Gus G: We have a lot of touring coming up. We have a second European tour in February supporting Angra. Then we’re going to the UK to headline a tour and probably do some festivals and shows in our country. This summer we’ll go to Japan, Australia and the rest of Asia. By September hopefully we’ll make it to the U.S. to do a full tour.
You recently played a tour with Dragonforce. Since both bands are known for their great guitarists was there any competition or rivalry between you and them?
Dragonforce has two great guitar players in Herman Li and Sam Totman. But it’s not like we had a competition going on. Each of us does what we do best. Obviously they have a pretty crazy stage show while we are more rock and roll. We just do it the old fashioned way, trying to get the crowd going by playing as well as possible instead of jumping around with all the stage moves.
Dragonforce is legendary for their partying ability. Were you guys able to keep up?
Obviously Sam has a reputation for heavy partying, but when saw our bass player Petros (Christos) drink, he got scared. (laughs) He owns a rock bar back home, so he can drink with anyone.
What was the first concert you went to as a fan when you were younger?
I was 13 or 14 and was visiting my uncle in Florida. We went to see the Eagles. I love Hotel California. A year later I went to a Gamma Ray show when they came to Greece with Iron Maiden.
You’ve been involved with a lot of different bands and side projects over the years. Are you currently working with anyone else besides Firewind?
I don’t play with the other bands anymore. I quit Nightrage and Mystic Prophecy and Dream Evil. I want to make Firewind a full time band, and it’s heading that way. I think it was a wise decision, because now the interest in the band is bigger and a lot of things are happening.
Was there an album or song that made you first want to pick up the guitar?
Yes. It was Peter Frampton’s Frampton Comes Alive. I was about 9 years old. As soon as I heard the improvisation he was doing to make the guitar talk I went up to my dad and told him I wanted a guitar. That’s how the whole thing started.
Who are some guitarists that you admire?
Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, Gary Moore. I love so many guitar players, everyone from Santana and David Gilmour to Steve Vai. My style contains a lot of different sounds. I can play the bluesier stuff and also do a bit more shredding. That’s a result of listening to a lot of different guitar styles. One of my all time favorite heroes is Tony Iommi.
You look up to guitarists like Tony Iommi, but now a lot of younger guitarists are looking up to you. How does that feel?
It was kind of hard to believe in the beginning. I find it very cool now. If somebody sees the way I play and want to pick up the guitar, I tell them to do it for the fun of it and not for the wrong reasons like to get chicks or impress your friends. You want to do it because you love music and love playing the guitar.
Do you keep up with the current metal scene in Greece?
Not really. There are a lot of local bands trying to make it, and some are very talented. I don’t really keep up with it and listen to their music. I might hear a name or two and a little bit of buzz, but that’s about it. There is a young kid I’m helping. He’s an amazing guitar player. I was doing a guitar clinic in a small town in Greece and met this kid, who’s 16. He plays like Steve Vai. It’s like listening to a 30 year old. I hope people like that can make it.
What is the worst job you ever had?
Dishwasher
What do you hate?
I hate a lot of things. I hate people that try and take advantage of others, people that lie. I just hate people (laughs).
What’s your biggest fear?
Snakes and sharks.
What CD do you own that you might be surprised about?
I do have a Britney Spears CD. I like a couple of her songs and thought I’d buy the CD. But it turned out it was a disaster. She has some good songwriters writing her songs, but she cannot sing.
