Clint Lowery
Sevendust
Contact: Amanda Cagan, [email protected]
Guitarist Clint Lowery is a key architect in designing the sound of the melodic metal band Sevendust. The new album Black Out The Sun is their most intense recording to date. Lowery’s guitar style features staccato rhythmic bursts and soaring solos. A texturalist as well as a groove player, Lowery not only handles guitar duties, he co-writes, arranges and contributes vocally.
What have you done in the past year to become a better musician?
I’ve gone back to the basics, just woodshedding. I’ve been practicing a lot and doing exercises, working on my legato, finger picking and anything I’m weak in, like slide guitar playing. I just try to designate an hour or so a day to work on it so I can be a better all-around player.
What do you notice when you hear a recording of yourself from five or 10 years ago?
I notice the influences of what was going on at the time. I can hear certain things that I was listening to by the riffs I’m playing, and what kind of effects I’m using.
Have you added any gear that has changed your sound or style?
I haven’t. I’m boring. I change guitars for the most part, but everything else, nothing. I’m going to revamp my rig pretty soon. I wanna get a better clean channel, and I want to get a multi-amp thing going. I want to blend my EVH 100-watt head with something else to get a wider sound.
Tell us about your guitar roadie.
I have a new guy coming in who’s worked with a bunch of people, like Slash, Pink and Anthrax. I’m excited to work with him. Sevendust has been off for a while, so I didn’t really sustain the same guy I had before. The new guy is really good. He’s a technical guy who knows everything about the gear aspect. I’m not a gearhead. I need that yin and yang. I need someone who can sort out everything, or any kind of problem solving that needs to happen.
Do you have a mentor?
My dad. As far as natural feel and guitar playing, he was my mentor. Steve Vai is someone I look up to as far as a guy who mastered the guitar. He’s comfortable with a guitar in his hands. Steve Vai is pretty much the man.
What is your most underappreciated quality?
My soloing. I don’t ever really get the chance to really tee off on guitar solos. I can tear up a fretboard if you give me the opportunity. I don’t think people realize that I come from that old-school mentality of playing. I grew up with Yngwie, Paul Gilbert, Steve Vai and Dimebag Darrell. That’s the school I come from.
What’s your worst onstage mishap?
I’ve played with many a stomach virus where I have thrown up or shit in my pants. I’ve done a lot of that over the years. I’ve had gear that has gone down for an entire set. We’ve played for 15 years so there’s going to be a lot of mishaps. It’s hard to remember them all.
Tell us about your gear endorsements.
I have a deal with PRS Guitars. I have a signature model. We also have a deal with EVH amps. We’re obviously big fans of Eddie Van Halen. The whole camp over there is really cool. We’re also with Ernie Ball Strings, but obviously pretty loyal to PRS. They’ve been with me for a long time.
