Impellitteri interview

Monday, 28 April 2008

Well, it´s finally here, the exclusive interview with guitar master!, Chris Impellitteri!

1.- Hello Chris, first of all, in the name of all the perfectprog.com! team, we will like to thank you for this interview and sharing your comments with us, we know you are busy with your new record!! Thanx!!

I will start by the telling you that you are an amazing guitar player, I play a little guitar myself and I got to tell you that you sure are a great influence to me and many other aspiring guitarists!!. So, can you tell us how did you got into music, did you take classes? and particularly, why did you choose the guitar as your main instrument?

I begant playing guitar at age 12. My mother and father died when I was 9 years old so my grandmother bought me an electric guitar to make me happy.
I took many years of guitar lessons to learn theory and form.
I am mainly self taught and practice many hours per day to develop my own style.

2.- Where are you originally from?

I live in Los Angeles California.

3.- What guitarists, in your opinion, have made an impact in your musical career?

Van Halen, Dimeola, malmsteen, rhoads, roth, blackmore etc...

4.- Why do you think neo-classical music and metal music make an incredible combination, most people would think that metal is like the ugly duck of music, yet, when mixed with some classical scales, the result is awesome?

Metal is aggressive, and classical is beautiful. When metal is mixed with the beauty of classical a dramatic form of music arises. I think of it as beauty and the beast.

5.- Do you like guitarists like Paco de Lucia, Andres Segovia, Al Di Meola, Ottmar Liebert?

YES !! I think those players are extremely dedicated to their craft.

6.- In the present, is there any guitarist you like?

I like everyone. I listen for self expression. Everyone has something unique.

7.- What can you tell us about the album, "Pedal To The Metal", there are some very incredible heavy and intense guitar riffs and solos, as well as some heavy drumming, some of the songs I think, have a little taste of Finland metal, like In Flames and Arch Enemy?

Yes, The record was a tribute (Parody) to many of the modern bands who influence the new generation. The song Kingdom of Titus is blatenly a musical parody of In Flames style music. The rest of it even touches Rap with M+M.

8.- Where was that album recorded and how long did it take?

The record was recorded at my studio in Los Angeles. it took a few months to record.

9.- Do you have a full time band, or in your albums do you have guest musicians?

I always have the same band. Impellitteri is a band, not a solo artist.

10.- What do you seek in the musicians you work with?

Passion to play metal. Dedication to be excellent. Enthusiastic.

11.- So, what can you tell us about your next album, what can all the fans expect?

Good and Evil is a return to our Shred metal style.
It is completely original and perhaps our music masterpeice.
I hope that everything I hear at this time turns out to be as good when it is released. I have spent years making this recording, so I pray it is well received.
The music is pure metal with fast solos, screaming melodic vocals, pounding drums and huge bass.
We are really trying to match the legends who influenced our music. So this record was a mission to be the best we could be.

12.- Is there any direction you are taking or want to take with this album?

I want this new recording to make a positive statement about our talent and originality.

13.- You are now in the recording process of your next album, would you like to share with us your thoughts about the writing process? How do you come up with ideas for great riffs and solos?

I practice for hours to come up with memorable riffs. Then I work the parts out with the drummer and band. Next, I perfect the guitar solos and then the vocal arrangements. Beyond that, I think a spirit takes over and I just play.

14.- Do you write all the music, including bass and drums?

I write all of the music, but let the other members play their own parts. It works as long as their peices compliment the song.

15.- Who designs the cover art for your albums?

The previous cover was done by Derek Riggs who is famous for creating Eddy from Iron Maiden. The rest of the covers are done by JVC.

16.- What kind of gear do you use in the studio (guitars, effects processor, amps)?

I am using Diezel, Engl, and Marshall amplification with Engl speaker cabinets. On this new recording I used a 1958 Gibson Les Paul heritage and my custom shred guitars for solos.

17.- What about when you play live?

I use Fender Stratocasters and Gibson Les pauls. Also, I am developing a custrom shred strat.

18.- What kind of guitars do you use, 6th string, 7th or even 8th string guitars? And what type of tuning do you use (440, drop D, etc)

6 string guitars only. I use various tunings. It just depends on the song.

19.- Any guitar effects processor of your preference? no effects or pedals.

20.- You are often recalled as the world fastest guitar player, what is your advice to all the guitarists out there who want to gain speed in their playing?

Practice, Practice, and more Practice.

21.- In your personal opinion, what do you think it takes to become a great guitar player and musician?

I am still working on that. At this point it takes dedication, passion, and commitment to always strive to be better.

22.- Do you have any instructional videos?

Yes, pure junk!! It was my drug days when I did the Reh video.
do not buy it. It sounds nothing like me.

someday I will make a guitar video that shows how I truly play and shred.

23.- Let's talk about touring, where is the best place you ever played, I know that you have great success in Japan, and, is there any dream place Impelliteri would like to play?.

True!!
I want to tour the entire world with this next record. I think we have supporters all over the world that would like to hear us play and get a chance to see us.

24.- In the future, do you think Impellitteri could tour México and the rest of Latin America, the metal scene over here is huge!.

contact the promoters and have them call us. I will play !!

25.- In our website, we have several polls, could you tell us where your vote goes on each one?

I would have to read the polls.

26.- Do you have any advice to all those aspiring musicians in the world?

Music is a wonderful creation. It inspires, motivates, and creates a mechanism to unite people. Use it wisely.

Well, thank's a lot Chris, it's been a great honor to interview such an amazing musician like you are!!! Thanks!!! Thank you !! Tuno Martínez

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