Anti-Heroes with Zach Blair – Details, episodes & analysis

In this final episode of season 5 Zach gives thanks and recaps. Thank you to all the listeners and guests. We'll be back with season 6 before you can learn a Rise Against guitar solo! (Please share your solos in if you beat us!) Thank you to all of our sponsors and listeners, please support them! Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

Zach talks with one of his all-time idols and inspirations, Andy Kerr from NoMeansNo!!! Throughout his career Andy has been very elusive, even going so far as to never crediting his real name on the records he’s played on. Pre-internet, this proved very tricky for a young Zach to find out who was playing his favorite riffs in one of his favorite bands, No Means No. Zach finally gets to meet the man behind this inspiring riffage and ask him "all the questions". The two discuss Andy's tenure in NoMeansNo, his preferred guitar throughout his career and his projects outside of NMN. Andy shares his journey in finding the right guitar sound and how he stumbled upon his signature distortion by accident. Andy tells us about his experience in the Canadian punk scene, hips us to the new biography NoMeansNO: From Obscurity to Oblivion: An Oral History and we get a surprise visit from the author, Jason Lamb! Andy Kerr No Means No Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

Anti-Heroes Ep 32 is up! Zach interviews Dale Crover, greatly influential drummer for the Melvin’s, Nirvana, Redd Cross and founding member and guitarist for Altamont. Zach see's Dale not only as one of rock n rolls all-time greatest drummers but world class guitarist and songwriter. Dales shares his influences, his favorite guitar players, some of his favorite guitars and why making solo records is important to him. He talks about the time he met Neil Young, while dressed as Neil Young, while starring in a Neil Young Video playing Neil Young!! Yes, this is true. Dale tells how he's dealing with some temporary physical setbacks, and we hear a few tunes. The Melvins Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Today on Anti-Heroes! Paul D’Amour! Paul is a multi-instrumentalist, engineer, and producer. He has recorded and toured extensively with Ministry, Lusk, The Replicants and is a founding member of Tool. Though bass guitar is his main "live' instrument, he sees himself simply as a musician who wants to make interesting art and he'll play any instrument he can to make that happen. Zach and Paul talk about his solo work, his move to Ministry and the why his connection to the band is based in fan-ship as much as membership. They discuss writing the bass line for Sober, arguably one of the most ubiquitous bass riff of all time and Paul shares how NOMEANSNO bass player Rob Wright influenced his approach and tone. They have some laughs and hear a few tunes. Ministry Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

This is a special episode for Zach. He gets to sit down with two of his closest friends, Ian MacDougall and Fadi El-Assad from the Riverboat Gamblers. They been through thick and thin; terrible jobs, health scares, successes, failures and all the ups and downs of a tight, long-time friendship. In this episode, Fadi tells us how dad taught him guitar basics and how finding punk in North Texas changed everything. Ian shares his experience being introduced to counterculture music via his young parents and how a chance encounter with a rock titan led to a job teching for big bands and eventually playing in one of them. The trio commiserate about their shared experience in a small northern Texas town and how their paths eventually cross. Where hear a couple RG tunes and have an all-around love fest. Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

"ITS ZACH'S BROTHER, Donivan Blair!!! This is both the first "sibling" and the first "bass player" episode of Anti-Heroes. Donivan has played bass for Hagfish, Only Crime and is now the bass player for The Toadies and has toured and recorded extensively for over 25 years. He also holds a first degree black belt in Taekwando. In the episode, the two talk Donivan's tenure with The Toadies and he shares a secret from his audition and how he nailed the gig. They reflect on their old bands, their upbringing and escape from a terrible Texas town and why they wouldn't change a thing. The Brothers Blair also talk about how their father 's great taste in music and guidance that led them to a devoted career in music. Donivan confesses an obsession with the great Rickenbacker bass guitar, and they get into a typical brotherly argument over a guitar that makes for a spicy "one that got away" segment. The Toadies Rickenbacker Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

In Ep 28 of Anti-Heroes Zach chats with his dear friend, Steph Carter. Steph is not only the guitarist for Lyoness and Gallows, but head of education at Marshall Amplifiers. The two discuss early touring days together, particularly a world tour that took them to Australia, Japan and Europe. Steph shares Gallows unexpected instant success and the difficulties navigating it with his sibling, singer and tattoo artist, Frank Carter, which ultimately led to his departure. Steph talks about starting a band with his wife (Lyoness) and the journey that led from the road and band life to working with the legendary amplifier company. Zach and Steph have a proper nerd-athon on Marshal and its incredible legacy, Zach gives a proper Marshall deep inquiry and we hear some rippin tunes. Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop Gallows Steph Carter Marshall

Baroness guitarist series continues this week with Gina Gleason! In addition to Baroness, Gina has toured and performed with Cirque du Soleil, Brendan Smalls ((Dethklock), Jon Anderson (YES), Carlos Santana and Jello Biafra. She is also a founding member of Misstalica and Queen Diamond. Gina shares her amazing and unique background playing guitar in a Cirque Du Soleil production and how she navigated herself from that world into a touring guitarist in one of the world’s most interesting and heavy bands, Baroness. Zach and Gina discuss her calculated choice of using single coil and p-90 pickups for maximum riffage. Gina explains how a chance online purchase of a boutique pedal led her to meeting Baroness mastermind John Baizley, and she tells us about the rewarding and creative partnership it has spawned. The two discuss the virtues of seeing live music and how it still has the power to inspire their playing. Baroness Gina Gleason Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode 1 of Season 4 is upon us! John Baizely is the rhythm guitarist and singer for Savannah, Georgia based Baroness. He is also and prolific painter and has contributed works to a wide range of artists (Kylesa, Metallica, Pig Destroyer, Gillian Welch, Flight of the Concords) on posters, t-shirts and record cover design. In this episode the two discuss Johns's musical background and how that has shaped him to be the guitarist, singer and artist he is today. John shares the idea behind self releasing his work and his why he is driven to break the mold of "metal" with alternate approaches to gear and songwriting. They dig into some Les Paul talk and we hear a couple tunes. Baroness John Baizely Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

This week Zach talks with Josh Newton of Shiner and super group The Dammed Things. Not only is Josh a ripping guitarist, but he’s also a sought-after guitar-tech for the likes of Fall Out Boy, Kings of Leon and Band Of Horses. Zach couldn't be happier to sit down with one of his favorite guitarists from one of his favorite bands. Josh shares his experience as a "lefty", the two discuss the power of EGC guitars and and Josh tells our how he navigates a parallel career guitar teching for some of the biggest names in the business. Josh hares shares the story behind the Shiner reunions, and we hear a couple tunes. Episode supported by Jim Dunlop and MXR. Visit https://www.jimdunlop.com/ for all your guitar gear needs. Jim Dunlop Shiner