Mothers Ruin Interview – Adrian Dunn, guitarist for Scottish Hard Rock band Mothers Ruin. Interview May 25, 2012
Mothers Ruin Interview
1. What are you currently working on as a professional musician?
Adrian: I am currently working with Gary Moat (ex Heavy Pettin) gigging in the new, but old! line-up of Mothers Ruin, getting a feel for the songs again in a live setting. Also Gary & I are writing new material all the time, & the creative flow isn’t about to dry-up yet I can tell you!
2.What equipment do you use for your guitar & why?
Adrian: I use a Washburn N4 because they are amazing & a Peavey Wolfgang Special, because they are also amazing!
Gear Used:
I am presently using the Randall RM100 Modular System with Marshall Cabs.
I have the 100W Head which I run at 50W & the same with the RM100 2×12 Combo.
I have a 2×12 Cab & a 4×12 Cab.
I have a pedalboard by Pedal Pad on which I have a,
Zoom G3 & Decimator in the loop,
& a Cry Baby 535Q Pedal going into a
Radial Dragster into a
FoxRox ZIM pedal which is a dual overdrive pedal which has swappable circuit boards for different tones. One side of the pedal has an 8 way phase switcher which you can boost or cut the frequency selected, the other is just straight volume & gain.
I connect it all up with a PedalSnake because I can’t stand all the messing with leads at shows, I just want to get plugged, juiced, & rocking’!
Finally I use Clear Tone Yellow Tab Cables from Award Session for any other connections because they are the best quality for the sanest prices!
3. Touring & playing shows would you say the economy has had an impact towards it?
Adrian: Definitely, its much harder to make any good money playing live these days for all the obvious reasons, petrol being the the most prominent, if you’re finding it a strain to get to venues, so are the punters. If we think a pint is pricey, so will they etc. & this reflects on a night out, I think people are more selective when they have a night out so it has to be local, cheap door (relative to the size of the band), & good drink offers to, “keep ’em swigging while we do the gigging” scenario!
Adrian: I’d say this is the Million Dollar Question, but its not worth that anymore is it!!!
Unfortunately the internet has opened every door to everyone thus making the playing field absolutely massive & expansive, so much so you have pledge sites where artists who still have great songs to offer are asking for money to make their next album, how crazy is that? They’ve been around since 2009 & have found some members dealing with a phenomenal amount of money as a result. David Bowie foresaw all this happening years ago, but he’s clever like that!
5. With all the bands coming out today, do you keep updated with whats online at all?
Adrian: I teach guitar to a lot of young kids so I do hear whats going on, its all a bit samey for my tastes. I like music from Slipknot to Enuff Z Nuff, from Zappa to Skrillex. It all has its place.
6. What could we find of interest in your music collection at home?
Adrian: Well, I love The Electric Boys, Frank Zappa, TNT are awesome, Blue Murder with John Sykes, Cry of Love, (so good yet so brief)! King’s X are an interesting trio. The Wildhearts, I could go on…!
7. Could you describe what goes on in a day as a musician?
Adrian: Well I have the day to myself unless I’m teaching for schools which can be day or evening, but I am always checking out new ways to get loud! I always look at new or retro gear, I have a couple of mates that are always buying & selling great gear to find the ultimate tone etc. Or I just play, record, or wait for the next wave of enthusiasm to waft over me.
8. How is the music scene in your area today?
Adrian: Its pretty vibrant actually, there are many young bands that aren’t shy about getting out in to pubs & local venues to play, its got a lot of my students out there which is a good sign.
9. Any words for future musicians?
Adrian: Well the future musician can either embrace the digital side of the music industry or keep it valves ‘n’ stomp boxes orientated. I think young musicians find out early on which one they are going to favour! It can mean either just recurring at home & releasing on the net, or getting out there & getting dirty! I know which is more fun! Cheers & see ya on the road.
Adrian Dunn, Mothers Ruin