Scotti Hill

BIO

Scotti Hill of Skid Row needs no introduction. Skid Row burst onto the scene in 1989 with it's debut album, Skid Row. They went on to win the American Music Awards Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist of 1990 and were also nominated for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album of 1990.

Says, Scotti, “playing as a team for over thirty years, our styles are still as unique as our personalities — as unique as our band. Combine them together on United World Rebellion - Chapter Three and you have the Skid Row guitar sound.”

American Music Awards

• Won Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist, 1990
• Nominated Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album, 1990

Welcome aboard, Scotti!

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Exclusive Interview

What are you working on now?

I do fly dates with Skid Row most of the year. We are also working on the third EP of the United World Rebellion series with our new singer ZP Theart. That will be followed my a full length record. The theme of the song will determine if it appears on the EP or the LP. The band sounds great and we are looking forward to the future of Skid Row.

When Im not working with Skid Row I write and record my own songs. This work will eventually be released in some form. My music is much different then Skid Row. It's not as heavy and is more autobiographical in content. I tend to use more organic and traditional guitar sounds as well as acoustic and lap steel. I guess it could be compared to ZZ Top combined with Eagles.

What is your musical background and influences?

When I started playing at 13 I took lessons for about a year and learned the fundamentals. After that I took it upon myself to learn on my own. At 16 I got a fake ID and started going to night clubs and watching live bands. I always stood in front of the guitar player and watched closely. Then I would go home and practice what I saw. There was no internet or YouTube so you had to watch the real thing. I never learned music theory or how to read music. I've always had a basic knowledge of the notes on the neck and simple theory. But recently I've taken an interest on chord structure and find myself watching YouTube videos on the subject. I even bought a book.

As for influences, I've always tried to keep an open mind. When I was a child my older sisters listened to music all the time. I was raised on The Beatles. I also remember hearing the Woodstock record a lot. My first exposure to Hendrix was the Star Spangled Banner. I was fascinated by it. Motown and Jackson 5 where also a big deal for me as a kid. As I got older and began to play guitar I discovered Jeff Beck. He is probably my biggest influence. Also the obvious ones like EVH, Randy Rhodes and Jimmy Page. But so important where the local heroes that I watched for so many years. Incredible musicians that unfortunately remain unknown to the world.

What is the role of education in music?

I think that any craft you choose should be studied, analyzed and developed. Although I have very limited theory skills, I realize that I would be much better at what I do if I had just put in the time to learn it. On the flip side, there are musicians that rely only on what is printed in the book. There must be a balance of what is heart felt emotion and what is theoretically correct. Rules can be broken. But only if it works and makes final result the best it can be. Think Hendrix or Miles Davis. I see hundreds of technically brilliant guitar players on YouTube. Mind blowing speed. But what does that have to do with music? It's pressing buttons in my opinion. Speed is a must have in your bag of tricks but it's only a small fraction of what makes a great musician.

How do you feel about the current ‘state of the music industry’?

I feel the same today as I always have about the music industry, and it ain't good.

Why do you use Mooer?

I play a lot of fly dates. Fly dates are when you fly to gigs and play on rented back line gear. This allows us to move from place to place quickly with minimal overhead. I always have two full Marshall JCM 900 stacks. The problem is most backline rental companies don't maintain the amps. Sadly more then not these amps that should sound great usually sound quite bad. The Mooer preamps sound just amazing and solve the problem of ancient and unbiased tubes in the Marshalls by bypassing the Marshalls preamp all together and using only the power section. The results are great! I'm also very impressed with the size and verity of their line of pedals. My live rig fits in a small carry on. I'm looking forward to experimenting with more of the preamps, overdrives and other effects. They even make a tiny 30 watt power amp called the Baby Bomb! So many possibilities. Big tone in small boxes.