RIVAL SONS

As the Californian rockers release their “cinematic” seventh album, Scott Holiday invites us into his jaw-dropping guitar room to talk mad-scientist fuzz pedals, the merits of musical brainwashing, and why he’s no longer a modder

- Henry Yates

No wonder Scott Holiday wants the webcam on. As engaging as the Rival Sons guitarist undoubtedly is, it’s hard to stop yourself peering past him at the treasure trove that is his home guitar room in Los Angeles. Over his shoulder, you’ll spot rarities, antiquities, prototypes, esoteric one-offs and several hundred stompboxes stacked into a true-bypass Hadrian’s Wall. “This is an opportunity to show off my toys,” beams the man nicknamed Mr Fuzzlord. “It’s a guitar magazine. You actually want to see this stuff.”

Holiday is the best kind of connoisseur. Rather than keep his collection under glass cloches, swiped only with a duster, the 47-year-old has used his gear in anger on the Rival Sons catalogue since 2009’s debut, Before The Fire. And while atmospheric seventh release, Darkfighter, represents another kick against the notion that the Californians are 70s acolytes adrift in the wrong century, Holiday is quick to remind us that his gear tastes span beyond vintage. “I’m way more relaxed than that,” he considers. “I’m looking to explore and create new sounds.”

How do you feel when you go into the studio to make a Rival Sons record?

“Mostly excited. Working with a producer like Dave Cobb, I know he’s gonna throw curveballs and the songs are gonna take left and right turns. I have a group of guys that are all very proficient. They’re all really wonderful players. So everybody is fighting to make a statement, as well as supporting the track. It’s a lot of energy filling up the room. I don’t have any backseat players.”

You’ve used the word ‘cinematic’ to describe your new album. Tell us more…