Anti-Heroes with Zach Blair

CONAN NEUTRON-SECRET FRIENDS-PROTONIC REVERSAL Nov 21, 2024

Conan Neutron is a singer, guitarist and founding member of Conan Neutron and The Secret Friends. He also hosts his long running podcast, Conan Neutron’s Protonic Reversal. Conan shares the motivation behind his podcast and why providing a platform for musicians to connect is so important to him. Zach and Conan discuss the concept behind Secret Friends, what it’s like to play with Dale Crover and the evolution of the lineup. Conan also talks about his previous bands, Replicator and Victory and Associates. The two discuss the Caterwaul Festival, Milwaukee’s Summer Fest, and the mid-west versus the California scene. They talk gear, aluminum neck guitars, the significance of reliable equipment on the road and story behind the Conan’s love for Electric Guitar Company guitars. The conversation concludes with a discussion on influences and their favorite riffs.

CONAN NEUTRON SECRET FRIENDS

PROTONIC REVERSAL

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

SAM COOMES-QUASI-BLUES GOBLINS-HEATMISER Nov 07, 2024

Sam Coomes is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of Portland based band Quasi. Since 1983, Sam has recorded, toured and performed with Heatmiser, Elliott Smith, The Donner Party, Jandek and fronts his solo project, Blues Goblins. Sam shares his musical journey, from playing trumpet in school band to becoming a guitarist and keyboardist in Quasi. He discusses his influences, from Robert Fripp to punk rock and how it opened him up to other styles of music. Zach and Sam discuss the importance of collaboration, the challenges of playing as a two piece and why Janet Weiss is instrumental in creating the Quasi sound. We learn why Sam prefers affordable guitars, how he went from playing guitar to keyboards and the two commiserate on being from the same tiny town in North Texas.

QUASI

SUB POP

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

JONATHAN HISCHKE-DOT HACKER-CIGAR-ANYWHERE Oct 24, 2024

Jonathan Hischke is bass player with vast and eclectic experience’s touring, recording and as a session musician. He’s played with Hella, The Shins, Cigar, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Broken Bells and is a founding member of Dot Hacker and Anywhere. The two discuss Jonathan’s diverse career and the challenges of being a session musician. He shares how he got started in music, his decision to focus on bass, and the influence of his musical family. Jonathan talks about the importance of being versatile and adaptable as a musician and the satisfaction he finds in collaborating and creating his own music. Jonathan and Zach discuss the changing landscape of the music industry and the influence of experimental music and the role it plays in pushing the limits of their genres. Jonathan shares his excitement about his first solo record of improvised music, the two talk gear and the importance of finding instruments that inspire creativity.

Jonathan Hischke

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

TOMMY MEEHAN-GWAR-SQUID PISSER Oct 10, 2024

Zach sits down with Gwar’s newest axman, Tommy Meehan, aka Grodius Maximus. Tommy discusses his experience joining Gwar and the impact they had on him as a teenager. Tommy shares his journey as a musician, starting with his early influences and his love for unique and interesting guitars. Zach and Tommy talk about juggling multiple bands and the challenges and rewards that come with it. Tommy reflects on his time working at The Cartoon Network and his transition to focusing on his bands. Zach and Tommy discuss their gear choices and their experiences using Kemper and Quad Cortex for live performances. The two flirt with the idea of someday collaborating, discuss Tommy’s other bands Cancer Christ and Squid Pisser and they reminisce on their first meeting at a Gwar show.

Gwar

Squid Pisser

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

DUANE DENISON-THE JESUS LIZARD-TOMAHAWK Sep 26, 2024

Duane Denison is a songwriter, guitarist and founding member of Tomahawk, The Denison/Kimball Trio and most notable, the widely influential, The Jesus Lizard.

In this episode Zach and Duane discuss Duane’s unique style and the influences that shaped it. They talk about the music scene in Texas, the importance of playing new material, and the balance between playing old hits and new songs in live performances. They delve into Duane's gear choices and the sonic decisions he made to create his distinctive sound. The two discuss punk rock and the importance of defining one's own style within it. Duane shares his his musical journey, including his collaborations with Tomahawk, Mike Patton and John Stanier, and the creative process behind their albums. Denison also shares his love for rockabilly and Western swing music and the enjoyment he finds in exploring different musical styles.

The Jesus Lizard

Ipecac Recordings

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

WALTER SCHREIFELS-QUICKSAND-YOUTH OF TODAY-GORILLA BISCUITS-RIVAL SCHOOLS Sep 12, 2024

The season opener of Anti-Heroes starts off with a bang with the great Walter Schreifels ! (Uncle Wally” if you’re nasty). Walter is a guitarist, songwriter, and producer. He has played with seminal hardcore bands Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits and is a founding member of Quicksand, Rival Schools, and Walking Concert. To say that Walter is a massive influence on Zach is an understatement. The two explore Walter's approach to songwriting and his desire to constantly innovate and surprise listeners. Walter shares his thoughts on live performances, the importance of not signaling mistakes on stage, and the challenges of being in a band. Zach and Walter discuss their past collaboration in the band The Vanishing Life, they touch on the evolution of Quicksand’s sound, and we get a current run down of Walters rig and pedals.

Walter Schreifels

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

ZACH RECAP AND THANK YOU SEASON 5 May 30, 2024

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

ANDY KERR-NO MEANS NO-TWO PIN DIN May 16, 2024

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

RYAN "FLUFF" BRUCE-RIFFS, BEARDS AND GEAR May 02, 2024

Zach talks with Ryan 'Fluff' Bruce, the creator of the popular YouTube channel Riffs, Beards & Gear. They discuss Ryan’s journey from working at Boeing to becoming one of the most successful guitar YouTubers. Fluff tells us how he started making videos as a hobby during his lunch breaks and eventually turned it into a full-time career. He also talks about the early days of YouTube guitar channels and the frustration he felt with the lack of transparency in the industry. Fluff shares his experiences working with companies, the changing landscape of the music industry and his experience of using YouTube to reach a wider audience. Fluff and Zach discuss the organic process of creating music and the joy of sharing it with others. Ryan shares his experiences touring and teching and reflects on losing and selling some of his favorite gear. The two express their love for Mesa Boogie Rectifiers and discuss the impact of James Hetfield on their musical journey.

Riffs, Beards and Gear

Fluffs signature Ernie Ball Music Man

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

RYAN PATTERSON-FOTOCRIME-COLISEUM Apr 18, 2024

Zach talks with touring comrade and friend Ryan Patterson. Ryan is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and founding member of Louisville based bands Coliseum and FOTOCRIME. Ryan and Zach discuss the inspiration behind FOTOCRIME and how the project has been an avenue to explore his post punk leanings. Ryan shares his penchant for hollow body guitars, they talk odd pedal choices of seminal hardcore bands and as usual, their conversation inevitably switches to Killing Joke and the brilliant guitarist Geordie Walker! Ryan talks about the future of Coliseum, and we hear a dreamy FOTOCRIME tune. FOTOCRIME

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

GREG NORTON- HÙSKER DÙ-ULTRABOMB Apr 04, 2024

Zach talks with bass player Greg Norton! Greg is former bass player of the great Hûsker Dû. Since Hûsker Dû disbanded in 1998, he founded the band Grey Area and has continued to perform and record with various projects including Gang Font, Porcupine and most recently UltraBomb. Zach and Greg discuss his early bass playing, his gear choices, influences, and life after Du. Greg shares his current gear setup and talks about the importance of originality in bass playing. He also reflects on his experiences touring and the challenges of keeping gear safe on the road. Greg talks about his current band, UltraBomb, and their plans for recording and touring in the future. The two commiserate on their love of music and we hear a couple tunes.

UltraBomb

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

JESSE MATTHEWSON-KEN Mode Mar 21, 2024

Zach talks with new friend Jesse Matthewson. Jesse is singer and guitarist for Winnipeg based band KEN Mode. The two talk Jesus Lizard, Canadian Content Laws, and the wonderful music that Winnipeg has produced over the years. Zach and Jesse bond over playing in bands with their siblings and the glory of the touring in vans. We hear some special guitar nerdery and hear a few tunes.

#jessemathewson #kenmode #jesuslizard #riseagainst #antiheroespodcast #jimdunlop #distrokid #thunderroadguitars

KEN mode

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode support by Thunder Road Guitars

ROBB FLYNN-MACHINE HEAD, VIO-LENCE Mar 07, 2024

Robb Flynn is the guitarist of heavy metal legends, Machine Head. Not only does Zach love Machine Head, but he's an absolute fanboy of Robbs previous band VIO-LENCE!! He's worn out many copies of what he considers their seminal record, Eternal Nightmare, and finally, Zach meets Robb. The two discuss Robb's choice to exclusively play baritone guitars for the bulk of Machine Head's career and how that influences his amp preferences. Robb tells Zach an amazing James Hetfield story reveling that Robb is still a metal kid at heart, bringing this interview full circle.

Machine Head

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

ALEX GEHRING- RINGO DEATHSTARR-NUCLEAR DAISIES Feb 22, 2024

In this Ep Zach talks with longtime friend and fellow Austinite, Alex Gehring. Alex is the bass player for shoegaze heads, Ringo Deathstarr. Zach and Alex share their experiences of joining bands in their youth, the world of wonders and downsides of never-ending tours and how they their seasoned selves see touring these days. Alex tells Zach how her stepfather’s influence started her rock n roll journey why she still plays the bass he gifted her in college. The two commiserate on their Texas upbringing and Alex tell us about her new band, Nuclear Daisies.

Alex Gehring

Ringo Deathstarr

Nuclear Daisies

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode sponsored by Thunder Road guitars

TIM MCLLRATH-RISE AGAINST Feb 08, 2024

Season debut of Anti-Heroes starts off with a bang with Zach's "guitartner" and longtime comrade Tim Mcllrath from Rise Against. Zach forces Tim to talk about gear and all the nerdy stuff that usually elicits an (understood) eyeroll. Even though they have spent most of their days together for 17 years, they don't ever really talk about their approach together, as players, how they divide up parts and what their individual roles are in Rise Against. In discussing how the Rise Against sausage is made, the two learn some new things about themselves and their process. We hear what brought Tim to the guitar and how 90's guitar music shaped his signature approach. This is a true heartfelt conversation with someone Zach respects and admires deeply. Enjoy!

RISE AGAINST

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

Episode sponsored by Thunder Road guitars

ZACH BLAIR- THE ANTI-HEROES SEASON FINALE Dec 14, 2023

This week on The Anti-Heroes Podcast it's just Zach! He gets intimate. He opens up. He dishes and he pontificates. Zach talks about the past year, he reflects on this past season, looks to the next season and he laments the loss of an icon and idol, the inimitable Geordie Walker from Killing Joke. Last, Zach thanks you for all your support and invites you back for another season. Happy Holidays and enjoy!

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

DALE CROVER -THE MELVINS-ALTAMONT-REDD KROSS Nov 30, 2023

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

PAUL D'AMOUR: MINISTRY, TOOL, LUSK, FEERSUM ENNJIN Nov 16, 2023

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

Ian MacDougall and Fadi El-Assad - Riverboat Gamblers Nov 02, 2023

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

DONIVAN BLAIR - TOADIES, ONLY CRIME, HAGFISH Oct 19, 2023

"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

STEPH CARTER-LYONESS-GALLOWS-MARHSALL AMPS Oct 05, 2023

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

GINA GLEASON-BARONESS Sep 21, 2023

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

JOHN BAIZLEY-BARONESS Sep 07, 2023

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

JOSH NEWTON-SHINER-THE DAMNED THINGS Aug 17, 2023

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

RANDY RANDALL-NO AGE Aug 03, 2023

Randy Randall is the guitarist, co-producer and founding member of No Age. In this episode, Randy tells us what it's like to be guitarist that covers both bass and guitar duties. He shares what he's gleaned from non stop touring and his method for band longevity. The two talk about the wonders of the POG pedal, Randys set up and we hear a couple tunes.