Heavy Metal Guitar: From Times Square To Netflix And Beyond Thomas Amoriello Fleminton Raritan School District tamoriel@frsd.k12.nj.us
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very so often a band comes along and captures the attention of the public - but, generally not when the average age of the band members is 11! Yet, that is exactly what happened in 2013 when video of the Brooklyn based metal trio Unlocking the Truth performing outside a New York City subway station was posted to YouTube. Soon after the video went viral and the band of youngsters was propelled into the spotlight garnering a major label recording contract with Sony, opening stints for such artists as “Metallica,” and most recently were the subject of the documentary Breaking a Monster (currently on Netflix). The authors had the chance to speak with 15 year old Malcolm Brickhouse, guitarist and singer for the Brooklyn based heavy metal trio about everything from what got him started playing the guitar to what the future holds.
Matthew S. Ablan Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Charlotte, NC matthew.ablan@cms.k12.nc.us
to metal and me and Jarad (drummer for Unlocking The Truth) would jam out and cover our favorite bands. My parents took us to a “Disturbed” concert at the IZod Center when we were about 9 years old and that’s when we knew we wanted to start our band. Do you come from a musical family? No, not really. If DJ-ing is considered musical, my dad dabbles in that. Do you learn from guitar magazines, YouTube, a guitar teacher? Yes, I took guitar lessons, watched YouTube videos, and I have a guitar teacher, but I find myself rarely using those options. I got better at guitar over time by just experimenting with it by myself. What is your typical practice routine like? I really don’t practice, I just create songs when the feeling hits me. But, when I’m with my band, our typical practice routine is to do a set of songs. Then we start to create new music when we are all deeply feeling the music and vibing together.
What got you interested in playing guitar - Was there a certain song or maybe certain player that made you think, “I want to do that?” My mom was always looking for things for me to do when I was younger, so she enrolled me in a bunch of different classes from art to drawing, to magic, gymnastics, karate, piano and guitar lessons, everything. The guitar just stuck with me. At the time I started playing guitar, I started listening TEMPO
Who are some of your favorite rhythm players? Lead guitar? I love lead guitarists. I really like Jeff Loomis of the band Nevermore, for his speedy yet fluent guitar skills and Jimi Hendrix for his creativity, individuality and uniqueness with his guitar playing. I also like Vernon Reid of the band Living Colour. He plays hard and uses all kinds of effects pedals. As a matter of fact, we have become very good friends with “Living Colour.” 40
Did you or do you take guitar lessons? I used to take guitar lessons on Skype with my teacher, Arnold Strickland. Strickland is a progressive, fusion jazz guitarist. He plays in a band called “STRICK9.” How much time did or do you spend each day playing guitar? When I was younger, it seemed like I played all day. Nowadays, I don’t really spend a set amount of time playing guitar each day. I play guitar whenever I have time to. I’m a very busy kid because of school and I also record, mix and master demos for my band and for a few up and coming rappers, which is time-consuming. So, I really have to manage my time. I don’t really practice the guitar, I just continue to create music. What gear are you currently using? I use LTD guitars tuned mostly in Drop B and C. I use an Orange Dual Dark 100 amp and a 4x12 speaker cab, and basic effects pedals, like the Wah and Whammy pedal. I’m not much of a music geek, but I do know the basics. You’re on the ESP/LTD artist roster – how did that come about? They saw our band performing in Times Square on YouTube and saw me playing their guitars, and really dug us. They gave us a call and let me pick out a few guitars. They have been so nice to me over the years. I love the relationship I have with Chris Canella and Tony Rauser. They are my artist reps, and I want to keep that going.
MARCH 2017
