Ax Facts & Stats, vol. 48: Gilby Clarke

By Dave B. Roberts (copyright Extreme Guitars & On Tour Online)

For this edition of Ax Facts & 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
Copyright 2007 Dave B. Roberts & www.extremeguitars.com & OnTourOnline.com is the web home of articles and interviews written by Dave Roberts. All Dave Roberts interviews & articles are available for use or FREE reprint ONLY by Permission and proper credits. Permission can be obtained by contacting dave@extremeguitars.com. All materials are Copyright 2004 Dave Roberts and On Tour Ent., All Rights Reserved.