J5 speaks to Guitar World: “I play so much guitar that it might not even be healthy – and I’m not joking”
From Guitar World:
John 5 might just be the most subversive artist working in the music business today. Yes, he rocks the corpse-paint vibe and has spent a goodly chunk of his career playing electric guitar with master of controversy Marilyn Manson and his current bandleader, Rob Zombie, so the obvious conclusion is that he’s working the ‘horror metal’ groove to the max.
But even the most rudimentary investigation into his solo albums and videos reveals a very different reality. Sure, you’ll uncover some scary monster sounds, serial-killer-inspired titles and sound clips, and an eerie, unsettling sense at work in many of the songs. But what you’ll also find is some of the most sublimely gnarly country-style picking this side of Robert’s Western World in Nashville…
John took time out from his relentless schedule to discuss his new album, Invasion, his career to date and how he’s managed to steer a successful and lucrative course through the difficulties of monetizing a career in a ravaged music industry.
Read the interview in full here: guitarworld.com/john-5-i-play-so-much-guitar
Image by Tour Bus Live.
John 5 speaks to Guitar Player Mag about making 2019’s most shred worthy album!
From Guitar Player Magazine:
While a sizable contingent of metal fans know John 5 from his longtime gig as Rob Zombie’s ghoulishly flamboyant shred master, guitar enthusiasts have a broader picture of him — that of a deeply eclectic and prodigiously proficient player schooled in country, bluegrass, western swing, jazz and flamenco. Whether he’s peeling off hyperspeed chicken-pickin’ lines, replicating cascading banjo rolls, or dispatching immaculate, sweep-picked solos, there seems to be no end to his knowledge or skill set.
“I appreciate anything that’s done well,” John states. “You could be throwing knives or juggling bowling pins, and I’ll be amazed.
“But with music, it goes a lot further. If I hear a bluegrass player killin’ it, I’m like, ‘I have to play that!’ And if I hear a metal player rippin’ it, my brain just fries. So I have to learn what they’re doing and execute it perfectly. I obsess over it, and I love it dearly.”
Read the interview in full here: guitarplayer.com/john5-on-how-he-made-2019-most-shredworthy-album
Photo: NEIL ZLOZOWER/ATLAS ICONS
Metal Rules interviews John 5; “I Have Such an Appreciation for All Types of Music!”
From Metal Rules:
One of the hardest working musicians on the planet has to be guitar virtuoso, John 5. He is currently on tour this summer with Rob Zombie, he released an innovative and dynamic new solo CD, Invasion, on July 31st, and he just announced a solo tour starting October 30th.
John 5’s guitar abilities are unsurpassed to most guitarists with the perfect combination of brilliant technique and style. A visionary player that can sculpt sound and bend minds in equal measure. He is a true innovator and virtuoso on the guitar. Together with Roger Carter on drums and Ian Ross on bass of The Creatures, John and his band explore every sonic highway possible; from the shredding on “Midnight Mass” to the country picking on “Howdy” to EDM on “Crack It – Living with Ghosts!”
I caught up with John to talk about his impressive new solo CD, the importance of creating a highly entertaining live show, and his Fall solo tour with Jared James Nichols.
Read the interview in full here: metal-rules.com/2019/08/11/john-5-on-his-new-cd-invasion
Interview and by Robert Cavuoto
John 5 and The Creatures add additional date to Invasion Part 2 tour this Fall!
Last week John 5 and The Creatures announced that they will be back on the road from November this year, teaming up with Jared James Nichols and Reverend Jack for what is being billed “Invasion Part 2”.
In addition to the 22 dates already announced, The Creatures are happy to be adding a new date:
- November 10th at Barleycorn’s in Wichita Kansas.
Tickets and VIP are available now – go to john-5.com/main/tour/ for all links and dates.
Please note this is a 21+ show.
MXDWN Music reviews Invasion: “Eclectic, strange and satisfying”.
Another brilliant review on the album Invasion from John 5 and The Creatures, this time from MXDWN Music.
“Some other notable songs on the album are “Howdy,” “Crank It – Living With Ghosts” and “I Like the Funk.” Each of these songs is incredibly different from each other, which is part of what makes them worth mentioning. “Howdy” is filled with country guitar licks and some impressive picking that not many artists can accomplish. It’s fast-paced and fun, and Lowery shows that he can be much more than a rock guitarist. “Crank It – Living With Ghosts” is worth mentioning not because it’s a great song, but because it’s an odd one that will remain memorable. A robotic voice says throughout “crank it mother fucker,” and though it’s a little bit strange, it gets stuck in listener’s heads for sure. Finally, “I Like the Funk” brings in the funk style on the album, with some funky guitar riffs meshing in with the rock ones.”
Read the review in full here: music.mxdwn.com/2019/07/31/reviews/john-5-invasion/
John 5 The Creatures announce new Invasion tour dates starting in October 2019
Fresh on the back of last week’s release of the amazing new John 5 and The Creatures album Invasion, the band are announcing a US tour which will start this October 30th at the Music Factory in Battle Creek, MI.
Joining The Creatures on this 22 date tour, is Jared James Nichols, who earlier this year teamed up for the Invasion (part 1) tour. Also The Creatures are welcoming Reverend Jack to the line-up.
Dates as follows:
30 Oct: Music Factory – Battle Creek MI
31 Oct: The Winchester – Cleveland OH
01 Nov: Token Lounge – Detroit MI
02 Nov: Reggie’s – Chicago IL
03 Nov: Q & Z Expo Center – Ringle WI
05 Nov: 1175 – Kansasville WI
06 Nov: Turf Club – Minneapolis MN
07 Nov: Lefty’s – Des Moines IA
08 Nov: Sokol Underground – Omaha NE
09 Nov: The Bottleneck – Lawrence KS
11 Nov: Fubar – St Louis MO
12 Nov: Growlers – Memphis TN
14 Nov: Smith’s Old Bar – Atlanta GA
15 Nov: The Parish @ H.O.B – New Orleans LA
16 Nov: Village Door Hall – Miramar Beach FL
17 Nov: The Basement East – Nashville TN
18 Nov: Amos Southend – Charlotte NC
20 Nov: Blind Tiger – Greensboror NC
21 Nov: Ram’s Head on Stage – Annapolis MD
22 Nov: Voltage Lounge – Philadelphia PA
23 Nov: Chameleon Club – Lancaster PA
24 Nov: Montage Music Hall – Rochester NY
Tickets and VIP packages will be available from john-5.com/main/tour/
To see the tour poster, click >>> (more…)
Go Venue reviews Invasion. An “explosive new album that shreds, taps and riffs into the soul”.
Last week John 5 and The Creatures released their third album together (and the ninth solo studio release from John 5). There have already been some outstanding reviews for the album, and this one from Go Venue Magazine also heaps praise on Invasion:
“The nexus of the album is the guitar, and the use of styles and flavors to indicate the eclectic study base that has created John 5’s ability is astounding. The technical ability can be heard by a novice to expert ear, the pace and texture remains smooth and the effect and amplification is that of a master at work. It is no mistake that the varying styles are supported so well by both bass and drums too, ‘Logan MilesNix‘ drops to a country feel, funk and sporadic jazz fills to weave the underground of each track as necessary, again showcasing the talent of the musicianship in the band. ‘Ian Ross‘ gives the basslines groove and threads each sequence perfectly and uses effect subtly and yet in equity with the rest of the track.”
Read the review in full here: govenuemagazine.com/review-invasion-john-5-creatures/
nvasion is available now digitally and a Limited Edition box set or the digipack CD are available to pre-order (coming September 1st): https://smarturl.it/invasionalbumJ5
KNAC reviews Invasion: “What makes John 5 that much more of an entertainer is he isn’t simply for your ears but for your eyes as well”.
Another fantastic review for the latest John 5 and The Creatures album Invasion, which was released earlier this week (July 31st). This time from our friends at KNAC:
Not typical of other solo records where the bulk of the music is straight Rock and/or Metal, but typical of John 5 is to always add that southern twang letting the listener know where his influence blossomed from, such as the track “Howdy”, appropriately named. With some Rock-A-Billy, a hint of Psycho-Billy and some Country Blues type swings, he also adds a variety of other genres on Invasion to noodle around with. It’s plenty more Dance than anything, with light-hearted jamming allowing him to show off his virtuosity. “Crank It” proves this with the drum-n-bass beat holding steady while John 5 gives the disco track some life. On the track “Zoinks!” he and the band really go off, showing some of that versatility the entire band possesses, with lots of funk and classic rock vibration reminiscent of some Highway Star (DEEP PURPLE).
Read the review in full here: knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=33218
Invasion is available now digitally and a Limited Edition box set or the digipack CD are available to pre-order (coming September 1st): https://smarturl.it/invasionalbumJ5
Cryptic Rock reviews Invasion: “Electrically engaging until the final note”.
Yesterday (July 31st) John and The Creatures released their latest album Invasion and our friends at Cryptic Rock have given it a resounding 4.5 out of 5.
“Comparing or ranking John 5 albums seems trivial when you really should just concentrate on the individual moments and the divergence between them that the guitarist is so sly at creating. As an eleventh masterful creation that can not be denied its technical prowess, Cryptic Rock gives John 5’s Invasion 4.5 out of 5 stars.”
Read the review in full here: crypticrock.com/john-5-and-the-creatures-invasion-album-review/
Invasion is available now digitally and a Limited Edition box set or the digipack CD are available to pre-order (coming September 1st): https://smarturl.it/invasionalbumJ5
‘Invasion’ – out today. Watch the new John 5 and The Creatures music video ‘I Want It All’
In addition, JOHN 5 and The Creatures are scheduled to announce a new tour very soon, so stay tuned for more details!
Invasion, featuring the extraordinary new singles “Zoinks!”, “Crank It – Living With Ghosts”, “I Am John 5” and “Midnight Mass”, is available to order now in both physical and digital formats here: https://smarturl.it/invasionalbumJ5
Today, in celebration of the release of Invasion, JOHN 5 and The Creatures have released yet another new single and music video, entitled “I Want It All”. Brought to life by the same team on “Crank It – Living With Ghosts” – director Israel Perez, art director Cody Varona and producer Nicole Hatley, with wardrobe by Forgotten Saints LA – the “I Want It All” video is a zany romp featuring some bodacious babes quite literally sustaining life via their Instagram feeds.
JOHN 5 says, “I’m super excited for this record to finally come out, for fans to see the new video, ‘I Want It All’, and to announce a new tour to follow in the fall very soon!”
Check out even more recent music videos/tracks by JOHN 5 and The Creatures here:
“Zoinks!”: http://smarturl.it/zoinksj5creatures
“Crank It – Living With Ghosts”: http://smarturl.it/crankitj5
“I Am John 5”: http://smarturl.it/iamjohn5
“Midnight Mass”: http://smarturl.it/midnightmassj5
[Listen] John 5 speaks to PureGrainAudio about touring, anti-freeze guitars, his KISS collection and much much more.
From PureGrainAudio:
John 5 is a guitarist who should need no introductions. From David Lee Roth to Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie, his unique guitar stylings have wowed fans for over two decades now. Over the years, John 5 (given name: John William Lowery) has built up a fanbase of followers as a killer guitarist, adaptable session man, and a great solo artist. Over the past fifteen years, John 5 has recorded nine solo guitar albums, with his latest, Invasion, due for release on July 31st.
John 5 chatted with PureGrainAudio a few weeks ago by phone….many of John’s answers come to life as you listen to his answers.
Dead Rhetoric reviews Invasion: “A cavalcade of guitar effects, sounds and styles that illustrates the depth of creativity.”
Invasion, the ninth studio album from John 5, and the third album released under the John 5 and The Creatures moniker, will come out this Wednesday (July 31st). Online magazine Dead Rhetoric have give the album 8.5 out of 10, saying;
“…Invasion is the total package. A cavalcade of guitar effects, sounds and styles that illustrates the depth of creativity and skill John 5 and The Creatures possess that will soon have you hitting the replay button to discover even more of the tricks and treats found within.”
Red the reviews in full here: deadrhetoric.com/reviews/john-5-and-the-creatures-invasion
You can pre-order ‘Invasion’ here: https://smarturl.it/
‘I Want It All’ music video premieres July 31st. Set your reminders!
My new album ‘Invasion’ is out uly 31st (digital) and Sept 1st (CD & LTD ED Box Set). Be one of the first to watch my new music video ‘I Want It All’ which will premiere July 31st.
Click the video link [above] to set your reminders.
The video is directed by Israel Perez Hortal, who also directed the video for Crank It – Living With Ghosts.
You can pre-order ‘Invasion’ here: https://smarturl.it/
Screamer Magazine interviews John 5: ” I feel inspired, and I love to experiment, so hopefully everyone loves this record as much as I do.”
From Screamer Magazine:
[John 5] sat down with Screamer Magazine to talk about all things J5, from The Creatures’ new album Invasion (to be released coincidentally on his birthday, July 31st ) and the accompanying promotional tour to the Twins of Evil Tour with Zombie and Manson.
“The incorporation of different styles is just a reflection of my love of music, and so when I add in some country, jazz, rock or bluegrass, it’s just a way of showing my appreciation and loving what sounds good. I just love anyone that does something really well. I feel inspired, and I love to experiment, so hopefully everyone loves this record as much as I do.”
To read the interview in full, go here: screamermagazine.com/interviews/john-5-talks-touring-twins-creatures/
Metal Nation reviews Invasion: “The Invasion is coming, prepare to be overcome.”
Invasion is out in just FIVE MORE DAYS! Here is another FANTASTIC review, this time from our friends at Metal Nation:
Invasion is quite a bit different than J5’s other offerings, yet you can still easily hear it is John 5. He has a distinctive sound, which is incredible since he plays many different genres of music within each album. The Creatures have continued to impress with the fluid distribution of their instruments, which invade and captures the essence of the music overall. What some would possibly believe about solo guitar work and the probability of it all “sounding the same” from the same musician, would be absolutely incorrect when it comes to John 5 and the Creatures. They are remarkably diverse which keeps you interested album after album. The Invasion is coming, prepare to be overcome.
Invasion is out on July 31st (digital) and Sept 1st (CD & LTD ED Box Set) – pre-order yours here: https://smarturl.it/invasionpreorderJ5 (contains digital, and physical release options).
Cryptic Rock interviews John 5: “I play what I love, it’s from the heart, and people really seem to enjoy it.”
From Cryptic Rock:
If there was such a thing as a Rock-n-Roll superhero, John 5 would fit the bill. Prolifically releasing new albums in 2017 and 2018, he is set to return with Invasion, his third album in three consecutive years. Famed for working with the likes of David Lee Roth, prior to becoming a fixture in Marilyn Manson, and more recently Rob Zombie, John 5 has dedicated his life to becoming a master of the guitar.
Equipped with extremely polished skills on the fret board, his schizophrenic tastes run the gamut from Metal, Bluegass, and Blues, to Electronic and beyond. The only real question is, can the mythical figure known as John 5 be stopped? The answer is no, but moreover, why would you want to anyway! Inspired and firing on all cylinders, the virtuoso guitarist recently sat down to talk his career, his latest album, plans for the rest of 2019, plus much more.
Read the interview in full here: crypticrock.com/interview-john-5-talks-invasion-rob-zombie-more/
Photo by: Brandy Isadora/Cryptic Rock
Outburn Magazine gives ‘Invasion’ 10 out of 10
John 5 and The Creatures next album ‘Invasion’ is out on July 31st, and Outburn Magazine have given 5’s ninth studio album a resounding 10 out of 10.
Invasion is nothing short of groundbreaking, taking multiple genres, from bluegrass to EDM, and molding them into a cohesive thematic storyline. Just look at the album cover, watch the video for “Zoinks” (with a cameo from Nikki Sixx), and listen to this record blasting from your car stereo. John 5 will take you on a wild and worthy journey.
Read the review in full here: outburn.com/music-reviews/john-5-and-the-creatures-invasion/
Pre-Order Invasion here: https://smarturl.it/invasionpreorderJ5 (contains digital, and physical release options).
Joe Bonamassa added to John 5/The Aristocrats show in September
From John 5:
Very happy to announce that my good friend and amazing guitar player Joe Bonamassa will be joining myself and The Aristocrats on September 1 at 1720 E. 16th St., Los Angeles.
This is going to be an amazing night of music!
Tickets and VIP for the shows are available here: https://john-5.com/main/tour/
Outburn Online interviews John 5: “You have to take risks. If you don’t, you’ll keep doing the same thing.”
From Outburn Online:
Easily one of the most prolific and skilled guitarists of the past several decades, John 5’s proclivity for diverse and downright strange song crafting has never been more evident than what the 47-year-old Michigan native has given us on his ninth record, Invasion. The Rob Zombie axman thrives on risk, whether it was cold calling Marilyn Manson’s studio just to see if the rock legend had any need for his skills or choosing to bet on himself rather than worry about whether or not fans would come out to see instrumental shows. Time and time again, John 5’s fearless behavior has paid off, as he’s spent the past 30 years performing with his personal heroes and our favorite rock legends. Three weeks before Invasion dropped, we spoke with John 5 in the early morning hours as his tour bus headed up the East Coast, playing sold out show after sold out show. An invasion is coming.
Read the full interview here: outburn.com/interviews/john-5-and-the-creatures-risky-business/
Pre-Order Invasion by John 5 and The Creatures now!
YES! Today you can finally pre-order the brand new John 5 and The Creatures album Invasion.
The eighth solo album from John 5 and third to feature The Creatures, will be released digitally on July 31st (John 5’s birthday) and is also available as a limited edition box set and a digipak CD, which will be shipping from September 1st.
Fans who pre-order the box set will get it hand-signed by John 5 and the first 50 pre-orders will also get a special gift from 5.
The album will feature 10 tracks, including the four already released as digital/video singles earlier this year (Zoinks!, Crank It, I am John 5 and Midnight Mass). The cover features artwork from animator Brett Boggs (Frozen, Wreck It Ralph), who has collaborated with The Creatures for this album, including directing and animating several of the new music videos. The album has been produced by Barry Pointer.
To see your pre-order options, including box set and digipack CD, click here: https://smarturl.it/invasionpreorderJ5 – more options for digital pre-order will be added as we get them.
Tracklist:
- Invasion
- I am John 5
- Midnight Mass
- Zoinks!
- Crank It – Living With Ghosts
- Cactus Flower
- I Want It All
- I Like The Funk
- Constant Sorrow
John 5 and The Creatures ‘Invasion’ due out July 31st. Pre-order available from July 12th.
‘Invasion’ will be the third Creatures album, following live album ‘It’s Alive’ and ‘Season of the Witch’. The Creatures includes on bass, Ian Ross and on drums, Logan Miles Nix.
Pre-order for the album will be available from July 12th, and will include a special box-set edition that you will be able to order from the official John 5 store. The album will also be available wherever digital music is available. Keep it locked to john-5.com for more details.
In the meantime, watch the official album trailer above and watch/purchase the four singles already released for this album:
Midnight Mass: http://smarturl.it/MidnightMassJ5
I am John 5: http://smarturl.it/iamjohn5
Crank It – Living with Ghosts: http://smarturl.it/crankitj5
Zoinks!: http://smarturl.it/zoinksJ5Creatures
John 5 and The Creatures to play one-off show with The Aristocrats
Check this out John 5 and The Creatures fans! The Creatures will be joining The Aristocrats to co-headline an amazing night of instrumental euphoria on Sunday, September 1 at 1720 E 16th Street- Los Angeles,. The show will be the first JOHN 5 performance following the July 31 release of the anxiously awaited new album, Invasion.
“JOHN 5 and The Aristocrats – It doesn’t get much better than that,” John 5 says. “It’s one show only and you’re not going to want to miss it. It’s going to be a very exciting night, and definitely one to remember.”
The Aristocrats are made up of three internationally recognized musicians: guitarist Guthrie Govan (Steven Wilson, Asia/GPS, Hans Zimmer), bassist Bryan Beller (Joe Satriani, Dethklok), and drummer Marco Minnemann (Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani, Steve Hackett). Says The Aristocrats,
“We always say that anything can happen onstage at an Aristocrats show – and that goes double for a JOHN 5/Aristocrats double bill! We’re psyched because The Aristocrats and JOHN 5 are obviously coming at the instrumental rock thing from just completely different angles, and neither one of us is playing it straight down the middle. Should be a fun night for anyone in L.A. who likes their music loud and bent.”
The opening act for the evening will be the popular rock-fusion trio Travis Larson Band.
Tickets and VIP (VIP on sale at the store does not include The Aristocrats) are on sale from TODAY! For all ticket/VIP links, go to: john-5.com/main/tour/.
DON’T miss out!
[Watch] John 5 chats to BangerTV “about his eclectic session career”, his new album and much more!
As his Invasion Tour wraps up, John 5 visited Banger HQ to sit down with Daniel Dekay and talk about his eclectic session career as well as his own solo album… and that time he borrowed Don Henley’s Porsche.
[Watch] John 5 play through of Zoinks via Guitar World.
John 5 stopped by the Guitar World studio to play through his new song “ZOINKS!” from the album ‘Invasion.’ ‘Check it out!
Purchase/Stream/Watch the ZOINKS! single: smarturl.it/zoinksJ5Creatures
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