GES: Hello Tony, for people who don’t know you, can you please tell us more on who you are, and your musical experiences ?
TH: Well, I´m a pro guitarist based in Spain with 3 solo albums and a brand new DVD/CD on the label Lion Music, with Mike Terrana on drums…that´s it!
 
GES:  You come from Spain, how is the musical scene in this beautiful country?  Is it easy for a musican to play Metal instrumental music in front of an audience?  
TH: Beautiful Spain is not known for its music scene unfortunately…all you can hear is Latin-Pop-Rap SHIT. Metal is still underground, and althought the level of the bands and players is better than 20 years ago, the scene is not as alive as then…that´s what I think, but maybe i´m wrong, because I was about 10 years old then and that is what I remember…
 
GES:  You've just released a Live dvd, when and why did you decided to release it?  
TH: It was all planned around the promo tours we made last year with Mike Terrana in the band. Having him for recording is great, but having him for touring is even better, and we wanted to documentate that…specially when the album “III” was successful and its songs become better in a live performance. 
 
GES:  Can you tell us more about the other musicians playing with you? It seems you have a good relationship with famous drummer Mike Terrana !
TH: Yeah! We are good friends, I know him since I was living in LA while attending GIT and use to see him live with Tony Macalpine many times. When he moved to Europe we kept in touch, and when I felt ready for asking him for participate in my album “The shades of truth” everything went good and now we still recording and playing together…For me is easy to work with him, because he is a great professional and always delivering the goods.
 
GES: On your last album “III” you have recorded a cover from guitarist Joey Tafolla, is there a particular reason excepting that the music is fantastic? Joey if you read this interview please record a new  “shred neo-classical” album ! ;o)
TH: I felt I had to do a “Tribute” to Joey in particular and to all that 80´s scene of guitarists who change my world, you know? Joey Tafolla was my most important teacher and is one of my best friends, no doubt is a world class guitarist!
 
GES:  Tony, after 3 instrumental cds do you think one day you will include a singer to try new compositions styles?   
TH: Exactly what i´m  doing right now! Writing songs with a singer in mind! Hope I will end up with a great collection of songs for recording soon!
 
GES:  Concerning your gear how is it composed ? Do you play exclusively on Ibanez guitars?
TH: Yes, I´ve been endorsing Ibanez  for about 6 years now…great instruments, comfortable and simple. I´ve got a few really collectable Ibanez guitars, including some Customs they´ve built for me. Then I use Bogner amplification, which is one of the best out there, with a great singing tone, with no gain excess!
 
GES:  Do you have a favorite guitar sound effect?
TH: No, I don’t like effects very much, maybe for adding some textures or different colors in studio recordings, but on Live I prefer no effects, maybe a little bit of Delay, some Chorus in few clean passages…even the recording for the DVD was direct to console with no effects, so we could apply them on the mixing process with more quality.
 
GES:  If you had the opportunity to record an album with an other guitar player who would it be?
TH:…difficult to fit 2 guitarists of this style! I would be in a different situation, with no shredding in mind and more songwriting and partnership…then i´d choose Adrian Smith, one of most underrated guitarists, with a  great tone, vibrato, tempo and songwriting skills!...for a Shredding double attack i´d dream to play with the great Jason Becker…but fortunately we can still enjoying Cacophony albums, which are still unbeatable!!
 
GES:  What would you say has been one of your more memorable musical experience in your life?
TH: Sharing the stage with some of my fav guitarists like Andy Timmons, Richie Kotzen, my “italian brother” William Stravato…and of course Mike on drums. The best thing i´ve got from being in the music is traveling and meeting so many different people and learning a lot from all of them.
 
GES:  Tony, when you’re at home what kind of music are you listening?
TH: It depends on my mood, but I normally listen to classical music. When I go for visiting my parents, where I still having my huge vynil collection, I like to listen to my old Maiden, Lizzy, Macalpine, etc… albums …good memories come out!
 
GES:  Is there any advice you'd like to pass onto aspiring musicians?
TH: Play from the heart and try to get a distinctive voice…focus on the music instead the numbers of the notes…but that are things that  come with the time, you cant do it in one day!
 
GES:  Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, the last words are for you !!
TH: Thank you so much, please visit my website www.tonyhernando.com and drop me an email! Hope you enjoy the DVD! All the best!