Columns

Hellion were an L.A. band who played a major role in the 80’s heavy metal scene. They were led by vocalist Ann Boleyn, who was known for her powerful vox and her good looks. She is still singing to this day, and I recently had the chance to speak with her for BallBusterHardMusic.com about her […]

NAME: Toby KnappPLAYING (YEARS): 15 STYLE: Metal GEAR: Fender Stratocasters, Marshall Amplification, Boss Effects ENDORSEMENTS: S.T.I. Strings PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Albums marketed, distributed & released by Shrapnel, Wild Rags, Sinbad, Defiled and Century MediaCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Promoting new Onward album “Reawaken” on Century Media Records FAVORITE GUITARIST: Jimmy Page BEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: Marty Friedman 4 WORDS THAT DESCRIBES WHAT YOU WANT TO GET ACROSS IN YOUR PLAYING:  Freshly shot Breaded […]

NAME: Mattias Ia Eklundh PLAYING (YEARS): Turned to hard core guitar playing around the mid 80s, before that I played the drums. STYLE: Home brewed, mostly insanely distorted, unorthodox Swedish bastard style (read: basically heavy guitar) GEAR: My signature Apple Horn model, manufactured by Caparison Guitars in Japan. Laney amps. Hose-clips/clamps, remote controls and an occassional Chinese dildo. ENDORSEMENTS: Caparison, Laney. Been using it […]

NAME: Chris Matyus PLAYING (YEARS): 14 STYLE: Progressive Metal, Classical GEAR: Ibanez (RG570, S540, RG7420 7 string), Yamaha Classical, BBE 482 Sonic Maximizer, Rocktron Chameleon Preamp, Mesa Boogie 20/20 Power Amp, Mesa Boogie 2X12 3/4 Back Cabinet, Marshall 1960 4X12 Slant Cabinet ENDORSEMENTS: Presently none PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Graduated from the University of Akron in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Archetype FAVORITE […]

NAME: Andy Timmons PLAYING (YEARS): 33 STYLE: Combination of rock, blues, and jazz…really anything with guitar! GEAR: Main rig: Laney VH100r head with Mesa Boogie Rectifier 4×12, signature model Ibanez guitar, Tube Screamer, Chandler Echo…. ENDORSEMENTS: Ibanez guitars, Laney amplifiers, D’Adarrio strings, Dunlop picks – PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:As a  solo act: 6 highly acclaimed solo CDs, tours of Japan and Europe, appearances with G3.   With others: […]

NAME: Adam Bomb aka Pink Gibson PLAYING (YEARS): 25 STYLE: Violent GEAR: Marshall Mark II 50 watt Old Gibson guitars with PAF pickups ENDORSEMENTS: Gibson PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:I have released a # of albums including Grave New World (Rockworld/Sony), Get Animal (SPV) and Get Animal Number Two (SPV), Fatal Attraction (Geffen) and “Pure S.E.X. (Relativity Records) including working with such artist as Michael Monroe and Johnny […]

SENTINEL Records Update – Our fourth release, and first non-Irish one, will come in the form of a CD EP by England’s Bastardsun. Bastardsun consists of Stuart Anstis (ex-Cradle of Filth) and Ross Adams and the music could be described as strong style Heavy Metal. Expect to hear it sometime in the Winter 2002. Mourning Beloveth’s […]

NAME: Ritchie Roncarolo  PLAYING (YEARS): 11 years.  STYLE: Metal / Fusion  GEAR: Ibanez S 520, Digitech & Boss Fx, ADA Amplifier, home made Celestion speakers  ENDORSEMENTS: None  CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: (1995) Blizzard, (1996) R.A.S Project. We will finish our “Heavy Guitars” album first then i guess i’ll record my instrumental album too.  FAVORITE GUITARIST: Steve Vai  MOST UNDERATED PLAYERS:  Jeff Kollman, Greg […]

NAME: Mike GilbertPLAYING (YEARS): Since I was 13, whatever the hell that adds up to be STYLE: Mostly heavy music, but I play some jazz fusion stuff GEAR: Mesa Boogie tri-axis, its all you really need along with a Les Paul ENDORSEMENTS: PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Flotsam and JetsamCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Five Knuckle Slingshot. FAVORITE GUITARIST: John Mclaughlin.used to be in Mahivishnu MOST UNDERATED PLAYERS:  Neal Schon BEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER […]

NAME: Mike Walsh.PLAYING (YEARS): 12 years.STYLE: Progressive/Rock.GEAR: 7 string Ibanez, Johnson Millennium Amp.ENDORSEMENTS: Dean Markely Strings.CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Hess is releasing a new album this summer. Sage will be looking to get signed and do the same.FAVORITE GUITARIST: Steve VaiMOST UNDERATED PLAYERS: David GilmourBEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: Steve VaiWHAT YOU WANT TO GET […]

NAME: Frank MarinoPLAYING (YEARS): 34 STYLE: Psychedelic Acid/Blues/Rock, Jazz, etc… GEAR: Self Built Pre-Amps, Crown Power Amp (currently), Fane Speakers, Gibson SG Les Paul as main guitar, Many other SGs (customized), various stomp boxes. ENDORSEMENTS: Currently DiMarzio Pickups, Firewire Strings. PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:30 years touring and recording albums, multi platinum sales worldwide, closed the largest single-day-attended show in U.S. History (Cal Jam 2) (see webpage […]

NAME: Cyril Lepizzera PLAYING (YEARS): 21 years. STYLE: Metal / Neo classical GEAR: Ibanez JEM 10 / Ovation Elite, Rocktron & Digitech fx, Marshall Amps, Marshall Speakers ENDORSEMENTS: None CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: (1985) Anastacia, (1991) Blizzard, (1995) David Hernandez.We will finish our “Heavy guitars” album this year. FAVORITE GUITARIST: Michael Romeo MOST UNDERATED PLAYERS:  Marty Friedman, Joey Tafolla BEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: Michael Romeo 4 WORDS THAT DESCRIBES WHAT YOU WANT […]

NAME: JD Bradshaw PLAYING (YEARS): 22 years. STYLE: Hard Rock,Heavy metal,Jazz and Modern Country GEAR: Carvin LP 90,Carvin V220,Carvin DC 135,Carvin 60 watt head,Carvin 4×12 Cabinet,Peavey Profex 2 Processor,GHS light gauge strings,Yamaha RBX 260 Bass,Tradition SG and Arbor Randy Rhodes copy ENDORSEMENTS: None yet,but pushing for CARVIN! CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Acacia Entertainment has just released my second instrumental rock guitar cd “The Essence of Existence” […]

NAME: Andy Larocque PLAYING (YEARS): forever  STYLE: influenced by the 70-80´s guitargods  GEAR: live gear: Marshall valvestate 4×12 cabs with celestion vintage 30´s speakers wah pedal, tube screamer studio: the same as above but also:digitech 2120, digitech genesis 3, pod  ENDORSEMENTS: Caparison guitars, Ernie ball strings, Seymour duncan pickups dunlop picks  CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Previously: King Diamond, Death,Illwill, guest artist […]

Reviews / News Listen with an open mind. The main focus of Ballbuster Magazine is hard rock music and all the styles that are closely related to it. It’s all here, call it what you want…rock, hardcore, progressive, death, extreme, punk, thrash, blues, heavy metal…you get the picture. But, as we all know, there’s a […]

NAME: Mike MorrisonPLAYING (YEARS): 23STYLE:Metal, ProgressiveGEAR: Digitech effects, Peavey amplification/cabinets, Gibson Les PaulENDORSEMENTS: none at presentCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Shadowcaster (debut CD ‘Freedom’ available now).  Also, Milwaukee Rock Opera Company version of ‘The Wall’FAVORITE GUITARIST: Alex LifesonMOST UNDERATED PLAYERS:  David GilmourBEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: Toss up between Howe and  Petrucci, with an honorable mention to Fripp.FOUR WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBES WHAT YOU […]

NAME: Metal Mike ChlasciakPLAYING (YEARS): 15STYLE: MetalGEAR: Jackson Custom USA Guitars (Warriors/ Randy Rhoads V’s),Marshall Amplification (Heads, Pre-Amps, Cabinets with Celestions),Seymour Duncan Pick-Ups (59N, JB-4, Invader), D’Addario Strings,Guyatone Effects (Metal Monster), Dunlop Signature “Tortex” Picks,Morley Effects (Bad Horsie Wah), Attitude and Honor. ENDORSEMENTS: Jackson, D’Addario, Marshall, Seymour Duncan, Morley, Guyatone, Mesa/ Boogie, Dunlop. CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Currently recording the new HALFORD studio […]

NAME: Mike CampesePLAYING (YEARS): 17STYLE:Rock Fusion,acoustic and electric.Instrumental and vocal.GEAR: Tom Anderson electric guitars,Ovation Acoustics,Mesa Boogie amps,Marshall cabs and Mesa cabinet.TC-Electronic G-force,etc.ENDORSEMENTS: Mesa BoogieCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Currently performing with my trio.Opening for National acts,etc.Released 2 solo cds “Total Freedom” and “Full Circle”.Working on a 3rd solo release. FAVORITE GUITARIST: I dont really have a Favorite Guitarist but i do like Hendrix,Eric […]

NAME: Lenny SuperaPLAYING (YEARS): 20STYLE:Rock, miscellaneousGEAR:Mitchell Pro-100, Digitech RP-2000, Sans Amp, Jackson and ESP guitarsENDORSEMENTS: noneCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Fool’s Gate (1999), Guitar Stuff 1987-2001 (2001), Further Down (Lenny’s Lunatics-2001).  Coming soon from Lenny’s Lunatics…Snarl (to be released December 2001)FAVORITE GUITARIST: Edward Van HalenMOST UNDERATED PLAYERS:  Brian May, Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy), Mark KnopflerBEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: Technically:  Allan Holdsworth, Victor […]

NAME: Jack StarrPLAYING (YEARS): 30STYLE:MetalGEAR:Fender Strat, ESP Strat, Fernandez Strat and custom made Conklin.  2 100 watt Marshall lead heads, 4×12 bottoms with green back speakersENDORSEMENTS: noneCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Will be releasing a cd of my new band Guardians of the Flame on the British Label Neat Records and then I want to hit the road until I […]

NAME: Douglas OdellPLAYING (YEARS): Fourteen (electric bass)STYLE: Blues, rock, funk, metal, progressive GEAR: SSD NS2000 5-string, ESP Horizon 4-string, Fender Jazz 4-string (all left handed), GK Amps, Hartke Cabinets ENDORSEMENTS: None CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Member of prog rock band Ice AgeFAVORITE GUITARIST: Jake E. Lee, fave bassist Geddy LeeMOST UNDERATED PLAYERS: Tom Hamilton, Bob Daisley, Neil Murray, Marco MendozaBEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: King’s X FOUR WORDS THAT BEST […]

NAME: Don MancusoPLAYING (YEARS): 26 yearsSTYLE:Rock,Hard Rock,Blues & CelticGEAR:Fender Strat, Les Paul Std, Marshall 50’s an old Plexi an an SLD2000 Leslie 122 tine cab Custom Nau Eng. 30watt class a 2X12 combo. Custom Nau Eng. pedal  board with various FXENDORSEMENTS: NoneCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: “Now You See It” Don Mancuso. “Crime Don’t Pay Yet” Johnny Smoke Guest appearance […]

NAME: Chris ShryackPLAYING (YEARS): 15STYLE: RockGEAR: (Effects)- Ernie Ball Vol Pedal, Bad Horste Wah, Lexicon MPX-G2, Sansamp PSA-1, Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus, Electric Mistress Flanger, Lexicon MPX-1 Foot Controller (Electric Guitar)-PRS Custom Z2 (Amp) VHT 100 Watt Combo (Acoustic): Martin 1949 0-18 six stringENDORSEMENTS: VHTCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS:My band UTS is always what I’m busy doing. Currently, we are playing […]

NAME: Christopher Herin  PLAYING (YEARS): 20  STYLE: Rock  GEAR: 1990 Paul Reed Smith CE24, 1976 Gibson Les Paul, Mesa/Boogie Tri-Axis Pre-Amp with Simul-class 90 power amp, Marshal 4×12 Cabinet, Yamaha SPX90, Rocktron Intellifex, Rocktron Pro Q and Alesis 3630 Compressor/limiter  ENDORSEMENTS: Mesa/Boogie  CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Working on the 4th TILES release, due in 2001  FAVORITE GUITARIST: Alex Lifeson MOST UNDERATED PLAYERS: Martin Barre […]

NAME: Gus G.PLAYING (YEARS): 12STYLE: Heavy Metal!!GEAR: Washburn Explorer CP 2003 guitars, Randall full stack: 2 4×12 cabinets and 200 Watt head, DR Strings: 10-13-18-28-38-50 ENDORSEMENTS: I use Washburn Guitars,Randall amplifiers and DR strings exclusively PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Participated on Yngwie Malmsteen tribute album “A guitar odyssey” in 1999. Released debut album with German power metal band MYSTIC PROPHECY in 2001,entitled “Vengeance”.(B.Mind/Crash Music) Released […]

NAME: Tommy Sims PLAYING (YEARS): 23 STYLE:Heavy, straight forward rock. GEAR:Gibson Les Paul loaded with an EMG-81 bridge pick up and an EMG-85 neck pick up. ESP Custom Shop Strat style body loaded with an EMG-81 pick up. RIG: Pre-amp: ADA MP-2, Processing: BBE Sonic Maximizer 462 + Lexicon MPX-G2, Stomp Boxes: Lexicon MPX-R1 Foot Controller + […]

NAME: Paul Nelson  PLAYING (YEARS): Quite a few!  STYLE: Metal, Jazz Rock Fusion, Blues, Progressive and many more.  GEAR: It is hard to keep track of what is used on a regular basis because of all the different musical situations involved but here is a description of some of the gear for studio and touring work. PEDALS: CE-3, (2)DD-3’s, TS […]

NAME: Patrick LachmanPLAYING (YEARS): 19 yearsSTYLE:PunishingGEAR:LotsENDORSEMENTS: Jackson Guitars, EMG Pickups, D’Addario Strings, Planet Waves Accessories, Mesa/Boogie Amplification, Line 6 Amps, T.C. Electronic, Guyatone Pedals, Morley Pedals, Shure Wireless Systems, Dunlop Signature PicksCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: (new record called Torture Test and corresponding video), Rob Halford (2002 spring release)FAVORITE GUITARIST: impossible to pick one (but if I had to, it would […]

Live from New York….. John Belushi was an extremely talented actor who lived his life to the extreme and, in the end, he paid the ultimate price for it. On March 5th, 1982, Belushi was found dead of a drug overdose. It was one of the most tragic stories Hollywood ever produced. Most people know […]

The release of PINK FLOYD’S concert album of “The Wall” has been delayed until February 2000 due to problems in restoring the original tapes The Death Metal Massacre 2000 tour featuring Cannibal Corpse, God Dethroned, Hate Eternal and Diabolic begins February 2000. ARMORED SAINT’S “Revelation” is complete. Produced by bassist Joey Vera (Engine), it is to be released March […]