SZ: Rusty, I hear you’re a fellow Illinois native, so give us some background and personal history about yourself? (As much as you like)

I was born in Peoria Heights Illinois and lived there until we moved to Texas in 1978. I use to race dirt bikes and BMX until I started playing guitar.

SZ: Was there anything that impacted you and that made you want to be a guitar player? For me it was seeing the “Breaking the Law” video from Judas Priest. Something about robbing a back with a flying V just looked so damn cool!

Well I had been jamming to Ted Nugent records with a tennis racket for a couple of months and decided a real guitar might work better.

SZ: You started playing guitar at the age of fifteen. I was a late bloomer myself as well. Why not the accordion instead of the guitar?

Have you ever seen chicks hanging out backstage waiting for the accordion player?

SZ: What types of music where you into early on growing up and how did it influences you as a musician today?

In the early days I was into Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Sabbath and of course Ozzy because of Randy Rhoads. I liked all of the regular metal stuff.

SZ: Who are some of your favorite bands and artists, past, present, now and why?

Here’s a rough list of music I have been into. As far as bands go I like Ozzy, Rush, King’s X, Dream Theater, Symphony X, Skid Row, Badlands, Extreme, TNT, Haji’s Kitchen, Crimeny, Pantera, Nevermore, Arch Enemy, Soilwork, I also recently bought a Fear Factory cd that is really cool. Musicians Rhoads, Malmsteen, Gilbert, Becker, Shawn Lane, Buckethead, Holdsworth, Derek Taylor, Todd Duane, Scott Stine, Eddie Head, Scotty Mishoe, Al Di Meola, hell I could go on all day!

SZ: Who are/were some of your main guitar influences and why did you look up to them?

Rhoads, Gilbert, Malmsteen, Becker in the beginning. If you have heard any of those guys you would understand why I like them. They wrote great music, they are all killer rhythm players as well as innovative lead players. These where the guys I cut my teeth on. I got my alternate picking, basic legato, tapping, sweeping. Guys like Taylor, Lane, Duane and Buckethead really opened my eyes to what else could be done. They really took chops to the next level, extreme! Wide intervallic licks, tapping with more than one finger etc.

SZ: What drove you to become the player you have become today?

Listening to the guitarists I just mentioned. Those dudes are madmen! Unlike a lot of guitarists when I hear someone that is better than me I don’t get bummed out and frustrated I get excited and motivated, that’s what makes me want to practice more that’s my inspiration.

SZ: You have been in a few bands over the years, so how did you move into instrumental guitar style of song writing?

I was tired of dealing with local musicians.

SZ: Do you find it harder to write instrumental pieces than vocal ones?

Yes definitely! When I’m in a vocal situation all I have to do is write rhythm guitar parts and a solo verses everything.

SZ: Last year The Shred Zone.com reviewed your demo cd. At the beginning of this year you were signed to Lion Music. Where any changes made from the time of your demo to the final release (excluding mixing and mastering)?

Yeah everything was completely revamped and reorded all over again. Some of the tunes had major changes and some of the tunes where not on the demo.

SZ: How did you go about shopping your music to labels? Did you find it difficult to find one that really wanted to push your material to the masses?

I put together a press kit with everything that I have done regarding my solo material including my instructional press as well.

SZ: How did you and Lion Music hook up?

I sent them my press kit and a copy of the cd.

SZ: Your debut cd released on Lion Music, has to be one of the most if not the most anticipated and over the top guitar releases in recent years. I personally feel that your music stands out from the current crop of players who either write 9 minute songs of nothing but shred, or more older/traditional players. So how did this debut cd evolved? Can you fill us in on the whole process, from inception to completion? Do you feel that there were any limitations set by you or any outside forces when you conceived this album?

Thanks! Well basically I just started writing tunes and kept going until I had enough for a whole cd. Then you move to the recording, mixing, mastering etc. I know that’s probably not the answers you where looking for but there are some real negatives regarding recording and mixing that I would rather not even get into.

SZ: Carrying on with the last question, what envelops did you want to push with this balls to the wall guitar cd?

I wanted to record the most intense instrumental cd ever! I also wanted to make interesting songs to. I find that with most instrumental music if you took the leads and melodies off the songs wouldn’t be able to stand up on their own. When I write I start with the song first then I add the spice.

SZ: This is one of my favorite parts of the interview, you’re going to have to sit and ponder for a few hours about every song on your self-titled record. Please tell us everything you can about each song on your debut cd. Tell us how the song was inspired, created; any thought processes, and what it means to you. Also describe what you were going for in each song.

Under the Influence

This is an obvious one. I’m paying tribute to three of my biggest influences Malmsteen, Gilbert and Becker while adding my own twist. One of the parts for this song was written in the early 90’s and finally found it’s home in this song and some of the parts where written in guitar lessons when I was giving examples to students demostrating certain techniques. I come up with some of my best stuff in lessons.

The Butcher

This was originally a vocal tune written in my old band Dominion. I had come up with the parts right before quitting Revolution. Old stuff man. When I went solo I turned it into an instrumental. The idea behind the instrumental version is non-stop ass kicking from beginning to end. This was the hardest tune for me to keep up with.

Dark Matter

This is a more moody piece. Odd time, modal interchange, nice chord inversions, wide intervallic arps, tapping sweeping, alternate picking etc. It’s also the only place on the cd you kind of get to hear me play slow.

Dominion

Also written in the band Dominion as a vocal tune. I had the framework for this song while I was still in Revolution. This was the first instrumental that I finished.

E.B.E. (Extraterrestrial Biological Entity)

This is a good metal tune. It was supposed to be kind of laid back, but nothing ever ends that way after I get going. Also, this was something that I came up with in Revolution never got around to writing vocals to it in Dominion so this was prime candidate for an instrumental.

Hillbilly Militia

A rhythm instrumental, I always wanted to write killer rhythm guitar parts with insane fills. Also, a cool polyrhythm section in the middle. This tune is redneck meets industrial! During live shows we would all put on old straw hats and the bass player would yell redneck phrases during the breaks like Yeah haw and make the sound like some spitting in a spittoon.

Jazzmine's Song

I had the sections for this song lying around for a while. Right after Jazzmine was born I was playing my guitar and poof it all fell in place. Another interesting tidbit of info is the pentatonic riff that I play is the very first thing I ever played over those changes. I have never done that before. I usually have to work on it for a while before I find something I like. There is also a little bit of slow playing on this tune.

War of the Angels

This is my first epic instrumental a little over 7 minutes long. Neo-classical phrases and extreme shredding. This song was going to be called “Sonic Biscuit” but a friend of mine said it deserved a better name. So I came up with the name after watching The Prophesy.

The Duel

This was the very first instrumental that I ever wrote; it was back in 1990. This tune wasn’t supposed to be on the CD but after my keyboardist heard it he said man we have to re-do this one. We made some minor changes doubled all of the melody lines and did some intense trade off solo’s.

Piece of Mind

This one is something that I didn’t take serious at all. I was just kind of goofing around one day and my wife heard it and said that I needed to do something with that one so I did.

Another point of interest The Butcher, Dominion, E.B.E, Hillbilly Militia and The Duel where all rhythms that I had originally written on a 6 string guitar. When I got my first 7 string I kind of mutated them over. The added heaviness of the low B string really made them much more interesting.

SZ: One thing I really wanted to know about this release is why its self titled? Personally, I would have called it “Hillbilly Shred Guitar Gone Wild.” No offence my man, but you are a transplanted Yankee living the Southern boy life. We have to razz you a little bit, but Rusty, we love ya man! (We here at The Shred Zone.com respect all walks of life and Rusty is a true staple of the Southern community, on top of that he lives in TEXAS and lord knows you don’t mess with TEXANS! (Laughs)

I think self-titled was the best way to go, Let the music do the talking! Us Texans ain’t got no use fer fancy titles boy.

SZ: If you were a car salesmen, what would you say to a potential buyer if you were getting paid commission to sell your CD?

This is the best F*#@*& CD ever man, buy it or forever regret it. Don’t be the last person in the neighborhood to have a copy. Get yours today!

SZ: On your self-titled release, you covered a lot of ground, from blazing solos to heart pounding 7-string riffing. Many players stick to one gun and you seem to bombard your listeners with lots of variety. What kind of mindset do you have when you write and why do you try to be a diverse player? Another question I have, why do you rarely do live shows? You have created a large online following around the world, so how did this loyal fan base form with very few live shows?

To answer your first question I don’t really think about it as being diverse it’s just the way I play. I have so many influences you just never know what’s going to come out. I am also not afraid to use ideas that sound different from my other material. I have always played live, but it was only when I was in Georgia that I didn’t play out. The first year or so in Georgia was spent finishing recording my CD then I went through two studios trying to get the mix right and then I spent time getting it mastered and then I had to shop the CD see where this is going. When that was all said and done I started putting a band together to do some gigs and was only short a drummer. Then the opportunity to move back to Texas came and the rest is history.

SZ: You have three chops from hell instruction CD-ROMs out. For those who haven’t seen them, can you tell us about them?

Sure Shred Guitar Manifesto is like the jack of all trades CD ROM you get Sweep picking, string skipping, Alternate picking, economy picking, legato, Tapping using multiple fingers, examples using all four fingers on your left hand basically every technique is demonstrated in this ROM. Extreme Pentatonics is next and extreme is what it is. This one covers three to six note per string pentatonic licks, string skipping shapes, linear shapes, blues patterns and when I say blues I’m not talking Stevie Ray, I’m talking super intense licks. There is a ton of stuff in this one I think their 150 pages of pentatonic madness. The Art of Picking is just flat out intense picking from beginning to end. Stop by www.chopsfromhell.com to see samples from all three roms as well as some of my other columns too. I also just released a performance/clinic DVD.

SZ: Other than increasing your income, why did you feel the need to create instructional materials for guitar players to embrace all around the world?

It was a very natural step for me to make. I have been teaching guitar since I was 17 so making instructional products was bound to happen sooner or later.

SZ: You recently moved back to Texas, the land of big hats, pickup trucks and the Alamo. Do you ever see yourself headlining at the “Alamo?” Just kidding about that one Rusty. Seriously, now how long have you been giving private guitar lessons, and can you give us a little peek into the world of your teaching? What type of material do you cover and what do you expect from you students?

Basically it goes like this. I base my lessons on what I call musicianship. What is musicianship you ask? Well it’s two elements technique and theory. Technique being the physical, having the ability to play whatever you want with no limitations and #2 theory. The understanding of harmony. How chords and scales go together.

SZ: I read that you don’t teach full songs at your lessons, and that you work on skill studies, theory and the normal learning building blocks. Is there any truth to that statement, and if so why?

I don’t teach songs for the sake of learning songs. If that’s what you want to do save yourself some money and stay home and download that crap off of the Internet for free. I do teach examples from songs like certain rhythms or solos for educational purposes. But again if all you want to learn is songs don’t waste my time you don’t need me for that.

SZ: Where do you see your music going over the next few years and later down the road?

Right now I’m focusing 110% of my time writing material for my vocal band and that’s what I intend on doing for a while. My main goal is to release a full on vocal CD with a big label next year. As for the sound it’s going to be heavy, progressive, powerful and have some serious shredding.

SZ: I read on your r website that you are getting a full metal jacket vocal band together, do share some details with us. When in a band format do you contribute to all song writing aspects? In another words, do you aid writing lyrics, music and also riffs or do you just stick to your guns and go for the guitar?

My duties in the band are to write killer guitar riffs and then collaborate on the arrangements of the songs. I also translate a lot of the theoretical material as well. I have written lyrics in the past and will if need be but I would rather just play guitar.

SZ: Will we see a Rusty Cooley power ballad on the vocal record?

Power ballad? I doubt it. A powerful slow song yes.

SZ: Have any funny performance experiences to share?

Not really on stage. A lot of really funny crap goes along with being in a band, rehearsing and hanging out with the boys. I got a lot of stuff I could tell you about that, but not in this interview.

SZ: Isn’t it true that guitar players get all the chicks?

Of course dude! But not for me anymore, I found the best one kept her.

SZ: What advice can give musicians that are looking to get into the music business?

Don’t do it man! No really be a self-promotion machine. You have to bring yourself to the people.

Hardcore Music Questions:

SZ: All time favorite albums?

Rising Force, Street Lethal, Perpetual Burn

SZ: All time favorite guitarists?

Malmsteen, Becker, Gilbert, Lane

SZ: If you could form an all-star band what members would you want in it?

Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Jordan Rudess, Tony Harnell

SZ: Are you a self-taught player or lessoned student?

Self-taught

SZ: How do you warm up?

Just by playing some basic arps and some legato stuff.

SZ: What does your practice routine include?

Practice? What’s that? Haven’t been able to do any of that in years.

SZ: What is your favorite part of your playing style?

I don’t know

SZ: Favorite Scale or Mode?

Right now Mixolydian b6 or Diminished whole half up a half step from the root of a dominant chord

SZ: Favorite key to write in?

Don’t have one

SZ: Favorite trick, lick, or both?

Don’t have one of those either.

SZ: Suggested theory books or readings if any:

"Theory For The Contemporary Guitarist"

SZ: First guitar and amp ever owned?

Peavey T-27 guitar and a Peavey Decade amp

SZ: What other styles of guitar playing do you enjoy?

Jazz, Blues, Fusion, Funk, Classical, country I love it all!

SZ: How do you write your guitar solos?

By noodling around until I find something I like or just completely improvise it.

SZ: How the hell do you write such ballsy riffs? I think that’s what’s leaving all of us in awe about your latest cd. I always think to myself this dude must be on crack or some extreme caffeine highs. How the hell did you evolve into a psycho guitar monster?

I don’t know man. I just love heavy stuff. You got to have balls! All of the guitar players I listen to are heavy riffers especially Dime. Dime couldn’t write a bad riff if he tried.

SZ: Your solos have tons of speed, flare, and magic. What lead techniques do you predominately use in your solos and what is the signature Rusty Cooley lick?

Alternate picking, Sweep picking, String skipping, wide intervallic pentatonics and arpeggios, using four fingers on my left hand and at least two on my right hand. Signature lick? Not sure I do like to use a lot of odd groupings like 7’s and 5’s

SZ: What sets you apart from other musicians/guitarists in the industry today?

I’m not sure that is such a broad question. All I know is that I do what I believe in. Not what’s trendy or current. I’m about making the best music I can.

SZ: What advice can you give to ammeter and beginner players?

Stick to your guns and do what you want. If your in it for the money your in it for the wrong reason, you would be better off going to college and becoming a Doctor or a lawyer.

SZ: Recommend any albums for our readers to check out?

Anything by Pantera and if you want to hear a real badass guitarist check out Scotty Anderson he is one of the badest dudes ever!

SZ: What other works are you on?

I’m on the Revolution EP, Generation Ibanez, Guitarapalooza, Guitar 2001, Jason Becker 2, Prog Power 3, The Alchemist, Fresh Blood Vol.1, Ball One strike 2 from Ballbuster magazine. I have a couple of other things in the works right now too!

SZ: Fill us in about your fine collection of extreme built and looking guitars.

Well let’s see I have my custom 6 string from the late 80’s I have my Universe, My custom Jackson and my Conklin that’s about it.

SZ: Have you made any upgrades, modifications, or had custom work done on them?

Well they are all completely built to my specs except for the Universe and I did put some EMG’s in that one.

SZ: What possessed you to get a custom built 8-string guitar? I mean do you really need all those strings Rusty? All of us use six or seven. What’s up with trying not to be in our little circle? Do six strings offend you or something dude? What’s your issue?

Yeah 6 are enough but I’m always trying to do something new. Trying to find ways to expand on the vocabulary. I also like being able to play things that every kid and up coming guitarist can’t rip off.

SZ: What other gear are you currently using for studio recording and live situations; racks units, pedals, effects and so on?

Right now all I’m using is my Rocktron Prophesy preamp and a VHT power amp into four 4x12 cabinets and that’s it not even an overdrive pedal.

SZ: What kind of strings and picks do you use and their sizes?

I use extra heavy picks and GHS Boomers 9-42 and a 58 for the low B and an 8 for the high A.

SZ: What do you think of the present state of guitar driven music worldwide and where do you think it’s going?b

It’s a very small community. All I have to say is that for the most part it’s kind of like a family. We all just about know each other and for the most part everyone that I have communicated with has been kind and positive. Where it goes only time will tell.

Getting Up Close and Personal With Senior Cooley

SZ: What other outside interests do you have?

Staying in shape, riding my bike, weight training.

SZ: Favorite movies?

Snatch, Fight Club, Gangs of New York

SZ: Favorite actor and actress?

Sponge Bob Square Pants

SZ: Good Choice Rusty, we couldn’t agree any more! Favorite food and drink?

I love food too much to give the title to just one.

SZ: Favorite book?

Don’t have time to read

SZ: Life altering event?

Which one? I have had many. The Birth of my children, My Fathers death, moving my family to the East Coast and back.

SZ: What’s the strangest occurrence that ever happened to you?

A snake crawling out of my wah-wah pedal in my parent’s house.

SZ: Do you believe in life outside our planet?

Yes

SZ: If you were a being from another world visiting earth for the first time what would you do first?

Gets some food; I would probably be hungry after that ride.

SZ: If you could visit any place on earth where would it be?

Las Vegas yeah party baby! Seriously I don’t know.

SZ: Best vacation spot?

Don’t know. I don’t get to go on vacations.

SZ: Most fond childhood memory?

Racing Motocross

SZ: Favorite song(s)?

Haven’t had one of those in a long time.

SZ: I noticed you’re quite the family guy. Does being married and raising a family sometime make it hard to be an aspiring musician? Or does your family push you to be what you are today and will be tomorrow?

It’s definitely challenging but I wouldn’t change a thing and they are very supportive.

SZ: What sports do you enjoy or take part in if any?

I have never been into sports and my wife couldn’t be happier. I do love Motocross and BMX, but you will never catch me sitting around yelling at the TV like most guys.

SZ: If you couldn’t be a musician, what other career could you see yourself in?

Never thought about it.
Favorite music related websites:

Shred Zone of course Dude! Also Chops From Hell!

SZ: Favorite Non-music related websites:

I don’t spend any time on the Internet except for business

Homepage: www.rustycooley.com

SZ: Other sites you can be found on: The Shred Zone.com

Contact information:: rusty@rustycooley.com

Psychological Test.

SZ: Winger or Eric Singer?

Winger

SZ: Judas Priest or Iron Maiden

Both

SZ: Flying Vs or flying Pigs?

Pigs

SZ: Half full or half empty?

Half full

SZ: Chicken or the Egg?

What?

SZ: Red meat or poultry?

RED MEAT

SZ: If a train is traveling west at 100mph and a second train is moving at 105 MPH bearing East. If both are 100 miles away from the station at 5:15 pm Texas time. What time is it in California at that same moment?

Ok who needs the psychological evaluation?

SZ: Cheese Pizza or Sausage?

Cheese Dude

SZ: Red or Green?

Red

SZ: Left or Right?

Right

SZ: North or South?

South

SZ: Kenny or Cartmen?

Kenny Rodgers?

SZ: Brittany Spears or Shakira?

Who?

SZ: XXX or PG-13?

XXX

SZ: Metal or Hard Rock?

Metal!!!

SZ: Power Ballads or Thrash?

Thrash

SZ: Poison or Motley Crue?

Motley Crue most definitely

SZ: Long walks on the beach or sky diving?

Neither

Tea or coffee?

Pass

SZ: Pancakes or Waffles?

How about a smoke and a pancake? Pipe and a waffle? Bong and a blintz?

SZ: Jello or pudding?

pass

SZ: Who’s cooler, MR. T. or Tenuous D?

Mr. T

SZ: Vintage or high tech gear?

High tech

SZ: Ratt or Dokken?

How about a band with both George and Warren

SZ: Lynch or Yngwie?

How about Lnywie

SZ: Football or ladies volleyball?

Uh duh

Rusty, I’d really like to commend you and your music for being outside the box and free. You blend many styles of guitar playing from A to Z and everything thing in between. I’m really glad to have gotten the opportunity to become friends with you. You’re not only a good person, but also one hell of a guitar player and musician. On behalf of our readers and staff, we are proud to have you flying the flag for real guitar playing in America. You defiantly have been breaking ground and leading our musical forces into the unknown future. Cheers!