Originally published in Guitar World, December 2010
The Every Time I Die guitarist reveals his current iPod playlist.
Root for Ruin—Les Savy Fav
“A perfect record from a band that gets better with every release. Probably one of the most underrated and underappreciated bands ever.”
This Is Happening—LCD Soundsystem
“James Murphy is this generation’s David Bowie. Bold statement, I know, but this guy is a genius. He can make any normal riff a catchy chorus because his voice is so good and the guy understands a hook.”
Heavy Breathing—Black Breath
“For me, metal has become safe and lame. I remember hearing Left Hand Path by Entombed and thinking they were gonna saw me in half and eat me. Well, that feeling came back when I heard this band and saw them live. Take the triggers off the drums, shove your 808-drops up your ass and buy this record. It’s perfect metal.”
Life Swallower—Alpha & Omega
“Crossover hardcore was a big part of my life. In the last few years, bands really let that slip. Alpha & Omega are the best of hardcore and metal. If this record had come out in the late Eighties, I would put their poster on my wall. Hell, if they had one now I probably would.”
Pony Express Record—Shudder to Think
“Guitarist Nathan Larson is a god. The melodies he wrote on this record are just retarded. The guitar tone is perfect, too: punchy, crunchy, and smooth when it has to be. Pony Express Record is a permanent fixture on my playlists.”
“Walk Like an Egyptian was so silly. But solid players have asked, ‘What are you playing at the end?’” Vicki Peterson sees herself as “a bit of a hack player,” but she still made guitar-pop history with the Bangles – and guested with Tom Petty
“We had 15 minutes left, and it was time to go… I just started playing that riff. Then Lenny goes, ‘Whoa, what’s that?’” Lenny Kravitz guitarist Craig Ross reveals the serendipitous roots of a Kravitz classic
