Interview with Alfredo Herz!

“Part two” of the Inferno Guitars’ endorser interview series sheds some light on the amazing Alfredo Herz and his song writing/recording techniques…

Trevor Discombe: Thanks for taking some time out for Inferno Guitars today Alfredo, I really appreciate it. To begin, please tell us about your album “Raw” on iTunes… it has to be some of the best self-produced music I have ever heard…

Alfredo Herz: Thanks a lot, Trevor! That is great to hear. That album took a long time to record. I started by step-writing all the drums in a drum machine. After nine months of sequencing the memory of the machine went out, so I lost all the sequences. I had to re-do everything again, but this time I got an Imac, so I step wrote and edited the drums in it.

I recorded the album in my apartment, so I had to go direct. I wish I had gone through an amp, but you have to work with what you have, so…

Everything has been done in guitar, so I tried to not be another “shredder clone”. Instead of going for the usual licks I tried to hear melodies in my head and then figured them out on the fretboard, instead of just playing licks that I was familiar with, with a few exceptions, of course.

Trevor Discombe: Is there any new material coming up?

Alfredo Herz: I have been talking to some of my friends here about putting a project together. The idea of being a soloist is not as appealing to me as being part of a band. I really miss that comradery and the trading of ideas. Besides, I usually listen to bands that have singers. Hardly ever I throw in an instrumental CD in my car anymore.

Trevor Discombe: Could you tell us about some of the artists you have played with and bands you have been in?

Alfredo Herz: Only local stuff.

Trevor Discombe: How did you become involved with Drew Carey and “The Price Is Right”?

Alfredo Herz: Just like everyone else that is in the business gets anywhere – through a friend.

Trevor Discombe: So, when did you first begin playing guitar?

Alfredo Herz: When I was 15 years old, so that makes it what, now? About 6 months ago? (joking)

Trevor Discombe: I have really enjoyed your guitar lessons on YouTube, how did all of that begin?

Alfredo Herz: I was doing video editing for some of Greg Howe’s online lessons (www.ghworkshops.com) and had one of his video cameras in my apartment, so I recorded my “how to play 30 notes per second on the guitar” video as a joke. After getting all kinds of positive and hate-mail-type feedback I decided to just get a camera of my own and have some fun with it.

Trevor Discombe: Naturally, my favorite video of yours is where you play your Inferno guitar with your tongue… how did that begin?

Alfredo Herz: When I was learning to play live I was just looking for ways to give the best live show I could, so I started playing with the tongue and doing all kinds of fun gimmicks on stage.

Trevor Discombe: Who are some of your main musical influences and favorite artists?

Alfredo Herz: My friends say that I sound like a broken record when I say this, but Greg Howe is my favorite guitarist. Some of my other influences are Marty Friedman, John Petrucci, Slash and Nuno Bettencourt.

Lately I’ve been listening to all kinds of music, from Tool to Coldplay to Lady Gaga to Brad Paisley. I love the album “Plans” by Death Cab for Cutie and my latest favorite album is by a relatively unknown band called “Depswa.” The album is called “Distorted American Dream.” If you have a chance, check them out. It is so refreshing to hear great rock music again.

Trevor Discombe: How would you describe the music scene in California and the rest of the USA?

Alfredo Herz: All I can tell you is that I spent over 10 years going from one place to another, and when I got to Los Angeles I realized that I should have been here the whole time.

Trevor Discombe: How do you see the music industry today around the world?

Alfredo Herz: I honestly don’t know. Just when I think I have it figured out something surprises me. For a while it seemed like labels weren’t willing to take any risks and damaged the industry by releasing “safe” albums and/or artists that already had financial backing, one after another. They were in such a hurry to cash in on their next artist that they didn’t even allow people to develop an emotional link to the artists. Here is an example: Anyone can tell you who the guitarist for Guns and Roses was. They can tell you who was the drummer for Motley Crue. Can you tell me the name of the drummer for Chumbawamba? – Do you even remember Chumbawamba?

My point is that for every action there is a reaction. The industry is hurting because of their own makings. I think that the only reaction that makes sense would be to become a little more picky about who will get launched and make sure that there is actual talent and soul, instead of yet another generic pretty kid band. It might be a little while before that actually happens, if it happens.

Trevor Discombe: Please tell us about your most memorable live performance…

Alfredo Herz: I hold too many dearly to have only one.

Trevor Discombe: What would be the biggest highlight in your musical career?

Alfredo Herz: I have never engineered a recording, mixed or mastered before, so my favorite moment would have to be when I threw the final product in my friend’s car and listened to it from beginning to end. At the time I was sick of the songs, but just realizing that it was done was an amazing feeling.

Most people don’t realize the amount of work that it takes to write an entire album, let alone sequencing and editing the drums, recording the guitars and bass, mixing and mastering. When I had entire days to work on it sometimes I would forget to eat, and other occasions I had to hold going to the bathroom for hours just trying to get things right. Finishing it was such a great feeling that I am getting in such a good mood just remembering it as I am talking about it.

Trevor Discombe: What does your daily or weekly rehearsal routine involve?

Alfredo Herz: It changes every day. Lately I’ve been taking a break, but when I come back it will consist of stretching, about 15 minutes warming up and exercises with alternate picking, hammer-ons, tapping, sweeping, and then writing something… anything.

Trevor Discombe: Do you have any guitar playing advice for younger or less experienced players?

Alfredo Herz: Yes – Be smart about your decisions. If you already have a band, stick with it. A lot of the bands that succeed have been friends since they were young. It will be very difficult to find that kind of bond again. If you decide to leave your hometown, go where it’s at instead of “playing it safe.”

Trevor Discombe: Again, many thanks for your time Alfredo and best of luck with your album…

Alfredo Herz: Thanks, Trevor. Always a pleasure!

    by infernoadmin