JOEY CONCEPCION – ARTIST SPOTLIGHT & INTERVIEW
Ct. native and super shredder, Joey Concepcion just released his new album entitled Divine Technical Machine. The full length is an ambitious rendering of Concepcion‘s amazing guitar prowess. The record is filled with monstrously propulsive tracks that are full of life. Each song takes on its own ferocious verve and ferries the listener on a captivating ride. Concepcion produced and mixed the album with mastering by Nicky Bellmore at Dexter’s Lab Recording. It is being released by Mindsnap Music/Combat Records.
Joey Concepcion has toured in Europe playing guitar for Dark Tranquility, and has filled in for Arch Enemy on guitar, toured and played with Jasta of Hatebreed, Armageddon with Chris Amontt, The Absence, Once Human, Sanctuary, and Dead By Wednesday. He has also played on albums with Lost Symphony sharing solos with Marty Friedman, Jeff Loomis, Jimi Bell, and many more amazing and legendary guitarists!
Divine Technical Machine is a pure jewel. Anyone into heavy guitar driven music will appreciate this album. Like most solo guitarist albums, it’s not just one giant solo or non-stop noodling, there are great melodies within the songs too. Joey C. can not only play guitar like a monster with his abilities being put side by side like some of the guitar greats of past and present, but he is also super humble. The album features well known guitar gurus and some of his personal heroes like Christopher Amott, Jeff Loomis, Marc Rizzo, and more.
“Joey C’s songs are full of memorable hooks and I really like the controlled dissonance he’s using in several of these songs. With chops to spare I believe he is somewhat of an Evil Satriani. The band here is intense as well. The drums are perfectly executed and compliment and telegraph the changes in the songs. A must hear for any heavy edge guitarists and drummers out there,” says Chris Poland (ex-Megadeth/Kings of Thrash/Ohm guitarist).
I met Joey in downtown New Haven for our interview. We sat for lunch at Geronimo’s, enjoying their Mexican specialties. The conversation was light with Joey‘s dad and myself having a lot in common. The one thing I did notice was the fact that he was extremely modest and soft spoken. No unneeded bravado or egregious ego even though his musicianship deserves both. It was a pleasant encounter and I definitely felt an affinity with this amazing guitar player. We discussed past tours and current plans. It was a really enjoyable time.
AMP: What got you into music?
JOEY: It started when I was five. My father was a guitar player and I used to see his guitars in the basement. Even at that age, I knew they were something special. I always had this desire to touch them and give them a play. One day when I was eleven, I was riding my bike around the block when I noticed a neighbor putting a bunch of stuff on their lawn for a trash pickup. One of the items was a old Hohner guitar with one pickup and one string. The family just gave it to me. I rode home with that one string beauty and the rest is history. I was hooked.
AMP: Who are some of your inspirations and influences?
JOEY: I love Paul Gilbert, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, John Petrucci. Also a lot of 80’s guitar players like Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads.
AMP: What is your creative process like?
JOEY: Sometimes I don’t know where it’s going when I write a song. It just comes out of me from nowhere. There are times when I’m sitting with friends and a melody or a sense of inspiration hits me. Other times, I sing a melody into my phone. Then at a later date I will compile all these thoughts to create a track. There are occasions when I sit down and kind of contemplate how I am feeling and purposely write a song with that feeling being in the forefront. It’s like bringing my feelings to life. Just as if I was painting a portrait of myself.
AMP: Your new album is killer. What would you like your fans to take away from it?
JOEY: I just want them to really enjoy the record and then listen to it again just to see if they missed something. There’s a lot going on with these songs.
AMP: You are billed as a super shredder. How do you feel about the label?
JOEY: I think that’s okay. The label is nice. Back in the day, a shredder was kind of a taboo tag. It meant you could only play in one style. The moniker has changed over the years and I feel it is more of a compliment. Shredders can play in a multitude of directions.
AMP: You’ve toured with a bevy of top notch artists. Any particular tour stands out?
JOEY: Arch Enemy is my favorite band and I was fortunate enough to work with them and fill in on two shows in 2018. I was totally happy with that experience. It was a blessing.
AMP: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
JOEY: That’s so hard! Just one! If I have to pick, I quess Prince would be really cool to jam with.
AMP: How did the new album land on Mindsnap Records?
JOEY: My good friend Opus, Christian Lawrence, and I played in a band called Dead By Wednesday together. They’re still killing it. We also have worked on a ton of projects together over the decades. He’s a principal owner of Mindsnap and he gave me the opportunity to put out the record on the label. I’m proud and quite happy to have it released on MIndsnap.
AMP: Which track on the album is your prize possession?
JOEY: Damn! If I have to pick one, I would have to say “Blistered” which will be the first single off the album. It starts with an extreme in your face vibe. Then the chorus has this smooth melodic groove but then the extreme returns. It’s a great heavy hitter!
AMP: What’s next for Joey Concepcion?
JOEY: I’m already writing a new album. I’m also looking to do some festivals and one off gigs in the near future. A couple of guitar clinics are a possibility. There’s a lot going on.
Divine Technical Machine Tracklisting:
- Introduction
- Anomaly Enterprize w/ guest Jeff Loomis
- Awake in Dream w/ guest Christopher Amott
- Blistered
- Crucified
- Giant Spider Attack on the City w/ guest Opus & Family
- Elvianplush w/ guest Marc Rizzo
- Infinity
- Virtually Divine
- Pure Disgust w/ guest Jo Atlan
To learn more about Joey Concepcion, check out his website
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Stream music: Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud
Purchase: Bandcamp
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