40 episodes
Anti-Heroes with Zach Blair Zach Blair
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- Music
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4.9 • 26 Ratings
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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.
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
TIM MCLLRATH-RISE AGAINST
Season debut of Anti-Heroes starts off with a bang with Zach's "guitartner" and longtime comrade Tim Mcllrath from Rise Against. Zach forces Tim to talk about gear and all the nerdy stuff that usually elicits an (understood) eyeroll. Even though they have spent most of their days together for 17 years, they don't ever really talk about their approach together, as players, how they divide up parts and what their individual roles are in Rise Against. In discussing how the Rise Against sausage is made, the two learn some new things about themselves and their process. We hear what brought Tim to the guitar and how 90's guitar music shaped his signature approach. This is a true heartfelt conversation with someone Zach respects and admires deeply. Enjoy!
RISE AGAINST
Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop
Episode sponsored by Thunder Road guitars
Customer Reviews
Love it
I honestly listen to most of these guests’ music more than i do Zach’s but i love how he treats his guests, making sure to celebrate them while they’re around and give them their flowers. It’s genuinely heartwarming.
Gotta get Dan from True Widow on!
Great podcast
I feel Nick Sadler would the perfect guest tho..
Great show
Dean Ween (Mickey Melchiondo) from Ween would be a fantastic guest!!
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