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
[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.
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/
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 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/
[LISTEN] John 5 speaks to Riki Rachtman about the infamous ‘Cathouse’ in Hollywood
From Riki Ractman’s Cathouse Hollywood Podcast:
Riki Rachtman brings us back to 1988. Sunset Strip Tattoo. What role did this legendary shop play in the Cathouse Tale.
John 5 is one of the top guitarists in rock today. He currently is a successful solo artist and plays with Rob Zombie. Prior to playing with Marilyn Manson or David Lee Roth John 5 was a 17 year old kid sneaking into the Adult world of the Cathouse. John 5 joins Riki for more uncensored tales from Rocks most decadent era.
The podcast is available now on : https://smarturl.it/CathousePodcastJohn5
Or listen below on Spotify:
[Listen] Wired in the Empire with Mike X in wide-ranging interview with John 5
From Wired In The Empire with Mike X:
John 5 called in to talk about his new solo album and tour playing the Whisky A Go Go on 4/6 and the Parish Room at HOB-Anaheim on 4/7. Here’s what we talked about:
- New music and videos (0-3)
- Solo tour at Whisky 4/6 and HOB 4/7 (3-4)
- Dimebash 2019 remembering Dimebag and Vinnie (4-5)
- Drummer Randy Castillo (5-6:30)
- Wayne Static and guitar solo for “Cannibal” (6:30-8)
- Motley Crue Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars (8-9:30)
- Rob Zombie new music (9-11)
- Movie soundtracks (11-13)
- Flannel Five-Nirvana, Pearl Jam, STP, AIC, Soundgarden (14-16)
- Nu Metal Six Pack-RATM, Korn, Linkin Park, Slipknot, Disturbed, SOAD (16-end)
Imagery above uses photo by Steve Brazill.
[interview] On The phone with John 5
Andrew Green had the privilege of talking with the iconic Rob Zombie guitarist John 5. They talk about playing shows in different sized venues, how John gets inspiration for his guitar playing, and about his new solo album “Invasion” John talks what it was like touring with Marilyn Manson in the late 90s and early 00s and tells some insane stories. He describes their relationship now what its like sharing a tour with him. John also talks about his KISS Instagram account and John gives his dream set list if he got the chance to play with KISS.
Follow John 5’s KISS collection Instagram: @knightsinsatansservice
Music Mania Podcast interview with John 5
2019 has been a busy year for John 5 as he is currently embarking on a U.S. solo tour before hitting the road with Rob Zombie for the Twins of Evil 2 tour this Summer with Marilyn Manson. John will also release his solo album “Invasion” this Summer and has released two videos thus far in “Zoinks” and “I Am John 5.” He recently chatted with Clint Switzer on the Music Mania Podcast to discuss all this and much more.
Metal Titans interviews John 5: “Hold on to you cranium, it’s going to be great!”
From Metal Titans:
Metal Titans spoke with John 5 on February 20th…. The guitar virtuoso has played with the likes of K.D. Lang, Rob Halford’s 2wo, David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and he’s got a pretty good solo career, too. He’s got a new album, ‘Invasion’ … once again he’s backed by The Creatures. John 5 and The Creatures are set to hit the road on February 26th for a late winter/spring tour of North America with special guest Jared James Nichols in tow.
Read the interview, which looks at John’s KISS collection, his new music videos, working with Motley Crue and what he thought of the Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” and much much more: http://www.metaltitans.com/john-5-exclusive/
Photo Credit: Charlene Tupper/Metal Titans
John 5 opens up about his inspirations and more with Box of Rock Podcast
From Box of Rock 2.0 Podcast:
Guitar innovator John 5 talks to Terrie Carr about his incredible career, playing and working with Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Rob Halford, David Lee Roth and more and his solo career and new release INVASION!
John also tells some great stories about writing with Steve Perry, Nikki Sixx and others, opens up about his inspirations and his cats!
John 5 speaks to Consequences of Sound: “the guitar is strong and powerful and will never die”
John 5 and The Creatures are now on the the road with Jared James Nichols and Dead Girls Academy for the Invasion 2019 tour. Before embarking on this tour, John 5 spoke to Consequences of Sound about a range of issues, including:
- his favorite thing about touring with his solo band, the Creatures
- what new material he’s performing with the Creatures on his current tour
- using YouTube and Instagram as a promotional vehicle
- how the recording process for Rob Zombie’s new album differed from past albums
- On the state of heavy metal music and the genre’s future
Plus a lot more. To read the interview in full, go here: consequenceofsound.net/john-5-rob-zombie-interview-2019/
Photo by Matt Akana
[Listen] Metal Injection Livecast with John 5
Check out this brand new podcast interview with John 5 via our friends at Metal Injection Livecast:
We … hopped on the phone with guitarist virtuoso John 5, who talked about his upcoming solo album, working on the new Rob Zombie album, a crazy story about jamming with Les Paul and more fun convos.
[Interview] John 5 chats to the RocknRoll Beer Guy podcast
From RocknRoll Beer Guy:
“EP87 is with special guest John 5! John 5 is a prolific guitar player that has worked with some of the greatest musicians ever including: Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Lynrd Skynrd, Ozzy Ozbourne, David Lee Roth, Rob Halford and more! We talk about his new solo record under John 5 & The Creatures which is due out Summer 2019. We talk about his career, future plans, his makeup and more. I apologize for the random cuts we were having some technical difficulties but hopefully we can do a longer in-person podcast soon. It was an honor talking to John and I hope you enjoy it!”
To listen to the interview, go here: rocknrollbeerguy.wordpress.com/2019/02/04/ep87-john-5-rob-zombie/
[Interview] Ultimate Guitar speaks to John 5 about his solo work, Rob Zombie, the gear he uses and much more
UltimateGuitar.com recently caught up with John 5 to talk about his new album Invasion (coming later this year), his new singles from that album, his gear, his favorite non-Fender guitar and what fans can expect on the new Rob Zombie album, which is also out later this year.
From UG.com:
UG recently caught up with John 5 to discuss his upcoming solo album as well as the next Rob Zombie album.
John 5 is a true student of the guitar. He is proficient in nearly every genre that involves a guitar, from country to jazz to metal. His upcoming album will give us a taste of all of those genres along with some crazy, innovative stuff that is sure to keep you entertained.
Read the interview in full here: ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/john_5_banjo_on_zombie_album
[Listen] John 5 chats to Talkin’ Rock
From Talkin’ Rock With Meltdown:
John 5 is on of my favorites to talk to and he’s on Talkin’ Rock today. Best known as Rob Zombie’s guitarist, but he’s done lots of other stuff. We talk about some of that like his new album and more……
*How John became so innovative *How he makes his live guitar shows so un-boring *His new live medley *Making his schedule work with Rob’s *The new Zombie album and his thoughts on it *What makes the new album so different *His new solo album “Invasion” *His crazy guitars *The Zombie band * “Tight-Lips” Johnny *Working/writing with Nikki Sixx *His Knights In Satans Service Instagram account *KISS
[Listen] John 5 talks ZOINKS, Rob Zombie and more with Talk Toomey
From Talk Toomey:
John 5 joins the show to talk about the new single from John 5 and The Creatures. John tells about the inspiration from Scooby Doo for the video.
John and I discuss his relationships with Matt Zane and Fred Coury. We talk about his history with Kiss and John plays some of his favorite Kiss songs. John 5 also gives us an update on the new Rob Zombie album.
To listen to the interview in full, go here: Talk Toomey Ep. 192 with John 5
Listen to John 5 on Talk is Jericho
From Talk is Jericho:
Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 got his first big break with KD Lang, was fired from Marilyn Manson’s band, and has a massive KISS memorabilia collection you can see on Instagram @knightsinsatanservice. John 5 also wrote and recorded two albums with David Lee Roth, and shares plenty of stories about that experience along with the time he was dissed by Rob Halford as a teenager in Detroit, and what happened when he spontaneously jumped in an elevator with Gene Simmons from KISS. Plus, he’s dropping some 411 on the new Rob Zombie studio album coming out early next year.
To find out more ways to listen and to subscribe to Talk is Jericho, go here: https://omny.fm/shows/talk-is-jericho
John 5 to appear on episode on Trunkfest, July 22
John 5 will appear with Rob Zombie on this weekend’s episode of TRUNKFEST WITH EDDIE TRUNK – LOUDER THAN LIFE.
Heavy metal and hard rock is what Eddie Trunk knows best, so where better to explore a festival than in Louisville, Kentucky for the Louder Than Life festival! On this week’s episode of TrunkFest, Eddie is just like any other metal fan there in attendance as he takes in everything the festival has to offer. Although, having your own show has its perks: Eddie chats with music icon Rob Zombie and metal guitarist John 5 about what it’s like to play at this festival. Lastly, you can’t visit Louisville without having at least one glass of bourbon. Watch Eddie indulge in some of Kentucky’s finest signature bourbon drinks.
Horns up, Trunk Nation! Watch this new episode of TrunkFest with Eddie Trunk, premiering Sunday, July 22nd at 9:30/8:30c only on AXS TV.
[WATCH] John 5 showcases his onstage gear to Digital Tour Bus
From Digital Tour Bus:
On this episode of DTB’s “Gear Masters”, guitarist extraordinaire, John 5 (of Rob Zombie and John 5 And The Creatures), shows off the gear that he uses onstage.
John 5 is currently supporting his newest live record, It’s Alive.
John 5 discusses “It’s Alive” tour and working with Rob Halford, Dave Lee Roth and more with Metal Titans
From Metal Titans:
Guitar wizard John 5 is currently on tour in support of his live effort titled ‘It’s Alive!’ The guitarist caught up with Metal Titans on 4.5.18 to talk about the live record and his past works with 2wo, David Lee Roth [amongst others] and the upcoming co-headlining tour with former bandmate Marilyn Manson.
Before that however he has this tour with The Creatures that he must wrap up. Metal Titans will be on site for coverage of his Portland, Oregon show on 4.20.18, for now catch this interview.
Read the interview here: http://www.metaltitans.com/j5-exclusive2018/
Photo by Charlene Tupper.
[Listen] The Liquid Conversations interviews John 5
From The Liquid Conversations:
The Liquid Conversations’ host Shawn SixX sits down with John 5 at the Hard Rock Cafe Dallas to talk about all things music. Take a listen to their chat about the dysfunctions of the artist, small venue pressures, Hee Haw, new solo music, and the upcoming Rob Zombie/Marilyn Manson tour (Twins of Evil-The second Coming).
Photo: Rockwell Wes Anderson
[Listen] John 5 chats to Alternative Press’ Cautionary Tales
From Alternative Press’ Cautionary Tales:
“A look through super-guitarist John 5’s resumé looks like an overview of contemporary rock history. Before he cemented his world-class abilities recording and touring with bona fide rock stars as Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson and David Lee Roth, the artist formerly known as John Lowery crossed playing paths with everyone from Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander to k.d. lang to Madonna to members of KISS to Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, as well as writing and playing with some of your favorite bands (Halestorm, Escape The Fate, Hollywood Undead). So when he stopped by the AP office for a brief chat, we knew he had some stories to tell.”
LATEST FAN COMMENTS ON JOHN-5.COM