Interview with guitarist Clintone

With the release of his debut full-length, 'Full Circle,' guitarist Clintone is single- handedly attempting to bring back all-instrumental guitar rock, that harkens back to the heady days of 'Surfing with the Alien' and 'Passion and Warfare.' The man who goes by a single name recently discussed his playing, his new release, and future plans.

Clintone

Where are you from, and how did you become a guitarist?



I grew up on the Massachusetts – North Shore. I was a typical twelve-year-old impressionable little boy not really fitting in with the dreams and desires of most at my age – being a policeman or fireman, etc. MTV used to regularly air Saturday night concerts by bands such as REO Speedwagon, Journey, etc. Still striving to find myself as most do at age twelve through MTV. One Saturday night they aired a concert by a little band from Australia featuring a 21-gun salute, big giant iron cannons and a guitar player that could only have been the offspring of the rock n' roll god himself. Who ever that may be! It was then I knew, this is what I would do for the rest of my life. The ability to captivate people and hold them prisoner in the palm of my hands through expression and connection WAS my destiny. I still remember very vividly saying, “That's what I want to do with my life.”

Who are your main musical and guitar influences?

At first it was AC/DC and Angus Young. As I got better and became more advanced, I discovered guys like George Lynch and Warren DeMartini. They continued to influence me up until my late teens, when I discovered guys like Joe Satriani and Paul Gilbert. These players were and still are true masters at their art and I knew if I really wanted to impress people, I had to learn what they were doing. I became obsessive to say the least.

Do you feel there is a resurgence of all-instrumental rock guitarists on the horizon?

Absolutely – look at some of the younger bands that have come out recently, like Trivium and Atreyu. They remind me of bands like Iron Maiden as far as the dual lead harmony lead stuff which is the stuff that paved the way in the late 80's for guys like Satriani and the explosion of shred. I feel the industry as a whole has changed so much and fans really want more out of a band than just the latest fashion or hair cut. They really long for quality musicianship.

How would you describe your music?

A crossroad of articulation and organic. What I mean is, when I decided to do an all-instrumental record, it was for one reason and one reason only – just to do one. I've always wanted to do an instrumental record. I didn't get caught up in trying to make a certain sounding record, I just played. I'd do several takes. Not giving anything a second thought. Cut out the crap and move around the good stuff until it started to feel like a song. Doing it this way left a real sense of honesty, as 90% of the lead stuff you hear was not pre-worked out. Sure, there is stuff on that record I could have gone back and done a little tighter, but it just didn't capture the “feeling.” I think this is why people have really started to react to the music.

What are some memories of the 'Full Circle' recording sessions?

I started out as a guitarist, but then over the years moved onto a more singer-songwriter role. In 2006, I had recorded several instrumental songs and started playing them for people, very quickly people were reacting in a way I've not seen in my “singer-songwriter” stuff. So I said, “What the hell, let's take it all the way and finish a full-length.” I figured at least I'd have a kick ass demo to maybe land a gig with a well known established national act. So that's where the title comes from. I started as a guitarist and left for a while and then came full circle again. The wayward son had come home. As for players, I recorded everything myself except for the drums, which are all various loop libraries from some well known top notch studio cats. However, my friend Evan Dean played bass on “Touching on Taboo.”

What are some of your favorite tracks?

Every song is a snapshot in time and emotion for me. That's how I usually name these songs. They are all-instrumental, so I guess I could name them anything. However, when you listen to songs like “Poet and the Pain” – and you know the meaning behind it – you can see where I was coming from. At the time, a very close friend of mine was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I was really upset. So I did what any musician does – record! It just turned out to be an outpouring of emotion for how cruel life can sometimes be for people. The song “Full Circle” was the point at which I really realized that I had returned home as a guitarist. A true turning point in my career as a musician. I remember saying, “Oh yeah, I can really play this stuff. I forgot about that!” Yet one more blond moment from this brunette guitarist. “Return to Me” has a cool story. I had to sell an Ibanez guitar of mine, which I loved, but times were tough and I had to do what I had to do to pay the rent. Then one day, I walked into a music store years later and there it was. Not the exact one, but it was a stupid one-day sale price. I remember looking around as if I was stealing it at that price, but still proceeded to checkout with it, and sure enough, it was a one-day sale. So I snagged it up, took her home, and recorded “Return to Me.” Her name is Madaline.

How did you hook up with Metro City/Locomotive Records?

I've always worked in the music industry in some way or another. I own a mastering company and also run the print division of a CD shop. One day Tim Koukos – owner of Metro City Records – was in to pick up some discs he had ordered, and I just happened to be outside the building taking a break as he was leaving. I knew he was a guitarist and owned a label so I gave him a disc. He told me when he got to the end of the street he opened it up and put it in. Then a few days later, I got an email from him stating it's not left his CD player in days. “Cool,” I said. Then he said, “We've got to talk.” We set up a meeting. He told me what he had going on, and I told him what I had going on, and it all made sense. It was a little bit of the right time and right place, but also and most importantly, the right fit. The right people involved, etc.

Will you tour in support of the album?

Plans are in the works for a 2008 summer tour of some sorts. Again, everything just has to make sense and this is the great thing about being on a musician-owned label. They really understand that if you're going to leave home for a while to tour, I have to make sure there's a home to come back to! Unlike some of the bigger labels, that just treat you like the racehorse and work you to the bone then feed you fodder. Tim Koukos is a great guy and it's an honor to be a part of the Metro City/Locomotive line-up. We'll come up with something to bring the music to the people – after all, that's what a band does!

What do you hope to accomplish with 'Full Circle'?

I never had any big expectations for this record at all, and I think that's why people have reacted to it. It's a real honest record, however, if I could sell half the discs Satriani sold of 'Surfing with the Alien,' then it would really ease my mind in wondering if there will be a home to come home to after touring. A gold record would be just fine by me! It's not about fame or fortune for me, and never has. Just being able to sustain a career as a musician is cool after all. I'll continue to make these records regardless. If there's an audience, than even better.

Future plans?

While we hash out plans for a tour this summer etc. I've been busy cutting tracks for the next record and I have to say I'm very excited about it. I've got some great guest appearances by guys like Gary Hoey and Steve Brown [Trixter] playing on it, to name a couple. I am going after a particular sound, a lot darker and heavier – kinda like Tool meets Satriani but with the brassiness of Motley Crue. Tell me if that's been done before?

1 thought on “Interview with guitarist Clintone”

  1. Re: With the release of his debut full-length, 'Full Circle,' guitarist... Interview with guitarist Clintone
    Bill Poulin, Hampton Beach, NH

    I can honestly attest to Clintone’s music abilities. I remember when he joined a local band, “JET CITY” as their secondary guitarist, one could appreciate that he was a “seasoned musician.”

    Well in all musical groups, people leave band visions change. Clintone came through with flying colors to perform new music that the band decided to persue. His visions and new music that was performmed by groups known as Taproot, Mettalica, Green Day, Pearl Jam, The Nixons, Nirvana, etc. Then when JET CITY acquired a new singer, more visions and musical trends came aboard. Clintone showed up every gig with a smile on his face and he was ready to play.

    It is my opinion that Clintone’s passion for music is equal, if not, head and shoulders, along with other great performers,for example, Eric Clapton, Steve Howe, and Joe Walsh. I have been to a couple of his recent musical specials here in the Northeast and definitely enjoy the music Clintone and his band perform.

    I want to wish Clintone luck on his future music writing and look forward to his next album.

    Peace. Out.

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