Access Backstage Pass
Latest Features
“Some bass parts are functional and some are creative: you don’t need to play Rachmaninoff when the band wants Al Green”: The man behind Elvis Costello’s finest albums recalls his life as a main Attraction
Bruce Thomas, once of Elvis Costello’s backing band, the Attractions, recounts his career
“I want to hit every single note on an entire tour’s worth of gigs – then I want to write a symphony that people will listen to for a long time”: Ryujin shredder Ryoji Shinomoto has lofty ambitions – and his astonishing technique could make them a reality
From shy classical player to speed metal shredder on custom Jackson Kelly guitars, it’s all about delivering melodies with vibrato for the Trivium-approved GYZE co-founder
“I’m trying to chase a sound I’m hearing in my head – and basically, whatever everybody else is doing, I try to run away from”: Stevie Ray Vaughan inspired him to get serious. Now Ariel Posen is blazing his own trail
Emotive, minimalist, almost gourmet, Ariel Posen’s playing is a gift for the senses, and new album Reasons Why has plenty reasons why he is one of the most original guitarists today
![The Buzzcocks live in 1978: [From left] Garth Smith, Pete Shelley, Steve Diggle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/umKgJgJYmL7qY7VuzgCrGS-840-80.jpg.webp)
“Tony Hicks from the Hollies popped into the studio and said, ‘That’s my guitar.’ I thought, ‘F**k me, I’ve bought a stolen Les Paul!’” Steve Diggle of the Buzzcocks on the making of their 1978 punk classic, Another Music in a Different Kitchen
Fast-paced, big hooks, and one almighty left turn, the Buzzcocks’ incendiary debut is one of the most important punk albums of all time. Here is its story
“I tend to think if you wouldn’t sing it, don’t play it”: Session player turned Mamas Gun guitar slinger Terry Lewis on the enduring majesty of the 335 semi-hollow and what he learned from Larry Carlton
A formidable session guitarist and teacher at BIMM, Terry Lewis is the virtuoso presence behind London neo-soul quintet Mamas Gun
“A lot of people think I came out of the womb playing guitar. I’ve been around it forever because of my dad”: Meet Amber Wild, the twin-guitar rock supernova featuring Evan Stanley
Growing up with Paul Stanley as a father, it was little wonder Evan would pursue a career in rock – but he’s got to admit that it was Nirvana not Kiss who first lit his guitar fire
“The Rise solo was anointed by whatever DNA I grabbed from Edward that day. Whatever kiss he gave me on the lips, I went back into the studio and brought it with me”: Nuno Bettencourt unpicks the guitar solo that kept Van Halen’s fire burning
In his “most detailed analysis yet”, Bettencourt shares the story behind the most incendiary guitar solo of 2023, and explains why, these days, he’s “more excited about the accidents” than perfect takes
“If I’ve written a section for an epic ‘John Petrucci on a mountain’ solo, I’d rather do my best impression for the self-satisfaction”: Plini maintains he’s “still a greedy lead player at heart” – so why did he give a solo to Tosin Abasi on his new EP?
Mirage is a welcome return from one of the most exciting guitarists on the planet, with some of Plini’s most daring arrangements yet. He explains why he can play ugly but not evil, and what prompted him to overhaul the pickups on his space-age signature model
13 essential things to learn when you first start playing the guitar
Start your guitar playing journey right with these invaluable tips for beginners - from gear choice and posture, to dialing in a killer amp tone
“We’d love to be plugging PRS guitars into Mesa/Boogie amps, but for now it’s an old, worn-out Gibson Les Paul Studio”: Return to Dust’s brand of grunge metal has millions of views on TikTok. Now they face the challenges of entering the real world
For guitarist Matt Joseph, 2024 is about acquiring skills now they’ve secured festival billing alongside Slipknot, Judas Priest and Pantera. For 17-year-old bandmate Sebastian Gonzales, it’s about handling being away from his family
