IMPELLITTERI
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 20th April 2009.
Impellitteri is the band name of guitar god Chris Impellitteri. Recently reunited with singer Rob Rock and with a new album 'Wicked Maiden' out at the end of April '09, the band are on a mission to bring their intricate heavy music to the masses.
We had a had chat with Chris about the band and more.
Hi Chris, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions!
Chris: It is my pleasure !!
Is life treating you well at present?
Chris: Yes, I am very happy with the response of our new record !!
How old were you when you decided the guitar was the instrument for you, and how quickly did you progress?
Chris: 12 years old. I took about 5-7 years of musical training in order to develop my theoretical and physical skill. After that I just learned by practicing many hours per day. In fact, I still play many hours per day to improve or create new ideas and techniques.
Was it a deliberate choice to end up as one of the fastest guitarists in the World, or did the accolade kind of creep up on you?
Chris: It crept up on me. I was always fast, but I did it because I liked the energy I could create with my technique. I did not want it to turn into a competition.
In addition, It was the press that gave me the title of fastest guitarist in the world. After that, all of these other guitarists tried to claim they were the fastest which just got stupid.
It is like saying I can speak faster than everyone else. That is just silly.
I use speed as expression, but I also play slow for feeling. So, I do it all.
How would you describe your playing style to some foolish soul who’d never heard you before?
Chris: My guitar playing is aggressive, technical, and filled with soul. Even though I burn up the fret board, I make certain it compliments the music and melody.
I hope my technique conveys my emotional state. I believe the instrument is a tool to express yourself. Thus, my technique is an extension of my personality. I am energetic, happy, sad, nice, mean, joyful, angry, etc… and my guitar playing expresses that in my songs and soloing.
Which other guitarists would you place at the top of the talent tree?
Chris: Too many to name. But, Uli Roth is a favourite, Al Di Meola, a young Eddie Van Halen, etc….
What advice would you give to guitarists who are still on the lower branches? Is the old adage of practice makes perfect true?
Chris: I think so. I practice everyday to improve my technique. I think an artist can only evolve by practicing. In fact, in order to express what you hear in your mind, you need to have the knowledge and physical ability to play it. So, practice is the method.
How about the new album, ‘Wicked Maiden’... Is it classic Impellitteri or can we expect something radically different?
Chris: I think you will have to listen for yourself. It is definitely aggressive, energetic, and melodic. It is filled with the fast shredding guitar solos, screaming vocals, and a brutal rhythm section.
Do you have a personal highlight from the album?
Chris: Wicked Maiden, Last of a Dying Breed, Garden of Eden, and High School Revolution. Working with Rob Rock; pipes on him! He is a fantastic singer. I enjoy working with Rob immensely. We have a good writing chemistry that seems to be complimentary. I guess it is rare to find the magical lead singer/ lead guitarist, but Rob and Chris seem to be the team!
Is it good having him back? How do you feel his presence has altered the Impellitteri musical approach?
Chris: Very good to have him back. He gives us a comfort zone. When I write the music I feel confident he will only make each track better with his performance. He also seems to push me to play at a higher level of excellence.
Is there a tour planned on the back of the release? It’d be great to see you in the UK!
Chris: YES !! We are negotiating the tour as we speak. We will play the Sweden Rock festival on June 6, 2009 on the main headlining stage with Heaven and Hell, Dream Theater, and Journey. I hope it is fun !!
Any other side/future projects you would like to divulge?
Chris: Only Impellitteri !!
Presumably you have a decent guitar collection. What are your personal favourites?
Chris: My 1971 Fender Stratocaster. It is an original strat that I really like. It plays really nice and sounds full. I also have a 1958 Les Paul standard I am using which has a very thick sound. I am currently creating a Chris Impellitteri signature strat with Dean guitars. The guitar will be a shred machine. I am very excited!!
What five albums would you take with you if you were to be abandoned in a mountaintop shack for a week?
Chris: The albums I used for comparison when making Wicked Maiden. Van Halen 1, Ozzy - Blizzard of Oz, Metallica - Master of Puppets, Pantera - Cowboys from Hell, Yngwie - Trilogy
Do you have a good metal ringtone on your cell phone?
Chris: NO, HA !
Do you partake in any interesting hobbies when you aren’t being a rock god?
Chris: I just finished completing my MBA degree !!
What are you up to once you finish answering these questions?
Chris: Off to practice for the tour, and do a lot of press interviews !!
Anything else you would like to mention?
Chris: Here is the link to our fan club where you can see our new music video http://impellitterifanclub.info/. Also check out the myspace.com/impellitteriofficialsite
Thanks to Chris for his time. Check out the review of Wicked Maiden on Rock Realms here, and hopefully catch the band playing live later this year!
