John 5 On Shredding, Diversity, And Keeping Audiences Engaged

“THIS IS ENTERTAINMENT—THAT’S what we do,” says John 5, who just released the new John 5 and the Creatures album, It’s Alive (his first to be offered on vinyl).

- Michael Molenda

John 5 certainly knows how to entertain. His stage persona, his inventive videos, and his other gig playing arenas with Rob Zombie certainly attest to his larger-than-life charisma. But there’s much more to John 5’s performances than showbiz. He is a consummate technician who can shred some metal, and then zoom through Joe Maphis-inspired country swing—all on his signature Telecasters. Obviously, maintaining such high-level chops takes commitment.