Dario Lorina

Darrin: Dario, you were a busy guy at NAMM this year.  I saw some footage of you jamming out some Cherry Pie with Jani at the Crafter Guitar Booth, and you were scheduled for a ton of stuff yourself.  What were the highlights?

Dario: Yes, NAMM was a blast this year, extremely busy, but a great time!  Jani and I performed Saturday at the Crafter guitar booth, did some Cherry Pie, Uncle Tom's, Down Boys, Heaven, I Saw Red, etc... That was definitely a highlight. I performed everyday at Coffin Case, Friday at Krank Amps, and Saturday at Stone Tone Music.  Coffin Case had an incredible after party Saturday night.  The crowd trying to get in was like the crowd in Times Square on New Years.....well maybe not to that extreme..haha!  but it was the place to be Saturday night.  It was a tribute to Dimebag and John 5 was there, supposedly Bono, Mike Stone from Queensryche played, JD from Black Label, it was overall an awesome performance, Oh and I can't forget the Coffin Girls.  NAMM overall was a highlight!

Darrin: So you got a pretty good taste of a rock n roll tour this past year.  How did you like hitting the road with the Jani Lane band and cranking out some pretty historical songs all summer? 

Dario:  I definitely got a taste of Rock N Roll.  It was my first tour to that extent and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.  Hotel To Hotel, City To City, Venue to Venue; it was an experience that will never be forgotten.  Jani Lane, someone who I've looked up to since I was old enough to hear music..haha!  Playing on stage next to someone that I've watched since I was young, heard on the Radio, played CD after CD was/is incredible and playing such historical songs to audiences that responded to those well known songs was a feeling that can't be described.  Being on the road is something I love doing and am fortunate to have done at such a young age!

 ...and I look very forward to more of it!

Darrin: Do you think it was an important move for you to play with an established artist, to get your name out, over trying to go for it as a solo performer out of the gates?

Dario: Yes, definitely.

Darrin: You must have a good road story.  Everyone sees/experiences the unknown on a tour. What were your favorite parts and parts you could have done without?

Dario: One of my favorite parts were the long drives from city to city, many would think those would be boring but I had a great time bonding with everyone in the band, but most of all playing night after night.  I couldn't of done without any parts, everything that happens just makes for good memories.

Darrin: Did you have a favorite city to play in?

Dario: So far Pittsburgh, we played there with Sweet Lou as the promoter and things that night were spot on, We just played there again which we Co Headlined with Winger on New Years eve and it was a blast. The crowds are always insane and in to having a good time.

Darrin: What have you been working on since you came off tour?  Is there any updates on the ACDC tribute band Las Vegas Allstars?

Dario: Well, I am a senior in high school which I am doing by independent study, I'm working really hard and am planning on graduating this year which I am excited about.  I'm also narrowing down on players to complete my original project which I've been working hard on as well and am excited to start up.  I'm going for a heavy 80's influence with a modern twist. The Las Vegas All Stars, are looking to start up in the spring time.

Darrin: Who put that project together? That is a pretty rounded group of individuals, that I would never have expected to see in a band together.

Dario: Lez Warner from the Cult put it together.  It is a rounded group of individuals but it makes for interesting things to happen.  I've always been a fan of Jizzy Pearl and was excited to be working with him.

Darrin: Ok, we are both big Paul Gilbert fans.  I need to just stop here, and digress into a self serving music lover for a moment.… My favorite tunes by Paul are Scarified with Racer X and Green Tinted Sixties Mind back with Mr Big, and I guess any sound that comes off his guitar when he changes his strings.  What Paul tunes stand out for you?

Dario: hahah!!  Yes, any sounds that come off his guitar!!  Some of my favorite Paul Gilbert tunes would have to be Alive and Kickin, Colorado Bulldog, can't forget Daddy, Brother, and my new fave off his solo album, Rusty Old Boat. All of them are great!!!!!

Darrin: Yeah..he can't write a bad tune

Dario: I'm a huge Mr. Big, Racer X fan

Darrin: Ok, back on track. Gear.  You seem to be real big on LAG guitars, Stone Tone guitars and Krank amps. What are you plugged into for your live rig?   Do you have one of Krankenstein heads? What do you use for speaker boxes to get that great rock/metal tone?

Dario: LAG guitars are incredible, they are not in the U.S. yet but will be soon.  Phil Campbell from Motorhead uses LAG as well.  Stone Tone guitars are something you have to see and play for yourself, they are topped in granite and make for a wide open tone. 

I love Krank for their raw power and volume.  When I'm playing I want the audience to have to catch the sound with an oversized catchers mitt and then get knocked back a few feet. HA!  Krank amps are good for that. But they are very versatile.  I also use Crafter Acoustic guitars.  They sound and play great and do great inlay work.  Live I plug my guitar into the usual set of stomp boxes...tuner, wah, reverb/delay (effects loop), but my new favorite, the Coffin Case Blood Drive Distortion. 

It's very warm sounding and makes a great amp sound even better.  From there I go straight into my Krankenstein head and KRANK it!!!.  I use LAG, Stone Tone, and Crafter Guitars live.  As far as speaker cabinets go, I'm always experimenting but you can't go wrong with a Marshall 4X12 cab, it's just the standard in ROCK!!

Darrin: Are the Stone Tones heavy?  Like much heavier than the standard guitar?

Dario: Surprisingly, no!  The one I've been playing is there prototype which is roughly 10 pounds, but they improve in weight with every guitar and now have it down to a science, they just did a Strat and it's extremely light.

Darrin: What are your favorite 2-3 guitars that you reach for when practicing, writing or gigging?  Do you have different guitars for different settings/tones?

Dario: My favorite two are my LAG Arkane, they have just began the building of my Dario Lorina Custom LAG, and my Stone Tone.  I use both guitars with the same settings live.  I reach for both of those.  I plug all my guitars into the amp with the same settings, the amp may need a little adjustment, but for the most part I keep the settings the same.

Darrin: Such an honor, to have a guitar built in your name...kinda like a PG300

Dario: Haha!!  Definitely!

Darrin: You are a sought after instructor, and have also released (and I thank you for this) a BEGINNERS instructional DVD.  What made you start with a beginners DVD that teaches the very basics of tuning, power chords and basic blues licks, over some crazy type of advanced licks, tapping and other insane tricks?  I found that really refreshing, and very cool.

Dario: Well, being the age that I am, I know younger players may be able to relate to me a little easier and instead of coming out with and advanced lead technique video or something that many people have already done, coming out with something that teaches just the basic of rock guitar targeted towards a younger audience may be able to convince the younger players that the technique isn't unreachable at the present moment.

Darrin: It is perfect for a crappy player like me too! 

Dario: Haha!!  You have to start somewhere. but yes, I haven't had just kids purchasing the video, adults have been too and I've been getting great response from them. 

Darrin:  Haha..I have been playing for 20 years, and I am looking forward to your DVD

Dario: Awesome!!

Darrin: Do you still seek anyone out for private lessons for yourself?  Or are you at the point now that lessons are redundant?  How much of your time is spent giving lessons to people?

Dario:: Well, I teach Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons, averaging from about 3:00pm to 6:00pm.  I'm always trying to learn something new to keep my playing fresh, the internet has been a great tool for that, looking up lessons from my favorite players, and it has great theory sites as well.

Darrin: School.  Are you thinking MI or some sort of music schooling, or college/university? Do you have any other interests other than writing and performing that you could see yourself doing one day?

Dario: I would love to attend MI and am hopefully planning on it.  Other interests, well, I'm interested with Web Design and would maybe like to pursue that, maybe I just like it because Dreamweaver is so frustrating and I can't figure it out. hahah!  But it is something that has always interested me.

Darrin: What is next for you?  2007 is young.  Any plans with Jani?

Dario: Yes, plans with Jani for sure, things are being discussed and worked out as we speak, the formation of a band of my own, and whatever else 07 may bring, things are unpredictable but i'll be sure to keep everyone updated as much as possible.

Darrin: What are some non musical hobbies that you have?  What do you do to chill out in the down time, if there is any such thing?

Dario: Guitar is mainly it, it's what I love!!  Most of my free time is spent playing.  Aside from that, family means a great deal to me and I enjoy spending time with them.

Darrin: That is awesome to hear. You sound very grounded, for someone that has such a crazy life starting so early

Dario: I've been collecting pins since I was really young, I guess you could consider that a hobby.

Darrin: There you go..it definitely is.

That is awesome Dario.  I am glad we had this chance to find out a bit more about you, and I hope we can keep in touch.  We here will keep tabs on your bright future for sure!!! 

Dario: Thank you so much!!  It was my pleasure Darrin!