to get better at guitar 1:12:15 - What are the features of Riffhard? 1:19:36 - Deleting riffs - should you or should you not? 1:29:16 - Why you should analyze “Freak on a...

Mark Holcomb is a guitarist in Periphery and Haunted Shores. 2:05 - How Browne and Mark know each other 11:09 - The X factor and social media 21:51 - Adapting to touring life 29:18 - Day-to-day lifestyle 50:54 - Making ideas cohesive 1:22:45 - Coming up with open chords 1:35:26 - Using PRS guitars 1:42:14 - Gear and black metal Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.