Interview: Tony Hernando

Tony Hernando: I first started studying classical music, theory and liitle bit of singing and piano when I was nine years old at the Conservatory. At that time, I only knew classical music, but I discovered hard rock soon and realized it was not only exciting and powerful music, but good music too!

Tony Hernando: First it was metal; Iron Maiden, Ozzy, Van Halen and Kiss, but as soon as I heard Yngwie for the first time, that was it! I was captivated! Then came all the "Shrapnel years" - Macalpine, Tafolla and Vinnie Moore, I was deeply into all those albums.

Tony Hernando: At that time, I was about 16 and did not have any help or understanding from my family, who only want me to play classical music. I began to save all the money I could for my music books, videos and I dreamed about going to G.I.T.

Tony Hernando: About nine months of writing, rehearsal, recording, and mixing - it's a lot of work!

Tony Hernando: Yeah, I have a pretty finished picture in my mind, but many of the songs develop or grow in a very different way. It depends on the vibe of the musicians with me, changes in our moods, etc.

Tony Hernando: I called Mike Terrana again, because we are friends, he is one of my all time favs and he is just so professional and has a great energy and character; perfect for my music. I must say that when I'm writing I'm already thinking about his drumming, so when he is actually recording my session I'm enjoying it a lot, because we don't have as much stress; is a very positive feeling, which also makes the music of "III" much more focused and punchier. On bass, I wanted the participation of my actual bandmate Alvaro Tenorio for most of the album, although I called Pepe Bao like I always do. Victor Diez played few keyboards here and there.

Tony Hernando: Thank you for the comment. "Sci-Fi To Reality" has turned into one of people's favorite tracks on the album! Which I did not expect! I knew it was very different from the rest of the songs, but I still wanted to play some fusion stuff like before, so I just went for it and gave a lot of freedom to the rest of the guys. Yeah, William and I are great mates and we look forward working on something bigger in the future.

Tony Hernando: Yes! It was my tribute and personal thanks to one of the finest and greatest guitarists, and one of my best friends by the way! As I told you before, I grew up with all those Shrapnel albums, so I decided to pay a tribute to Joey and that whole scene through this song.

Tony Hernando: A few Ibanez guitars and a Bogner Ecstasy amplifier, which is just beautiful and inspiring.

Tony Hernando: It depends. The feeling, accuracy, tone - so many factors - and we are always trying to have them all in every note!

Tony Hernando: It depends too. There are songs that started with just a riff, like "Into The Black" and "The Awakening". Others sprang from melodies, such as "Now" and "Truer Than Ever".

Tony Hernando: I'd say that 75% are well-writen and rehearsed beforehand, but some are improvised, or built up during the recording takes.

Tony Hernando: No, I don't like to collect, because I don't have the money and I just want guitars for playing. I feel really bad owning a guitar which has not been even touched in just a week.

Tony Hernando: When I was a student I worked hard on exercises and all that, but now I just play or rehearse my repertoire...Although I am also still teaching, so I'm constantly recalling all the old exercises - no way of getting out of them!

Tony Hernando: Yes, I've been endorsed by Ibanez for 5 years now, also Dean Markley strings, and I just signed with Bogner last year.

Tony Hernando: Pretty much. Same guitars and amps and different effects. We use some delays and reverbs on the album, but I don't use reverb live, just a delay pedal, wah, and maybe some chorus on clean sounds. I've changed my mentality about this issue drastically when I started to play with the Bogner, since it sounds so good that doesn't need anything else. I used to use a lot of useless crap that only screwed up my tone and playing. Thank God that we learn from our mistakes!

Tony Hernando: I'm a better writer and producer now. Sure, I'm playing better also, but that doesn't mean I play faster or whatever - just better. Now I can express myself better through my music and playing. I really had this feeling while recording "III", and it is a liberation.

Tony Hernando: I started with this idea (a la Satriani's G3) just for helping with the guitar scene here. It is getting better, so it looks like it will continue every year with different and great guitarists!

Tony Hernando: I guess like anywhere else - pretty underground!

Tony Hernando: When time permits I do some sessions, or arrange and write music for others, but it has to be something I like, or I will not do it. Money is not everything for me.

Tony Hernando: No, but sometime I arrange some gigs with some bandmates under the name Classic Rock Band. We play Whitesnake,Thin Lizzy, Ozzy, Journey - just for fun.

Tony Hernando: Yes I do teach, which I love, fortunately. I normally have intermediate to advanced students.

Tony Hernando: I used to listen a lot to learn as much I could, but not that much now.

Tony Hernando: Let's see, it would be probably "Hundred Of Thousands" from Tony Macalpine's "Maximum Security" record. Every time I play that song I go crazy!

Tony Hernando: Steve Vai "Hot Dog And A Shake", Yngwie "Rising Force", Randy Rhoads "Mr. Crowley", John Sykes "Holy War". You said three? The list could go on forever.

Tony Hernando: Ah! Mike Terrana on drums - a dream already came true! Billy Sheehan on bass.

Tony Hernando: It's great! A guy with such a passion for the guitar and he's building a whole new scene!

Tony Hernando: Only time will tell!

Tony Hernando: Any form of musical art is great and respectable, and the best thing is that music is just universal.

Tony Hernando: Keeping the good playing and music, keep on improving and contributing with the GuitarFest idea.

Tony Hernando: Yes, sure. You will see hot news soon on my web site!