Will Wallner

Will Wallner

Will Wallner Photographed live in Los Angeles at the Whisky A Gogo on 12 December 2013 by Alex Solca
Background information
Birth name William Ernst Wallner
Born 24 January 1987 (1987-01-24) (age 30)
Origin Shute, Devon, England
Genres hard rock, heavy metal, blues rock
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Guitar
Years active 2011 – present
Associated acts White Wizzard
Will Wallner & Vivien Vain
Website www.willwallner.com
wallnervain.com
Notable instruments
Gibson Les Paul, Fender Stratocaster, Marshall JCM 800, Bare Knuckle Pickups

Will Wallner (born 24 January 1987) is an English rock guitarist and songwriter. His main influences are Ritchie Blackmore, Gary Moore and John Sykes.[1][2] He began playing guitar at age 16 and received his first "real guitar", a Gibson Les Paul Custom, which he has played his entire career, at the age of 18.[3] He began playing guitar by ear, then had taken his first formal guitar lessons from a rock guitar teacher in his home town of Devon, England.[3] He is an alumnus of the prestigious Colyton Grammar School and a graduate of the University of Portsmouth with a BSc in Music and Sound Technology[4][5][6] and has also studied at the Musicians Institute, in Hollywood.[3] Since 2012 he has been a regular contributor to Guitar World magazine with his weekly blog 'Bent Out of Shape'.[3][7] He currently resides in Los Angeles, California and also owns a recording studio in Berlin, Germany.

Since 2011 he has worked with Croatian singer Vivien Vain. Their debut album 'Will Wallner & Vivien Vain' was released on 8 October 2012 via Metal Mind Productions.[8][9] The album was mixed by Gary Tole (David Lee Roth, Bon Jovi) and features several guest musicians including Carmine Appice, Vinny Appice, Rudy Sarzo, Derek Sherinian, Jimmy Bain, Brian Tichy, Tony Carey and Tony Franklin.The song 'Streets of Rage' is the first and only studio recording to feature both Vinny Appice And Carmine Appice on drums. The album cover features both musicians photographed by legendary photographer Glen La Ferman.[3][10][11][12][13]

On November 11, 2014 he released his second solo album featuring Vivien Vain on vocals. The album title 'The Battle Of Clyst Heath' was inspired by the battle of Clyst Heath during the Wars of the Roses. The album also features two cover songs. The first is a guitar arrangement of the soundtrack to cult science fiction film Blade runner original composed by Vangelis. The second is a cover of Gary Moore's 'The Loner' which features Moores former band members Don Airey (Deep Purple, Rainbow) and Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Black Sabbath). Other guests on the album include Carmine Appice, Vinny Appice, Tony Franklin and Bjorn Englen.

In 2012 he recorded an album with Grammy Award winning producer Bob Kulick (Kiss, Meat Loaf)

From 2012 to 2013 he toured and recorded as lead guitarist for White Wizzard (Earache Records).[3][14][15] His first show with the band was in Shibuya, Tokyo on 12 May 2012 at Club Quattro.[16] In 2012 he toured North America and Canada and was featured on their single 'Torpedo of Truth'.[17][18] In 2013 he recorded guitar solos for White Wizzard's new album "The Devils Cut". The album was produced by Ralph Patlan (Megadeth, MSG). 'The Devils Cut' was released on 3 June in Europe via Earache records and on 25 June in North America via Century Media Records.[19] He toured North America and Europe in support of the release and left the band in October 2013.[20]

He is currently endorsed by Bare Knuckle Pickups which are manufactured in South West England where he grew up.[21]

References

  1. "Artist Website". Will Wallner Official Website. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  2. "Will Waller Interview – Fave 5 Reviews". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Will Wallner Interview". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  4. "Midweek Herald". Heavy metal star returns to Colyton. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  5. "Student Profile". University of Portsmouth Official Website. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  6. "News Article". University of Portsmouth Official Website. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  7. Wallner, Will. "Online Article". Guitar World. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  8. "News Article". Muzyka.pl. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  9. "News Article". Bravewords. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  10. "Press Release". Metal Mind Productions. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  11. "will Wallner Vivien Vain rising". TV Rock Live. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  12. "Lyme Regis: Guitarist Will Wallner set to rock Los Angeles". Bridport News. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  13. "Will Wallner/Vivian Vain Debut". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  14. "White Wizzard Official Website". Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  15. Wallner, Will (8 October 2012). "An Introduction to Improvising for Rock and Metal Guitarists". Guitar International. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  16. "News Article". Burrn! Magazine. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  17. "Video". Earache Records Tumblr blog. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  18. "Feedback: White Wizzard – Official Website". Rockhouse Photography. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  19. "Century Media Records Press Release". Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  20. "Metal Sucks". Shocker! Guitarist Will Wallner Out of White Wizzard. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  21. "Guitar World". Checking Out Bare Knuckle's PG Blues Pickups. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
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