"Guitar World Inquirer, with Yngwie Malmsteen"
Guitar World, July 2000
The always prolific Swedish shredder has released five albums since 1998.
Lalaina: What's new with Yngwie Malmsteen in the year 2000?
Malmsteen: I'm recording a new studio album. Although Facing the Animal [Mercury, 1998] was my last album released in the States, I've had four other albums released overseas since then [Live!!, Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra in Eb minor Op. 1, Alchemy, and Anthology 1994-1999]. I'm optimistic that all of them will be coming out in the U.S. I've already had some offers from independent labels. I'm like a cat. No matter how hard I'm hit, I always land on my feet. I've got more than nine lives.
Lalaina: How do you stay so confident?
Malmsteen: Now I'm channeling all my aggression into my music. I used to be quite lost, really. The crazier I was as a person, the less I could focus on the music. So I was really aggressive and crazy and wild, but it really didn't reflect the music, because a lot of it was kind of lame. The most stable time of my life is now; having a kid really kicks your ass and changes everything in the best way. You have so much responsibility, you can't be that crazy. I can play circles around what I used to play. I listen to my old albums and laugh at them.
Lalaina: Do you remember your first gig?
Malmsteen: I played in school when I was nine years old. It was just me and a drummer. I didn't have a proper amp, so I played some bluesy licks through an old tube radio. The kids and teachers thought we were playing way too loud. I wouldn't exactly call it a great success.
Lalaina: What was the first song you mastered?
Malmsteen: It was either "Hey Joe" or "House of the Rising Sun."
Lalaina: What's the one piece of gear you couldn't live without?
Malmsteen: There is really only one answer to that: the guitar. I could live without the amp, I could live without the cord, but I couldn't live without the guitar. That's where it all comes from
Lalaina: If you could change one thing about the music scene, what would it be:
Malmsteen: The U.S. rock scene should have more diversity-- a plethora of styles should be available and promoted. It's as if you can't have grunge and glam metal at the same time-- it's either or. The scene in the States is way too fashionable.
Lalaina: Do you have any fashion tips for guitarists?
Malmsteen: Cut your goatee and take the sock off your head.
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