He’s the real deal, he plays soulfully & from the heart. He’s Kid Ramos. Enjoy this one, he’s great!

A true working musician, Jake Curran talks about his beginnings and shares the real deal on being a touring, recording and hard working guitarist in today’s world of music.

If there’s one guitarist who created a soundtrack for a generation it’s Elliot Easton. His solos in The Cars were/are the song within the song. Solo’s you could sing and stuck in your head in the best possible way. We get to sit down with Elliot to discuss his approach and career.

I’ve always been a believer in to each his own and go with your personal preference, especially when it comes to guitar gear and equipment. But sometimes when it comes to music, bands and especially songs both old and new, there are some things that are hard to swallow.

First I see some of my early heroes stay at the party too long, with some of them coming off as more of a cover band than the stars they once were. Please stop. It’s sad, embarrassing and greedy. Get a good investor and make money with the money we’ve given you over the last forty years. Please stop.

Then there’s the other end of this sad spectrum. Young talented musicians (who probably are suffering from a gross case of hero worship) mimicking classic musicians right down to song structure and their guise.

Such is the case with Greta Van Fleet. These guys can play! But when you hear “You’re the One” from GVF’s latest release- Anthem of a Peaceful Army (An ode to Led Zeppelin’s “Hey, hey what can I do”) it shows the limitations these really good musicians have imposed on themselves. Or “New Day” which steers us down the “Ramble On” mashed up with Zeppelin III path in the best tribute band intention. On and on through this record and their debut record it’s hard to find an original musical idea, but they can play. This saddens me.

Now, I wouldn’t goes as far as to use the David Lee Roth analogy about bands being incestuous, but… we’re not far off.

Look, there are 12 notes in the musical vocabulary. That’s all. Almost every musician struggles to find her/his own voice, sound, vibe. Some do, others borrow exceedingly. Then there are fans of bands come and gone, desperately seeking a way to fill the void of their now defunct heroes. I miss those bands too, but that was then, this is now. I personally seek out musicians who are breaking new ground while paying respect to those who came before. GVF are not that band.

I know Stravinsky said “good composers don’t borrow, they steal” but this is blatant and derivative at best.

If you dig it, more power to you and hope it brings you closer to filling that void, I just wish these fine musicians would find their own voice.

But… They can play.

One of the reasons Guitar Radio Show exists. John Gatto has been part of the soundtrack of my life. He’s a brilliant musician with an incredible passion for what he does and has been creating memorable music since he joined the Good Rats in 1973. Listen to his playing and you’ll know why he’s a true Guitar Hero.

EVH with one of John’s Cat Guitars-

If you’re a Cheap Trick Fan, you need to hear this episode, then Buy This Book!!!! Author Robert Lawson joins us to discuss this labor of love!

Go get it right here!!!- https://www.amazon.com/Still-Competition-Listeners-Guide-Cheap/dp/1525512250

Alastair Greene- Live from the 805

When a musician delivers a record that’s really satisfying such as the case with Alastair Greene’s last offering “Dream Train” one can wonder if they could have painted themselves into a corner due to it’s undeniable prowess.

Most artists will fall short with what comes next. They immediately think, “I need to take a different turn, change direction”. They will change identity until they are unrecognizable, so much so the listener(s) can be caught off guard and ultimately disappointed.

Not the case with Alastair’s latest “Live from the 805”. Mr. Greene is on course of assent that many of his contemporaries should take a cue from. Urgency is the theme of this record. Every track is a collar grabber and demands an ear.

From Rock, Fist pumping funk (Baby Makin Music LOL!) to straight ahead Blues, Alastair’s playing and tone is flawless while the band behind him is one of the tightest “Cement mixin” combos around. You cant tell where one ends and the other begins.

A couple of years ago Alastair made the very difficult decision to leave his well paying gigs as a sideman in exchange for stepping out on his own full time. From this listeners ears, and based on “Dream Train” and the new “Live from the 805” he couldn’t have made a better choice.

Chances are the Alastair Greene band will be coming to your town sooner or later as they are hitting it hard touring in support of “Live from the 805” and mostly because this is what they do. They’re road dogs, bringing the music to the people.

Go get some, you wont be disappointed.

http://https://www.agsongs.com/biography/

Brilliant guitarist/composer Samael Pelletier joins us from the road to discuss his haunting new record “Shadow”. This music is pure genius.

Sam on the web- https://www.samaelpelletier.com

Strung & Farah- Tales of two Guitars. On their own, amazing. Together, unbelievable. We sit down and discuss the new record from this incredible duo.

For more- http://www.strunzandfarah.com

Originally Aired in 2015 here is our complete interview with Frank Marino. The guitarist who was one of the architects for players like Kirk Hammett, Zakk Wylde and more…