He may not be a household name, but as soon as you hear Tony MacAlpine’s guitar playing, he is unforgettable. Since 1985 MacAlpine has been gathering a loyal following of fans, both for his solo work and for his work with bands like Planet X, M.A.R.S and Seven the Hardway. His latest album is a guitar instrumental masterpiece, and I don’t use that term loosely. Simply entitled “Tony MacAlpine” it features brilliant tone and incredible guitar heroics. It should come with a money back guarantee. Recently I spoke to Tony about his latest album and other projects. For all of his talent, he is remarkably humble and easy to talk with. I hope you enjoy it, and dont delay in getting a copy of Tony’s latest album for yourself.
Thom Jennings: Thank you very much for giving us this interview. I have to tell you, I have been listening to your new album for the last two days and I can’t get enough of it.
Tony MacAlpine: Thanks Thom, I really appreciate that.
TJ: Your new album is simply entitled “Tony MacAlpine,” after a dozen solo albums why did it take so long to name an album after yourself?
TM: In the beginning there were a lot of concepts that we were working with and so at that time it didn’t make sense, but as this album evolved the name just seemed to make sense.
TJ: I really want to see this stuff live, what are your plans as far as touring?
TM: We’ll be touring Japan in September and doing some other Asian countries followed by a European tour and hopefully some American shows at the end of it.
TJ: What markets are you doing well in?
TM: Japan has been really good to us, as well as Europe.
TJ: You are known for playing a seven-string guitar which has evolved into the eight-string guitar. Can you tell me how that evolution occurred and what note is on the eight string?
TM: My earliest exposure to the seven-string guitar was when I was playing with Planet X. Derek Sherinian and Virgil Donati wanted the band to feature the extended range of the guitar. The seventh string is a lower B and it incorporates some interesting sounds. The eight-string guitar has a F sharp added.
TJ: How does that impact other musicians in the band like a bass player?
TM: It really doesn’t. The guitar simply has a fuller sound and offers more ways to be creative.
TJ: Because of the uniqueness of the eight-string guitar I guess it’s safe to say that you only play custom guitars.
TM: Yes, I always have. My guitars are made by Ibanez at their pro shop in California.
TJ: So you never just pick something off the rack and tool around with it, or maybe play some vintage instruments?
TM: No I don’t, I just play my guitars.
TJ: What about your practice regimen?
TM: I don’t really have one. I grew up playing the piano when I was five years old and have played many different styles of music. On occasion I have to practice stuff when we are going out on the road or if I am playing with somebody else, but I don’t run scales or anything like that.
TJ: And I have read your approach to solos on your albums is very improvisational. I assume that was the case with your latest album as well.
TM: Yes, it’s very improvisational, we spend some time picking and choosing the best ones.
TJ: Have you ever played something that you went back to and could not recreate it?
TM: No, I never create a monster that is too difficult for me to play. It’s me playing so I don’t have a hard time figuring it out.
TJ: You have played with some amazing musicians, including Steve Vai and Rudy Sarzo. If you could pick your dream band to play with who would be in it?
TM: Nobody, because every person I have played with brings something unique to the party. Musicians have their own musical personalities and they are very unique and it brings out creativity. All of the musicians have something wonderful to offer to each project and it makes for a wonderful sound. I have been lucky to play with a lot of fantastic players.
TJ: So then what about your influences?
TM: When I first started it was my brother and then Johnny Winter and George Benson. Later it was Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen. I was checking them out with some of the other local players. But in reality my sound comes from my exposure to classical music at the age of five. I knew early on what I wanted to accomplish in music.
TJ: You are undoubtedly one of the most talented guitarists around, certainly on par with guys like Van Halen or Jeff Beck. I am sure you are able to make a pretty good living as a musician but are you frustrated not to have mainstream success?
TM: No, not at all. I’m happy that I can contribute something that is unique and stays true to myself. I didn’t get in the business to make money real quick. My goal was to play music that I loved and I enjoy my contribution to the music business. The guitar thing is important but guys like Steve Vai came into it after doing other things. I didn’t start out playing in a popular rock band, so I didn’t have the same foundation as some of these other players.
TJ: There is definitely a market for your type of music. I suppose instrumental rock guitar music had it’s peak with an album like Jeff Beck’s “Blow by Blow,” and I must say this latest album certainly belongs in the same category as that classic.
TM: Well thanks Thom. I certainly grew up listening to that album. I think there are some pretty incredible young players like Nili Brosh coming up through the ranks and taking it to a higher level and so they are driving a bit of a resurgence.
TJ: One final question, how do you name your songs? Obviously a song with a chorus is easy to name but I have always been curious what the process is for naming an instrumental track.
TM: I have always named the songs after I have recorded them. When I am writing them I don’t go in a particular direction. I record the songs and then we go back and see what each piece reminds us of. I’ve never come up with a title and written a song to fit a particular theme.
TJ: Well thanks again Tony, it’s been a pleasure and I hope to help get the word out about the album. It’s a great piece of work.
TM: Thanks Thom, I really appreciate that you like the album.
We would like to thank Carol Kaye of Kayos Productions for setting up the interview with Tony. Please go to: http://www.tonymacalpine.com/ for all things Tony.
