Andrew Daly
Andrew Daly is an iced-coffee-addicted, oddball Telecaster-playing, alfredo pasta-loving journalist from Long Island, NY, who, in addition to being a contributing writer for Guitar World, scribes for Rock Candy, Bass Player, Total Guitar, and Classic Rock History. Andrew has interviewed favorites like Ace Frehley, Johnny Marr, Vito Bratta, Bruce Kulick, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Rich Robinson, and Paul Stanley, while his all-time favorite (rhythm player), Keith Richards, continues to elude him.
Latest articles by Andrew Daly
Ace Frehley on his greatest gear finds – and the guitars he regrets selling
By Andrew Daly published
The former Kiss guitarist on that time he sold a ’59 Les Paul to fund a gambling trip, and the price-boosting power of his personal signature
“Sitting at an Ikea desk, shredding guitar, day after day… I don’t want any part of that”: Tracii Guns on his favorite modern players
By Andrew Daly published
The LA Guns veteran has added to his long list of collaborations as he teams up with hard rocker Jack Russell for new album Medusa
Meet Rory A Green, the Fender-championed, Strat-wielding jazz virtuoso who has a love/hate relationship with pedals
By Andrew Daly published
The TikToker only went into his local music store for a jack lead, but came out with the Strat of his dreams – on the day it was released
Jeff Schroeder reveals his epic post-Pumpkins pedal rig, inspired by Rival Sons’ Scott Holiday
By Andrew Daly published
The former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist has created an almighty hybrid ’board that delivers “endless possibilities”
Elliot Easton on the emotional rollercoaster that helped him record one of his most iconic guitar solos
By Matt Owen published
The Cars guitarist was particularly proud of the part he wrote, but was reduced to tears by his bandmates' initial reaction
Carlos Cavazo forged ’80s hair metal excess, replaced Randy Rhoads and riffed with Ratt
By Andrew Daly published
GW catches up with the guitarist who replaced Rhoads in Quiet Riot, enjoyed massive success with Metal Health and went on to share the stage with Warren DeMartini in Ratt – despite “a whole different set of problems” from his previous band
The mystery virtuoso who inspired Brian May to two-hand tap recalls the moment it happened
By Matt Owen published
The Queen guitarist credited an unnamed Texan guitarist as the player who inspired him to hone his two-hand tapping chops. Now, after much speculation, his identity has been confirmed
Charlie Hunter has played with John Mayer, D’Angelo and Frank Ocean – just don’t call him a session guitarist
By Andrew Daly published
The storied explorer thinks the age of the session musician is over. He shares why blues has shaped his playing more than jazz, his experiments with seven- and eight-strings, and why he’s gigging a bass-meets-guitar hybrid that’s harder to play than most
Cameron Griffin has gone from construction worker to multi-platinum producer/guitarist
By Andrew Daly published
The guitarist, songwriter and producer says the recognition is nice, but he’s keeping his focus
Collective Soul’s Dean Roland on his long-serving gear – and why he’s never rested on the band’s ’90s success
By Andrew Daly published
One half of the Roland siblings explains why Collective Soul’s new double-album is the continuation of a long-running theme, reinforced by lessons learned while touring with Aerosmith
Sadie Dupuis on making Rolling Stone’s top guitarists list – and getting a guitar in the Rock Hall of Fame
By Andrew Daly published
The Sad13 and Speedy Ortiz leader has made some of 21st-century indie-rock’s most essential albums, but she admits her approach to writing often lands her in trouble
“Tracii has been so important. I’ve always loved his playing – I’m extremely grateful to have him as a mentor”: Schooled by Tracii Guns and serving in three hard-rock powerhouses, Sam Bam Koltun is a Les Paul aficionado to watch
By Andrew Daly published
He’s already playing with Faster Pussycat, Dorothy and Budderside, but we get the feeling this L.A.-based guitarist could squeeze a few more bands into his schedule
“It’s about finding sounds that enhance rather than distract. I like my guitar to sound big – I record through two amps at once”: New Zealand indie royalty Kane Strang on winning Dinosaur Jr.’s support and how he conveys Office Dog’s cinematic sound
By Andrew Daly published
From melodies to off-kilter riffs to the occasional wall of sound, New Zealand indie veteran Kane Strang delivers the six-string goods on his trio’s debut
Kiki Wong landed the gig of a lifetime with the Smashing Pumpkins – and she knows she has big shoes to fill
By Andrew Daly published
The 35-year-old Instagram shredder was chosen from 10,000 applicants after she’d almost given up on her dream. She opens up on the interview and audition process, bonding with Billy Corgan over Dimebag Darrell, and why getting the guitarist spot was as joyful as giving birth
Trev Lukather on why he loves St. Vincent’s guitars and what he learned from his dad
By Andrew Daly published
The St. Vincent Music Man-toting son of Steve explains why David Gilmour ranks above his favorite shredders, and how Steve Perry agreed to be on The Effect’s latest single
Frank Marino on why solid-state amps make the best pedal platforms and starting his own stompbox company
By Andrew Daly published
The Mahogany Rush veteran was running dirt pedals into clean amplifiers decades before it became commonplace. Now he’s channeling his knowhow into Frank Marino Audio, where he builds each pedal by hand. He explains why he wants to pass on the signature sound he took years to develop
Kiki Wong explains how she nailed her Smashing Pumpkins audition
By Matt Owen published
The Instagram shredder was recently announced as the alt-rock icons' newest guitarist following a lengthy worldwide open audition
Vito Bratta explains why he switched from Stratocasters to his iconic Steinberger
By Matt Owen published
The shred trailblazer recalls how links to EVH's Frankenstein – and a fondness for high-tech gear – prompted his switch to a headless alternative in the '80s
Adrian Belew on Frank Zappa’s lessons, Robert Fripp’s synth guitar, and Beat with Steve Vai
By Andrew Daly published
Still amazed that he managed to gather Vai, Tony Levin and Danny Carey into new band Beat, Belew reflects on his light-speed journey from 1977 to 1982, and how he plans to reactivate King Crimson’s ‘80s albums on stage
Buzz Osborne has a piece of playing advice that every guitarist should listen to
By Matt Owen published
Words of wisdom from Gene Simmons and author Flannery O'Connor have helped the Melvins maestro maintain his maverick sensibilities
Paul D’Amour opens up on his Tool exit – and his unsung contributions
By Andrew Daly published
The current Ministry bassist sets the record straight on his songwriting efforts for classic album Ænima, coaching Justin Chancellor, and what sets his new gear – and new gig – apart
Ginger Pooley reflects on her time with the Smashing Pumpkins – and why she had to give it up
By Andrew Daly published
Before she returns to action with Garbage, Ginger Pooley reveals how she went from teenage Pumpkins obsessive to landing the bassist spot alongside Billy Corgan, the challenge of quitting the band she loved, and what she learned along the way
Vince Gill on flying high with Eagles – and why every vintage gear dealer has him on speed dial
By Andrew Daly published
Vince Gill joins us to explain why he’s perfectly happy “ripping powerchords for Joe”, what makes rhythm guitar more important than lead and how to move up the vintage guitar ladder
Ride the Lightning at 40! Kirk Hammett on Satch’s influence and Cliff Burton’s dual harmonies
By Andrew Daly published
Master of Puppets gets all the attention, but it was Ride the Lightning that made the metal legends sound heavier, more epic, and musically more audacious
Jakob Nowell, son of Sublime’s Bradley, uses late dad’s custom guitar to reunite the band
By Andrew Daly published
Jakob Nowell doesn’t sing or play like his father, and spent years trying to avoid riding his coattails – but he’s determined to get the reactivation of the ’90s punk-rock icons right, and in his own way
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