Pink Floyd is the premier space rock band. Since the mid-’60s, their music relentlessly tinkered with … Continued
Xander Demos – Road To Guitarcadia (2011)
About the Album
Xander Demos Unleashes Debut Solo EP, Full Length Due In Fall Progressive metal guitar player, Xander Demos releases his debut solo EP on Shark’s Nest Records. His full-length project is due for a fall release.
Xander Demos, best known for his melodic take on progressive metal shredding has released his debut EP, Road To Guitarcadia on his own indie label, Shark’s Nest Records. Demos, who is also the lead guitarist for eastern regional 80s party band, Into The Arena, has released this EP as a warm-up for his forthcoming full-length CD, to be mixed by Firehouse frontman CJ Snare. That CD is scheduled for a fall release. Michael Stover, president of MTS Management, who is handling publicity for Demos, calls the EP, “One of the finest pieces of melodic shredding you will ever feast your ears on. From the opening riff, I promise you will be captivated. I’m so happy to be working with Xander on this project.” Lead off single, “Right Angles” was re-mixed by Snare and will be promoted to both Rock and Metal internet and terrestrial radio stations.
About The Band
Xander Demos is a high-energy rock and metal guitar player from Pittsburgh, PA. He currently fronts his own solo band, as well as playing lead guitar for the east coast’s favorite party rock outfit, Into The Arena. Xander performs in excess of 100 times a year, and he is active in recording collaborations with artists all over the world. Xander plays guitars from Suhr, McNaught and Conklin, with whom he has endorsement deals. His endorsement from these guitar companies is a testament to his impressive skills and his deep commitment to playing the best guitars in the world. Xander plays: the Fractal Audio Axe-FX Ultra as well as Hughes and Kettner amps, ISP Guitar Systems and Suhr Amps & Effects. Many of Xander’s guitars are outfitted with EMG pickups and accessories. He exclusively uses the FloydUpgrades tremolos or the GraphTech LB-63 piezo-equipped Floyd tremolo. Growing up in the decade of decadence, Xander has been a big fan of everything from pop-metal, Top-40, thrash metal, progressive rock and even dance-related music. As long as there was a hook or a melody, he picked up on it. Xander’s main influences are Shawn Lane, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Vinnie Moore, Jason Becker, Neal Schon, Michael Romeo and John Sykes. Xander’s style ranges from the beautifully melodic to the jaw-droppingly insane. His playing encompasses much of what he has learned and absorbed from other players over the years. One constant in his music is a focus on strong guitar melodies. Xander is currently working on the full-length follow-up to his EP “Road To Guitarcadia,” which is being mixed by CJ Snare of Firehouse; an instructional DVD; performing with his two live bands every weekend; and passing on his passion for guitar by giving in person and online instructions to eager students. In July of 2011, Xander released “Right Angles,” the first single from his debut EP, “Road To Guitarcadia.” The CJ Snare-mixed track is currently being aired worldwide on rock, metal, and progressive radio stations. This multi-genre hit is also the #1 Metal and Progressive music video on Myspace. Xander has appeared on many online music sites, and will continue a major press tour to promote the single and forthcoming full-length.
Tracks
1 – Lady In Red – 4:19
2 – Right Angles – 5:08
3 – Up From The Skies – 6:06
4 – Boys of Summer – 5:59
5 – Chase The Sun – 4:19
Listen Here
Special Interview
1) When did you start making music?
I began making music at the age of about 10. I was obsessed with the melodic AOR bands of the late 70′s and early 80′s. When MTV came roaring into my living room, I wanted to be “METAL”. I got my first guitar at the age of 11. It sucked pretty bad because I was all jacked off that my new guitar didn’t sound like Brad Gillis right out of the gate. A few lessons kicking my rear into shape and it all started making sense!
2) What do you do when you don’t do music?
I am a software consultant by trade throughout the day – and a fairly successful one at that. Like many musicians I have met through the years, the world of I. T. has allowed for us music geeks to find something better than dishwashing to support G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)!
3) Which album do you think is “Gray Album” in your genre?
For my “Gray Albums”, I have to go with:
Journey – “Escape” and “Trial By Fire”
Van Halen – “5150″ and “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”
Racer X – “Second Heat”
Tony MacAlpine – “Edge of Insanity”
Dream Theater – “Images and Words” and “Awake”
The Killers – “Hot Fuss”
Whitesnake – “Whitesnake” (aka “1987″)
Steve Vai – “Passion and Warfare”
I sincerely feel that the Gray Album within my genre would be Racer X – “Second Heat”. It’s probably the only one I own where I don’t fast-forward any songs. Great memories…
4) Which album do you think is “Gray Album” out of your genre?
Out of my genre I would say The Killers – “Hot Fuss”. I love the writing and the melodies. It wasn’t something I expected in 2004 when it came out (or when I first heard it).
5) Which albums come immediately to your mind when asked as “Dragonforce Album”?
I’ll probably get crucified for this but I would say some early Metal from the 80s was pretty cheesy.
Like Exicter – “Heavy Metal Maniac”…
I remember thinking how cool the cover was then the songs (when I was 13 were sooo cool). I tried to give it a listen about a month ago and I was like, “yeah – doesn’t quite hold up anymore.” Some Manowar was kind of silly too, but some of it was pretty bad-ass! I think the VIDEOS from that era are what’s bad, not so much the music!
Info / Buy / Download / Contact
For more information, please visit www.xanderdemos.com.
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