2014.04.22 - Komsomolskaya Pravda (Belarus) - Guns N' Roses Guitarist: "Brought to Minsk his Favorite Guitar of Gold" (Bumblefoot)

Guns N' Roses guitarist: "brought to Minsk his favorite guitar of gold"
Anna ERMACHENOK | APRIL 22, 2014

Have you ever been in Belarus before? Or anywhere near (Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine)? What do you remember most of all if yes? How do you imagine it if not?

I've only been to Russia so far. My first visits were to Moscow in 2004 & 2005 as a solo artist, then with GNR in 2010 & 2012. My grandparents were from Lithuania & Poland, so I feel very 'at home' in this part of the world I love the architecture, food, the history and culture, most of all the people - I've made many good friends there This will be my first visit to Belarus, hopefully not the last! Looking forward to meeting everyone...!

You’ll be giving a master class in Minsk. Do you value do-what-i-say or daring students the most?

I will give advice, but the student must walk their own path, make their own choices, and grow from their own experiences. I hope to inspire people to do that.

How many guitars will you bring with you? Do you have a favorite one? Is there a guitar which seems strange to you? Which one is the most difficult to play?

I'll bring my favorite, the gold double-neck fretted/fretless custom guitar. I've been playing guitar all my life, no guitars feel strange. (After touring in GNR, I've seen it all, nothing seems strange, haha.)

Belarusian musicians will participate in a jam with you. How much time do you need to achieve a teamwork with someone?

The bond of musicians happens within minutes, once the music starts, people start to connect. It's going to be fun...!

It's said that Axl Rose is a man of moods. How is it to work with him?

I think my moods are worse than his, haha...

How do you choose music for the concert? What should the audience expect: Guns N 'Roses’ hits, your own music or improvisation?

We'll play some classic rock songs, including GNR, should be some improvised soloing going on in there too. I'd love to introduce people to my own music. I've been releasing Bumblefoot music for over 20 years, it's in TV shows, films, videogames... I want to share my music with everyone.

What is your favourite Guns N’ Roses song to play?

From new GNR music, I like playing Shackler's Revenge, off Chinese Democracy. It's a high energy song, and I get to do more of what I actually do - I sing a bit, play fretted and fretless, and I play my own parts that I wrote and recorded for the song. From the classic GNR songs, I like Don't Cry. The song started off as my solo in 2006, playing it myself and the audience would sing, it's always been the song where I feel a big connection with the audience. The connection is important to me. I don't like separation between audience and band, I like it when we're all together, and making the music together.

What’s the most memorable concert you’ve played with Guns N’ Roses?

In 2012 we played the Bridge School Benefit concert http://bridgeschool.org/concert/ It's an annual acoustic concert in Northern California, all profits go to the Bridge School, to help people with severe speech and physical impairments. We had children and parents on stage with us, I would have the kids strum my guitar during the show, to me it was the most meaningful valuable show GNR ever did. On my own I do a lot of charity performances, it's what matters most to me about making music, doing something that doesn't just entertain people, but truly *helps* people. That's the most important part of making music.

Which musician’s compliment on your guitar playing flattered you the most?

Ahhh, I don't remember...! I do appreciate kind words, truly, but I don't get motivated by flattery or attention or praise... I play guitar because I love music, and need to share what I love and give people this love. When anyone reaches out to me and tells me that my songs lifted their spirits, that's what matters the most. When the audience is happy I'm happy...

Thank you,

Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal