Sam Roche

Sam Roche

Sam was Staff Writer at GuitarWorld.com from 2019 to 2023, and also created content for Total Guitar, Guitarist and Guitar Player. He has well over 15 years of guitar playing under his belt, as well as a degree in Music Technology (Mixing and Mastering). He's a metalhead through and through, but has a thorough appreciation for all genres of music. In his spare time, Sam creates point-of-view guitar lesson videos on YouTube under the name Sightline Guitar.

Articles by: Sam Roche

MissMikkaa

Twitch streamer plays Elden Ring using a real-life acoustic guitar as a controller

By Sam Roche published

Because the game just wasn't hard enough using a standard controller, huh

Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters are releasing a new album next month, according to UK radio DJ

By Sam Roche published

Chris Moyles – a host for Radio X – mentioned he was “very much looking forward” to the record, before quickly moving the conversation elsewhere

Hi-Fi Rush

This new video game allows you to destroy your enemies using Epiphone guitars

By Sam Roche published

Hack and slash your foes with a Flying V, ES-335, Explorer and an SG in new Bethesda title, Hi-Fi Rush

Yamaha Guitar Group

Yamaha Guitar Group acquires Córdoba and Guild Guitars

By Sam Roche published

The move brings Córdoba's portfolio, which includes Guild, DeArmond Pickups and HumiCase, into the Yamaha fold

(from left) Krist Novoselic, Nile Rodgers, Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson perform onstage

Nirvana, Nile Rodgers and Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Grammys

By Sam Roche published

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to those who have made “creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording”

Richie Sambora

Is Richie Sambora masquerading as a jacket potato on a UK game show?

By Sam Roche published

Clues suggest the former Bon Jovi man is passing his time as a contestant on The Masked Singer

Erica Dunn (left) and Gareth Liddiard of Tropical Fuck Storm perform at the Wide Awake Festival at Brockwell Park on May 28, 2022 in London

From the best prog since Rush to stank face-inducing bends: here are this week's essential guitar tracks

By Michael Astley-Brown, Jackson Maxwell, Matt Owen, Sam Roche published

With face-melting new songs from Crown Lands, Paul Gilbert, Falling In Reverse, Tropical F*ck Storm, Safiyah Hernandez, Thrice, Demonstealer, Girl Ray and more, this week's playlist has something for everybody

[L-R] Rob Scallon and Josh Scott

This pedalboard features every single Boss Metal pedal ever released – and it sounds disgusting

By Sam Roche published

Rob Scallon partnered with JHS Pedals' Josh Scott to conjure possibly the gnarliest guitar tone in history

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne announces retirement from touring, cancels all remaining shows

By Sam Roche published

The metal legend says he's not “physically capable” of a life of touring anymore

[L-R] St. Vincent and Nile Rodgers

St. Vincent and Nile Rodgers are working together in the studio

By Sam Roche published

Calling St. Vincent the “real deal”, the funk guitar legend says he's “trying not to lose his mind” at the thought of working with her

Bernth Brodträger

This is what an acoustic guitar sounds like after you've drilled dozens of holes in it

By Sam Roche published

Bernth Brodträger continues his six-string killing spree in his latest video, in which he showcases his newest mesmerizing composition, Airflow

Gibson

Gibson and Heritage agree to drop long-running trademark dispute

By Sam Roche published

“As the matter is now resolved, Gibson can move forward and focus on innovation with confidence,” the guitar giant says

Gene Simmons (left) and Paul Stanley perform onstage with Kiss in 1984, (from left) Paul Stanley, Mark St. John and Gene Simmons, pictured on the back cover of Kiss's 1984 album, Animalize

Only known Kiss soundboard recording with Mark St. John set for official release this spring

By Sam Roche published

The latest installment of the band's Off the Soundboard live bootleg series showcases their November 28, 1984 set – one of the only to feature St. John on lead guitar – in Poughkeepsie, New York

Taj Mahal performs onstage during the Experience Hendrix concert at City National Grove of Anaheim on October 9, 2019 in Anaheim, California

From evocative standards to the missing link between Dokken and Nine Inch Nails: here are this week's essential guitar tracks

By Matt Owen, Michael Astley-Brown, Sam Roche, Jackson Maxwell published

On tap this week are new projects from George Lynch, Graham Coxon and Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite, plus fresh tunes from Last in Line, Taj Mahal, Ana Popovic, Babymetal and more

[L-R] Dave Mustaine and Kerry King

Dave Mustaine responds to praise from Kerry King: “It's not every day one of the most fearsome guitarists in the world gives you a compliment”

By Sam Roche published

The former Slayer guitarist calls the Megadeth frontman a “f**king great guitar player” in the latest issue of Metal Hammer

Antony “Top” Topham

Founding Yardbirds guitarist Antony “Top” Topham dies aged 75

By Sam Roche published

Topham formed The Yardbirds at the age of 15, and went on to enjoy a career as a blues session guitarist

Brendon Urie

Panic! At The Disco disbands after nearly 20 years

By Sam Roche published

The act's only core member Brendon Urie has taken the decision in order to spend more time with his family

Epiphone

Epiphone revives the Newport Bass and introduces a new acoustic four-string, the El Capitan J-200 Studio Bass, for 2023

By Sam Roche published

Both instruments pay homage to age-old Gibson and Epiphone designs, but implement a series of more modern appointments

Pantera

Pantera removed from this year's Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park lineups

By Sam Roche published

Organizers of two of Europe's biggest music festivals say the decision has been taken following “intensive conversations with artists, partners and festival fans”

[L-R] Kerry King and Deryck Whibley

Kerry King turned down his Sum 41 guest solo 10 times – here's what changed his mind

By Sam Roche published

The Slayer man on how his historic Beastie Boys guest spot led to him performing on the punk rockers' 2002 single What We're All About

[L-R] Slash, Tom Morello, Jack White and Kurt Cobain

10 iconic guitarists who had surprising day jobs before they were famous

By Sam Roche published

These players all had to pay the bills somehow before they hit the big time

[L-R] Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox

Robert Fripp and Toyah are on their usual ridiculous form in this bizarre cover of Kiss's I Was Made For Lovin' You

By Sam Roche published

Watch the ever-intriguing husband-and-wife duo tackle one of the rock institution's biggest hits

Burls Art

Burls Art builds guitar out of 1,000 aluminum cans – and the result is insane

By Sam Roche published

The fully functioning six-string is what happens when you combine piles of cans collected from barbecues and camping trips with a 1,800 degree propane furnace

Arielle, pictured playing her signature Brian May Guitars model

From “upside-down Hendrix licks” to sweetly subversive Whammy solos: here are this week's essential guitar tracks

By Michael Astley-Brown, Jackson Maxwell, Matt Owen, Sam Roche published

Start your 'best of 2023' playlists with smoldering new tunes from boygenius, Arielle, The National, Fall Out Boy, Noel Gallagher, Malina Moye, Screaming Females, Erase Theory and more

Goth wedding

Metal-loving couple exchange Gibson Explorers instead of rings at wedding

By Sam Roche published

Madi Danger says she and her husband, Jay Aspen, were “almost more excited” to receive the Explorers than to get married

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