In this first edition of our new In Conversation podcast series, award winning Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith chats to legendary Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson. In this instalment, the two musicians talk about everything from gear to family histories, meeting their heroes and more over dinner at the Sunset Marquis, Hollywood.

2005's Electro-Harmonix POG was a revolutionary octave pedal that found favour with players across the globe, not least a certain Mr Jack White. 2009 sees POG: The Sequel in the shape of the new POG2 stompbox. Taking all of the cool features of the original POG and cramming them into a smaller housing, the effects gurus at EHX have also taken the opportunity to enhance the algorithm and add a second sub-octave, an attack control and eight user presets amongst other upgrades. For more gear video and the best music news, reviews and tuition, head to www.musicradar.com.

After Michael Jackson's untimely death, the whole world got a glimpse of a striking, blonde guitarist sharing the stage with the King Of Pop during what would be his last rehearsal. In just a few seconds, music fans realized what Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton and Steve Vai, among others, already know: the the Australian-born guitar player called Orianthi is a first-class shredder. "Playing the guitar is my whole life," she says. "I can't imagine doing anything else." In this exclusive interview, Orianthi talks about working with Michael Jackson ("he was the best, and he made me feel like I could do anything"), and she also discusses her upcoming major-label debut. For more on Orianthi and the best music news, reviews and tuition, head to www.musicradar.com.

Since 1969, "that little band from Texas," ZZ Top has cornered the market on down-and-dirty, boogie-woogie blues rock that makes you want to do all kinds of nasty, fun things. The unmistakable sound of Billy Gibbons' guitar has much to do with that, and he's still going strong. In fact, ZZ Top are about to enter the studio with maverick producer Rick Rubin and embark on what Gibbons calls "possibly our greatest chapter yet." The man Jimi Hendrix once called "America's greatest young guitar player" sat down with MusicRadar to discuss - what else? - guitars, guitars and more guitars! For more on Billy Gibbons and the best music news, reviews and tuition, head to www.musicradar.com.

Last time MusicRadar checked in with Tom Morello, the former Rage Against The Machine/Audioslave guitarist has put his electric axe on ice and was channeling all of his, er, rage, with an acoustic. But with his new band Street Sweeper Social Club, a collaboration with The Coup's Boots Riley, Morello is plugged in once again and is back to making "crushing, face-melting guitar music.". And the world is a better place for it. In this exclusive MusicRadar interview, Morello talks about his return to rock, the on-again-off-again status of Rage, and what we can expect next from the explosive, politically active musician. For more on Tom Morello and the best music news, reviews and tuition, head to www.musicradar.com.

It hasn't been the easiest of years for Joe Perry and Aerosmith. The Boston-based band had planned on having a new album out by now, but medical malfunctions have been piling up faster than the guitarists impressive array of riffs. "It's very frustrating, but we'll get through it," the guitarist says, "and we're going to have our fiercest record since back I the day." Until then, Perry is looking forward to hitting the road for a summer tour with ZZ Top, which he discusses in this exclusive interview. "We're honored to be paired with them," he says. Fore more on Aerosmith and the best music news, reviews and tuition, head to www.musicradar.com.

Caleb Followill shakes his head in amazement at the fact that Kings Of Leon are becoming one of the world's biggest bands. But the guitarist and singer adds that this is all part of the plan. ""Who in their right mind forms a band with the goal of being totally average? That would just be foolish." On King Of Leon's latest album Only By The Night, they're nobody's fools. "We pushed ourselves to the limit," says Followill, "and succeeded rather well." In an absorbing interview, Caleb talks about the Kings' music and what fuels his lyrics: "wine and women." For more on Caleb Followill and the best music news, reviews and tuition, head to www.musicradar.com.

Kings of Leon's Matthew Followill might be the only cousin in a band of brothers (Caleb, Nathan and Jared are the siblings), but as the group's forceful lead guitarist, he's staked his claim in the musical enterprise, and he knows it. "If I quit, they could probably find another guitar player and become a really boring band and then... you know...fail," he says before letting out a laugh. In this refreshingly candid interview, Matthew talks about his love of Gibson guitars, the phenomenal rise of Kings Of Leon and what lies ahead for the band. For more on Matthew Followill and the best music news, reviews and tuition, head to www.musicradar.com.

Chris Cornell's new album is called Scream, but it's something he's doing very little of on his much-debated collaboration with producer Timbaland. "I fully expect a lot of people not to understand it," he says. But the former frontman for Soundgarden and Audioslave is undeterred. "I already did Black Hole Sun, I already did Rusty Cage - it's time to do other things." In this revealing interview, Cornell talks about his new album, but he also strolls down grunge memory lane and discusses his Seattle days with Soundgarden. For more on Chris Cornell and the best music news, reviews and tuition, head to www.musicradar.com.

"This album took my mind to cosmic places," says Mastodon guitarist and singer Brent Hinds of the band's newest magnum opus, Crack The Skye. And when you consider that Hinds says, "My mind's the most cosmic place I could ever visit," this gives you an indication of the expansive musical experience the Atlanta-based progressive metal band have created with Crack The Skye. In this colorful interview, Hinds discusses the band's unique approach to writing and recording. He even recalls a recent near-death experience that "made me a new person and let me tap into my ultimate creativity." For more on Mastodon and the best music news, reviews and tuition, head to www.musicradar.com.