Greetings from Metalheads Forever Magazine, How are you doing Mike?
Doing pretty well Keith!! We are now in the autumn season, and lot of good things are happening!
How’s things with Shredguy Records since our last Interview?
Well we are up to 54 releases now. Getting the SHRED out there on all platforms.
Still pressing CD’s and Vinyl. Old school I know, but that’s what we do.
Shadow Eden’s Skunkworx album charted for over a month, how do you feel about this success?
David Mercado and Shadow Eden have always done well for us. But this album is special. Its true art in the highest form, both performance and production wise. And I am glad it was well received. It really is an album that everyone should have in their guitar music collection. No matter what genre you favor. And if you get a chance to see them live, DO IT. A special show they put on, conceptual and of course lots of virtuosity!
The amazing Phoenix Van Der Weyden’s latest project Eagle Child was released. How do you feel about the way it was received and what are her future plans.
Phoenix is amazing!! Eagle Child which is her vocal project with the equally amazing Mimmo Maiorano on vocals has been well received by those who have had a chance to listen to it. It is more AOR/Melodic rock, so I think a lot of SHRED guitar fans have shied away from it. But I say, give it a chance. It’s a 3 song EP special disc with the artwork designed by Phoenix herself. I am hoping for more music and a full length from Eagle Child, plus Phoenix has a lot of irons in the fire, but I can’t quite announce anything yet. Stay tuned.
What can you tell me about Michael A. Ruelas? You have said he is an OG in the SHRED guitar movement. What do you mean?
Michael is just that!! An OG in the genre I love. It means he goes back to the beginning. It means I was a fan buying his music way back in 1991! He was on the compilation Resume Volume One Burnin that John Stix put together. The good old days of guitar compilations, tape trading, video trading, etc. Michael is a great teacher of guitar and to be able to release his music is a blessing. I encourage fans of SHRED guitar to check out his latest release Angels and Demons!
I see some classic metal and neo-classical metal in your catalog with Amoriello. What can you tell me about those releases?
Yeah, Thomas Amoriello! Great dude, great player and again another great educator of music. He approached me back in 2022 to work with him on his new project which would become the album Phantom Sounds. After hearing tracks, I was like hell yeah I would like to have this album on Shredguy Records. And then we released a self-titled neo-classical release that has guests like Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, DIO) on drums, Mark Boals, Mike Vescera, and Goran Edman on vocals. Followed up by the album Dear Dark, which SHRED fans should dig, because there is a track with Ronni Le Tekro, Toby Knapp, Alex Masi, and Glen Drover shredding!
Also I have to mention that he has been playing the USA national anthem at various professional sporting team events. To play your countries anthem in arenas is a dream for any guitar player!
Also can you tell me on the other projects in the works for Shredguy Records?
Coming October 1st Singapore’s biggest guitar collaboration! 70 guitarists. An amazing project put together by guitarists Amyr Abadawn and Olly Maguire. One track, 25 minutes, 70 guitarists! Already in Singapore’s book of records, hoping some of these guys will reach a bigger audience. A lot of talent there! Amyr has really done a lot of great work out of Exuism studio in Singapore.
Then soon after will be releasing something from Speed Metal Project, which is the neo-classical band of guitarist Aji Brokenbones. A follow up to the album EgoCentric.
Aji is an amazing player. If you like no-holds barred neo-classical you will dig their music!
And then something that been in the works for a while from another OG in the SHRED guitar movement, Mr. Tim Flaherty. Tim goes back to the Legato Records days of Mark Varney. A great guitarist, and a full length release is overdue from him.
He has been known about for years, and there is a great anticipation for a full length release from him. Working with Tim, is like working with the late great Adrian English (RIP) in that he is such a perfectionist. I already have so many versions of songs, demos…better versions…lol. He wants perfection, and you gotta like that!
Also guitarist Sean Baker is already working on tunes for the follow up to the critically acclaimed WTF# album. So plenty of SHRED is on the way.
How has this journey been for you with Shredguy Records?
Started in 2008. Still remember like yesterday going to a studio in Cincinnati Ohio with my friend guitarist Rob Johnson to remaster tracks of a band that he was in the 1990’s called Saddleback Shark. Turned out great by the way…lol.
And now into 54 releases, going on 55 come October 1st.
Been challenging with the just about everyone going to streaming and you split pennies, but we have found ways to still press discs and vinyl and get them shipped worldwide. And along the way there is personal stuff, loss of friends, stuff like that can set you back.
The past year, a lot of people felt I got a little to political but when you lose freedom of speech, freedom to vote for who you want to, and your medical freedom is threatened, you have to speak out.
But the main focus of Shredguy Records will always be SHRED.
Any message that you would like to share for Metalheads Forever fans?
Just want to thank the fans for supporting Shredguy Records over the years. We work to bring you the finest in SHRED guitar. Appreciate Keith Clement and all the hard work he puts in to make sure METAL IS FOREVER!
And last remember SHRED IS NOT DEAD.
