Features

Marty Friedman on leaving Megadeth, reconnecting with Dave Mustaine, and why he wasn't a good fit for Ozzy

By Andrew Daly published 9 February 26

Friedman recalls 18-hour days working on his solo debut alongside Jason Becker’s first album, how Kiss were the blueprint for his career, and why he’s avoiding making a follow-up to 2024’s Drama

“I asked for a discount. The assistant said, ‘I could phone up Clapton and he’d buy it’”: Robert Fripp’s life in three guitars

By Andrew Daly published 9 February 26

The King Crimson founder has enjoyed the company of all kinds of guitars in his time – from the good, bad to the ugly – but these are the three that have meant the most to him

Loved by Frank Zappa, Bootsy Collins, Steve Vai and more, how the Mu-Tron III became a vintage pedalboard icon

By Chris Gill published 9 February 26

Mike Beigel's groundbreaking envelope filter made the world a funkier place

Bassist Johnny Colt reveals the inside stories behind the Black Crowes’ controversial Amorica album

By Scott Malandrone published 7 February 26

Colt hung around for one more album, before jettisoning himself from the band in 1997

He was schooled by James Jamerson and freaked Larry Graham out – how William ‘Billy Bass’ Nelson founded the Funkadelic sound

By Chris Jisi published 6 February 26

The late Funkadelic co-founder tells the story of his encounter with Larry Graham, bass lessons with James Jamerson, and life in George Clinton’s ever-changing band

Meet Cwfen, the Scottish doomgazers who rule the night with haunting shows and lush vintage tones

By Dan Bradley published 6 February 26

Guitarist-singer Agnes Alder and lead guitarist Guy DeNuit on finding success when they least expected it, bidding against big names over rare gear, and how a Game Boy and Nirvana tab book changed their lives forever

“Steve was on the session when history was made”: Why Steve Cropper was one of guitar’s most humble heroes

By Henry Yates published 6 February 26

The departed soul man was the Stax band’s MVP, writing and driving the R&B classics that ruled the ’60s

Joyer combine sweet pop hooks with tension, weirdness and gritty guitar solos – and their mom can't get enough of it

By Joe Bosso published 6 February 26

Oh, brothers, where art thou? Making loud shoegaze in the basement, probably... Their parents raised ’em right!

Pete Evick has played with Bret Michaels for 21 years. Here’s what he learned

By Andrew Daly published 5 February 26

He compares the Poison singer to Prince and Trent Reznor in terms of creativity, hails his boss for the freedom he’s given, recalls making early gear choices for the wrong reasons, and says he can only tolerate one Marshall amp – but it’s his all-time favorite

Meet Eric Steckel, the high-gain firebrand painting a new shade of blues guitar

By Amit Sharma published 5 February 26

The Knaggs signature artist has grown an international profile by importing heavy distortion into the blues and bending it to his will