Interview to..... Heavy Guitars

Interview by Roberto Guarnieri

How was born your project?

"We met in 1994 and decided to record something together.Since we did not had the time at this moment , to do something serious, we had to wait until the year 2001 to start composing & recording"

Your influences......

Cyril Lepizzera: "Tony Macalpine, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Romeo, Jason Becker, John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert and classical musicians"

Richard Roncarolo:"Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Jeff Kollman, Shawn Lane, Jason Becker"

What do you think about the scene of instrumental guitar?

"We both think that the instrumental scene is develloping more and more those years, wich is great for peoples like us, who can express themselves. There are some real monster players out there, like Rusty Cooley, Francesco Fareri etc"

Your opinion about the instructional videos.......

"We've been watching a bunch of instructionals videos, from Holdsworth to Michael Angelo.We do think that this is a great way for learning guitar. It' always great to see fantastic musicians in action"

Do you think that internet could help musicians better than normal channels(shops...)?

"Let's say that internet is a fantastic way to promote ourselves but the « normal channels » are really important to, as well as magazine etc"

Is it difficult for you to reproduce your compositions in a live situation?

"For now we are playing live with backup tapes (incl bass, drums and keyboards), but since we are not using to much keyboards, playing with a real band is not a problem"

About your work, which tracks are more near your conception of music?

"Every tracks we make ARE our conception of music"

Your instruments(guitar,amps...)...

"We are proud to announce you that from now on, we are endorsing ELIXIR strings, and we mainly use Ibanez Guitars, Ovation Guitars, Rocktron, Digitech & Boss Effects, as well as Marshall and ADA amplifiers.We are using Behringer porducts in our Home Studio"

What do you think about Cacophony and Racer X?

"We both love Cacophony, of course, but we're not really into Racer X, despite the fact that we love Paul Gilbert's playing"

The musical situation in France......

"The instrumental scene in France is almost inexistant, despite the fact that we have some great players (Patrick Rondat, Cyril Achard ..).We do think that the music here is terribly bad in a great majority, people don't give any credit to the musicians, and prefer to listen some kind of « big majors label » stuff, mostly influenced by rap, techno etc .People that are doing instrumental like us haven't got a real place in this system, we're not generating enough money.For instance, we never had an interview in France!"

Returning on your work, how much time do you have passed in studio?

"We are composing, recording and almost sleeping in our Home Studio (The Gunthar studio). We are doing this everyday, and since September 2001"

Which guitarist,now,do you respect and why....

Cyril : "Malmsteen, because he is for me the foundator of the Neo classical genre.And Michael Romeo, since he is for me the most « perfect » guitarist"

Richard : "I'd say Steve Vai, because it's always a major evenenement for me when listening something from him.Creativity, inspiration ..You name it"