Speaking with Nick Bowcott for Guitar World, guitarist Zakk Wylde discussed learning Dimebag Darrell's riffs and solos for the ongoing Pantera tribute tour with Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown and Charlie Benante. Following is an excerpt from the chat.
Q: How did you approach learning Dime’s riffs and solos?
Zakk: "I learned Dime’s stuff the same exact way I do when I play with Ozzy, Zakk Sabbath, Generation Axe (with Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi) or the Experience Hendrix stuff. You’ve just gotta sit down, do the work and learn how to play the song and solos – whether they’re by Saint Dime, Saint Randy, Lord Iommi or Saint Jimi, plus of course, Jake (E. Lee). It’s no different. There’s a big difference between listening to and loving a song and actually being able to play it. You’ve just gotta put in the time and work – there’s no iPhone app for that, brother (laughs)."
Q: Did you do it the "old school" way by listening to Pantera’s albums with guitar in hand, or did you use transcriptions and videos?
Zakk: "I did all of the above, including watching YouTube and everything like that. I remember checking out some videos by Ola (Englund / The Haunted) just from Googling ‘how to play’ certain Pantera songs. Back in the day, you’d ask your friends if you couldn’t figure something out. Like I call you up and go, 'Nick, you worked with Dime on his Guitar World column; what’s he doing on this section? I can’t make it out.' But nowadays you can just go on YouTube and find some slamming player who’ll show you how to play Eddie’s tapping part in 'Eruption' or whatever. So I definitely did a lot of that."
Read the complete interview here.
Pantera will be on tour across North Ameirca this summer, with special guest Lamb Of God. S.N.A.F.U., Child Bite, Flesh Hoarder, Spirit In The Room, and King Parrot will each enjoy a stint as the opening act. All bands are part of the Housecore Records family. Housecore Records is owned by Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo.
Pantera / Lamb Of God tour dates:
With Snafu:
July
28 - Burgettstown, PA - The Pavilion at Star Lake
29 - Noblesville, IN - Ruoff Music Center
31 - Milwaukee, WI - American Family Insurance Amphitheater
With Child Bite:
August
2 - Camden, NJ - Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
5 - Hershey, PA - Hersheypark Stadium
6 - Scranton, PA - The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
8 - Syracuse, NY - St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
9 - Darien Center, NY - Darien Lake Amphitheater
12 - Toronto, ON - Budweiser Stage
With Flesh Hoarder:
August
15 - Rogers, AR - Walmart Amp
17 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
20 - Austin, TX - Germania Insurance Amphitheater
With Spirit In The Room:
August
23 - Denver, CO - Ball Arena
26 - San Diego, CA - North Island Credit Union Amphitheater
29 - Salt Lake City, UT - Usana Amphitheater
31 - Albuquerque, NM - Isleta Amphitheater
With King Parrot:
September
7 - Bangor, ME - Waterfront Music Pavilion
8 - Gilford, NH - Bank Of New Hampshire
12 - Alpharetta, GA - Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
14 - Virginia Beach, VA - Veterans United Virginia Beach
15 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
(Photo - Dustin Jack)
