Alex Skolnick from TESTAMENT is one of the most well grounded guitarists in Heavy Music history. He is one of the founders of the legendary Thrash Metal band Testament and in 2002 he started a musical project called the Alex Skolnick Trio. He has also played in bands such as Ozzy Osbourne and has contributed his talent to many musical projects.
His latest venture is a book entitled 'From Geek To Guitar Hero' and in celebration of this release, Skolnick will be hosting a very special event this Thursday, January 17 in New York City.
Here is the book synopsis:
"Alex is an awkward, introverted child growing up in 1970s Berkeley, California – a confusing vortex of shifting values, rampant drug use and social confusion. Misunderstood by his family and taunted mercilessly by classmates, he suffers from a paralyzing lack of confidence and low self-esteem. His existence is made tolerable when he discovers a superhero-like Rock band, KISS, which inspires him to learn the guitar. While in high school, he auditions for Legacy – a group of hard partying, working class, twenty-something Metalheads from the East Bay suburbs. After recording his first album with the group at age eighteen, he defies his Ivy League parents’ rigid academic expectations by forgoing college and hitting the road with Metal bands including Slayer, Megadeth, White Zombie and Judas Priest. As his own band, now known as Testament, rises through the ranks of Thrash Metal, the world begins to take notice of the young guitar prodigy who, despite being fawned over by autograph-seeking Metalheads, guitar fanatics and adoring female fans, still feels the pain, awkwardness and ghosts of his past. Soon, a blooming interest in Jazz and literature reshapes his values and strengthens his musicianship, bringing further accolades from fans and media but causing resistance and tension from within his inner circle. These experiences cause a realization to unfold: that the scene in which he had first sought his freedom and self-identity is fraught with its own perilous limitations, while the education he’d so fiercely resisted from his family can be invaluable when sought on one’s own terms."
The first book-store where 'Geek to Guitar Hero' will be available is McNally Jackson, New York. http://mcnallyjackson.com/
“A surprisingly personal book about his evolution from pained adolescent to one of the most remarkable guitarists in hard rock history. Alex Skolnick holds nothing back in this excellent memoir that describes the passions, pleasures and pains of being a professional musician.”- Brad Tolinski, Editor-In-Chief Guitar World Magazine”
Very soon, TESTAMENT will be taking over North America with OVERKILL, FLOTSAM & JETSAM (on select dates), and 4ARM, for their first headlining tour since the release of their phenomenal chart success 'Dark Roots of Earth' (available now via Nuclear Blast Records). The trek promises to be one of the best Thrash Metal lineups of the year! More information HERE!
Related Links:
Geek To Guitar Hero
Official Site of Alex Skolnick
Official Site of The Alex Skolnick Trio
Official Site of Testament
