Consider it or not, Paul Reed Smith can play the hell out of the guitar. In a world the place most builders spend extra time on the drafting board than unleashing epic solos, Smith ain’t that man.

Exhibit A is the most recent launch from his band, Eightlock. Lions Roaring in Quicksand reveals Smith sharing decibels with heavyweight drummer Dennis Chambers and guitarists Mike Ault and Invoice Nelson, all backing singer Mia Simone Davis. It’s a soulful tonefest.

How did the band get collectively?
Bassist Gary Grainger, Mia, Mike, and I’ve identified one another for a very long time. As soon as Dennis joined, I requested him, “What do you wish to do?” and he mentioned, “Let’s get collectively and see if there’s one thing there.” So, we acquired collectively. On the studio, I requested, “What sort of groove would you like?” Dennis mentioned, “No, no… Play!” So, I began a tune known as “By no means Give Up On Livin’,” and the drums seemed like cannons and rockets – stunningly loud. There was nothing about it that I favored, however I wouldn’t commerce it for the world (laughs). We completed mixing the tune, and I mentioned, “What do you wish to do?” He mentioned, “Let’s do one other.”

“Breathe” actually sticks to the ribs.
“Breathe” is an previous tune that Mia wrote with me, and Gary thought it was the very best one we’d written. So we determined to redo it with this rhythm part, and it turned out so properly we made it the primary single. Ricky Skaggs’ engineer, Brent King, got here out of retirement and helped combine it, and it’s acquired a hip-hop sort of thunderous bass – it’s majestic after we play it dwell. It involves a head with the solo.

“Breathe” was the primary tune on which Mia heard herself on the radio, and it was a dream come true. She began screaming.

How did you discover Mia?
Paul Rogers was purported to sing at an occasion for PRS with Howard Leese, however he needed to cancel on the final minute. We would have liked a singer for “Be My Buddy.”

Mia’s mom was a full-time piano participant in a gospel choir in Baltimore, which Mia joined on the age of three; she was a full-time member at six.

You’re all utilizing PRS guitars and get these enormous tones, however it’s by no means overkill.
Keb Mo’ mentioned, “You’re a grimy canine for utilizing that tone on high with the Graniger brothers’ rhythm part.” (laughs) He was stunned we had been getting away with that tone on high of a classy groove. It’s acquired plenty of acquire, however it’s not excessive. It’s purported to be saxophone-like.

What different gear had been you utilizing?
I’m taking part in my Paul’s Guitar, which has two humbuckers that sound like P-90s. The amp is the unique, designed by Doug Sewell. The opposite was the Hendrix prototype, which turned the PRS HDRX. We acquired to take Hendrix’s amp aside.

What did you uncover about Jimi’s amp?
We opened it and our jaws hit the ground. That they had finished all the things of their energy to get it to not blow up on the street. It was in-between a Marshall JTM45, a 50, and a 100-watt – not inventory by any stretch of the creativeness. Appeared like a rat’s nest. It had been within the basement of Paul Allen’s museum. Janie Hendrix gave me permission to open it, bless her coronary heart.

What do you do with an amp that’s been sitting for 60 years?
You don’t flip it on (laughs). You get the circuit and construct one other one. The capacitors had been dried up and it had navy stencils throughout it – “Deal with With Care.” They didn’t have street instances again then. I’d have liked to play by means of that rig at Woodstock.

What does the longer term maintain for Eightlock?
We’ve a complete different file written and we’re able to file, however we have to experience this horse for some time. Persons are simply changing into conscious of the magic that has been popping out of our studio.

This text initially appeared in VG’s March 2024 situation. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.