Ax Facts and Stats: Rock Star Supernova’s Gilby Clarke

For this edition of Ax Facts and Stats, we had the honor of interviewing an extremely talented artist; singer, songwriter, producer and guitar genius, Gilby Clarke. Gilby is pure rock… and pure talent!

You might know him from his days with Guns N Roses, Candy, Heart, Kills for Thrills, MC5, Nancy Sinatra or the many other artists and bands he has worked with, but for his latest project Rock Star Supernova, Gilby teams up with Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted and singer Lukas Rossi (Train/ex-Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt is filling in for newsted as he recoups from shoulder injury). This is definitely a 2007 tour event you real rockers won't want to miss. Let's meet Mr. Clarke



My name is:

# Gilby Clarke

Myself Described in 5 words:

# rock n roll guitarist

My current job is:

# playing guitar with Rock Star Supernova

My hometown:

# cleveland, ohio

My current album or project is:

# Rock Star Supernova

Former bands:

# Candy, Kill for Thrills, Guns N Roses, Heart, MC5, Starfuckers & Col. Parker

The guitars I use are:

# Gibson les Paul classics, Zemaitis deluxe, Duisenberg, James Trussart & Fender teles

The strings and tunings I use are:

# I'm usually a 1/2 step down, and I use open G alot

My current rig setup consists of:

# Matchless amps & cabinets

Greatest invention for guitars is:

# the Boss pedal tuner… what took so long!

My normal songwriting process consists of:

# riff first, then melody, then lyric

My all-time favorite guitar solo is:

# “something” by George Harrison

My all-time favorite song is:

# Wild Horses by the Stones

Career highlight thus far is:

# opening for Aerosmith as a solo act in Argentina

Favorite song from our band is:

# Underdog

Favorite toy growing up:

# my weiner

Most embarrassing moment on stage:

# I fell backwards off stage, and knocked my self out

Other than my guitar, the one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is:

# my Tube Screamer

The first song I ever mastered on guitar:

# Iron Man

My first guitar was:

# Les Paul copy

If I am only sure of one thing in life, it's:

# singers are a pain in the ass

The one ritual I always perform prior to going on stage is:

# I run in place, so I'm warmed up.

The worst question ever asked in an interview:

# “most embarrassing moment” one

The first thing I do when I come home from touring is:

# throw all my clothes on the floor

The exact moment I knew I would pursue a career in music was:

# I got a blow job after my first gig

The best advice I could give beginning guitarists:

# do something that hasn't been done before

CD(s) I'm listening to right now:

# Rockstar Supernova

Favorite new artist:

# Rock Star Supernova

Guilty pleasure artist:

# Rock Star Supernova

My 3 all-time favorite albums:

# Beatles- Let It Be, Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers & Trex – Slider

Best gig:

# Freddy Mercury tribute in London

Favorite junk food:

# ice cream

Pet peeve:

# if you say you'll do something, DO IT !!!

The word or catch phrase I say too much is:

# dude

The hardest part of my job:

# the volume

Right after this interview I'm going to:

# go to a Laker game

I couldn't imagine being on the road without:

# earplugs

If I wasn't doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as:

# motorcycle repair

Favorite movie:

# Goodfellas

My mission in life:

# to make people clap

My first band was:

# Candy

Check out our Website at:

# gilbyclarke.com and IntoTheSupernova.com

The one musician I would love to work with that I have not yet had the chance would be:

# the Stones

When it's all said and done, I want the world to remember me for:

# I made keith proud

2007 Dave B. Roberts & www.extremeguitars.com

2 thoughts on “Ax Facts and Stats: Rock Star Supernova’s Gilby Clarke”

  1. Re: For this edition of Ax Facts and Stats, we had... Ax Facts and Stats: Rock Star Supernova’s Gilby Clarke
    Tammy in Fla

    Ax Rose wow I never Knew yor real name, which I think its very cool and one of a kind, i am from kentucky, and i say dude alot, its just me. not because some famoues red head might read this, sad but true i might died soon. i’ve got a heart problems which is a pain in the ass,but shit happens. i aint gonna ask for you or yours to be at my creamation, i’ve got your music,
    i just hope you come back on live tv soon, i miss you man. but if you dont, before my time is up, like i’ve said before “shit happens. I am a mother of 3. i just had a baby girl 5-11 and it almost kill me, doc’s say i might died still, but i say, you cant keep a good bitch down!!!!!
    press say you are a bad boy, but i say , you are like me , you dont take shit, cause you dont give bullshit. ax at my death Everyone knows to play your song :dont cry:. its what is keeping me going now days, everyone has to have some kind of bullshit, but if it works then what the fuck huh!
    Till then and hope to see you on the tube

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