The Riffhard Podcast

Jake Bowen is a guitarist in Periphery. 3:02 - Eating high-calorie meals 9:21 - Jake’s problem with airports and authority figures 29:16 - Humans are still animals even though society has modernized 43:51 - How the band is handling staying home 57:18 - Anxiety and being a people pleaser 1:05:03 - Playing guitar live 1:21:00 - A day in the life of Jake 1:32:13 - Battling depression 1:44:02 - Being influenced by his uncle, John Petrucci 1:55:36 - Jake’s riff style Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eugene and Roman are the bassist and guitarist, respectively, in Jinjer. 1:59 - Working with Max Morton and writing songs 12:07 - Throwing ideas and riffs away 25:44 - The band’s communication 37:16 - Eugene’s bass lines 50:21 - Writing during lockdown and writing rigs 1:02:51 - Being able to travel with your own console 1:12:06 - Staying grounded 1:34:36 - Writing a song in 5 hours Roman Ibramkhalilov (@kazyolli) • Instagram photos and videos Eugene Abdukhanov (@jinjerbass) • Instagram photos and videos Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ruud Jolie is the lead guitarist of Within Temptation. 12:22 - How European culture treats metal music 23:19 - You can make music work without a band 37:15 - Ruud’s job as a guitarist in Within Temptation 56:48 - Guide for refining riffs 1:21:20 - Defining personal style 1:43:36 - Longevity is a rare thing 1:52:07 - Rehearsing before tour Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Sampson is a producer, engineer, and guitar player for I Am Abomination. 3:14 - Handling COVID 11:11 - Gaining trust and respect 17:03 - How guitar players can prepare 36:47 - Scheduling and time management 57:51 - Making your guitar as playable as possible 1:17:50 - Building and patenting a guitar 1:38:57 - Buying weed used to be difficult 1:57:39 - There’s no liposuction for guitar Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angel Vivaldi is a virtuoso guitarist as well as a songwriter and producer. 5:07 - Angel doesn’t miss being on the road 18:07 - Eddie Van Halen 28:10 - Finding what works best for your health 45:46 - Does Angel’s discipline with health and fitness transfer to guitar playing? 59:48 - Getting away from drugs and abuse 1:11:51 - How Angel recorded his first demo 1:33:00 - Working with Will Putney 1:53:40 - Angel’s writing process 1:58:42 - Angel’s practice regimen Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angus Clark is a lead guitarist best known for his 20 year stint with Trans Siberian Orchestra as well as playing for artists such as Cher and Kitaro among others. 2:21 - The hired gun life 16:11 - Self-awareness is crucial 31:38 - Getting the TSO gig 49:42 - Tone is in your ears 1:08:24 - You don’t have to choose between writing and playing 1:19:21 - Knowing who you are 1:30:03 - The entrepreneur’s curse 1:37:49 - Working with Cher 1:49:15 - What Angus tells people who aspire to do what he does Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Holcomb is a guitarist in Periphery and Haunted Shores. 2:05 - How Browne and Mark know each other 11:09 - The X factor and social media 21:51 - Adapting to touring life 29:18 - Day-to-day lifestyle 50:54 - Making ideas cohesive 1:22:45 - Coming up with open chords 1:35:26 - Using PRS guitars 1:42:14 - Gear and black metal Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Spreitzer and Neal Tiemann are guitarists for DevilDriver. 2:42 - How the guys are handling COVID 15:05 - How Mike and Neal know each other 29:19 - Dark times and lineup changes 53:13 - Working with Steve Evetts 1:09:01 - How Mike got into recording 1:22:56 - Pocket is different for everyone 1:34:44 - Tracking guitars and trusting producers 1:51:57 - Writing riffs 1:57:10 - Finding inspiration Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carter Arrington is a guitarist who has played with Progger, Peter Rowan, Eric Johnson, and many others. 3:25 - Carter’s rhythm playing 16:47 - Carter’s definition of pocket 40:42 - Adjusting to the pocket of a drummer 54:22 - Ego and finding what you want to do 1:03:14 - Obsession 1:28:49 - Carter’s course and writing 1:51:28 - Sixteenth notes Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kiko Loureiro is the lead guitarist for Megadeth. 3:08 - Getting stuck in Finland 12:32 - Touring and routine 24:19 - Playing guitar for work vs. not for work 54:28 - Music in Brazil 1:10:56 - Practicing and figuring out how you learn 1:33:47 - Should modern musicians record themselves? 1:52:38 - Adapting to modern technology 2:08:50 - Why Kiko learned to record audio and video 2:26:10 - What Kiko learned from Dave Mustaine 2:34:27 - Composing with 7 and 8 strings Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices