As most of you know, I have been working at completing my 4th CD/album, "Tone Poet". I have written 11 songs that I feel are very strong, and take my style of guitar-centric music to another level both in composition and production.
The record business has changed drastically since my first CD, Venusian Sunrise, was produced in 1998. Record labels and artists have much smaller budgets, and with the advent of file sharing, some people consider music a free commodity. But, new technologies have emerged allowing artists to get great recordings, as well as new ways of raising capitol and marketing music.
Today, I have started a crowd funding project in an effort to finance the completion of TONE POET (click here to see it). In exchange for goods like MP3s, CDs, autographed items, online guitar lessons, my book, and even a guitar, supporters can fund the completion of this album. These items can be purchased for yourself or as a gift.
While I will be reaching out to my friends and fans via my 1000+ E-newsletter subscribers, my Facebook page, and my 14,000+ twitter followers, Youtube channel, and blog, I need your help.
Not only can you support this by purchasing goods, you can let all of your friends, coworkers, and your friends who are music fans, know about it. Tell them by phone, email, facebook, grocery store checkout line... any and all support is appreciated!
Your early support will help create some buzz, and momentum... which encourages my other friends and fans to contribute (some fans simply wait to see 'trust signals' before committing to support something like this).
Anyone in the world can contribute, and unlike other crowd funding services, Rockethub.com lets me keep the funds that I raise (not all or nothing).
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2013) – Melodic instrumental rock guitarist Adrian Galysh will perform at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) trade show at the Seymour Duncan booth, located in Hall B, booth 5561, on Fri., Jan. 25 from 4 – 4:30 p.m.
In 2012, Galysh was honored by Brian Moore Guitars with his own signature guitar, the Adrian Galysh Signature C90F, which features Seymour Duncan JB and Alnico II humbucker pickups.
“Seymour Duncan and great tone are synonymous in guitar circles,” said Galysh. “I have Seymour Duncan pick-ups in just about every guitar I own. The company has always been super supportive of my music, and I am pleased to perform for them at this year’s NAMM convention.”
Described as “a virtuoso of modern electric and acoustic guitar techniques” by 20th Century Guitar magazine, Galysh has a successful trajectory spanning three solo albums and numerous collaborations and performances with industry giants like Uli Jon Roth, Yngwie Malmsteen, Carl Verheyen, Mike Keneally, George Lynch, Warren DeMartini, and many more.
Galysh is preparing the release of his fourth solo album Tone Poet, due spring 2013. The album includes 12 tracks featuring rock-fusion, sweeping orchestral works, and world music with a Spanish influence. His tasteful guitar work and compositional style will be complemented by Mark Boals’ (Yngwie Malmsteen, Royal Hunt) vocals, and grooves by world-class drummer, Todd Sucherman (STYX).
I knew I wanted to play guitar when I was about 10 years old. In 4th and fifth grade, I started to really get into music. Under my brother's influence (he listened to metal), I soon found bands like Van Halen, Scorpions, Judas Priest, AC/DC, and Quiet Riot. While other kids were playing with Transformers, Cabbage-patch Kids, and GI Joe, I was buying records, tapes, and making cassette recordings of other albums from anyone/anywhere I could. My neighborhood shopping center had a record store, called "The Turntable", where my mom would drop me off, while she shopped for groceries. I would spend a good hour, once a week, flipping through records, and on the occasion I was able to save up 7 or 8 dollars, buy one.
While the hard rock music of the 80s was exciting, and I enjoyed listening to the bands mentioned above, it wasn't until I heard the Ozzy Osbourne album, "Blizzard of Ozz", that I decided that I had to play guitar. I can still picture the black and brown memorex cassette tape that had the recording of the album, dubbed for me by a friend of the family. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the guitar solos on songs like Crazy Train, Mr. Crowley, and Revelation (Mother Earth). I think I knew then that I had to do this. If hearing someone else play guitar was this exciting, I had to try it for myself.
I begged my folks for a guitar and for lessons... for two years. It wasn't until I was 12 that they decided that I could take guitar lessons, as long as I took real lessons... on a classical acoustic guitar. This was fine by me, because Randy Rhoads, that guitarist that inspired me via "Blizzard Of Ozz", studied classical guitar too. Randy soon became somewhat of a role model for me.
I credit Randy Rhoads as the reason I started to play guitar. Like many other guitarists, I found his playing exciting, passionate, melodic, and inspiring. The more I read about him (he had already died in a plane crash just 3 years before I discovered him in 1985), the more I found his personal outlook, thirst for knowledge, and kind demeanor even more inspiring. I then began to collect all the Randy Rhoads recordings, magazines, guitar books I could get my hands on. He made me want to become a real, legitimate guitar player. A musician. I had this poster on my wall growing up:
This past December 6th would have been Randy's 55th birthday. His sister's family owns the D'Argenzio Wine brand, and have a tasting room in Burbank, CA. I have lived in LA for 12 years... I visited Randy's grave once about 8 years ago, and have hesitated to visit his mother's music school, Musonia, in Burbank, which is still open and doing business. While I am very curious, I have been hesitant to lurk at the school and interfere with their business. However, this past weekend, the family had a Randy Rhoads wine tasting event for his birthday, at their tasting room in town. Being a "wine guy" and Randy Rhoads fan, I had to go.
My wife and I drove out early on a Friday, and arrived at about 5:30. We did a wine tasting flight, including the "Randy Rhoads Cabernet", which was good. The wine room had Ozzy's "Tribute" album on in the background... on vinyl... playing on a record player - very cool. Randy's sister, Kathy was on hand to greet visitors, and we spoke briefly about the Tribute album and the photos therein. Randy's brother in law, Ricci, gave us a tour of the facility, we talked wine for a bit, and then he showed us some Randy Rhoads memorabilia they have there. I asked about Randy's mother, Delores. He says she is 92 years old, and while she is "all there", has a harder time getting around these days.
Memorabilia included a number of photos, Randy's signature polka-dot bow ties, his Gold Record award for Blizzard of Ozz, a pair of shoes, and a few building models he made for his hobby, model trains. A Gibson "Randy Rhoads" Les Paul was also on display... I want one :-)
The photos (above/right) were on display at the wine tasting, and were taken by famed rock photographer Neil Zlozower. I got to know Neil while working at SWR Amp Co. a number of years ago, where we worked on some photo sessions for some product ads. We became quick friends, having very similar taste in music, and I really admire his work and the musical history he has witnessed. The first time I ever visited Neil's photo studio, I was looking around, and saw a bunch of photo slides on top of a light table. Taking a peak at some of the slides, I found one of the poster of Randy Rhoads that used to hang in my bedroom. There it was, the actual photo from which the poster came. I couldn't believe it. I stared at this poster every day as a kid, dreaming of playing guitar professionally, and now Neil takes my photos. Unreal. While I was looking up some of Zlozower's Randy photos online, I found this (both taken by Neil):
Features and specs: • Adrian Galysh Signature Headstock • Comfort Contoured Mahogany body • Spalted maple top with Satin finish • 22 fret Maple neck 25.5" scale, 15" radius • Rosewood fingerboard • 6105 Frets • Matching Sculpted Headstock • Abalone "M" logo • Seymour Duncan Alnico II neck • Seymour Duncan JB bridge • Floyd Rose tremelo • Gold Hardware • Sperzel locking tuners • Available left handed at no extra charge Available factory direct, and customizable with optional left handed model, piezo pickup, and 13 pin synth access.
My other "main" guitar is a green Brian Moore C-55. It has a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge position and two Hot Rails, with a 7-way super switch as well. Beyond these two work-horses, I have my first electric guitar, a 1987 black Gibson Les Paul Standard, which sounds great for tracking rhythm guitar. I also use a Yamaha APX 9C electric acoustic guitar for recording and the occasional live performance. This guitar is used a lot on the new album, Tone Poet. Also in the "vault" (ok, my studio closet...) are a Epiphone Jeff Baxter electric acoustic, an ESP Eclipse Gold Top, a custom Peavey "Ecoustic" with scalloped fretboard, an white Ibanez Jem 777 (signed by Steve Vai!), a Gretch Electromatic, an Ibanez Artcore hollowbody, and a Brian Moore i9 with MIDI access.
For Strings, I exclusively use SIT Strings' "Power Steel" stainless steel Light Gauge, and Royal Bronze .011's for acoustic guitars. They sound great and last long. Visit www.sitstrings.com for more info.
My live rigs consists of: Marshall JMP 1 Preamp, Alesis Quadraverb, Peavey Classic 50/50 Power Amp, Morley ABY, Bad Horsie, Boss Tremolo, MWR Phase 90, MXR Carbon Copy. Visit www.morleypedals.com for more info.
Leave a comment below and let me know what your guitar rig is!
First, I want to take a moment to thank everone who reads this blog and who has supported me by watching and sharing my videos, attending my shows, purchasing music, and telling their friends about my passion and my work. I truly appreciate it.
I have been hard at work recording my next album, Tone Poet. This album features 12 captivating tracks, with styles spanning from rock, fusion, and even spanish influences, to sweeping orchestral works with choir! It features riveting and dramatic instrumentals, as well as electrifying songs with vocals. All of the tracks feature plenty of acoustic and electric guitars, as you have come to expect.
You may have read, I have enlisted ex-Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist, Mark Boals, to contribute vocals on a number of tracks. His vocal tracks are done, and they have exceeded my expectations - really outstanding. I have also finished tracking drums with STYX stickman and Modern Drummer magazine award winner, Todd Sucherman. He absolutely killed it, knocking out 5 tracks on a day off from tour at his home studio in Austin, TX!
Needless to say, the album is coming together nicely, but I have much more work to do. I need to track drums for 4 more songs, re-record a number of my guitar parts, re-track some solos, and then lay down bass guitar parts. After that is done, then there is album artwork, and the final mastering.
I need YOUR help. All of this costs money, and as an independent artist, much of what I do is paid for out of my own pocket. But here's how YOU can help:
I am offering a number of bundled merchandise packages, combining my various CDs, limited edition T-Shirts, Autographed Photos, and my guitar book, "Progressive Guitar Warm-ups and Exercises". I am offering this discount-priced merchandise directly to you, as my way of saying thanks. A truly unbeatable value, these bundled merch-packs offer you more for your money.
The merch bundles are:
1. Limited edition Adrian Galysh "Earth Tones" T-Shirt & "King Friday" CD: $29 (includes USA S&H), save $8!
2. Limited edition Adrian Galysh "Earth Tones" T-Shirt & "Earth Tones" CD: $29 (includes USA S&H), save $8!
3. Limited edition Adrian Galysh "Earth Tones" T-Shirt & "King Friday" & "Earth Tones" CDs: just $39 (includes USA S&H), save $11!
4. Autographed 8x10" Adrian Galysh lithograph photo & "King Friday" CD: $18 (includes USA S&H) - photo by Neil Zlozower!
5. Autographed 8x10" Adrian Galysh lithograph photo & "Earth Tones" CD: $18 (includes USA S&H) - photo by Neil Zlozower!
6. Autographed 8x10" Adrian Galysh lithograph photo & "King Friday", "Earth Tones" CDs, and Book "Progressive Guitar Warmups and Excercises": just $39 (includes USA S&H)
Los Angeles, California - Guitarist, Adrian Galysh, has enlisted Styx stickman, Todd Sucherman, to contribute drums and percussion to his new record, “Tone Poet”. Todd Sucherman brings to the record both world-class drumming and vast experience. Experience which includes session credits for over 1000 radio and TV spots, as well as touring and recording with legendary artists such as Brian Wilson, Spinal Tap, and of course, Styx.
Galysh, described as “A virtuoso of modern electric and acoustic guitar techniques” by 20th Century Guitar magazine, has been dazzling California audiences for over a decade, whether he’s backed by his band or as sideman for ex-Scorpions guitar legend, Uli Jon Roth.
“Tone Poet” is Galysh’s fourth solo album, but will be the first to include both instrumentals as well as a number of vocal tracks, ably sung by Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Royal Hunt).
With “Tone Poet”, Galysh’s tasteful guitar work and compositional style are still front and center, but will now have one of the industry’s most respected drummers laying down the grooves. So respected that 2012 saw Todd Sucherman win multiple categories in DRUM! Magazine’s reader’s poll, including #1 DVD (Methods and Mechanics II), #1 Clinician, #2 Rock Drummer, #2 Book (Methods and Mechanics Transcription Book).
In addition, Modern Drummer’s 2012 reader’s poll clocked him in at #2 DVD (Methods and Mechanics II), #3 Prog Drummer, ranking next to Neil Peart and Mike Mangini!
An exciting year for sure, and a great follow up to 2009 which saw Todd Sucherman on the cover of Modern Drummer, and winning the reader's poll for #1 Rock Drummer, #1 Educational DVD with "Methods and Mechanics" as well as #1 Clinician in DRUM! Magazine - all while touring the world with the multi-platinum Styx and performing drum clinics and recording sessions from coast to coast.
According to Adrian, “I’ve known Todd for about 10 years. We were neighbors in Los Angeles before he moved to Texas. We’ve discussed working together for a long time, but due to his busy tour schedule and the distance (I still live in LA), we weren’t able to do it till now. Todd is a really tasteful drummer, very musical, with a ton of chops - totally in league with the likes of Colaiuta, Smith, and Bozzio.”
Galysh continues, “Tone Poet is my most mature album. I’ve written a very melodic, musical, collection of tunes, that includes my progressive hard rock influences, classical and world-music influences. Todd’s playing is right in sync with where I am at, musically.”
I have been hard at work making progress on the new album called "Tone Poet". Last week saw guest vocalist, Mark Boals, laying down some fantastic tracks and great harmonies.
So far, it looks to be 12 tracks, and features rock, metal, world music and classical influences. A lot of the tunes feature acoustic guitars - more so than on previous efforts. If I were to describe it using comparisons, I'd describe it as Eric Johnson meets Dream Theater & Deep Purple, with Peter Gabriel and Trevor Rabin producing...
The songs have a variety of styles, some with modern backdrop of sounds and instrumentation, and a couple even have a choir! Sonically, this will be the best sounded Adrian Galysh album to date by far.
Up next is to start tracking drums, then I will re-track any scratch guitar parts on the demos.
Below is a sample of a classical inspired track, tentatively entitled "Resurrectis" - Enjoy!
