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by Dave B. Roberts

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Ax facts & Stats vol. 36: Kyle Cook

By Dave B. Roberts

Welcome once again to another edition of Extreme Guitars’ Ax Facts and stats. As he prepares to hit the road this spring supporting their new release “Let Go” with his new band, The New Left, Matchbox 20 guitarist, Kyle Cook takes some time to talk to us. After three years in the making, this multi-platinum selling guitarist, singer-songwriter’s new album Let Go, featuring the brilliant single “Overboard” was finally released in October 2004. Check it out.

My name is Kyle Cook

Describe yourself in 5 words Intelligent, determined, creative, sensitive & positive

My current job is Being creative (luckily).

My current album or project is "Let Go", The new ep by The New Left.

Former bands Matchbox 20

My guitar influences growing up were Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Harrison, Gilmour.

The guitars I use are Teles, Strats, Les Paul, Mustang, PRS...

The strings and tunings I use are Blue Steel standard.

My current rig setup consists of Buddha, Marshall.

The greatest invention for guitars is My licks baby!!!

My favorite Kyle Cook Solo is "Hold Me Down" - More Than You Think You Are.

My favorite Kyle Cook song is "Always This Near" for my daughters

My Career highlight thus far is Selling out Madison Square Garden

My most embarrassing moment on stage Falling over a monitor

Other than my guitar, the one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is My Echoplex!

The first song I ever mastered on guitar "Stairway to Heaven".

My first guitar was A no-name acoustic.

If I am only sure of one thing in life, It's Love is powerful

My Greatest fear is Death

The one ritual I always perform prior to going onstage is Too much smoking!

Favorite quote "Happy accidents".

The exact moment I knew I would pursue a career in music was I have no clue.

The one thing most fans don't know about me is I'm boring.

The best advice I could give beginning guitarists Learn theory first.

The CD(s) I'm listening to right now Greenday "American Idiot".

My 3 all-time favorite albums "White Album", "Ocean Boulevard" & "The Wall".

I’m a sucker for Sappy R&B Ballads.

Who was one of your favorite artists that you jammed with onstage?

Double Trouble with John Popper.

My best gig was Tomorrows gig!

If I could meet any ONE person living or Dead, he/she would John Lennon.

My favorite junk food Starbucks coffee

My biggest pet peeve Noise if I'm trying to sleep.

The word or catch phrase I say too often is "brodieee"

My favorite junk food is Potato chips.

The hardest part of my job aving to wear a smile (sometimes).

The first thing I do when I come home from touring is Sleep some more.

I knew I hit the "big time" When a tour bus was affordable.

The worst job I ever had Building grain dryers.

Right after this interview I'm going to Have a smoke.

I couldn't imagine being on the road without My CD selection.

If I wasn't doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as An Architect.

My favorite movie ever Dead Poets Society.

My mission in life Make music!!! Get the loot!!!

My greatest obsession Music.

My first band was Downpour.

My next major step is selling 5,000 ep's independently.

The greatest contribution guitars have brought into my life is A place to belong.

The coolest toy I had growing up was SnowWalkers from Star Wars.

Check out our Website at www.theNewLeft.com

The one musician I would love to work with that I have not yet had the chance would be Jimmy Page.

If I could have three wishes, they would be

Live forever

The people I love to live forever

Have permanant peace inside.

When it's all said and done, I want the world to remember me for Being an interesting musician.

Copyright 2005 Dave B. Roberts & www.extremeguitars.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 Oceanbreeze Ent., All Rights Reserved.

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The New Left, The New Thing!

Matchbox 20 guitarist, Kyle Cook’s side project, The New Left hits the road this fall as they support their brand new release “Let Go”.

The New Left originated in Indiana as guitarist, singer-songwriter Cook joined drummer Brett Borges and bassist John Kibler in high school. The band worked up a set of its own compositions and covers working under the name Downpour. The guys paid their dues performing at their fair share of high school proms, college frat parties, and Keg parties.

Following high school, the band maintained a close camaraderie, but parted ways in lieu of bettering their individual crafts.

Cook enrolled at the Atlanta Institute of Music where he developed an understanding of classical music. Upon graduation, Cook was quickly introduced to producer Matt Serletic who was searching for guitarists for one of his groups called Tabitha's Secret. Cook was impressed by the songwriting and production. Shortly thereafter, Matt flew Kyle to an audition in Orlando where he was soon offered the job. This group later became Matchbox 20, which to date has had three multi-platinum records and a string of number one hits.

As the band re-formed under the name “The New Left”, the band completed their ideal formula as they added guitarist, singer songwriter Eamon Ryland. Eamon, a friend of Brett’s, was raised in a musical home; His father was manager for the iconoclastic Captain Beefheart, and he also worked with talents like Ry Cooder and Arlo Guthrie.

The New Left now complete, the band completed a new batch of material at Cook's personal studio in Orlando. Three years in the making, the band has finally completed their first EP, "Let Go" containing six songs from these sessions. The EP was released on Oct. 29th and is available on NewLeftMusic.com and at all scheduled New Left tour dates this fall.

Be sure to visit their official website at TheNewLeft.com also be sure to check out their awesome single "Overboard" on the website jukebox! Great stuff! And also be sure to check back here at Extreme Guitars for our exlusive Kyle Cook "Ax Facts & Stats" interview!

~Dave B. Roberts (portions courtesy of TheNewLeft.com Bio)