For Canada’s The Metal Voice former singer of Anthrax Neil Turbin caught up with Firewind and Ozzy Osbourne‘s guitarist Gus G at the NAMM Show 2017 in Anaheim, California. Gus G spoke about the new Firewind album Immortals, performing with Ozzy Osbourne, growing up in Greece and  his signature Jackson Guitars.

When asked about  the new singer Henning Basse on the new Firewind album ‘Immortals’

“He used to sing in a band called Metallium and he was our touring singer for 10 years, great guy, great frontman. he helped me on my solo gigs a couple of years ago and he was looking for a band and we were looking for a singer, it just seemed like the right thing to do. He has brought a new energy to the band and I am very excited to play with him.”

When asked what was like growing up in Greece trying to make it in the music industry

“When I started out I couldn’t find anyone to play with and form a band, it was just me and my eight track and my drum machine making demos and I was sending them to a small label in California in the hands of David Chastain,  he was the first guy to offer me my first record deal for Firewind. Firewind started in a very unorthodox way we started out as an MP3 exchange kind of band worked with different lineups until I found the right one. And nowadays it’s a different it’s not so much of a taboo to be a band from Italy or from Greece, back then it was harder.”

When asked about his signature Jackson guitar set up

I started working last year with Jackson Guitars they look amazing. My set up is very simple it’s just a guitar and an amp,  obviously it’s my Jackson guitars my own signature, plugged straight into a Blackstar amp. I have a few stomp boxes but nothing too much, just like  a wah wah. You would be amazed at how many sounds you can get out of one guitar.”

When asked about if there is a lot of pressure playing with Ozzy Osbourne

“Yeah of course, I would be lying if I said it that it wasn’t intimidating but at the same time it;s such a big challenge a life changing moment for me I could have not said no to that. I said whatever happens I know I am going to get crucified out there but I have to go out there and I have to see what it would be like for me,I just do my best. We are there to make Ozzy Shine.”

When asked if he had done any collaborating with Ozzy

We wrote a couple of ideas together, that hasn’t been recorded just some demos of sound checks after the Scream tour ended Ozzy went right back into Sabbath so the NEW album by Ozzy is on hold for now.”

Watch the Interview here: