It's no big surprise to our regular Extreme Guitar readers that Shinedown has been one of my personal favorites for a while now. You just don't get full speed ahead rock like the rock Shinedown delivers! With an all new line-up that includes Zach and former Silvertide guitarist Nick Perri on guitar, Eric Bass on Bass, Barry Kerch on drums and Brent Smith singing. Shinedown still delivers that same trademark rock with the release of their “The Sound of Madness” due in stores June 24th 2008 featuring “Devour”, “Cry for Help” & tons of other great stuff. Now let's get on with our latest installment of Extreme Guitars' Ax Facts & Stats with Zach Myers.
My name is:
Michael Zachary Myers
Myself described in 5 words:
-Driven – Clever – Quick – Thoughtful – ++Sexy – – That Was Brent Smith our Singer
My current job is:
Guitarist for Shinedown – & – Singer for the Fairwell
My hometown:
Memphis
My current album or project is:
Shinedown – The Sound of Madness – – OUT June 24th
Former bands:
Saliva , Zach Myers band
My guitar influences growing up were:
Hendrix , S,R,V , Jimmy Page , Adam Duritz , Bono , Phil Lyonett , Damon Johson
The guitars I use are:
PRS Guitars , ST Blues Guitars , Taylor Guitars , Parkwood Guitars
The strings and tunings I use are:
SIT – Nickelwounds – Standard * 11-52* – 1/2 Step Down * 12 – 54* – Whole Step *13-58*
My current rig setup consists of:
Orange Rockerverb 100 , Diezel Herbert , Bogner Uberschall , 4 Orange PHP 4 x 12 Cabs , Bradshaw,dunlop,Voodoo Labs ,Digitech and MXR Effects – With a Midi Controller
The greatest invention for guitars is:
Hoogie – My Guitar Tech
My normal songwriting process consists of:
Theres not really any normalcy to it .
My favorite all-time guitar solo:
Machine Gun – Jimi Hendrix , Little wing – S.R.V version
Favorite all-time song (any artist) is:
With Or Without you – U2
Favorite song by our band:
Call Me
Favorite song to perform in front of a live audience:
Sound of Madness
My Career highlight thus far is:
Playing with Buddy Guy and B.B King . . Or Memphis in May Festival 06
My most embarrassing moment on stage:
Falling
Other than my guitar and amps, the one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is:
1974 TS-808 Tube Screamer
The first song I ever mastered on guitar:
Cold Shot – S.R.V
My first guitar was:
Series 10 – Strat
The first time I ever heard our band on the radio was (when and where):
Don’t Remember
If I am only sure of one thing in life, It's:
. . You cant take it with you when you go .
The one ritual I always perform prior to going on stage is:
Stretching , Getting my Michael Myers Mask
The exact moment I knew I would pursue a career in music was:
First time I Played guitar
The one thing most fans don't know about me is:
I’m an avid Cook
The best advice I could give beginning guitarists:
Practice till you can’t feel your hands
CD(s) I'm listening to right now:
Placebo – Meds *** Thriving Ivory -Self Titled*** Butch Walker – Leavin the Game on Luckie Street
My 3 all-time favorite albums:
U2 – Greatest Hits *** Otis Redding – Live and Uncut*** Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak
Best gig:
Memphis
Favorite junk food:
Skittles / Cheez Its
My biggest pet peeve:
Ignorance
The word or catch phrase I say too much is:
F**K
The hardest part of my job:
. . haha .. there's not one . .
What I like to do in my “off” time:
Play with my dog . . Play Golf , Watch Basketball
The first thing I do when I come home from touring is:
Play with my dog , Take a S**T in my own toilet
Previous or first day job:
Never had one . . “Knocks on wood”
Right after this interview I'm going to:
Work out
I couldn't imagine being on the road without:
Laptop
If I wasn't doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as:
Chef / Producer
Favorite movie:
Halloween
My mission in life:
Be happy while making anyone i can smile
My guilty pleasure band or artist:
The Outfield
My next goal is:
Take over World
The greatest contribution guitars/music have brought into my life is:
Making someone who had a shitty weeks life a little better .. if only for 2 hours
Check out our Website at:
The musician I would love to work with that I have not yet had the chance would be:
Bono / Stevie Wonder / Adam Duritz
If I could have three wishes, they would be:
Play Music for the rest of my life, Happy and Healthy Family & Everyone to get along and love one another
When it's all said and done, I want the world to remember me for:
That I and this band would go to any length to make someone who had a shitty days life a little better
Copyright June 2008 Dave B. Roberts and www.extremeguitars.com is the web home of articles and interviews written by Dave Roberts. All Dave Roberts interviews and articles are available for use or FREE reprint ONLY by Permission and proper credits. Permission can be obtained by contacting [email protected]. All materials are Copyright 2004-08 Dave Roberts and OnTourOnline Ent., All Rights Reserved.
Saw them play in Green Bay, WI last week Tuesday…. Gotta say. Very well played sir,looked like you had fun!
dude your definately my hero!
I think Zach needs to change his most embarassing moment from “falling” to, ripping his pants in Tulsa! 🙂