Axe Lords

Neil Giraldo joins the Axe Lords for a deep dive into the guitars, amps, and outboard gear behind mega-hits like Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl,” on which he nailed the legendary solo in one take, thank you very much. The Ohio native (just like Dave!) walks us through his go-to BC Rich Eagle and Marshall 2x12 combo rig, how a Schaefer-Vega wireless feeding an Eventide H949 became his signature stereo sound, and why he leans on heavy strings, aggressive muting, and low gain instead of shred-style distortion. Neil also talks about how music grounded him as a kid, discusses his touring rig, and shares some of the secret recording tricks he uses to shape his tone in the studio. Along with his musical partner and wife Pat Benatar, Neil is also the author of best-selling children’s book My Grandma and Grandpa Rock! Follow @neilgiraldoofficial and @benatargiraldo for news, tour dates, and more. Axe Lords is presented in partnership with the Witz Comedy Network and Premier Guitar. Hosted by Dave Hill, Cindy Hulej and Tom Beaujour. Produced by Studio Kairos. Executive Producer is Kirsten Cluthe. Edited by Justin Thomas at Revoice Media. Engineered by Patrick Samaha. Recorded at Kensaltown East. Artwork by Mark Dowd. Theme music by Valley Lodge. Follow @axelordspod for updates, news, and cool stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Designer, guitarist and certified culture tinkerer Billy Reid drops by Axe Lords to talk about the overlap between great guitars and great clothes — and why both have to look cool. Tom, Dave and Cindy grill Billy on the leather jacket he made for Jimmy Page, the custom Gibson Hummingbird he designed, and his deep obsession with ’70s Japanese acoustics like Yamaha “red labels” and Tokai Cat’s Eyes. Billy breaks down how Japanese builders and denim heads chase “perfect imitation,” how he hides signature details inside garments, and why some designs bomb at first only to become cult favorites — including wool shorts. Axe Lords is hosted by Dave Hill, Cindy Hulej and Tom Beaujour. Produced by Studio Kairos. Executive Producer is Kirsten Cluthe. Edited by Justin Thomas at Revoice Media. Engineered by Patrick Samaha. Recorded at Kensaltown East, NYC. Artwork by Mark Dowd. Theme music by Valley Lodge. Follow @axelordspod for updates, news, and cool stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Larkin Poe’s Rebecca and Megan Lovell join Axe Lords to talk guitars, their new album Bloom, their blood-harmony superpowers, and how building a recording studio with your spouse is a terrific way to test the structural integrity of a relationship—not to mention your credit card limit.  Rebecca walks us through how she became the reluctant lead singer, why she mostly relies on the bridge humbucker in her Strat, and how open tunings both elevate your riffs and ruin your life onstage. Meanwhile, Megan traces her lap-steel  journey from a back-breaking vintage Rickenbacker to her signature model Electro-Liege. Warning: You may think you suck at music after she rips an improvised episode outro for us! Axe Lords is presented in partnership with Premier Guitar. Hosted by Dave Hill, Cindy Hulej and Tom Beaujour. Produced by Studio Kairos. Executive Producer is Kirsten Cluthe. Edited by Justin Thomas at Revoice Media. Engineered by Patrick Samaha. Recorded at Kensaltown East. Artwork by Mark Dowd. Theme music by Valley Lodge.  Follow @axelordspod for updates, news, and cool stuff.  Follow Larkin Poe @larkinpoe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices, Nada Surf) joins the Axe Lords to dissect his signature sound , explain why why he’s one of the few “indie rock guys” running a Mesa Dual Rectifier and—bonus!-gives the A-Lords a guided tour of his battle-worn ’76 Les Paul Custom. Doug — who also played bass in Dave’s Band Valley Lodge — breaks down his approach to composed solos, the harmony and capo tricks behind “I Am a Tree,” and how Cleveland punk, college radio, glam, and right-hand tapping shaped his style. Along the way: how annoying Tom is to work with in the studio, early guitars from Sears and Gibson, Cleveland-scene lore, surviving GBV’s marathon shows, and the most intense comedy monologue since Andy Kaufman shuffled off this mortal coil. Axe Lords is presented in partnership with Premier Guitar. Hosted by Dave Hill, Cindy Hulej and Tom Beaujour. Produced by Studio Kairos. Executive Producer is Kirsten Cluthe. Edited by Justin Thomas at Revoice Media. Engineered by Patrick Samaha. Recorded at Kensaltown East. Artwork by Mark Dowd. Theme music by Valley Lodge. Follow @axelordspod for updates, news, and cool stuff. Follow Doug Gillard @douggillard Episode Highlights 00:00 – Cold Open: Paulina Porizkova, Bambi Kino & a failed pizza date 07:00 – First guitars: Sears Fireball, ’70s Gibson and Dad’s missile-silo day job 15:10 – Cleveland punk roots: Suspect Device, college radio & UK post-punk influences 24:00 – GEM, “Something to Point To” & non–Van Halen right-hand tapping 28:30 – Meeting Dave Hill, cassettes at Euclid Tavern & early Guided By Voices memories 38:20 – Glam revelation: Bolan, Ronson, Slade & choosing Les Pauls over Strats and Jazz Choruses 42:30 – Gear talk: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, relic culture & why faux-relics feel weird 56:00 – Bambi Kino explained: Hamburg-era Beatles covers only & the Paulina crossover 59:30 – “I Am a Tree” breakdown: capo tricks, Fleetwood Mac, Scarborough Fair & droning double-stops 1:10:00 – Doug’s solo albums, “Time Is Nigh” play-out & closing thanks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legendary Lita Ford joins Axe Lords to break down the guitars that shaped her sound — including her infamous BC Rich Warlock “Maurice,” her iconic double-neck, and the tone secrets she’s carried from The Runaways to today. She shares wild road stories, rare gear, and even plays a live performance. Axe Lords is hosted by Dave Hill, Cindy Hulej, and Tom Beaujour. Produced by Studio Kairos. Recorded at Kensaltown East. Engineered by Patrick Samaha. Edited and mixed by Justin Thomas. Artwork by Mark Dowd. Theme music by Valley Lodge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices