“This album’s the only one where I’ve sat down and planned out a solo. Otherwise, the record button’s pressed, and I just go, ‘Pentatonic scale!’”: Orange Goblin’s Joe Hoare on life’s simple pleasures – Les Pauls, Marshall amps and signature beer

Joe Hoare of Orange Goblin plays a solo his Gibson Les Paul onstage, wearing a white t-shirt and black waistcoat.
(Image credit: Andrea Friedrich/Redferns)

The world’s got problems, but we could all stand to chill out a bit. That’s arguably the central premise to (Not) Rocket Science, the first single from Orange Goblin’s Science, Not Fiction album, where the veteran UK quartet implore us to live for the moment – perhaps while crankin’ up their celebratory hard rock. They sing it to us as they see it: “We’re doin’ alright.”

“It’s really just saying that the problems you’ve got today, you’re probably not going to have them anymore tomorrow,” guitarist Joe Hoare says, adding, “Life isn’t as hard as some people make it. So, ‘it’s not rocket science’ is more ‘just enjoy yourself and get on with it.’”

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Gregory Adams

Gregory Adams is a Vancouver-based arts reporter. From metal legends to emerging pop icons to the best of the basement circuit, he’s interviewed musicians across countless genres for nearly two decades, most recently with Guitar World, Bass Player, Revolver, and more – as well as through his independent newsletter, Gut Feeling. This all still blows his mind. He’s a guitar player, generally bouncing hardcore riffs off his ’52 Tele reissue and a dinged-up SG.