During a recent conversation with Guitar World, Zakk Wylde has unraveled the age-long mystery of the origin of his trademark pinch harmonics.
[metalwani_content_ad]
The guitarist said:
“My pinch harmonics came from when I was with my guitar teacher and we were learning how to play ‘La Grange’ and stuff like that. Billy Gibbons, to me, is the forefather of the whole pinch harmonic thing, for sure.
“But I’m a huge Sabbath fan and the Black Label Society stuff isn’t too far from that. Pride & Glory was obviously more Southern rock with slow, heavy vibes, but Sabbath is always the dominant ingredient.
“The riffs are inspired by the guys I love, and it’s an exploration of that love. It’s where we were from, you know? Whatever music it is that you love, that’s what you should build.
“Not what everybody tells you, like, ‘This is popular and if you don’t do this, you’re not going to succeed,’ it just doesn’t work that way. You have to be true to who you are and what you love playing, and it will naturally come back.”
Do you think you need to carry a bit of an ego to be a guitarist in a heavy metal band?
[metalwani_content_ad]
“I think the whole thing is just about wanting to go up and do it. It’s all about live, ass-kicking shows. You know who you are and what you’re capable of doing, so you gotta go out there and do the best you can.
“As far as ego goes, I remember not too long ago I’d just got back from tour and the kids had locked the door to my house. I just stood there, like, ‘Open up this door! It’s me, your Dad! Do you know who I am and what I’ve done?!’ They were just like, ‘Yeah, we know…’ [Laughs]”