Melbourne Guitar Show returns as Australia’s biggest guitar show in 2025, with this year’s edition also marking a milestone for the iconic event, moving to a new home alongside an incredible lineup of performers, workshops and more locked and loaded for this March. The Victoria Pavilion at the Melbourne Showgrounds is set to play host to Australia’s ultimate showcase of guitars, amps, pedals and lots of other gear on Saturday March 1 and Sunday March 2; and with a new venue, a brand new layout and a reimagined program offering a horde of new ideas, workshops and live opportunities, 2025’s Melbourne Guitar Show will undeniably be the ultimate mecca for axe-slingers and riff-bringers of all ages.
- How does it feel to be part of the Melbourne Guitar Show 2025 lineup?
It’s an absolute honor to be part of the Melbourne Guitar Show 2025 lineup. Australia seriously punches above its weight when it comes to guitarists, and there are so many unbelievable players coming through the ranks—shoutout to Kathleen Halloran and Minnie Marks! Standing alongside musicians like them is both humbling and inspiring. It always pushes me to dig a little deeper, and there’s a real camaraderie in it. Being part of that is a reminder of why I picked up a guitar in the first place. I can’t wait!
- Have you ever customized your own guitar? If so, what modifications did you make?
I’ve done my fair share of tinkering—swapping out pickups, adjusting action, messing with tone caps. I even cut a hole in my Tricone and threw in a pickup. I definitely had that “oh sht, what have I done?”* moment halfway through, but it turned out nasty in the best way possible. You can hear it all over my first EP.
- How has your choice of gear evolved over your career?
Early on, I was all about simplicity—plug in, crank it up, and go. I was a total traditionalist, running my Les Paul through a Fender DeVille with a few essential pedals. That amp was my workhorse for years—big, bold, and loud as hell (too loud some may say, 😂). But as my sound evolved and I needed more versatility, I recently made the switch to a Kemper.
At first, I was skeptical, but the technology has caught up, and it’s completely changed the game for me. Now I can dial in exactly what I need, with a million different possibilities, without sacrificing the rawness and grit that’s always been at the heart of my playing. My Les Paul is still a constant because it’s got that undeniable power and sustain, but I’ve also brought in my SG for its bite and my Cole Clark for those rich, earthy acoustic tones.
I’ve learned that the right tools don’t box you in—they push you to play in new ways. At the end of the day, it’s about finding gear that gets out of the way and lets you express yourself exactly how you want. #fuckfittingin
- If you could only use one effects pedal for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
Either my original Big Muff Pedal or my Cockfight.
- What do you think makes the Melbourne Guitar Show such a special event for musicians and fans?
Guitar shows are like candy stores for music lovers—there’s something for everyone. For players, it’s about getting hands-on with new gear, discovering tones you didn’t even know you were chasing (and probably spending more than you planned—haha), and sharing stories with fellow guitar obsessives. For fans, it’s a front-row seat to raw, unfiltered musicianship—no smoke and mirrors, just a good old-fashioned shred fest.
But what really makes MGS special is the community vibe. It’s not just about showing off (okay, maybe for some a little 😂)—it’s about learning, connecting, and getting inspired. No matter where you are on your journey, whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or you’ve been touring for decades, there’s something here for everyone.
- Do you prefer writing alone or collaborating with other musicians?
I love both. For most of my life, I’ve enjoyed the challenge of dumping out the jigsaw puzzle pieces and figuring out how they fit. But with this new record, I really opened the doors to collaboration—working with my dear friend and producer, LA-based Andy Baldwin. He saw things in my songs that I never would have imagined, and that was magic.
- Who were your biggest influences when you first started playing guitar?
Jimmy Page, Peter Green, Duane Allman, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Slash, Gary Moore, and Billy Gibbons.
- Do you ever write music away from the guitar and then translate it later?
Most of the time, yeah. That said, I wrote a song on piano for this new record called The Wind Blows—it was meant to stay in the demo folder, but we just couldn’t leave it there. Maybe I should figure out a live version on guitar… thanks for the inspo. I’ll be right back. 🤙🏼
- How do you know when a song is “finished”?
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” Michelangelo spent four years painting the Sistine Chapel, obsessing over every detail. I often think about that when I’m nearing the end of a song. How did he know it was done? Simple—he ran out of ceiling. As songwriters, we don’t have a physical ‘ceiling,’ but I think it’s about reaching a point where you can step back, take it in, and feel like you wouldn’t change a thing.
- What’s the most memorable live show you’ve ever played?
It’s a toss-up between supporting Patti Smith on the island of Corsica, France, and playing the Le Mans 24-hour circuit race in front of 20,000 people. Two completely different experiences—one was pure, high-energy chaos, and the other was an utterly surreal moment, sharing a stage with an icon. Two completely different experiences, but both unforgettable.
- What’s next on the horizon – Tours, releases, anything.
I’m hitting the road through Feb/Mar, then joining ZZ Top & George Thorogood for the Red Hot Summer Tour in April and May. Beyond that, always writing, always creating—there’s plenty more to come.