Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick issues update
Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick has issued the following update:"Spring is here and not a moment too soon. As this is being written, I'm in a place I've never been: Grand Forks, North Dakota. I believe this is one of five states in the U.S. that I've never been, the other four being South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Alaska.
"This year I'll be going a lot of places I've never been, Russia, Serbia and Romania (with Testament) and New Zealand (with Alex Skolnick Trio). It's an exciting time.
"Much of this has already been announced, but here's a rundown. Testament is back in full force. New album 'The Formation of Damnation' came out last week. Just found out it's charting all over Europe, even reaching 15 in Germany (watch out David Hasselhoff!). It entered the Billboard charts in the U.S. at 59, our highest chart position ever. All this week, Sirius Satelite Radio is hosting 'Testament Resurrection Week' on Hard Attack, and starting May 19th, we have a weeklong special on Mtv, with live clips, interviews and some really fun surprises. And in August, we join the Metal Masters Tour, Judas Priest, Heaven And Hell (aka Black Sabbath with Dio), Motörhead and us truly, Testament. We hear this is the biggest metal tour of '08 (this year's Ozzfest being limited to a select few locations).
"In the meantime, Alex Skolnick Trio has been invited to New Zealand to play alongside other guitarists including my old teacher Joe Satriani, Vernon Reid, Uli Roth and more. We're really excited about going to New Zealand for the first time.
"The new Guitar World magazine is out with a nice spread and video lessons from myself and Eric of Testament. Meanwhile, Guitarist UK is out with an article featuring my jazz playing tips and instruction video which was done when Alex Skolnick Trio hit London last September.
"All this week I've been doing clinics for Yamaha, demonstrating the Cpx Acoustic guitar, a fine instrument. It's a lot of fun. I go into music stores, play a bit, tell stories (which are starting to resemble stand-up comedy), play some more, take questions...Even with all the ground covered by Testament, Alex Skolnick Trio, Trans-Siberian Orchestra East, and the occasional other projects I've worked with. Somehow Champagne, Ill; Kenosha, Wi; Grand Forks, Nd; Bloominton, Mn; Omaha, Ne have been previously neglected (sorry folks!). The crowds have been really enthusiastic and it's a good chance to meet folks in places that I just haven't been able to get to yet.
"And speaking of guitars, there is exciting news which we're not ready to announce yet, but stay tuned (pun not intended). I will say that it involves Heritage Guitars of Kalamazoo, Michigan, whose handcrafted archtops and solidbodies I've been using for several years now.
"I'm going to stop for now, but there is much more to come.
"This year, instead of doing giant newsletters every few months or so, I'm planning to try doing more short updates and blogs.
"There is so much going on this year and lot's stories to tell. I look forward to sharing the adventures with you readers and letting you into my creative, sometimes twisted mind. Thanks for listening."