Mr. Scary returns to Oz

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George Lynch has become synonymous with his alternate persona, “Mr. Scary”. The once infamous instrumental track of the same name from Dokken‘s 1987 masterpiece Back for the Attack, grew major acclaim from the metal community and guitar enthusiasts alike. The instrumental track was the launching pad for Lynch’s guitar hero like status and sought after reputation, as the track earned ‘Best Rock Instrumental’ at the 1989 Grammy Awards.

From that pivotal moment in metal history, George Lynch has not only been  praised for his extremely unorthodox style of guitar playing, but also celebrated by both professional guitarists and enthusiasts as their major influence and inspiration. Many of George Lynch’s influences include Yngwie Malmsteen (Rising Force, Alcatrazz), Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen), Jimi Hendrix (The Jimi Hendrix Experience) and Micheal Schenker (Scorpions, UFO) .

George Lynch originally came to fame through his work in Dokken, a predominate heavy metal and glam rock cross over which grew major success in the 80’s, with platinum albums ‘Under Lock and Key’ and ‘Back for the Attack’. During this time period, Dokken was a part of the illustrious Hear N’ Aid , an African famine relief fund backed by the late and great Ronnie James Dio. The project was very similar to that of USA for Africa (We are the World) .

The Hear n’ Aid project was a raging success and raised over a million dollars. The initial release of the project saw the metal demographic in a new light by the general public. They were more widely accepted as human beings, rather than drug addicted, sexual deviants who had no empathy towards human life.  Some of the names on the Hear N’ Aid project included Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Geoff Tate (Queensryche), Eric Bloom (Blue Öyster Cult), Vivian Campbell (Dio, Def Leppard), Mick Mars (Motley Crue), Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister), Yngwie Malmteen and many, many more.

In spite of band’s major popularity, Dokken decided to call it quits in March of 1989 after tensions brewed with lead vocalist Don Dokken and George Lynch. After the band parted ways, George Lynch then formed his own hard rock group Lynch Mob, in the early 90s which comprised of more complex riffs, song structuring and lyrical content. George has also released several successful solo albums, comprising of his unique playing style and guitar virtuosity.

In recent times George Lynch formed the hard rock super group Souls of We which comprises of former Brides of Destruction vocalist London LeGrand, Fireball Ministry and former Systematic bassist Johny Chow and As I Lay Dying drummer Jordan Mancino. The band released “Let the Truth Be Known” in 2008 with a plethora of musicians, featuring Andrew Freeman of Lynch Mob, Jeff Pilson of Dokken and Dio, Frédéric Leclercq of DragonForce, Patrick Johansson of Yngwie Malmsteen, Bobby Jarzombek of Riot and Halford, session drummer Mike Hansen and Morgan Rose of Sevendust. The end result was an orgasm of pure ear sex which won the hearts of many music journalists, guitarists and metal heads.

Many Australian fans were lucky enough to catch George Lynch on his recent sold out clinic tour at Allans Music in Melbourne. A very humble and somewhat sleep deprived Lynch shared his guitar secrets and stories from yesteryear with a very enthusiastic and sharpened Melbourne audience. I knew all to well about George Lynch and his days in Dokken and Lynch Mob, but due to an abundance of releases in the recent years, I was someone deprived of having the liberty to listen to his solo work.

He  shared many demos and left over tracks from Lynch Mob and his solo career with the Melbourne audience. A mixture of heavy metal, blues and hard rock was on the evening’s agenda and the end result was mesmerising to say the least.  Many who did attend the Melbourne clinic knew all to well of Lynch’s past and celebrated it wholeheartedly by asking him very precise and in depth questions, many of which both amused and confused George Lynch. The audience was also lucky enough to hear Lynch’s most famous instrumental Mr. Scary, albeit with an album backing track. Every note was perfect and was played to a tee to the original, if not better. The crowd loved it.

The crowd also go to see a side of George Lynch which they had probably never seen before, due to his rock god status. A very down to earth and humble Lynch shared many intimate and hilarious stories from his time in Dokken and Lynch Mob.

One such story even brought up the reunion of Dokken at the Allans Music Melbourne clinic, in which many fans were surprised to hear, as it was news to them. Lynch confirmed that Dokken would indeed be coming back for the attack in 2011 with the original line-up. He did go on to say that there were a few minor hiccups with the initial idea, but as a strong and devoted musician, Lynch wanted to do this as a final send off to the fans.

The night wasn’t completely filled with laughter and smiles, one moment throughout the clinic brought up the recent death of Ronnie James Dio. Lynch shared his views of Dio’s passing, saying that his whole life was devoted to music and aside from his somewhat devilish persona in the media Dio was indeed a very sympathetic, outgoing and intellectual person.

Lynch admitted that Dio probably pushed himself a little too much when it came to what he loved doing,  and that he may have needed a holiday or two to forget his troubles and relax once in awhile. Lynch continued with memories from the Hear N” Aid recording sessions at A&M studios, admitting he was somewhat a man among guitar gods when it came his turn to shred.

A night that many will never forget. George Lynch is both a humorous and intelligent person who knows the true meaning of music. His skills surpass many guitar virtuosos. He is indeed a true musician.

George Lynch currently resides  in LA with his wife and children. He spends his time running his online guitar school ‘The Dojo’, helping his students master the art of his formidable shred. The multi-talented musician also spends his time  creating amazing guitars at his workshop, many of which have immense detail and are craved with a pin point finesse. Many of his guitars are available to purchase through his personal website, one of which fetching at a cool $7000. Lynch is also an inspiring painter, creating many vast and board landscapes on canvas.

You’d be amazed at what this man can do. I was completely blown away at the sheer generosity and love this man has for music and his fans.

For more information on George Lynch and his current line of ESP guitars, go to:
www.georgelynch.com
www.allansmusic.com.au