Click Now to Save!

AX FACTS & STATS, Vol. 7: Shane Theriot
Another Exclusive interrogation by Dave Roberts for Extremeguitars.com


Photos Courtesy of Shane Theriot

Welcome to "A F & S" Volume 7 with Shane Theriot, an exceptionally talented guitarist presently playing and recording with the Neville Brothers, as well as working on his solo HWY 90 project and a variety of high profile session gigs.

-Dave Roberts

  • My name is: Shane Theriot

  • Describe yourself in 5 words: always striving to improve Myself.

  • My current job is: music.

  • My hometown is: Raceland, LA.

  • My current album or project is: Hwy 90, Neville Brothers and various session gigs.

  • Former band(s): Mr. Wizard, C.O.D., Eclipse, Stride.

  • My guitar influences growing up were: Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Wes Montgomery, Warren DeMartini, George Lynch, Scott Henderson, Tommy Tedesco (For inspiration).

  • The guitars I use are: Melancon custom guitars, Hamer, assorted strats.

  • The strings and tunings I use are: either 10-46 or 10-52 depending on guitars, Dean Markley.

  • My current rig setup consists of: live: 66 Fender Bassman head, 2x12 Mesa Boogie cabs, Marshall 100 watt head- A-B box to split signal.

  • The greatest invention for guitars is: amps.

  • My normal songwriting process: lay down a groove and play along with it.

  • My Favorite Shane Theriot solo is: "911" from Adam Nitti's record "Evidence".

  • My Favorite Shane Theriot song is: "Dublin" (from my upcoming CD).

  • My Career highlight is: playing for President Clinton and the whole crew at David Geffen's house in Bel Air.

  • My most embarrassing moment on stage: I once left a capo on the 2nd fret and tried to start of a tune with a fairly significant guitar intro.

  • The one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is: my tuner.

  • The first song I mastered on guitar was: Stairway to Heaven- no kidding!

  • My first guitar was: a Sears acoustic, quickly replaced with a Fender Telecaster.

  • If I am only sure of one thing in life, It's: strings only last me about 2 gigs!

  • My greatest fear is: Bad sushi.

  • The one ritual I always perform prior to going onstage is: aikido stretches for my hands.

  • Favorite quote: Music should be played from the heart, not the mind.

  • The exact moment I knew I would pursue a career in music was: when I saw how much fun it was.

  • The best advice I could give beginning guitarists is: learn to appreciate all types of music and keep an open mind.

  • The CD(s) I'm listening to right now is: Luke Vibert/BJ Cole "Stop the Panic" Ry Cooder.

  • My 3 all-time favorite albums are:

    1. Stone Temple Pilots-Core
    2. Just about all Van Halen
    3. Michael Brecker- 1st solo record

  • I'm a sucker for: Japanese bands with girl bass players.

  • If I could meet any ONE person living or dead, he/she would be: Thomas Edison.

  • My favorite junk food is: In and Out Burger.

  • My biggest pet peeve is: guitarists who don't tune and bash those of us who are somewhat proficient on the instrument.

  • The word or catch phrase I say way too much is: ”that's cool”.

  • The hardest part of my job is: dealing with music that doesn't move you.

  • The first thing I do when I come home from touring is: lay on my favorite couch.

  • I knew I hit the "big time" when: Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top gave me a thumbs up on the side of stage- & James Brown's guitar player actually bought my Funk Guitar book.

  • The worst job I ever had was: Sizzler on Highland Ave.- Hollywood.

  • Right after this interview I'm going to: to lunch.

  • If I could create the dream band with any musicians dead or alive, I would choose: Ry Cooder.

  • I couldn't imagine being on the road without: some books & Community Coffee from La..

  • If I wasn't doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as: an astronomer.

  • My favorite movie ever: Manhattan- Woody Allen.

  • If I could go back and change only one thing in my career, it would be: never pick up the guitar- (it's been love/hate thing with me my whole life).

  • My mission in life: to be happy, healthy, wealthy and to help others.

  • My first band was: Stride.

  • My next major step is: release my second solo record.

  • The greatest contribution guitars have brought into my life is travel, being able to pay the bills, meeting interesting people.

  • The coolest toy I had growing up was: a telescope.

  • Check out my Website at: www.shanetheriot.com

  • The one musician I would love to work with that I have not yet had the chance would be: Brian Blade (drums), Paul McCartney.

  • If I could have three wishes, they would be:

    be in Paul McCartney's band, 2.record at Eddie Van Halen's 5150 studio for a week-3.not have to play music if I didn't want to just for a job...

  • When it's all said and done, I want the world to remember me for: contributing something meaningful to music.

    Points of Interest:
  • Shane began playing guitar ate age 9 and after only 2 short years he played his first “professional gig” at age 11, during the New Orleans World Fair
  • Shane has performed and recorded with many artists including Joel Sonnier, Lee Greenwood, a compilation record for Schoolhouse Rock, ex- Allman Bros. keyboard man Johnny Neel, Crystal Taliefaro, Sam Moore (Sam and Dave) and made numerous jingles and demos, as well as a new release by bassist Adam Nitti featuring Dave Weckl, Victor Wooten, and Joe Zawinul drummer Kirk Covington. .
  • Shane has written a number of instructional books and columns published in Guitar Player magazine and Guitar Nine including an instructional book/CD entitled “New Orleans Funk Guitar”, on Warner Bros. Publications.
  • Shane attended the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles alongside other talented musicians such as Paul Gilbert and Scott Henderson (then with pianist Chick Corea) and graduated in 1990 with top honors in all styles. Only 3 students out of a class of 300 were granted this honor.
  • You can check out other interesting facts, pictures, lessons and more on Shane’s website.

    Thank you Shane for joining us for this "Ax facts & Stats" and I want to wish you the best of luck on your upcoming solo release. You are definitely a great sport and interview. Be sure to check out Shane's website at www.ShaneTheriot.com . !

    -Dave Roberts

    www.extremeguitars.com is the web home of articles and interviews written by Dave Roberts. All Dave Roberts interviews & articles are available for use or reprint ONLYby Permission. Permission can be obtained by contacting dave@extremeguitars.com. All materials are Copyright Dave Roberts and Oceanbreeze Ent., All Rights Reserved.