Interview with Tony Hernando by Loud Metal's Johnny C

Please talk a little bit about your new album The Shades of Truth...

Is an album that has taken me 1 year to produce and release for many reasons!,but the result is well worth i think! Musically is more mature,the compositions are better and although there´s a lot of shredding on it is full of melodies and musical themes and hooks...i dont really like the kind of shredding without sense which some guitarists do

Which guys would you consider to be your main influences?

In the beginning,when i was 14 to 18 i guess Macalpine ,Jason Becker and Malmsteen were my favourites but then i was interested on blues and fusion...my very favourites are some of my teachers and best friends Joey Tafolla and Andy Timmons and also Vai,Gary Moore,Richie Kotzen,Gilbert...

How would you describe your music to someone who is not familiar with it?

It would be “melodic shred guitar”

How did you develop your own style of playing, did you take any lessons?

yes, I started first with classical guitar and theory at the consevatory when i was 9,then i started seltaughing electric guitar,then i went to Hollywood to the G.I.T. and took private lessons with Joey Tafolla,Andy Timmons,John Petrucci ...

What is the most important, feeling or technique? can you survive with only one of them?

I think you need both as much you can, better...it´s difficult to explain...i knew that i needed a lot of technique to express what i had on my head musically,and with the years you develope maturity which goes on your phrasing,melodic sense etc...

What kind of equipment are you using live or in the studio?

I´m endorser for some companies such Ibanez,Line 6,Diezel and Dean Markley and that´s basically what i use.

How was the album recorded?

I did first a preproduction with demos,but some of those tracks ended up on the final mix.Mike Terrana came after so many delays due to his duties with Axel Rudi Pell and Rage,we had a lot of fun here in Spain recording...is a great guy! Pepe Bao is the best bass player in Spain and probably one of the best in the world and there are some keyboards from Vitalij Kuprij and some great solos from Andy Timmons...joey Tafolla was going to record too,but we were running out of time and  it couldnt happen.

Which musicians would you like to play with some day?

unfortunately some are dead ...Phil Lynnot and Freddie Mercury...but i´d love to play with Billy Sheehan,John Sykes,Bon Jovi...

What kind of music do you like the least?

I like almost everything!maybe I dont have fun with rap music...

Do you ever listen to music that is very different from what you do, if so what?

oh,yes,normally i  listen to a lot of classical music and also pop,techno...things like Shania Twain or Kylie Minogue,U2,Police...

Are there any plans to tour?

yes,i´m trying to arrange a two weeks tour on Spain in the beginning of October and then some on Europe.if i cant make it happen for Europe i guess i´ll end up doing clinics without band like i use to do for Ibanez and Line 6.

What other plans do you have for the near future?

we´ll record the concerts for a possible cd or dvd,i´ll start writing for the next record soon and i´m gonna do an instructional book-dvd.

How is the musical climate for hard rock in your country?

Has been very difficult always since the media here just programm very low quality pop...it´s just a matter of exposure and there´s no so much room for rock on tv...

What are your feelings about the world we live in and how do you look upon yourself in 15 years from now?

You mean musically or in general?i hope the world just dont turn even worst that it is right now in terms of political tension,ecologic balance...musically i guess when i´ll be 45 i´ll hear the call of jazz....no,just kidding!! Actually i like and i´ve studied jazz and i´ll play it on the future,but now i´m 28 and i still feeling the rock adrenaline!,  But who knows...