For this weeks edition of the Hi-Fives we've got Epigaze Audio's Josh Alley answering our series of random top 5 interview questions. Read on!
Top 5 things about running your own business
1. doing/saying what I want
2. being able to create and have others who like said creations
3. stressful
4. Making friends with other builders
5. more stress
Top 5 all time favorite circuits
1. DOD 250 / MXR Distortion + / Ross Distortion - I love any LM741 based drive pedal, they are awesome.
2. ToneBender MKII - I’ve had muffs but always come back to a tone bender when I want fuzz.
3. MXR Phase 90 - I really like pre-British Steel Priest albums and always thought Glenn Tipton’s use of the 90 was perfect. Also can’t say I wasn’t lured in by EVH either.
4. Boss Metal Zone - *Haters Gonna Hate”, In my past I played the hell out of a metal zone and got some good stuff out of it.
5. Dunlop Crybaby
Top 5 prized possessions
1. 1962 Gibson ES-125TCD
2. 2001 B.C. Rich Warlock, the 13lb behemoth
3. Nike Free Runs, my shoe of choice.
4. a box of 70’s vinyl
5. wedding ring, because it reminds me of all the good stuff I have that isn’t material
Top 5 foods to avoid
1. Meatloaf or Meatballs
2. Sea Bugs aka shrimp, lobster, clams, oysters, scallops, crawfish
3. internal organs of any kind, or “gizzards” as some people call them.
4. Liver Mush, no no no.
5. Chickpeas
Top 5 things to do in Kentucky
I won’t even lie.. We haven’t done anything since we’ve moved here, haha. I can give you my list of things to do in Charlotte though.
1. Davinci’s Pizza in Davis Lake is the best pizza you can get, or if you are in the mood for good Chinese… Golden Taipei is next door.
2. catch a show at the Fillmore located in the NC Music Factory. Lots of good stuff around there.
3. Carowinds, if you are into the amusement park thing.
4. Most people with motorcycles like to cruise in the country, but when I had a bike I liked to cruise around uptown and loop around 277.
5. Ikea. We spend a lot of time and money in Ikea.
Top 5 80’s metal bands
1. Motley Crue
2. Guns N’ Roses
3. Def Leppard
4. Dokken
5. Dio
Top 5 guitar tones on a record
1. Too Fast For Love - Motley Crue (1981), My favorite of all time, it’s raw, aggressive and in your face.
2. Sad Wings of Destiny - Judas Priest (1976), My favorite of 70’s era Priest. The tone on that record is perfect, and every note is clear, and don’t butt heads with the bass lines.
3. Black Album - Metallica (1991) - while I am a fan of the classic albums before it, the black album was very influential on me. I learned every riff on that album like it was life or death.
4. Rocks - Aerosmith (1976) - my favorite Aerosmith record. It’s perfect in every way.
5. Ace Frehley Solo - Kiss (1978) I love Ace’s tone on every Kiss record, but I always gravitate to the solo record as a favorite.
*Bonus! ha* Vulgar Display of Power - Pantera (1992) - You can never mistake Dimebag’s tone for anyone else. It’s crushing and a definite favorite. Getcha Pull.
Top 5 riffs for testing pedals
1. a Kiss medley of God of Thunder / Firehouse / Rip it Out
2. Merry Go Round - Motley Crue
3. Tyrant - Judas Priest
4. Unchain the Night - Dokken
5. a bunch of random Black Sabbath riffs
Top 5 things to do when not building pedals
1. hang out with my wife, Samantha, and daughter, Harper
2. Netflix binge with the wife. Classic go-to’s are Frasier, Friends, Once Upon A Time, The Office, How I met Your Mother, or forcing Sam to watch great classics like Conan the Destroyer, The Running Man, or any movie featuring one of the big four (Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Van Damme, & Seagal)
3. playing Xbox One, currently playing Elder Scrolls & whooping my best friend’s ass in Mortal Kombat X (haha, sorry Randal)
4. reminiscing about 90s nostalgia
5. Retro Gaming
Top 5 dream gear purchases
1. an original JCM800
2. a custom built Wayne guitar, built by Wayne Charvel himself
3. Mayones Regius gothic 6
4. Randall 667
5. a Replica of the Theater of Pain Kramer Baretta that Mick Mars played in the Home Sweet Home video
