The Shredding Author: JANNE STARK!

Mon, 17/03/2008 - by Rory Sullivan

Today's Elevenses Throws Eleven Quick Questions At 'The Shredding Author' Janne Stark!

Janne Stark is the prolific Swedish guitarist, currently playing with BALLS, OVERDRIVE and SIR LORD BALTIMORE, plus MOUNTAIN OF POWER, LOCOMOTIVE BREATH and TEENAGE RAMPAGE. He writes for Sweden Rock Magazine, FUZZ (Biggest guitar mag in Scandinavia) and metalcentral.net

Janne is the author of "The Encyclopedia of Swedish Hard Rock & Heavy Metal" vol 1 and 2 (a third is under production) released by Premium Publishing.

So what’s your drink of choice at 11am in the morning?

Coffee!!

Which song/album really made you want to play guitar?

Tough one, but I think what made me think guitar was a cool instrument may have been The Beatles – “Revolution” and “Back In The USSR” and then Status Quo – “Pictures Of Matchstick Men”, but what really got me going was Montrose “Montrose” in 1973.

Who’s the world’s greatest guitarist?

Woo, what a question. There’s so many that are great in different ways it’s hard to just pick one. Can’t I have 10? ;-) Right now I’m listening a lot to Tommy Emanuel, who I think it’s awesome.

Who’s the world’s most underrated guitarist?

I’d say Ty Tabor of King’s X is one who is sadly underrated.

So what are you up to at the moment?

Waiting for the release of the new OVERDRIVE album “Let The Metal Do The Talking” (January 25, Lion Music). We’ve also just got started on the debut by SALT (featuring Björn Lodin, Micke “Nord” Andersson etc) and I’m writing songs for a possible new album by SIR LORD BALTIMORE.

(Note: Interview date - Late December 2007)

What was the last gig you went to (as a member of the audience)?

Who would be in your dream line-up?

Pretty Maids at Amager in Copenhagen about a week ago.

Paul Shortino and Sass Jordan to share the vocals.

Ty Tabor and myself on guitar.

Bob Daisley on bass.

and Brian Tichy on drums!

How many guitars do your own and which one is ‘your precious’?

Nine. I actually have two “precious”. My modded Gibson Les Paul Studio with True Temperament frets, Rio Grande BBQ pick-up and my modded Epiphone Strat with True Temperament neck, Wilkerson system, Spertzels, Seymour Duncan JB and Van Zant Vintage Plus pick ups.

What’s the last great album that you bought (or were given)?

Truth – “Machine”, a blues oriented riffster featuring Swedish killer guitarist Sven Cirnski.

Do you suffer from stage fright?

Nope, not at all.