The Riffhard Podcast

Pat Sheridan is a guitarist in Fit For An Autopsy and a tattoo artist. 1:17 - Why musicians suck with time management 8:19 - Opening bands and tour managers 29:05 - Misconceptions about successful bands 36:38 - How long Pat was in local bands 54:37 - Running a band as a business 1:15:32 - The right hand is the most important thing 1:44:29 - Being a successful band and working with Will Putney 1:58:30 - Backing companies without endorsement deals Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal is a legendary guitarist. To call him an innovator would be to sell him short. He is currently the guitarist for Sons of Apollo and previously played in Guns N’ Roses, but his full credits are way too long to list here. Sponsored by: Sheet Happens Publishing (use code RIFFHARD for 15% off) 2:12 - Bumblefoot’s prolific childhood 17:48 - You shouldn’t need to be motivated to do something you love 25:57 - Time management strategy 53:10 - Creation vs. playing someone else’s song 1:09:27 - Being self-aware 1:21:32 - Getting his music licensed and playing huge gigs 1:50:13 - You can’t expect 100% return all of the time 1:58:25 - Bumblefoot’s hot sauce 2:19:18 - Using a fretless guitar Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Monteith is a guitarist in TesseracT and a founder at Hold Tight where he is a publicist for many amazing guitarists. Sponsored by: Sheet Happens Publishing (use code RIFFHARD for 15% off) 3:47 - Livestreams during the pandemic 16:11 - Working in PR 40:44 - How James fits in guitar playing 58:49 - The future of marketing guitar players 1:21:09 - The terror of being in a band 1:42:16 - Knowing your limits Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Loomis plays guitar in Arch Enemy and is best known for his legendary work in Nevermore. 1:40 - How Jeff has spent his time during the pandemic 12:33 Grunge bands and the Seattle scene 21:11 - Not knowing theory doesn’t mean you can’t be good 28:35 - Pre-production is done differently today 41:55 - Jeff’s rhythm guitar playing 54:58 - The bands that blow up have a certain energy about them 1:06:17 - Endorsements and how they work 1:12:57 - Hands vs. gear 1:36:33 - How bands operate internally is everything 1:42:06 - Jeff’s plug-in 1:50:11 - Overcoming injuries Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plini, a guitarist and songwriter called “the future of exceptional guitar playing” by Steve Vai, talks about waking up early, artistic validity, favorite songs vs fan favorites, the price of success, regular practice, balancing a competitive nature, the timeline for a career, approaching meter in music, and the final product vs imagination.

Trey Xavier is a guitarist and the Editor-in-Chief of Gear Gods. 2:10 - Gear will not make you better 19:10 - Outcome based playing vs just for enjoyment 32:08 - Interacting with comments on the internet 42:04 - The base skill set level for musicians 1:01:28 - What to look out for when buying new gear 1:11:00 - The future of recording 1:36:26 - Outsourcing Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Wiseman is the guitarist for Currents and Shadow of Intent. 3:46 - How Chris is using his entrepreneurial mind during quarantine 19:38 - The loss of touring and using the internet to get big 54:28 - Does Chris practice guitar? 1:09:09 - Most people are well-intentioned and nice 1:16:13 - Having a routine and focus 1:28:30 - Writing for two bands without them sounding the same Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Stringer is the guitarist for Spiritbox. 1:44 - Stupid riffs 22:00 - The importance of image 36:15 - Spending time on music vs. everything else 54:56 - Creating the ethereal elements in Spiritbox 1:13:30 - The role of a producer 1:26:32 - Wearing many hats as a professional musician 1:42:37 - Are people too obsessed with genre? 1:51:10 - How Mike approaches dynamic writing Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Johnson and Chris Davis are the guitarists for The Ghost Inside. 1:37 - Practicing while standing 14:33 - Recalling the correct breakdown 27:22 - Not touring due to injury vs. not touring due to COVID 35:11 - How Zack and Chris create riffs 58:42 - Work ethic is key 1:32:34 - Working with someone who is different and how to get out of the way 1:43:04 - Everyone having a say can be dangerous 1:52:30 - What is a producer’s role? Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jen Majura is the guitarist for Evanescence. 2:16 - Live streams are tiring 12:24 - Artists and craftsmen are both necessary 25:14 - Replacing a band member is hard 39:28 - Adapting in 2020 54:08 - Jen’s guitar habits during quarantine 1:28:45 - Designing tones Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices