SEAN BAKER INTERVIEW

19th August 2009

He might be a new name to many but Sean Baker is one that once heard will stick in the mind.  Having just released his first label backed album in "The Sean Baker Orchestra - Bakers Dozen", virtuoso guitarist Sean Baker has delivered a viable guitar instrumental which manages to relive the glory Shrapnel days, yet with keen song writing skills and enough twists and turns to hold your interest.  Read the interview then check out some of Sean's work, he might even buy you a sugared donut!

Many thanks for agreeing to this interview and congratulations on your new baby -Baker's Dozen.
My pleasure, Andy. Thank YOU!

For those that may not have heard of you before, can you give our readers a rundown on the bands past history.
Sure. In 2004, I put together my first instrumental cd (The Sean Baker Orchestra s/t), using songs that were written for a vocal orientated band which had broken up prior to the vocals being added. So, I had 17 backing tracks from which to choose from, from which I think I picked nine songs. Halfway through the recording process I became best friends with one of my musical heroes Bruce Bouillet, and managed to get him on board for mixing and a little engineering, and playing as well.

The release of that cd produced many awesome opportunities for me, including live performances. I had to get a band together in order to play these songs live because I never really wanted to play to backing tracks in a live situation. Now remember, the first cd was originally gonna have vocals. The drummer, nor the bass player when laying down their parts knew that it was gonna be instrumental cd and they played more "into the pocket", yet the playing is great!

Lawrence (drums) was always a guy around town that I wanted to play with, and he and Dave (bass) had played together forever, so it was a no-brainer! Guitar wise, Alfredo was a no-brainer as well, as he and I have been great friends since high school. Al had to leave a couple of years ago, but has recently been playing some live shows with us and it has been wonderful. When Al left, I asked Cmak to join as Cmak was our biggest fan AND a sick player.

The new album is chock full of superb lead guitar work, yet is built around solid strong structures. What were the pitfalls you wanted to avoid with 'Bakers Dozen'?
Mostly, I didn't want to sound like every other instrumental guitarist. I think the thing that helped me out the most on my first cd, was that the songs were written for vocals. Meaning, the songs already had hooks, and were put together for the songs sake, and not just backing chords to shred over. Well, when I was writing "Baker's Dozen" I did the same kind of writing. I wrote as though I was writing for a vocal band, and THEN put the goofy guitar stuff on it!

The album has been out for a few months now, how has the reaction been?
The reaction has been unreal to say the least. People hitting me up from all over the world telling me that they are a fan, and love my music is really a dream come true!

There is a nice mix of rock styles on the album, how do you go about writing in various styles and still retain your own identity.
I think being a fan of all sorts of music, that they all eventually filter themselves out of you. I didn't want songs to sound like a "cousin" of another song on the cd. Different styles and tempo's...we really paid attention to that.

As opposed to other "instrumental artists" you give a lot of kudos to your band mates. The "orchestra" are certainly all excellent musicians in their own right, how did you hook up with each of them and what do they bring to the band?
Like I said, Law was always someone I wanted to jam with since we growing up in the Detroit scene. Law and Dave (our bass player) had been playing in bands since they were like 13 or something! They toured as roadies for the band Blackfoot for years as well. They have a lot of hours and minutes together, and as a team ...they're the best! I'm very fortunate that most of my close friends are VERY gifted musicians, and I never really had to look far.

There are a few cool guests on the album too - Joe Stump, Bruce Bouillet and Rusty Cooley - how did these guys end up on the album and how did you go about assigning their individual tracks to them?
I'm very lucky to be able to call those guys my friends. Joe Stump and I have shared the stage no less then ten times together, and I just love the dude. Joe is a world-class player, and one of the best live performers out there, and a sweetheart of a dude. Bruce Bouillet is my best friend on the planet! I've had some of the greatest times of my life with this man. Super guitarist, super musician, but first and foremost....super human being. Bruce has really over the course of our friendship become part of my family. Rusty Cooley is in my opinion, gonna be the guy to take guitar playing to the next level. Mind-blowing chops, great song writing, and I think Rusty is underrated with his phrasing abilities. You never hear anybody say how great Rusty melodies are, and I think that's a shame. Rusty's playing on the Outworld cd is simply "PERFECT". Rusty on top of all that, is the most down to earth guy out there. He has helped me more then he knows, by taking his time and offering me advice on business things as well. I actually wrote the tunes for Joe and Rusty in mind. They seemed to be the perfect guys for each song. With Bruce, he wrote the song and I just basically put the melody guitars in on top of it......which was a blast!

There is a cool nod to "Shrapnel glory days" on a number of tracks, yet also a more modernistic outlook, how do you go about keeping the sound fresh and current?
I listen to a lot of music...current and "old school". I think having our tuning down a whole step, kinda gives us a "modern" style and more current sounding. How can you put a instrumental cd out, and NOT pay homage to Mike Varney and Shrapnel records. Mike has been as big a influence on guitar, then just about any one guitarist out there. I think we all owe a great deal of gratitude to the man! Varney took me and my wife out to dinner in Las Vegas for my birthday last year, and one thing I got to say....he's funny as hell! Great sense of humour, and a REALLY great dude.

The production is also another area where the album manages to avoid the often sterile nature heard on other "guitar hero" albums, what were you looking for in the sound of the album?
Bruce Bouillet was the man that got a lot of the tones together for us on this one. I can't imagine ever making a record and not having Bruce at the helm. Pete Bankert who also co-produced and engineered the majority of the cd is a gear guru as well. Pete helped build Dave Grohl's studio in Los Angeles, and recorded my cd's on a board once owned by Keith Richards and the Rolling Stones. I just wanted the cd to sound "fresh"...I think they pulled it off.

Gear - you have a number of ex Paul Gilbert instruments - are you a Pablo Gilberto clone or fan?
Fan only. I could never pull off his style as a clone. He's just too darn good! I've been lucky to make acquaintance with Paul, and I've bought a couple of guitars from him. I blatantly LOVE his Ibanez guitars though!

What led you to these guitars and what do you look for in your particular instruments?
I've played Ibanez guitars since about 1988 I'd guess. I'm sure being a fan of Paul led me to his guitars, but I tell ya what....they just feel "right in my hands.

Do you have any certain instruments for lead, rhythm or general all rounders?
I used mostly my Ibanez PGM 100(blue) for rhythms, and the Ibanez PGM 300(white) for solos.

Amplification, can you give us a run down of your amps and effects, how you went about mic'ing them and what you are looking for in your tones?
I have a first year 5150 that I had modded by VooDoo amps out of Ithaca New York a couple of years ago. I love what they did to the amp. I can hear every note in each chord...even when distorted. I was just looking for huge sound that is abrasive and pissed. We call it the "beef curtain".

How do you go about working 2 guitarists individual tones so they compliment each other?
Cmak plays through a Peavey JSX, and they just seem to find a way to complement each other. We tweaked very little to get them to compliment each other.

Songwriting - how do you prefer to write - in a jamming format or a more construed way with pen and paper?
I make demos of all the songs in backing track form. When the band get them down tight, I'll go in and write the melodies acordingly. BAM.....done!

How long have you been playing and when do you realise you had a talent on the instrument?
I've been playing 25 years. I'm not sure if I have talent now!

What were your early influences and have those influences changed over time?
I'd say the early Van Halen records had the biggest impact on me, and made me want to learn to play guitar. I'd say they have changed over time, but I still refer back to them from time to time!

Is it possible for a virtuoso guitarist with shred tendencies to make a living doing this?
I'm not so sure, but if you know of someone that knows how...have them call me!!

Any new players or new albums you have found inspirational?
Guthrie Govan

At the time of writing you have been confirmed for some more dates on the "Virtuosity" guitarists tour with Bruce Bouillet, and fellow Lion shredders Joe Stump and Michael Harris.... what can fans expect at these shows?
Lots of notes played from the heart!! These shows are a great time. I love doing them. Come on out and say "hi" if you get a chance.

How did you land on Lion Music?
Lasse Mattsson took a liking to me and said he really enjoyed my music. He offered me a deal and I about had a heart attack! Thanks Lasse for taking a chance on me! You rule!

They seem one of the last labels flying the flag for instrumental guitar heroes, are there any of their rosters players you really dig?
Oh yeah...Rusty Cooley, Joe Stump, Jennifer Batten, and Milan Polak come to mind.

Anything else you'd like to add to wrap up?
Many thanks for having me here, and if your readers want a slice of instrumental madness with great songs and metal guitar work then check out "Baker's Dozen".

Sean, many thanks for your time.

Official websites
www.theseanbakerorchestra.com
www.myspace.com/theseanbakerorchestra