Metalhead: First of all Hello and Thank You for accepting this
mini interview for our metalzine
www.metalhead.ro
Bumblefoot: Greetings! Thank you and to your readers! :D
Metalhead: How was the passion for guitars planted in your
soul? When did this happen?
Bumblefoot: I was 5 years old, was over my neighbor's house, and
there were albums lying around the house from his older brothers
and sisters... we put on a new one, called KISS "Alive!". As
soon as I heard it, I knew: THIS is what I wanted to do. A year
later, I had a band, was writing songs, playing shows in our
basement, school and backyard, making demos using multiple
cassette recorders to do multitrack recordings... and I kept
going, never stopped. :)
Metalhead: How did you get your first guitar?
Bumblefoot: I was tricked into playing guitar!! I wanted to be a
drummer, but my older brother wanted to play drums... my next
choice was bass, because I liked KISS bassist Gene Simmons'
character. So I went to a local music store to start taking bass
lessons, but I was only 6 or 7 years old, the bass was bigger
than I was, I'd never be able to handle one. So the owner of the
store told me that "the rules are, you have to play a kid-size
acoustic guitar for 2 years before you can switch to bass." It
sounded suspicious to me, even at that age. But I went along
with it. So, I was TRICKED into playing guitar, haha! All I knew
is that I wanted to make songs and be in a band, and give back
to the world this wonderful gift of music that all these bands
were giving to me with their songs and passion. Whatever I
needed to do to make that happen. :)
Metalhead: Besides guitars, are you interested in any other
types of instruments?
Bumblefoot: I also sing and play bass, and can play a little bit
of keyboards, cello, drums. As a producer, all sounds interest
me, everything is an instrument. Here's an example...
Metalhead: All guitar gods have
a beautiful collection of incredible instruments but only one
true love among them, which one is yours?
Bumblefoot: I have a weird collection going back to home-made
strange guitars from my teenage years...
http://www.bumblefoot.com/gear/01-pensive-expenguin.php
http://www.bumblefoot.com/gear/02-the-artist.php
http://www.bumblefoot.com/gear/03-the-mutant-cow.php
http://www.bumblefoot.com/gear/04-swiss-cheese-guitar.php
http://www.bumblefoot.com/gear/05-hand-guitar.php
...to beautiful hand-crafted Vigier guitars.
http://www.bumblefoot.com/gear/08-vigier-flying-foot-guitar.php
My all-time favorite go-to guitar is the Vigier Bumblefoot
Signature Series Fretted/Fretless Double-Neck "DoubleBfoot"
guitar. It's everything I want and need to do what I do :)
http://vigierguitars.com/page/fiche_produit.php?id_prod=3698
http://vigierusa.com/index.php/guitars/doublebfoot/
Watch it in action HERE...
Metalhead: From where do you get your inspiration?
Bumblefoot: Inspiration is around us, constantly, like air. We
expect it to be something that approaches us and serves itself
to us, but it's already around us, everywhere. We just have to
allow ourselves to see it, and to embrace it. Look around you
right now – everything you see, hear, touch, think, is a song
waiting to be written by you.
Metalhead: Are there anymore guitar techniques left to be
invented? :)
Bumblefoot: Technology plays a role in the development of
styles, so possibly? If technology allows sounds to change by
additional physical motions, new physical techniques will arise
and be mastered. :)
Metalhead: Do you believe in native talent or only in people
who practice until their fingers bleed?
Bumblefoot: I believe that music starts in the spirit, the mind,
the heart. The dedication, the creativity, the individuality.
Music doesn't come from the fingers. Music leaves you at your
fingers, it comes from everything before reaching your fingers.
So it's just as important to exercise the spirit, the mind, the
heart – maybe more important.
Metalhead: Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix? Which one is closer
to your heart? Why?
Bumblefoot: Love both, but I lean more toward Hendrix. Hendrix
was a bit more experimental and free-form, which I like..
Metalhead: Do you think guitarists were more passionate and
dedicated in the "old times"?
Bumblefoot: It's about individuals, in any time there will be
people that are more passionate, less passionate, and all
in-between. The bigger difference is how the economy has
affected the music industry's ability to nurture and support
artists, the industry could afford to act on their passion in
'old times', and now the industry can't always give the support
the way it once did. But the passion is always out there, it's
part of our human spirit.
Metalhead: Can you name one golden rule for guitar beginners
than can help us, the noobs, tame this beautiful instrument?
Bumblefoot: The DRUMMER is the boss! You need to FOLLOW the
drummer, don't try to lead everyone. Let the drummer do that.
It's about having a groove, not a race. Use a metronome, and
relax and follow the beat. Never step in front of it.
Metalhead: Thank you once again! We are looking forward to
listen to your guitar magic!
Bumblefoot: Thank YOU! It's a pleasure, can't wait to see you
all in Romania :) Multumesc!!
Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal
www.bumblefoot.com
www.facebook.com/bumblefoot
www.instagram.com/bumblefoot
www.twitter.com/bumblefoot
www.youtube.com/bumblefoot
Originally posted at
http://www.metalhead.ro/guns-n-roses/interviu-cu-chitaristul-ron-bumblefoot-thal-ex-guns-n-roses-aid-136427-l-1