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If you like your metal served up hot with a steaming side of "technical", but find yourself gravitating to the extreme, look no further Psyopus. The band formed in 2002 around the inhuman skills of guitarist Christopher Arp (Arpmandude), who also plays with Hank III in Assjack and is probably best known as the guy who didn't get the Limp Bizkit deal (shows what they know!).
Now, this is the part where I usually write a moderately extensive bio and all that, but Chris really digs deep on this one, so I'm not gonna throw a lot of ink when you could be listening to the man himself. For more info, check out their web-site, which has downloads and tour schedule and other cool stuff, including info on their new release. For those of you who haven't heard of these guys, suffice it to say that Christopher Arp is one of the most amazing rock guitarists walking the planet today. Period.
I had the chance to speak to Christopher recently. Check it out!
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1) What are your current projects?
Well, with the focus required to get one of these fucking Psyopus albums done, I'd have to say my CURRENT project is Psyopus and only Psyopus. We are going into the studio in two months and there's still so much to be developed at this point. Outside of Psyopus, I'd have to say the only other general project I would be known for is playing lead guitar for Hank III's Assjack. Unfortunately, I will be missing Assjack's summer dates for the fortunate reason of releasing a Psyopus album and touring to support it.
2) How does this (do these) differ from your past work?
Well, . . . I would have to say the newest Psyopus material, while staying frantic, blasting, and dissodent, is certainly thus far still yet another venture in unchartered waters for the writing process. There are a wider variety of different emotions and vibes with the new material. Also, I'm working with new musicians on this one and I can certainly feel their contributions more with these tracks. The new guys are wicked talented, focused, and dedicated.
3) Do you have one project that you are most proud of as a guitarist?
The last Psyopus album, "Our Puzzling Encounters Considered", was certainly a product of a lot of hard work. I'm glad with it's existence. The material was a little out there for some of the individuals who caught it but, as an artist on my own work that album has so much to offer in so many ways. I'm really happy with the spectrum of ideas on that album, all while keeping a "brutal prog" integrity.
4) Can you give our readers a run-down of your basic gear (live and/or studio), and do you have a favorite piece of gear?
My gear is pretty simple in all actuality. On stage it's me, a noise gate, my head, a guitar and a cab (sometimes two), . . . and don't forget the chords. I'm endorsed by Ibanez guitars so that answers what axes I gravitate toward - the RG's in particular. I have this old Peavey triple X I've been playing for years. I have a Mesa 4X12. I'm not even sure what noise gate I am using. I have just as of recently started dabbling with compression through the effects loop to help out with some amp problems I have been having during the tapping interlude of the Psyopus song "Kill Us". Also I have been dabbling with using a chorus pedal to heighten my overall tone, especially with myself being the sole 6 string guitarist on stage. I tried using a wireless one night in our set and I actually found the greatest mix of the wireless signal and the chorus but, this wireless went out mid set so, I went back to the chords and all of the levels were off. So much for first impressions with the wireless.
5) Who would you cite as early influences, and who are you favorite new players?
Well, as a riffer - James Hetfield and Dave Mustaine were my earliest influences. When I am soloing a good part of the time I am hearing Marty Friendman and Dimebag. As far as guitarist that rule today Paul from BTBAM is keeping it "colorful" and Josh from Lye By Mistake is off the charts good. Emol from Daath has some great chops and versatility. Overall though, I have to say CJ "Push" St Clair is the greatest guitarist alive at this time.
6) Can you give a few tips to aspiring players?
I can try. It all pends on what they what want to accomplish. An attitude that stuck truth me from the beginning to who I am today is based on this idea: I may not ever be the fastest, sickest, most sought after guitarist in the world ever but, what I can do is be true to myself and try to be as original/unique AS I CAN BE. As long as I am always trying to be as individual as I can, to the best of my abilities, I'm always going to be offering the best of who I am and preferably not get washed under the tide of every other shredding guitarist cloned out of LA's 80 metal scene. It's all about the expression to me. What do you have to say that isn't already being said - that's worth hearing.
Also, I would add play your guitar a lot. Outside of all of the obvious advice out there, . . . use a metronome, study other guitarists, be open minded, . . . lalala, . . . nothing beats just having your guitar surgically attached to you.
7) What are your future plans?
Writing, rehearsing, writing, rehearsing, recording, touring, . . . breathing, . . . touring, . . . etc.
8) Your use of touchstyle techniques, classical & avant-guarde stylings, and downright whammy abuse is all done in a highly original manner. Did you intentionally develop this appraoch, or did youo just look up one day and say "wow!"?
HAHA. As I described in my "advice for other guitarists", that I've always just tried to find my own path as much as possible. Of coarse I have witnessed a lot of things from the vast experience of music's history but, I think somewhere I was fortunate enough to have really got in touch with how to make these things I experience "my own". Experiment with everything. Ask questions. Trip out and be analytical. Figure things out.
9) Two words: Limp Bizkit. Can you talk a bit about that experience?
I was working C shift in plastic factory and hadn't touched my guitar in months. Limp Bizkit was doing their world wide guitarist search and the contest was coming to town. A friend at work talked me into trying it out siting that it had to be better than the present job I was in. So I did and I won for our region. I got my first Ibanez guitar. But that's that. Nothing else came of it.
10) How did you meet Hank 3, and do you still tour with Assjack?
I met 3 due to him getting into Psyopus real hard. We stayed in touch. I had some down time and Assjack was about to do some dates. I said I'd love to go on the road with him and he flew me down to Nashville. Since then it just kind of sticked. There's a great family in the tour bus and I love being a part of it. I hit the road with him whenever I can.
11) Thanx for talking to us, Christopher. A big shout to the reader who suggested this interview and turned me on to you music: Yo Damien!
Awesome!!! Thanks for thinking of me. It's an honor. THANKS!!!
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text on display of this page. (frown) However what I could read was excellent!
Thanks for the news!