Hello all you guitar fanatics from Dave at www.extremeguitars.com; the web home of "Ax Facts & Stats". I, first and foremost, want to thank guitarsite.com's "Guitar News Weekly" as well as all it's loyal readers for helping "A.F. & S." grow into one of the premiere guitar interview/questionnaire type thingies around today. My monthly "Ax Facts & Stats" column has grown far larger than I expected in it's first 4 months of existence with many established guitarists willing to take part in such an unconventional question and answer session bringing fans to not only appreciate their favorite guitarist's talents, but to show fans another side, a more lighthearted, fun and human side also. With the ever-growing popularity of this monthly column, I felt it might be fun to put a whole new spin on this questionnaire interview. As most of you know, I have always been a huge fan and supporter of independent artists and guitarists, so now I am creating “Indie Ax Facts & Stats” to help the many struggling, yet very talented underground guitarists and their bands gain the exposure needed to Make it” in this business. Having said that, I want to invite these independent guitarists to take part in what I hope becomes as well received and read column as my monthly “A.F. & S.” devoted primarily toward the established guitarists. If you wish to take part in “I. A. F. & S.” you can find a printer friendly questionnaire form located in the interview section of www.extremeguitars.com, which upon completion can be returned to me at dave@extremeguitars.com. OK, enough of the plug… Lets get to Volume 1 of “Indie Ax Facts & Stats” with the GREAT KAT. A shredder out of New York who puts a thrash metal spin on classical pieces..... HEAVY RIFFAGE!

"INDIE AX FACTS & STATS", Vol. 1: THE GREAT KAT! Another Exclusive Interview/questionnaire type thingie by Dave Roberts for Extremeguitars.com!

Copyright 2002 Dave Roberts/Extremeguitars.com, All Rights Reserved.

Welcome to the first issue of Extremeguitars.com's "Indie Ax Facts & Stats". As all my website visitors know, especially those hardcore repeaters since the days of my ex-"CC6string's Guitar Resorce Page" all know; I am a huge supporter of independent guitarists/artists. This month I am proud to Bring to you New Yorks own GREAT KAT! The Great KAT is a virtuoso in the field of ear-bleeding, thrash, shred-metal versions of classical pieces.
-Dave Roberts

My name is: THE GREAT KAT/GOD.

My current job is: MUSICAL REVOLUTIONARY/REINCARNATION OF BEETHOVEN/HIGH PRIESTESS OF GUITAR SHRED.

My hometown is: NEW YORK CITY.

My current album or project is: The Great Kat’s new CD is “WAGNER’S WAR” !!!! THE GREAT KAT has decided to CONFRONT THE TERRORISTS BARBARIANS who VICIOUSLY ATTACKED MY CITY- NEW YORK CITY-- with SHRED/CLASSICAL MUSIC on THIS NEW CD! “WAGNER’S WAR” Features:

ACT I: WAR
1. Wagner’s "The Ride Of The Valkyries" (from the Opera "Die Walkure"). This music is THE DEFINITIVE "BATTLE CRY" to WAR, featuring OPERA SINGERS, THE GREAT KAT’S SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND SHRED BAND! 2. “War” – HEAVY and BRUTAL ODE to WAR!
3. “Terror” – “TERROR! HORROR! MURDER!”
ACT II: REVENGE
4. “Punishment” – PUNISHMENT TO TRAITORS!
5. “Humiliation” – HUMILIATION and REVENGE RIPS through this GUITAR SHREDFEST!
ACT III: VICTORY
6. Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody #2” – The SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and SHRED BAND join together in this INSANE version of this famous rhapsody!
7. Sarasate’s “Zapateado” – THE GREAT KAT'S LIGHTNING-FAST GUITAR TECHNIQUE and DEMONIC VIOLIN VIRTUOSITY SHINE on this INCREDIBLE VIRTUOSIC SHOWSTOPPER!

Download a MUSIC SAMPLE of “Wagner’s War” CD at www.greatkat.com

Download PHOTOS from “Wagner’s War” CD at www.greatkat.com/02/wagnerphotos.html

Former band(s): THE GREAT KAT.

My guitar influences growing up were: Hendrix.

The guitars I use are: Kat Guitars: Jackson Flying V, Gibson Flying V, Guild Strat, BC Rich Guitar & Various other guitars.

The strings and tunings I use are: Strings: D’Addario 9 Gauge. Tuning: A440 (Standard).

My current rig setup consists of: Marshall 100 Watt Stack (Modified for The Great Kat), Various Metal Pedals & DigiTech Guitar Effects Processor.

The greatest invention for guitars is: SCREAMING METAL PEDALS.

My normal songwriting process: CLASSICAL MUSIC: -Take Popular Classical Work -Edit, Arrange and reorchestrate EVERY SINGLE NOTE for Shred Metal Band and Symphony Orchestra. ORIGINAL KAT MUSIC: -Create original Metal Riffs based on Classical Music Motives -Edit, Arrange and Orchestrate for Shred Metal Band and Classical instrumentation

My Favorite KAT solo is: EVERY GREAT KAT GUITAR/VIOLIN SOLO IS BRILLIANT AND EAR-SPLITTING VIRTUOSITY.

My Favorite KAT song is: EVERY GREAT KAT SONG IS GENIUS and MIND-BLOWING SHRED METAL BRUTALITY.

My Career highlight is: THE NEW “WAGNER’S WAR” CD-THE CULMINATION OF COMPLEX CLASSICAL MUSIC MIXED WITH BLISTERING SHRED METAL GENIUS.

My most embarrassing moment on stage: NOTHING EMBARRASSES THE GREAT KAT GUITAR GODDESS.

The one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is: The Great Kat’s Marshall Amps that are MODIFIED for THE GREAT KAT’S FINGER-BLEEDING GUITAR VIRTUOSITY.

The first song I mastered on guitar was: Bach’s “Violin Concerto #2”, edited and arranged By The Great Kat for Shred Metal Guitar and Band.

My first guitar was: Gibson Flying V.

The one thing most fans don't know about me is: The Great Kat has a dungeon to ABUSE KAT SLAVES.

The best advice I could give beginning guitarists is: PRACTICE WITH A METRONOME!!!!!!!!!! Slow at first and then build up speed.

The CD(s) I'm listening to right now is: “Beethoven’s Symphony #9” (Bernstein/NY Philharmonic) The Great Kat’s “Wagner’s War”.

My 3 all-time favorite albums are:
1. The Great Kat’s “Wagner’s War” CD
2. The Great Kat’s “Rossini’s Rape” CD
3.The Great Kat’s “Bloody Vivaldi” CD GET IT, PEONS?!

I'm a sucker for: THE GREAT KAT IS GOD.

If I could meet any ONE person living or dead, he/she would be: LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

My favorite junk food is: BLOOD.

My biggest pet peeve is: PEASANTS WHO HAVE NOT WOKEN UP YET TO THE POWER and GENIUS OF CLASSICAL/SHRED MUSIC.

The word or catch phrase I say way too much is: ”DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”.

The hardest part of my job is: WAKING UP UNEDUCATED LOSERS TO BRILLIANT, FAST-THINKING INTELLIGENT MUSIC!!.

The first thing I do when I come home from touring is: SPREAD THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GREAT KAT QUEEN OF SPEED.

I knew I hit the "big time" when: THE GREAT KAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE “BIG TIME".

My Favorite Website is: THE GREAT KAT GUITAR GODDESS WEB SITE AT http://www.greatkat.com

The worst job I ever had was: PERFORMING FOR DRUGGED-OUT, DRUNKEN LOSERS.

Right after this interview I'm going to: TO PROMOTE THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF GUITAR SHRED TO ANOTHER MILLION MORONS.

If I could create the dream band with any musicians dead or alive, I would choose: PAGANINI.

I couldn't imagine being on the road without: MY COMPLETE SCORES OF ALL BEETHOVEN SYMPHONYS.

If I wasn't doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as: THE GREAT KAT IS GOD IN ANYTHING I DO.

My favorite movie ever: "THE SHINING".

If I could go back and change only one thing in my career, it would be: EVERY PART OF THE GREAT KAT’S CAREER HAS BEEN BRILLIANT AND NON-STOP GENIUS.

My mission in life: THE GREAT KAT’S MISSION IN LIFE IS TO UPDATE CLASSICAL MUSIC USING SHRED METAL and BRING CLASSICAL INTO THE NEW MILLENNIUM.

My greatest obsession: CLASSICAL/SHRED MUSIC.

My first band was: THE GREAT KAT.

My next major step is: COMPOSING EVEN MORE BRILLIANT MUSIC.

The greatest contribution guitars have brought into my life is USING GUITAR VIRTUOSITY and mixing it with VIOLIN VIRTUOSITY to reach the ANYONE WHO DOES NOT UNDERSTAND CLASSICAL MUSIC.

The coolest toy I had growing up was: A TOY VIOLIN.

Check out my Website at: THE GREAT KAT GUITAR GODDESS WEB SITE is at http://www.greatkat.com. TONS of MUSIC SAMPLES, Videos, HOT photos, Kat Store, Guestbook, Reviews, articles and LOTS MORE KAT INSANITY!

The one musician I would love to work with that I have not yet had the chance would be: NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!!! ONLY BEETHOVEN IF HE WAS ALIVE.

If I could have three wishes, they would be:

1-WAKE UP IMMEDIATELY to CLASSICAL/SHRED MUSIC! 2-GET GENIUSIZED WITH CLASSICAL/SHRED MUSIC! 3-GET OUT OF YOUR PATHETIC LIVES with CLASSICAL/SHRED MUSIC! .

When it's all said and done, I want the world to remember me for: BRINGING COMPLEX CLASSICAL MASTERPIECES TO THE MASSES.

EG.com: Thank you so much Great KAT! for being Joining Extremeguitars.com and, well frankly... scaring the HELL out of me!. I'm always thrilled to support great independent guitarists as EG.com visitors compare notes with other guitarists and fans alike in "Ax Facts & Stats" & "Indie Ax Facts & Stats". I want to invite our visitors to check out The GREAT KAT's Website at www.GreatKAT.com. Also be sure to check back for the next installment of ExtremeGuitars.com's "Indie AX Facts & Stats" coming soon!

-Dave Roberts

All materials are Copyright Dave Roberts & GREAT KAT, All Rights Reserved. All articles are available for use or reprint ONLY by Permission at dave@extremeguitars.com. www.Extremeguitars.com is the web home of all articles and interviews written by Davy "Tattitude" Roberts.