10 Quick Ones with MARC RIZZO – January 2018

According to a recent press release: “SOULFLY/CAVALERA CONSPIRACY guitarist Marc Rizzo has set the release date for his new LP ROTATION, in stores March 30th via Combat Records/EMP LABEL GROUP/AMPED in North America, and COMBAT/SPVin Europe. ROTATION is the 4th solo release for Rizzo, following 2004’s COLOSSAL MYOPIA, 2006’s THE ULTIMATE DEVOTION (both released by legendary shred label SHRAPNEL), and the independently released 2010 LP LEGIONNAIRE.”  We get Marc to answer our 10 Quick Ones about new music, his influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

I think fans will be surprised how catchy and heavy my new record is. Also I think fans will dig that it is all instrumental, but still very catchy with memorable riffs and melodies. People who do not like instrumental music will still dig my record.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I started playing guitar in the mid 80’s, so all the great guitar bands from that era and the 70’s was where my inspiration came from and still does.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

They would be all guitar players, such as Dimebag, Satriani, Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde, George Lynch.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

I would love to work with with a great melodic singer like Dio . Dio is my favorite singer of all time.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

My music is heavy instrumental guitar music mixed with acoustic influences. When I released my first record Collosal Myopia in 2005 there really was not many heavy instrumental projects out there. I have always wanted to make heavier sounding instrumental guitar music that people who do not listen to instrumental music can enjoy.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Being able to to tour the world and make a living off your passion in life. I am very lucky.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

That would all be my job haha.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

If I was not a musician, I would want to be a professional athlete in any sport.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

I am very lucky and I am proud of everything I have done in my career. I have so much more to look forward too.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would want to be part of Pantera Cowboys From Hell. That was such a cutting edge record and still to this day it sounds so modern to me. They really were ahead of there time. I wish Pantera made ten more records during that era. I love the more thrashy stuff.

MARC RIZZO LINKS:

FACEBOOK

Category: Interviews