Practice What You Preach: An Interview with Alex Skolnick (Testament, Metal Allegiance)

The term “renaissance man” is generally used to describe someone who excels in a number of different areas across a number of different disciplines.  No one in the world of heavy metal fits that definition better than Alex Skolnick.

When he takes the stage on September 6th at Starland Ballroom with Metal Allegiance, celebrating the band’s 10th anniversary, he’ll be showcasing his aptitude doing what he’s known best for: playing crushing metal riffs and ripping blistering solos.  The metal supergroup formed by Mark Menghi features Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) on drums, Dave Ellefson (ex-Megadeth) on bass, and Skolnick on guitar, alongside dozens and dozens of special guests from familiar metal bands, old and new.  Past records and performances have featured Troy Sanders and Brann Dailor (Mastodon), Chuck Billy (Testament), dUg Pinnick (King’s X), Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil), Phil Anselmo (Pantera), and Randy Blythe (Lamb of God), just to name a few.

Before that show, however, Alex will be doing a short tour with PAKT, a progressive jazz quartet, playing smaller venues throughout the northeast.  While best known as the lead guitarist of Bay Area thrash legends Testament, he discovered jazz in his early days with the band and has released a number of records of instrumentals in the genre in his own outfit (Alex Skolnick Trio).

And when he’s not playing music, you can probably find Alex writing a piece for his blog, some of which found it’s way into his 2013 memoir From Geek to Guitar Hero which chronicles his journey from childhood in Berkeley, California to his exit from Testament in 1992.  He has also been a long time contributor to several different guitar publications, as well as the worlds of podcasting, art newsletters, and photography.  On top of all of this, he has a degree in Jazz Studies and has contributed to music research in places as far reaching as Finland.

Having the opportunity to speak with Alex ahead of Metal Allegiance’s show at Starland Ballroom, we had an opportunity to discuss this and many other aspects of his career.  The overarching theme is that Alex has been a lifelong learner, not only in the world of music, but in life in general.

Throughout nearly 70 minutes, the world renowned guitarist discussed many different topics that gave a very thorough overview of his career in music.  At the forefront, he explained the formation of Metal Allegiance and what fans can expect from their upcoming show, alongside how the connections to their many guests were formed.  Alex also speaks of his time in Testament, what it was like playing in the famed Bay Area thrash scene with Metallica, and his reasons for leaving the band in 1992 and rejoining in the early 2000s.  We also discuss his brief, quirky time in Savatage following the death of their lead guitarist Criss Oliva, and the serendipitous story from Alex’s youth that preceded him joining the band.

Having famously studied guitar with Joe Satriani prior to his recording and touring career, Alex tells what it was like to become a lead instructor alongside Joe years later, and in general how his lifelong pursuit for knowledge of music has influenced and enhanced his capabilities as a guitarist.   He chronicles his time in Trans-Siberian Orchestra, including a nerve-racking performance alongside Yes frontman Jon Anderson, and speaks about his childhood idols KISS and bands with extended longevity.

You can view the entire interview HERE:

What comes across most when speaking to Alex is that while he could have settled excelling at just one thing, the heavy metal guitar, he chose to take another path:  to excel at everything.  As I say at the end of the interview, I’m excited to see what he does next – even though neither of us are sure exactly what that will be for a man with such diverse and eclectic talents.

Metal Allegiance will be playing the East Coast version of their 10th Anniversary Show on Friday, September 6th at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey.  You can find ticket and VIP Meet and Greet information here.

For more on Alex Skolnick, visit his website HERE and stay tuned for what direction he decides to go in next!