Talking to TG from behind a mask that falls somewhere in between the aesthetics of Daft Punk, Darth Vader and Power Rangers, with a heavily effected voice to disguise his true identity, Lord Phobos is certainly one of the more unusual characters you’ll find in these pages. He’s responsible for the guitar work in Canadian quartet TWRP, who have made waves as the backing band behind American comedic duo Ninja Sex Party. As well as original music, the two groups have collaborated on a series of albums named Under The Covers – where they reimagine famous tracks by Pink Floyd, Van Halen, the Bee Gees and many more.
“It’s been really fun working with Ninja Sex Party,” Lord Phobos says, holding a microphone running into a vocal processor that’s presumably set to its darkest and deepest robot setting. “Essentially, we provide the tracks and everything for their records. We linked up with them years and years ago after finding each other online. It was a mutually beneficial situation where we could provide good instrumental music and they’d bring the jokes and ideas. In terms of track choices, that’s all them. We show up, hear what song we’re doing and then learn it. Most of it I already knew, but I’m embarrassed to admit I hadn’t listened to as much King’s X before we started working on the cover of their song The Burning Down. That’s all part of the fun too, right? You discover artists by learning their music.”
What can you tell us about the art of delivering a great cover version?
Denne historien er fra August 2024-utgaven av Total Guitar.
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Denne historien er fra August 2024-utgaven av Total Guitar.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE DAWN OF DIGITAL MODELLING
Just six months into TG’s life we were hit by what thought would be a revolution: The Roland VG-8 and GK-2A guitar modelling system. The GK-2A ‘hex pickup’ converted each string’s signal into a separate digital signal, avoiding tracking problems that had plagued earlier attempts at digital guitar modelling, while the V-Guitar System promised to be able to model anything at all. “Imagine,” wrote music editor Joe Bennett, breathlessly, “play a Strat at one end and out comes the sound of a Les Paul, acoustic guitar, or even a tinny banjo…”
IN THE BEGINNING: ISSUE 1
Hendrix, dirt boxes, new tech: TG's launch issue shows guitarists' interests are timeless
"AC/DC FAMOUSLY WROTE HIGH VOLTAGE. OUR VERSION IS MORE LIKE CORRECT VOLTAGE!!
Opeth leader Mikael Åkerfeldt and fellow guitarist Fredrik Åkesson love to experiment with new sounds. But in a surprising twist, the band’s latest album is a return to their roots. As Mikael says: “It’s that old death metal magic!”
"WHEN YOU START WITH A CRAPPY GUITAR IT BEGINS THE CYCLE OF GEAR ADDICTION!"
Blues star Kenny Wayne Shepherd owns some amazing gear bespoke Dumble amps and a pedal that reportedly belonged to Jimi Hendrix. In his new album, he’s still finding new ways to express himself as a player...
"MY HANDS HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR SIXTY YEARS SO THEY KNOW WHERE THE FRETS ARE! "
In the 1970s, Steve Howe became a hugely influential figure in the sphere of progressive rock as the guitarist for Yes. Now on his third stint with the band, he’s also created an experimental new solo album. The guitar,” he says, is a very tempting instrument to explore...”
"I DON'T THINK ANYONE ELSE IS DOING THIS. AND IF THEY ARE, THEY'D BE STUPID!"
Long ago, the Pixies blazed a trail for Nirvana and others to follow.But now, as before, there is no masterplan. As guitarist Joey Santiago says: \"I still go by feel - and with my gut.\"
"IT'S COOL TO HEAR YOUR INFLUENCES COMING OUT ORGANICALLY"
Jerry Cantrell shaped the sound of alternative rock with Alice In Chains, but on his new solo album he’s taking inspiration from the heroes of his youth: for tone, Jeff Beck and blues-rock master Robin Trower, and for guitar harmonies, Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Indulgent implement of rock excess, or a valid, useful 'other' guitar? Meet the doubleneck you can afford
"You Can Imagine a Song in a Completely Different Genre" - The mysterious Lord Phobos, guitarist for TWRP, has covered everything from disco to Def Leppard in his collaborations with tongue-in-cheek duo Ninja Sex Party.
The mysterious Lord Phobos, guitarist for TWRP, has covered everything from disco to Def Leppard in his collaborations with tongue-in-cheek duo Ninja Sex Party. He explains what makes a great cover version - and reveals the one guitar and the one pedal he couldn't live without...
Some Things You Want to Tweak and Make Your Own- How the Foos' Chris Shiflett reworked two rock classics on his recent solo EP
Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett is also a solo artist in his own right, and his latest EP Starry Nights & Campfire includes Lights covers of two great old rock tracks - Thin Lizzy's Cowboy Song and the ballad Don't You Ever Leave Me by Hanoi Rocks, the Finnish band that did so much to inspire Guns N' Roses.
