Latest articles by Mark McStea
“I Always Want to Transcend the Technical Aspects of the Guitar to Move People”: Joe Satriani’s Top Five Career-Defining Tracks
He’s released 18 studio solo albums, but Satch reveals why these five tracks hold a special place in his catalog
“I Think the Sound of the Guitar Straight Into the Amp Is the Purest Form of Expression”: Arielle Takes a Sonic Tour of the Classic Rock Era on Her New Album, ‘’73’
With songs and guitar tones inspired by the spirit of ’73, the Brian May Guitars signature artist favors an “old-school approach”
“I Could Never Play Like Him”: Steve Vai Talks Jimmy Page, Brian May and Jimi Hendrix
In this insightful interview, the guitarist reveals his “biggest influences” and “favorite rock song in history”
“’Any Means Necessary’ Is My Philosophy”: Forget Analog Versus Digital – Steve Vai Had the Final Word in 1990
How the shred master made the best of both worlds on his breakthrough sophomore album, ‘Passion and Warfare’
“I Actually Thought It Might Well Be a Dismal Failure”: Steve Vai Discusses the Making of His Groundbreaking Shred Album, ‘Passion and Warfare’
“Steven, I think you’re wrong about that,” said David Coverdale. “This is a brilliant record, and you’re going to be very surprised at the reaction”
“I Think It’s Important to Be Able to Get Things Wrong”: Squeeze Co-Founders Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook Talk Decades of Writing Hits
The post-punk veterans discuss the art of songwriting and how they make room for each other’s creativity
“He Just Wanted Me to Go Wild on the Guitar”: Adrian Belew Reveals How David Bowie Helped Him Become a More Creative Player
The guitarist recalls his “wild and unusual” approach to recording the final instalment of Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy, 'Lodger'
Watch Robin Trower’s Spellbinding “Bridge of Sighs” BBC Studio Performance
Video The British guitar legend performs a mesmerizing rendition of his signature track live in 1974
“This Album Is a Side of Vai That You’re Never Going to Hear Any Other Way”: Steve Vai Talks New Gash Record
After sitting on a shelf for 30 years, Vai’s balls-out ode to the joys of riding is finally out. But the real surprise is the guy behind the mic
Jeff Beck’s 10 Greatest Collaborations
From Jon Bon Jovi and Roger Waters to Ozzy Osbourne and Kate Bush, here are some deep cuts from the electric guitar master's extensive catalog of collabs
“It Was Pretty Obvious It Was a Song That Was Going to Go a Long Way”: Glenn Tipton Explains How John Lennon’s Home Inspired Judas Priest’s 1980 Classic “Living After Midnight”
“It was just born from nothing and worked immediately,” recalls the guitarist
21 Top New Blues Guitarists As Chosen By You
Meet the young guitarists who are shaping the blues for a new generation of players
“Everything About This Record Captured the Essence of Who I Am”: Marcus King Takes the Brakes off for New Album, ‘Young Blood’
Co-written with the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, this heartfelt rock and roll record is the guitar sensation’s most personal yet
“We Try to Always Make a Record That We Would Want to Listen to”: GA-20 Guitarists Matt Stubbs and Pat Faherty Show Us the Gear That Fuels Their Authentic Blues-Rock Tone
Their stripped-down approach has propelled the “Lords of Lo-Fi” to the top of the blues charts
George Thorogood’s Top Five Career-Defining Destroyers Tracks
With more than five decades of road behind him, the Gibson ES-125TDC stalwart picks a handful of tunes that brought smiles to the miles
Marcus King’s Top Six Tips for Guitarists
The electric-blues firebrand delivers a half-dozen pointers to help you become a singular player
Watch Prince Rip One of the Greatest Guitar Solos in Music History During This All-Star Rendition Of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
Video Joined by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood and Dhani Harrison, His Purple Highness blows the roof off the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Watch Stone Temple Pilots Slay the Crowd With Their Alt-Rock Classic, “Interstate Love Song”
Video This clip from 2001 captures the magic of an era-defining band during one of their best performances on film
Watch Neo-Psychedelic Visionary Nick McCabe Demonstrate His Lucem Paradox Guitar
Video The Verve and Black Submarine guitarist is a master of dreamy soundscapes
Watch the Claypool Lennon Delirium’s Deliriously Wonderful House of Blues Performance
Video The quirky quartet puts on a dazzling display of supreme oddness
“We’ve Never Done Anything That Hasn’t Been Totally Authentic”: Billy Duffy Talks Recording the Cult’s New Studio Album, ‘Under the Midnight Sun’
After a six-year absence, the Cult are back with an LP that finds them returning to their mid-‘80s roots
Revisiting the Cure’s Tripped Out “The Caterpillar” Music Video
Video Robert Smith revels in exploring, expanding and demolishing the boundaries of what the Cure should sound like in this mid-‘80s classic
Here’s Why XTC Carried the Torch of Psychedelic Rock in the ‘80s
Guitarists Andy Partridge and Dave Gregory turned the new wave rule book on its head
