Gus G Wouldnt Mind Jamming With Ozzy Again
Meet new Ozzy Osbourne guitarist, Gus Thousand
When Ozzy Osbourne parted ways with his longtime guitarist and collaborator Zakk Wylde last year, millions of fans around the world cried, "WTF?!" So, when Osbourne appear Wylde's replacement as Gus Yard, guitarist with the Greek metal band Firewind, those same fans were left speechless. Had Ozzy lost it? Why was he throwing a dear friend and certified guitar god under the bus for a relative unknown?
For a time, Wylde himself was at a loss for words. At outset he fired off angry Tweets, demanding to know what was going on. Simply later a sitdown with the man he however calls "the dominate," during which Osbourne explained that it was just time for a alter and that Wylde should devote his time to his ain band, Blackness Label Society, both Wylde and his devoted followers came to sympathize that information technology was indeed time for all to move on.
Equally for Gus Yard, he fabricated his official debut with Osbourne at BlizzCon final August. A trial-by-burn down experience, to be sure, but the amiable guitarist describes the prove as a "full success. At that place were doubters there, of course, but I think they saw and heard that I had the right skills for the job."
Gus fully admits that still he has millions of Zakk Wylde devotees across the globe to catechumen, only if his playing on Osbourne's new album Scream is whatsoever indication, he's got the boxing halfway won. The disc, co-written and produced by Kevin Churko, is Osboune'due south strongest effort in years, total of raging, heavier-than-hell tunes and rife with powerful riffery and solos that should have air guitarists air-guitaring like at that place'due south no tomorrow. Fifty-fifty Osbourne himself sounds revitalized: his singing is past turns impassioned, energetic, sneering and playful. "I call up Ozzy was having a lot of fun making this tape," says Gus. "I'm non proverb that had anything to practice with me. I just think he was actually feeling the songs."
While Gus remains fully committed to Firewind, which he'south led since 1998, he relishes the opportunity to step into the guitar hero spotlight. In an exclusive interview with MusicRadar, Gus discussed how he came to bring together Osbourne's ring, the challenges he faces, the recording of Scream and his admiration for Zakk Wylde, whom he describes every bit "a actually cool guy and a gentleman."
Through the years, Ozzy Osbourne has worked with so many guitar legends: Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde. Do y'all consider it to be every difficult rock guitarist'due south dream to play with Ozzy?
"Yeah, I do. In my book, it'south the biggest of all honors. Playing with Ozzy's a dream job, man. Information technology's the ultimate. It'due south the best gig any rock or heavy metal guitar histrion could have. Who wouldn't desire to play with Ozzy? Nobody I know." [laughs]
When y'all hear those names, tin can yous believe that you're now function of that lineage?
"Uh, nope! [laughs] No, I can't believe information technology. I'm living every guitar role player'southward fantasy. To hear yous say those names and then know that I'm the next in line…No, this is still taking some getting used to. I don't know if you e'er go used to it."
Was there any hesitation on your part to joining Ozzy's ring? Either because A) yous have your own band, or because B) Ozzy isn't 25 anymore - for all anybody knows, he could retire later on this album and tour.
"I really don't know. I never sabbatum downwardly and analyzed information technology. All I know is, I got the call that they felt I was the right person, and it felt right on my function to go with it. For me, there wasn't a lot of thinking involved. If Ozzy Osbourne calls you and says he wants you to play in his band, what are yous gonna say? Come on, y'all're going to say yes! [laughs]
"Beyond all that, I don't know what Ozzy's thinking as far as his career and how long he wants to keeping going. We don't have those kinds of conversations. We're more thinking about what's happening right now."
Ostensibly, Ozzy parted ways with Zakk considering he idea Zakk was spending likewise much time on Black Label Lodge and that his own records were fifty-fifty starting to sound like BLS a bit.
"Is that what he said?"
That's what he's said in the press, yes. Did he limited similar concerns to you, like, "Hey, I don't want my record to sound besides much like Firewind"?
"No, no. I've never heard anything like that, at least while we were cutting the record. I should indicate out that when I went into the studio with Ozzy, all the tunes were written. I didn't have a chance to put whatever of my own songs on the album. Everything was washed except for the guitar playing. So I went in, gave my input and did the all-time I could, given the situation.
"At the end of the day, though, Ozzy should audio similar Ozzy. He's earned that correct. Information technology's not up to me or everyone else to try to alter what it is he wants to do. I merely wanted to given him what he wanted, and I recall I did. The record's strong, man."
So Ozzy never talked to yous about why Zakk wasn't in the band anymore?
"No, and it's not really any of my business. Ozzy'due south talked almost it in he printing. He said that he needed a change in the band and that Zakk had his ain matter going. I guess it is what it is. But he never sat downwards with me and went through the whole thing, like, 'This is why Zak's out,' and all that. Plus, it'southward not really in my nature to inquire those kinds of things. I effigy, if Ozzy feels it's important to talk to me about what went down, he'll tell me."
Gus Yard making his official debut with Ozzy Osbourne in Baronial 2009 at BlizzCon
After y'all joined upwardly with Ozzy, were you nervous about facing whatsoever anti-Gus/pro-Zakk backlash from the fans?
"Well, yeah, I knew that was a possibility going in, and I kind of prepared myself for that. Zakk is an established name; he'south been with Ozzy for over twenty years, and he has fans all over the globe. Hey, I'm i of them.
"The beginning couple of gigs that nosotros did, I was hoping that there would be people with open minds who would be like, 'Let's come across what this guy is all about and give him a hazard.' At the same fourth dimension, I knew at that place might be some haters who would exist like, 'Who the fuck is this guy? What the hell is he doing on stage instead of Zakk?' You have to expect both sorts of reactions.
"But you do what yous accept to do, y'all know? I know what I'm doing on phase; Ozzy knows what I'g doing on stage; and the remainder of information technology, y'all only can't concern yourself with. You'd get crazy! I tin can't worry about the haters. They'll exist out there no matter how bully I play."
How are yous going to work beingness in Ozzy'due south ring while continuing with Firewind at the same time? Ozzy's said that he's going to be on the route for upwards of 18 months. Evidently, that puts Firewind on ice for a while.
"Yeah, it does, at least as far as the touring aspect goes. Firewind are going to do a couple of shows this summer, but nosotros won't be able to practice whatsoever kind of extensive touring until next year, probably side by side summer when Ozzy takes a intermission.
"Firewind are very much a ring, though. People ask me that a lot, so I feel I should stress that. We're definitely even so together. In fact, nosotros're putting out a new album this fall. It's been set up for quite some time."
How did the guys in Firewind react when you were asked to join Ozzy's ring? Were they supportive, or did they think that yous might leave them behind?
"Oh, no, they were very supportive. They know this is a great affair for me, sure, simply it helps them, too. The exposure I go with Ozzy is just going to aid give Firewind more than of a name. Firewind, we're a family. Leaving them would exist like killing my own infant."
Tell me how to actually came to state the Ozzy gig. Did he contact you? And what was the audition process like?
"It was pretty simple, actually. Somebody from the direction company sent me an e-mail and said that Ozzy might be looking for a new guitar player, and would I listen coming down? And so I said yeah. Fucking great, you know? [laughs] I was shocked, of course, merely I said to myself, 'Hey, I'll take the adventure. What have I got to lose?' So I learned a bunch of Ozzy'south songs, flew out to LA and the audience went great."
What songs did y'all learn for the audience?
"I learned Crazy Train, Bawl At The Moon, I Don't Know, Suicide Solution…I think those were the ones."
Legend has it that Ozzy hired Randy Rhoads when Randy was but tuning upwardly. No such luck in your case, huh?
"No. I wish! [laughs] No, I really had to play for Ozzy for him to pick me. Merely it was cool. I jammed with the ring for a couple of hours, kind of got familiar with them. And then Ozzy and Sharon came down to watch us play. Everything went beautifully. Here I am!" [laughs]
Do you know how many other guitarists were considered before you?
"No, I don't. There was probably a shortlist of guys, but how many and who they were, I really couldn't say. I was just happy to exist there. I thought, Hey, if nothing comes from this, at to the lowest degree I got to do a individual gig with Ozzy and I accept something to tell my kids one day. But they loved what I did and they asked me correct at that place on the spot if I wanted to play with Ozzy at BlizzCon, which was my showtime gig with him concluding twelvemonth."
Did Ozzy tell you specifically what it was about your playing that made him option you lot?
"Non really. But I've read him say in interviews that he got a good vibe from me; that it wasn't just virtually my guitar playing, but he had a feeling most me every bit a person. I tin understand that. Y'all tin can't exist in a band with somebody if you don't click. There has to be some sort of chemistry there."
Speaking of chemistry, Ozzy and Zakk have been very shut for many years…
"Yes, they're family unit, man."
"I'k really honored that he'southward said then many squeamish things about me. I look upward to him and consider him to be 1 of my guitar heroes" Gus One thousand speaking about Zakk Wylde
What kind of relationship have you forged with Ozzy so far?
"We have a very good relationship. He's been really, really cool to me, and to the rest of the band, every bit well. We're friends. We accept neat times."
Zakk has been very gratis towards you lot in the printing. Accept you met him yet?
"No, I oasis't met him yet, merely I'g looking forrad to it. Obviously, nosotros'll meet one-time this summertime since he's going to be on Ozzfest with Black Label Society. I'1000 sure we'll get along merely fine.
"1 thing I should say on the subject of Zakk: I'thousand really honored that he's said and then many nice things about me. I look up to him and consider him to be one of my guitar heroes. He's a really cool guy and a gentleman. To have his blessings, that means a lot to me."
I read an interview with you in which you discussed beingness influenced by Black Sabbath, The Scorpions, Atomic number 26 Maiden and Judas Priest. Did whatsoever blues or dejection-stone guitarists figure into your development?
"Well, I would say in that location'south some blues in Black Sabbath, especially their early stuff."
True. Other than Tony Iommi, did you mind to guitarists who had something of a blues base?
"I was never really into the blues-rock matter. Don't become me wrong, I think it's great. It just didn't…Actually, now that I think of it, there's guys like Gary Moore and Michael Schenker who I listened to a lot as a kid. Gary Moore's definitely blues-stone. Permit's come across…I as well like David Gilmour, Peter Frampton - I love Peter Frampton! And then even though I'grand probably more influenced by metal guitarists, there were some bluesy players who made an impression on me.
"Y'all know who else influenced me a lot? Yngwie Malmsteen. When I outset heard him, I was like, 'Wow! That's incredible.' And then I immediately wanted to go into his fashion of playing. I endeavor to keep an open mind. There'south a lot of people I still have to check out."
Going back to Ozzy, at that place's been other changes to his band. Tommy Clufetos is now drumming in place of Mike Bordin. Exercise you know the reason for the switch?
"I think it's because Mike went back to Faith No More than. If there was some other reason, I don't know. By the style, Tommy is one-half-Greek!" [laughs]
What kind of direction did Ozzy and Kevin Churko requite you lot when information technology came to your guitar solos? Since the songs were already written, I would presume they had some pretty firm ideas as to what they wanted.
"'You take to be 100 percent happy with whatever you put down on tape, considering in one case it's done, it's there for the whole earth to hear'" Gus recounting Ozzy Osbourne's words to him in the studio
"They might take, simply they were pretty easy-going about everything. I think Ozzy knew that I was coming into a very loftier-pressure situation, so he basically said, 'Exercise you matter, homo.' He was very gracious. He said, 'Gus, you have to be 100 percent happy with whatever you put down on tape, considering in one case it's done, it'south there for the whole world to hear.' And he's right. So I made sure that I got all my parts and solos perfect. It took a while, a lot of fixing things and going over everything. In the stop, information technology was all worth the time and effort."
What about riffs? Again, since the songs were already written, were there times where you might take changed a riff or two?
"I did change some around a bit, because a few of the parts I thought weren't actually things that a guitar player would do. Kevin was very receptive to my ideas He'south an amazing producer, and I such a good time working with him. He encouraged me a lot. I never felt like he was holding me dorsum in any way."
On a few of the cuts you lot practise pinch harmonics, which are, of form, part of Zakk's signature fashion.
"That's true. But ane matter we have to brand articulate is that Zakk didn't invent pinch harmonics." [laughs]
No, of course not. But he has made them a very recognizable part of his sound.
"Yes, he has. Just that wouldn't stop me from doing pinch harmonics. I've dearest playing them and I've put them on my records for years."
What I'one thousand getting at is, was there any temptation on your office to emulate Zakk or even Randy Rhoads?
"I definitely wanted to achieve and maintain the archetype Ozzy Osbourne sound and keep the vibe of his past guitar players alive. At the same time, I wanted to put my own sound on the tape, as well. That was my thought process the unabridged fourth dimension. You lot can't alter the sound completely; that'southward non what the gig is about. But you can throw a few surprises in there if you do it tastefully."
What'south your approach to soloing? Do you plot them out beforehand and demo them, or exercise you go into the studio and wing 'em?
"I usually go in, become a feel for the song and jam over it. Then I'll sit downwards and actually construct the solo, part by part. The whole process starts out loose but gradually it gets more than methodical. It all starts from jamming, though. As I jam, I hear certain things that piece of work over the rest of the music. The biggest thing is to go on your ears open - you don't desire to practice something cool and miss it."
The solo in Let Me Hear You Scream is pretty gonzo. How many passes did you practise on that?
"Let Me Hear Y'all Scream was written quite a few times. The lyrics kept changing, the riffs kept changing, the organisation changed back and forth. Originally, I did a whammy pedal solo, only I don't really know how to employ a whammy pedal. So I did some crazy shit with high octaves, which sounded OK. But and then the lyrics changed over again, so I had to call up of another type of solo - that's the one that ended upwardly on the terminal recording."
In that vocal and on Soul Sucker, you lot practise some classic hammer-on and pull-offs. Regarding that technique, who was a bigger influence, Eddie Van Halen or Randy Rhoads?
"I listened to both of them. Everybody has influenced me a picayune fleck. Michael Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Roth, Gary Moore, Tony Iommi - those are probably the primary guys."
What key is Soul Sucker in? The guitars are turned down quite depression on that one.
"I think information technology's in B, very low, yeah. It was i of the last songs nosotros did. I went in and heard the riff; it was an OK riff, not a nifty ane. And so Kevin and I discussed what could exist washed to brand it meliorate. Suddenly, an thought hitting me and I said, 'You know, I'm a big Peter Frampton fan. What if I did a talk box thing on the riff?' We tried it and it sounded fantastic. And then Kevin said, 'Why don't you attempt saying "Soul Sucker" on the riff through the talk box?' I tried that and information technology sounded even better. That was a lot of fun putting that song together. Definitely one of the coolest times in the studio."
On the song Diggin' Me Down y'all play a classical-sounding acoustic guitar intro. There'due south as well some nice acoustic rhythm sounds on Life Won't Wait. What kind of acoustics do you use?
"'grand glad yous liked those. Truth is, I suck at audio-visual guitar actor. [laughs] Really, I'm not good at all. I practise like to play chords with a lot of open strings, and so that's kind of what I do when it comes to playing the acoustic. Really, though, I just copied what you hear on classic stone songs. If you heed to classic rock, at that place'southward lots of acoustic guitar playing going on underneath the electrics."
"As far as what kind of guitar I used, I accept no thought. [laughs] Whatsoever was in the studio was what I used. Kudos to Kevin for making what I did sound great."
Let'southward talk about your signature line of ESP guitars. When and how did your involvement with the company come about?
"I met the vice president of ESP in Nihon in 2003 while I was on a promotional tour with Firewind. He told me that if I always needed a custom guitar to let him know. And so I idea about information technology and called him and said, 'Yes, tin can ESP make me a custom guitar?' That's how the whole signature model started. Originally, it was available only in Japan. Then, in 2005, it was introduced to the European market. Two years later, my first signature models came out in America. They're a neat company to work with, and they make killer guitars."
What are some of the specifications you had in designing your own models?
"I was very involved in the whole procedure, from the type of wood [alder] to the fretboard [rosewood] to the types of tuners [Sperzel] to having only a book knob and no tone knob. Basically, the company helped me make my dream guitar.
"There's been some shit said on the internet about me, but I try not to pay whatever attending. At the aforementioned fourth dimension, I've gotten a lot of encouragement from fans"
"For years I've been using the same pickups - Seymour Duncan Distortion [bridge] and Duncan '59s [cervix]. I've ever used passive pickups, merely lately I've been getting into the active thing. Duncan came out with these new active pickups called Blackouts, and they're astonishing. They just might be the best pickups I've always used. I'thou putting them on all my guitars now. I think I'yard going to have a hard time going dorsum to passive pickups. The Blackouts really sound incredible.
How's it feel to exist gearing upwards to hit the road with Ozzy? Is the band jelling?
"It feels great, man. Can't wait. I'd say we're definitely jelling. We've been rehearsing for three or four weeks now, and it sounds really skilful, really tight. They're fantastic players, too. We're all on the same page, and that goes for u.s.a. as people and as musicians."
You came out of the first couple of gigs with Ozzy unscathed. Starting this summertime, nevertheless, you're going to be facing thousands of people every nighttime - a lot of them Zakk Wylde supporters. Are you ready for the backlash? Information technology will happen, you know.
"Oh, sure, I understand that. Hopefully, everybody will come to the shows to accept a good time and to see Ozzy Osbourne. If they want to fucking get mad at the guitar player and throw beer cans, you know…I endeavor to be a positive guy. There's been some shit said on the internet about me, but I try not to pay any attention to that. At the same time, I've gotten a lot of encouragement from fans and people who are rooting for me. All I can exercise is become up at that place on stage and try my best."
Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists forGuitar World,Guitar Player,MusicRadar andArchetype Rock. He is also a former editor ofGuitar World, contributing writer forGuitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Isle Records. He'due south an enthusiastic guitarist, but he's nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.
Source: https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/meet-new-ozzy-osbourne-guitarist-gus-g-255306
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