Anti-Heroes with Zach Blair

Duane Denison is a songwriter, guitarist and founding member of Tomahawk, The Denison/Kimball Trio and most notable, the widely influential, The Jesus Lizard. 

In this episode Zach and Duane discuss Duane’s unique style and the influences that shaped it. They talk about the music scene in Texas, the importance of playing new material, and the balance between playing old hits and new songs in live performances. They delve into Duane's gear choices and the sonic decisions he made to create his distinctive sound. The two discuss punk rock and the importance of defining one's own style within it. Duane shares his his musical journey, including his collaborations with Tomahawk, Mike Patton and John Stanier, and the creative process behind their albums. Denison also shares his love for rockabilly and Western swing music and the enjoyment he finds in exploring different musical styles.

The Jesus Lizard

Ipecac Recordings

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

The season opener of Anti-Heroes starts off with a bang with the great Walter Schreifels ! (Uncle Wally” if you’re nasty). Walter is a guitarist, songwriter, and producer.  He has played with seminal hardcore bands Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits and is a founding member of Quicksand, Rival Schools, and Walking Concert. To say that Walter is a massive influence on Zach is an understatement. The two explore Walter's approach to songwriting and his desire to constantly innovate and surprise listeners. Walter shares his thoughts on live performances, the importance of not signaling mistakes on stage, and the challenges of being in a band. Zach and Walter discuss their past collaboration in the band The Vanishing Life, they touch on the evolution of Quicksand’s sound, and we get a current run down of Walters rig and pedals.  

Walter Schreifels

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

In this final episode of season 5 Zach gives thanks and recaps. Thank you to all the listeners and guests. We'll be back with season 6 before you can learn a Rise Against guitar solo! (Please share your solos in if you beat us!)

Thank you to all of our sponsors and listeners, please support them!

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

Zach talks with one of his all-time idols and inspirations, Andy Kerr from NoMeansNo!!! Throughout his career Andy has been very elusive, even going so far as to never crediting his real name on the records he’s played on. Pre-internet, this proved very tricky for a young Zach to find out who was playing his favorite riffs in one of his favorite bands, No Means No. Zach finally gets to meet the man behind this inspiring riffage and ask him "all the questions". The two discuss Andy's tenure in NoMeansNo, his preferred guitar throughout his career and his projects outside of NMN. Andy shares his journey in finding the right guitar sound and how he stumbled upon his signature distortion by accident. Andy tells us about his experience in the Canadian punk scene, hips us to the new biography NoMeansNO: From Obscurity to Oblivion: An Oral History and we get a surprise visit from the author, Jason Lamb!

Andy Kerr

No Means No

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

Zach talks with Ryan 'Fluff' Bruce, the creator of the popular YouTube channel Riffs, Beards & Gear. They discuss Ryan’s journey from working at Boeing to becoming one of the most successful guitar YouTubers. Fluff tells us how he started making videos as a hobby during his lunch breaks and eventually turned it into a full-time career. He also talks about the early days of YouTube guitar channels and the frustration he felt with the lack of transparency in the industry. Fluff shares his experiences working with companies, the changing landscape of the music industry and his experience of using YouTube to reach a wider audience. Fluff and Zach discuss the organic process of creating music and the joy of sharing it with others. Ryan shares his experiences touring and teching and reflects on losing and selling some of his favorite gear. The two express their love for Mesa Boogie Rectifiers and discuss the impact of James Hetfield on their musical journey.

Riffs, Beards and Gear

Fluffs signature Ernie Ball Music Man

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

Zach talks with touring comrade and friend Ryan Patterson. Ryan is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and founding member of Louisville based bands Coliseum and FOTOCRIME. Ryan and Zach discuss the inspiration behind FOTOCRIME and how the project has been an avenue to explore his post punk leanings. Ryan shares his penchant for hollow body guitars, they talk odd pedal choices of seminal hardcore bands and as usual, their conversation inevitably switches to Killing Joke and the brilliant guitarist Geordie Walker! Ryan talks about the future of Coliseum, and we hear a dreamy FOTOCRIME tune. FOTOCRIME

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

Zach talks with bass player Greg Norton! Greg is former bass player of the great Hûsker Dû. Since Hûsker Dû disbanded in 1998, he founded the band Grey Area and has continued to perform and record with various projects including Gang Font, Porcupine and most recently UltraBomb. Zach and Greg discuss his early bass playing, his gear choices, influences, and life after Du. Greg shares his current gear setup and talks about the importance of originality in bass playing. He also reflects on his experiences touring and the challenges of keeping gear safe on the road. Greg talks about his current band, UltraBomb, and their plans for recording and touring in the future. The two commiserate on their love of music and we hear a couple tunes.

UltraBomb

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

Zach talks with new friend Jesse Matthewson. Jesse is singer and guitarist for Winnipeg based band KEN Mode. The two talk Jesus Lizard, Canadian Content Laws, and the wonderful music that Winnipeg has produced over the years. Zach and Jesse bond over playing in bands with their siblings and the glory of the touring in vans. We hear some special guitar nerdery and hear a few tunes.

#jessemathewson #kenmode #jesuslizard #riseagainst #antiheroespodcast #jimdunlop #distrokid #thunderroadguitars

KEN mode

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

Robb Flynn is the guitarist of heavy metal legends, Machine Head. Not only does Zach love Machine Head, but he's an absolute fanboy of Robbs previous band VIO-LENCE!! He's worn out many copies of what he considers their seminal record, Eternal Nightmare, and finally, Zach meets Robb. The two discuss Robb's choice to exclusively play baritone guitars for the bulk of Machine Head's career and how that influences his amp preferences. Robb tells Zach an amazing James Hetfield story reveling that Robb is still a metal kid at heart, bringing this interview full circle.

Machine Head

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

In this Ep Zach talks with longtime friend and fellow Austinite, Alex Gehring. Alex is the bass player for shoegaze heads, Ringo Deathstarr. Zach and Alex share their experiences of joining bands in their youth, the world of wonders and downsides of never-ending tours and how they their seasoned selves see touring these days. Alex tells Zach how her stepfather’s influence started her rock n roll journey why she still plays the bass he gifted her in college. The two commiserate on their Texas upbringing and Alex tell us about her new band, Nuclear Daisies.  

Alex Gehring

Ringo Deathstarr

Nuclear Daisies

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode sponsored by Thunder Road guitars