Adrian Galysh, Los Angeles-based guitarist is an on-demand solo artist, session guitarist, publishing author, and educator with an illustrious career spanning five studio albums. Galysh is also a Guitar World Magazine online lesson columnist and Education Coordinator for Guitar Center Lessons. He's the author of the book “Progressive Guitar Warm-Ups and Exercises." Galysh has a successful trajectory that includes numerous collaborations and performances with industry giants like Uli Jon Roth, Yngwie Malsteen, Robben Ford, Mike Keneally, George Lynch, Warren DeMartini, and many more.
It was an honor for us to be able to interview such a talented musician.
Emmy: What is your fondest memory you have while being in the music industry?
AG: I have many, and usually they involve performing with artists I admire or grew up listening to. In 2011, while on tour with Uli Jon Roth (ex-Scorpions), we performed in San Diego, and did a set of Jimi Hendrix songs, which Uli loves to do, but this time Jimi's relatives were in the audience. That was special. More recently, I was able to set up a "Lifetime Achievement" award via D'Angelico Guitars for guitarist Ron Anthony, who is in his 80s, and was Frank Sinatra's last guitarist, playing with Sinatra for over 9 years. We performed at the NAMM show in 2017, playing some jazz standards along with guitarist John Pisano (Tony Bennett, Joe Pass), then the head of artist relations from D'Angelico presented the award in front of a large, excited audience. It was a touching day for a great guitarist, and it felt good to see Ron recognized of his contributions to jazz music over the last 50 years.
Emmy: What band or artist influenced you to get into music and play guitar?
AG: I remember very clearly hearing guitarist Randy Rhoads on the Ozzy Osbourne 'Blizzard of Ozz' album. I was blown away. I thought that if it was so exciting to hear guitar being played like that, that it would be just as thrilling to play guitar. I begged my parents to let me take lessons for two years, after which they finally caved in. After that it was heavy doses of Van Halen, Scorpions, Yngwie Malmsteen, Richie Blackmore, and Michael Schenker.
Emmy: What was it like working with Yngwie Malmsteen?
AG: We've shared the stage a couple times, and he is the real deal. Meaning, what you see and hear is really him. He walks around in leather pants, and pirate shirts all day long, and plays guitar like a mother____. That being said, its the Yngwie Malmsteen show, and everything revolves around that.
Emmy: Are there any modern artists that have caught your attention? Any that you would consider working with?
AG: Devin Townsend is about as modern as I get. I love his wall of sound production, and vocals. He has his very own identity as an artist, and he even tunes his guitar in a very unique way that I have borrowed for a couple songs. While I'd love to play with him, I'd be happy just to be in the same room as him.
Emmy: What are some things you would still like to accomplish in your career?
AG: While what I do is very fulfilling, I would love to get that big touring gig, playing in front of large audiences every night. My dream gig would be playing in Alice Cooper's band. Great songs, great band, and a great show. Luckily, musically, being a solo artist, I get to do what I want.
Emmy: What is next after the re-release of "Venusian Sunrise" for Adrian Galysh?
AG: I will be releasing an album of Venusian Sunrise backing tracks for guitarists and students to jam and work out ideas to. They can either learn the songs as they are and play to the track, or try out their own ideas, and develop their improvisation skills and vocabulary.
Adrian Galysh re-released "Venusian Sunrise" for 20th Anniversary! You can buy it at https://adriangalysh.bandcamp.com/album/venusian-sunrise-20th-anniversary-edition
“Venusian Sunrise was recorded in my parent’s basement on a single Alesis 8-Track ADAT recorder. While the performances are commendable for their time, given limited resources at the age of 22—it lacks what 20 years of experience and advancement in recording technology can now easily provide—richer guitar tones, advanced recording techniques, the palatial keyboard and realistic orchestral sounds of today, and maybe most importantly…real drums!” - Adrian Galysh
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