No wonder Scott Holiday wants the webcam on. As engaging as the Rival Sons guitarist undoubtedly is, it’s hard to stop yourself peering past him at the treasure trove that is his home guitar room in Los Angeles. Over his shoulder, you’ll spot rarities, antiquities, prototypes, esoteric one-offs and several hundred stompboxes stacked into a true-bypass Hadrian’s Wall. “This is an opportunity to show off my toys,” beams the man nicknamed Mr Fuzzlord. “It’s a guitar magazine. You actually want to see this stuff.”
Holiday is the best kind of connoisseur. Rather than keep his collection under glass cloches, swiped only with a duster, the 47-year-old has used his gear in anger on the Rival Sons catalogue since 2009’s debut, Before The Fire. And while atmospheric seventh release, Darkfighter, represents another kick against the notion that the Californians are 70s acolytes adrift in the wrong century, Holiday is quick to remind us that his gear tastes span beyond vintage. “I’m way more relaxed than that,” he considers. “I’m looking to explore and create new sounds.”
How do you feel when you go into the studio to make a Rival Sons record?
“Mostly excited. Working with a producer like Dave Cobb, I know he’s gonna throw curveballs and the songs are gonna take left and right turns. I have a group of guys that are all very proficient. They’re all really wonderful players. So everybody is fighting to make a statement, as well as supporting the track. It’s a lot of energy filling up the room. I don’t have any backseat players.”
You’ve used the word ‘cinematic’ to describe your new album. Tell us more…
Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av Guitarist.
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Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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BASIC INSTINCTS
The sophisticated range of Swedish-designed guitars made by .strandberg* has lured thousands of players over to the headless side. But the company's new stripped-back Boden Essential model is its strongest play yet for the hearts and minds of mainstream players
Second String
As PRS's more affordable USA-made S2 line moves into its second decade, the series gets a revamp with - at last - USA-made pickups and electronics. What took so long?
PABLO VAN DE POEL
When a band from The Netherlands describes themselves as 'raw, psychedelic Southern rock', it may take a little cognitive processing to work out what that might mean. One listen to DeWolff, however, and you will be duly transported to the 60s for some fuzzed-out rock 'n' roll
THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION
With a fabulous collection of the late Bernie Marsden's guitars, amps and other highly collectable music gear going under the auctioneer's hammer on 11 June, we were thrilled to have the chance of a sneak preview
LENNY KRAVITZ
Some 35 years since the release of his debut LP, for his 12th record, Blue Electric Light, Lenny Kravitz is back again with equal doses of vigour and vibes, using vintage guitars and the purest valve amps
GEORGE VJESTICA
You may not know him at first glance, but the work of Stoke-on-Trent native George Vjestica has probably impacted some of your favourite albums and movies
DICKEY BETTS
Emerging from the shadow of Duane to write signature hit Ramblin' Man, the Allman Brothers guitarist was a hard-living pioneer of Southern rock
NICK GUPPY
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our highly valued amplifier guru, who died suddenly in April
Lucky Break
Alex Bishop blends old wood with new in an attempt to fix a severely damaged guitar headstock
Tones Behind The Tracks
Cedric Burnside learnt at the knee of his fabled grandfather, but his latest album is a hill country blues masterclass on his own terms