41 episodes

Anti-Heroes with Zach Blair is a podcast about guitar players that aren't on the covers of the guitar magazines but our host, Zach Blair thinks they should be. Each episode we'll have discussions with players about their motivations, intentions and, best of all, their gear. We'll talk about their careers and how they express themselves in the constantly changing world of guitar music. Anti-Heroes is hosted by Zach Blair, a lifelong guitar obsessive with a career spanning almost thirty years. From his early days in Hagfish that he started with his brother on to the world renowned shock rock musical theater that is GWAR to currently recording and touring in Chicago's Rise Against for the last 15 years. Zach is still searching when it's comes to guitar playing and always will be. Maybe he'll find some answers right here on Anti-Heroes.

Anti-Heroes with Zach Blair Zach Blair

    • Music

Anti-Heroes with Zach Blair is a podcast about guitar players that aren't on the covers of the guitar magazines but our host, Zach Blair thinks they should be. Each episode we'll have discussions with players about their motivations, intentions and, best of all, their gear. We'll talk about their careers and how they express themselves in the constantly changing world of guitar music. Anti-Heroes is hosted by Zach Blair, a lifelong guitar obsessive with a career spanning almost thirty years. From his early days in Hagfish that he started with his brother on to the world renowned shock rock musical theater that is GWAR to currently recording and touring in Chicago's Rise Against for the last 15 years. Zach is still searching when it's comes to guitar playing and always will be. Maybe he'll find some answers right here on Anti-Heroes.

    RYAN "FLUFF" BRUCE-RIFFS, BEARDS AND GEAR

    RYAN "FLUFF" BRUCE-RIFFS, BEARDS AND GEAR

    Zach talks with Ryan 'Fluff' Bruce, the creator of the popular YouTube channel Riffs, Beards & Gear. They discuss Ryan’s journey from working at Boeing to becoming one of the most successful guitar YouTubers. Fluff tells us how he started making videos as a hobby during his lunch breaks and eventually turned it into a full-time career. He also talks about the early days of YouTube guitar channels and the frustration he felt with the lack of transparency in the industry. Fluff shares his experiences working with companies, the changing landscape of the music industry and his experience of using YouTube to reach a wider audience. Fluff and Zach discuss the organic process of creating music and the joy of sharing it with others. Ryan shares his experiences touring and teching and reflects on losing and selling some of his favorite gear. The two express their love for Mesa Boogie Rectifiers and discuss the impact of James Hetfield on their musical journey.
    Riffs, Beards and Gear
    Fluffs signature Ernie Ball Music Man
    Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop
    Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

    • 49 min
    RYAN PATTERSON-FOTOCRIME-COLISEUM

    RYAN PATTERSON-FOTOCRIME-COLISEUM

    Zach talks with touring comrade and friend Ryan Patterson. Ryan is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and founding member of Louisville based bands Coliseum and FOTOCRIME. Ryan and Zach discuss the inspiration behind FOTOCRIME and how the project has been an avenue to explore his post punk leanings. Ryan shares his penchant for hollow body guitars, they talk odd pedal choices of seminal hardcore bands and as usual, their conversation inevitably switches to Killing Joke and the brilliant guitarist Geordie Walker! Ryan talks about the future of Coliseum, and we hear a dreamy FOTOCRIME tune. FOTOCRIME
    Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop
    Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

    • 56 min
    GREG NORTON- HÙSKER DÙ-ULTRABOMB

    GREG NORTON- HÙSKER DÙ-ULTRABOMB

    Zach talks with bass player Greg Norton! Greg is former bass player of the great Hûsker Dû. Since Hûsker Dû disbanded in 1998, he founded the band Grey Area and has continued to perform and record with various projects including Gang Font, Porcupine and most recently UltraBomb. Zach and Greg discuss his early bass playing, his gear choices, influences, and life after Du. Greg shares his current gear setup and talks about the importance of originality in bass playing. He also reflects on his experiences touring and the challenges of keeping gear safe on the road. Greg talks about his current band, UltraBomb, and their plans for recording and touring in the future. The two commiserate on their love of music and we hear a couple tunes.

    UltraBomb
    Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop
    Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

    • 41 min
    JESSE MATTHEWSON-KEN Mode

    JESSE MATTHEWSON-KEN Mode

    Zach talks with new friend Jesse Matthewson. Jesse is singer and guitarist for Winnipeg based band KEN Mode. The two talk Jesus Lizard, Canadian Content Laws, and the wonderful music that Winnipeg has produced over the years. Zach and Jesse bond over playing in bands with their siblings and the glory of the touring in vans. We hear some special guitar nerdery and hear a few tunes.
    #jessemathewson #kenmode #jesuslizard #riseagainst #antiheroespodcast #jimdunlop #distrokid #thunderroadguitars
    KEN mode
    Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop
    Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

    • 45 min
    ROBB FLYNN-MACHINE HEAD

    ROBB FLYNN-MACHINE HEAD

    Robb Flynn is the guitarist of heavy metal legends, Machine Head. Not only does Zach love Machine Head, but he's an absolute fanboy of Robbs previous band VIO-LENCE!! He's worn out many copies of what he considers their seminal record, Eternal Nightmare, and finally, Zach meets Robb. The two discuss Robb's choice to exclusively play baritone guitars for the bulk of Machine Head's career and how that influences his amp preferences. Robb tells Zach an amazing James Hetfield story reveling that Robb is still a metal kid at heart, bringing this interview full circle.
    Machine Head
    Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

    • 1 hr 13 min
    ALEX GEHRING- RINGO DEATHSTARR-NUCLEAR DAISIES

    ALEX GEHRING- RINGO DEATHSTARR-NUCLEAR DAISIES

    In this Ep Zach talks with longtime friend and fellow Austinite, Alex Gehring. Alex is the bass player for shoegaze heads, Ringo Deathstarr. Zach and Alex share their experiences of joining bands in their youth, the world of wonders and downsides of never-ending tours and how they their seasoned selves see touring these days. Alex tells Zach how her stepfather’s influence started her rock n roll journey why she still plays the bass he gifted her in college. The two commiserate on their Texas upbringing and Alex tell us about her new band, Nuclear Daisies.  
    Alex Gehring
    Ringo Deathstarr
    Nuclear Daisies
    Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop
    Episode sponsored by Thunder Road guitars

    • 46 min

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