Scott Allen Project

A live Van Halen video inspired Allen to begin playing guitar at age 11. Allen later relocated to Hollywood to attend G.I.T., where he studied with Scott Henderson, Brett Garsed, and Steve Trovato. After graduating in 1996, Allen accepted a teaching position at the Northridge Music Center, and assembled his own group, The Scott Allen Project. Allen’s What Lies Beyond Words—produced by Tesla guitarist Frank Hannon—was released in 2001, and will be re-released later this year, along with a follow-up instrumental CD. With heavy riffs setting the tone for many of his compositions, Allen utilizes some great Jeff Beck-like blues phrases, Van Halen-like aggression, and a full palate of shred chops.
- Guitar Player Magazine

Written by VinnyH
Friday, 17 November 2006
Can't stop listening to Scott Allen's new CD. Put it in my PC to review a few hours ago and haven't stopped listening to it yet. As it keeps repeating in my player I get Steve Vai and Joe Satriani vibes.

The Scott Allen Project has produced a great instrumental album full of shred and balanced with some of the tastiest solos I've heard in a while. With Cedris Wilson on drums and Brian Kinney on bass, Scott Allen has just been added to my rotation at work and everywhere else.

An interesting note is that Scott began playing at age eleven. My son started at eleven and now at twelve has been a big Vai and Satriani listener. It took him a few minutes and some hints from me to realize it wasn't a new album by one of his favorites but he immediately wanted it for his collection. Thanks for the inspiration Scott!

We haven't picked a favorite song and may not be able to. All the songs jump out and grab you with their riffs and subtle effects. Scott uses a few different guitars but seems to like his Ibanez. Peavey amps and Morley pedals round out his basic gear.

The Scott Allen Project can be visited at www.ScottAllenProject.com . You will no doubt be glad you did. The album is available at iTunes, CD Baby, and many other outlets.

- The Guitar Zone

Album Review
Progscape.com
Reviewed by Bill Knispel

Scott Allen has been playing guitar since first discovering Van Halen at 11. At 20 he enrolled at the Musician’s Institute, graduating in 1996 after studying with players such as Scott Henderson and Brett Garsed. The Scott Allen Project has been his main performing ensemble, having opened for national artists such as Planet X, Gary Hoey and Eric Martin of Mr. Big. Allen has also gotten significant press coverage for his playing in a variety of regional and national publications, including Guitar Player Magazine, Northeast In-tune Magazine, Rise Music Magazine, and Unsigned Music Magazine.

What Lies Beyond Words is Allen’s first album, and has been produced by Tesla guitarist Frank Hannon.

The first and most important thing that I must impress in this review is that this album is made up of songs. Not launching pads for instrumental wankery par excellence (or more accurately, in extremis). Scott Allen has crafted 11 tracks that stand as structured songs. Despite the guitar being the lead melodic voice, it would not be difficult at all to imagine these tracks with vocals.

Allen has assembled a strong supporting cast of musicians to bring these compositions to life. Tom Frost and Brian Kinney are a solid rhythm section on drums and bass, respectively. Marty Cresci handles rhythm guitar, and also gets an opportunity to show off a little with an outro solo on the album’s concluding track, “The Clock is Ticking.” The band gels quite well, and it feels obvious that they’ve done some significant woodshedding to polish their playing and songwriting skills. Frank Hannon’s production pulls no punches, with crisp highs, a thick midrange and punchy lows that can rattle windows at high volumes, perfect for the high energy instrumental rock the Scott Allen Project brings to the table.

What Lies Beyond Words opens with “I Want Some of This (Bring It On),” a rocker which alternates crunchy blues with Satriani-esque lead lines. “The Grind” is just that; a sleazy mid tempo stomper with fuzzy, tremelo drenched guitar and a groove as deep as the Grand Canyon. Slower tracks such as “Saying Goodbye” show some degree of Jeff Beck influence, as Allen wrings long, weepy sustained notes from his instrument while his bandmates drive a smooth, jazzy vamp underneath. The album contrasts this quiet mood with the raucous “Eternal Optimist,” a bright, cheery rocker with bursts of double kick drum and tastefully crunchy rhythm guitar.

A jazzier vibe can be heard on “The Cool Breeze,” with Cresci’s clean guitar chords glistening under overdriven leads. “A Girl I Once Knew” is an uplifting, almost anthemic rocker, with keyboard orchestration and a tasteful harmonized lead tone.

The album closes with “The Clock Is Ticking.” This track literally opens with the ticking of a stopwatch as the song shifts through several time and mood changes. It’s one of the least straightforward tracks on the album, and its complexity is effortless and enjoyable.

What Lies Beyond Words is appealing in that it offers actual songs for Allen to show off his guitar playing chops. With a surfeit of melody and less wanking per minute than most guitar-based instrumental albums, Scott Allen’s What Lies Beyond Words is striking evidence that his is a guitar voice worthy of mention alongside the current giants in the instrumental guitar arena. If you dig players like Satriani or Petrucci, especially at their most melodic, Scott Allen will be right up you alley.
- Progscape.com

Album Review
Rough Edge
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

Trying to find diversity in the solo instrumental guitar realm is harder than you might think. Originality is even harder to find and sometimes you have to settle for just the diversity.

"What Lies Beyond Words," the latest effort by newcomer Scott Allen and his Scott Allen Project, offers the kind of diversity that we at Rough Edge look for in instrumental guitar music. As expected, Joe Satriani-type surfing rockers “U Want Some of This” and “A Girl I Once Knew” are indicative of Satch’s on-going influence two decades after he burst onto the scene – I’ll never hold that against anyone. “The Grind,” “My Bad Mojo,” and “Under the Mexican Moon” are funky numbers and six-string workouts that show a solo guitarist who probably felt trapped by the pure “surfing” style so popularized by Satriani’s rise to fame. One slow burner in the form of “The Cool Breeze” indicates how Scott Allen can use a patient melody to be blues-like without actually referencing the blues. Ballads are inescapable in this genre and the trio of “We Watched the Sunrise,” “Saying Goodbye,” and “Sapphire Sky” shows how sensitivity and skillful playing can mesh well. Muscular, crushing rockers like “Eternal Optimist” and “The Clock is Ticking” give the sense that Scott Allen can abandon subtlety for something more primal.

Overall, Scott Allen’s sense of composition and wide-ranging guitar slinging skills separate him from most of the unknown and underground guitarists in the guitar-based instrumental genre. Ultimately, “What Lies Beyond Words” is fun to listen to because of the diversity – the skillful playing is a bonus.

“What Lies Beyond Words” was produced by Frank Hannon (Tesla) and Scott Allen.

Scott Allen Project is Scott Allen on all rhythm guitars, lead guitars (except where noted), and keyboards; Marty Cresci on rhythm guitar (and outro solo on “The. Clock Is Ticking”), Brian Kinney on bass, and Tom Frost on drums and percussion.
- Rough Edge

Interview: Scott Allen


by Dan McAvinchey


Page added in August, 2007 More [Interviews]


About the Interview





"What Lies Beyond Words" is an ultra-descriptive title for an instrumental disc, and guitarist Scott Allen makes the most of it. He has a full compliment of shred chops, but takes special care to use them in the most musical way possible, intermingling subtlety with bombast and sensitivity with primal fury.

Dan McAvinchey caught up with Allen to discuss the instrumental guitar scene, as well as what lies beyond his debut instrumental CD.


Dan McAvinchey: Scott, let's start with your CD "What Lies Beyond Words". What were your goals initially when you begen recording tracks for the album?
Scott Allen: I would say that what I wanted to accomplish with my CD would be make an instrumental guitar record that is more inclusive to non-musicians. I was lucky enough to have someone with the talent and experience of Frank Hannon producing the record, so I knew that the quality was going to be top notch. In fact Tesla's "The Great Radio Controversy" was one of my favorite albums when I first started playing, so it was a real thrill. But I really felt that many instrumental and progressive CDs basically dared the average listener to like them. I wanted to have a guitar album that was more mainstream and song oriented.

I didn't do this to try to up CD sales, it is just that that is where my own tastes lie. I am just as influenced by Dave Matthews, U2, Coldplay, Tori Amos, Alanis Morssette, Collective Soul, and John Mayer as I am by Satriani, Vai, Van Halen, Rush and Dream Theater. I realize that the worlds of pop music and progressive shred make unusual bedfellows, but I just went with my instincts, and if I really dug what I was doing it went on the CD.

It was really important to me that all of the crazy shred guitar on the record be song driven and not the other way around. As a listener, I want to hear songs, not a brief melodic section and then eight minutes of jamming. As a guitarist it might be a thrill to hear a bunch of wild shred guitar, but as a listener, it bores me to tears.


Dan McAvinchey: When you were studying guitar technique, did you have the idea to make your own CDs in the back of your mind at that time?

Scott Allen: Yes, definitely. From the moment I started playing I was writing original material. I have always been more interested in getting into a players headspace than trying to just cop their licks. I always figured it would be in a traditional band context, in fact I have spent years in both metal bands and pop/rock bands doing just that. But I really have found that my strength is in instrumental guitar with pop and metal leanings. My owns musical tastes lie all over the map, so I try to meld all of my stylistic tendencies in what I do.


Dan McAvinchey: Tell us a little about the gear you use to get your sound.

Scott Allen: Starting from the guitar, I am using a Vigier Excalibur custom. I absolutley gush when I talk about these guitars because they rule. It is easily the best playing guitar on the market. I am using Dimarzio pick-ups and S.I.T. strings on all of my guitars. From there I plug into one of the effects loops on my pedal board. It then goes into a Boss TU-12 tuner, and then into a Morley Wah/Volume pedal. It then goes to a Boss DS-1 distortion pedal, and an HR-2 Harmony pedal. Then out to my Peavey Valveking head.

The Valveking is unique in the sense that it has a texture control that allows you to sweep between Class A and A/B settings. I like it best when set to the A/B setting as the Valveking is very reminiscent of the 5150 on that setting, only with more presence. In the effects loop of the Valveking I am run my rack effects which consist of a Furman power conditioner, a Lexicon MPX-100 multieffects processor, a DBX compressor, and a BBE sonic maximizer. All of my cabling is George L cables. I used to be kind of a skeptic as to how much cables really mattered, but since I stared using George L's I am a believer.

Depending on what I'm doing I sometimes will bring in a Marshall 100 watt valvestate head to run my effects when I am using multiple cabinet setups. In that case, I run the Peavey Valveking as my dry head. Again, depending on the gig I might go anywhere from a single half stack, to two 100 watt heads through three 4x12 cabs. But that is only for big shows. As most players who have to lug their own gear can tell you, smaller is usually better.


Dan McAvinchey: What do you now find to be the advantages and disadvantages of being an independent musician?

Scott Allen: Wow, there are tremendous advantages to being an independent musician. The first of which is complete artistic freedom. Another advantage is that you don't have to sell 25,000 copies before you make any money. Most of us would be happy with a couple of thousand in sales total.

But to be realistic, you can only really make a big splash if you have a larger label behind you to help with promotions and get you in front of the right audiences. There are tons of independent artists out there, but I find that in the indie punk/alternative world there is more of a community. In the progressive shred world there seems to be much less of a community. Particularly when it comes to gigging and touring, which for an independent instrumental guitarist is extremely difficult. I feel that we tend to feel that the market is so small that any new blood in town is making less success to go around. But I think that thanks to sites like Guitar 9, this new indie community has a chance to grow into a worldwide support system for artists.


Dan McAvinchey: What are tha challenges facing guitarists who hope to stand out from the pack, as more and more artists release their own albums?

Scott Allen: I think that the challenges facing all guitarists trying to make a splash is primarily finding your own piece of ground to call home. With such talents out there as Vai, Satriani, Vinnie Moore, Greg Howe, Rusty Cooley, Buckethead, Paul Gilbert, etc. it can become tempting to get into a "keep up with the Joneses" mentality. Kind of a "let's see what licks Paul Gilbert is doing and what is Vai up to, and do I have enough of those licks on my record." I think what needs to happen is just to follow your own muse, wherever it leads you. If you love what you are doing, and it is coming from your heart, chances are you're onto something.


Dan McAvinchey: From a publicity and promotion standpoint, what do you find is working best for you at the moment?

Scott Allen: Well, one thing that is certainly true is that you need to get your name out there. I have been featured in many national and international magzines and webzines, as well as many web and traditional radio stations. Getting a good press kit together and doing a little homework goes a long way. This exposure has helped tremendously in getting my music heard. I have also gotten a number of endorsements with many different instrument companies. These relationships are very symbiotic in the sense that you promote their products, and they help to increase your exposure. It is a win/win situation.

As far as what I have found doesn't work, I would say that if you are an instrumental guitarist gigging is the slow boat to China. I have done a lot of gigs and found that the net gain from doing the show was a negative. In a lot of places there is just no market for instrumental guitar music, so you either can't get booked, or you get booked but the shows themselves tend to be less than ideal. Unless you are on the side stage at G3, it is very hard to make a real impact by gigging alone. That being said, even in the live playing circuit, each step forward counts, and a good contact is always helpful.


Dan McAvinchey: Do you think the time for physical media such as CDs is now at an end, and do you think a future of only download sales is better or worse for the independent artist?

Scott Allen: I don't think that we are quite at the end, but if you get a step ladder and squint, you can see the end on the horizon. Change has come so fast that all businesses involved in traditional CDs are scrambling to catch up. I think that the overall move towards download only music is positive. I think it tends to decentralize the music industry and put power back in the hands of the musician and the music community. With people who actually love music in charge, it can't help but improve quality, as well as, the artists reach regardless of what kind of label, if any, they are associated with. That is until the corporations learn how to take over the download only business too, then it is back in the crapper with quality control.


Dan McAvinchey: How do you feel about guitar-oriented magazines and how they are currently covering instrumental music?

Scott Allen: I see a big, big improvement with the way all the major guitar magazines are covering instrumental music. John Petrucci, Joe Satriani, and Steve Vai are all on the covers of Guitar Player and Guitar World recently. I almost can't believe it. I do feel however that the lesser known player is given the short shrift by most guitar magazines. But to be honest, all indie and lesser known players of all genres are the bottom feeders when it comes to magazine coverage. It's the price we pay for not being signed to Sony Records.


Dan McAvinchey: Have you heard any new guitarists that have really caught your ear in the past couple of years?

Scott Allen: Yes, I certainly have. Rusty Cooley is one hell of a player. When I was at G.I.T. I studied a lot of Shawn Lane's instructional videos, as well as his seminars that they had in the M.I. library. When I first heard Rusty, I knew I wasn't the only one who studied those videos, but he added metal balls and metal attitude, which I thought was awesome. I think Shawn Lane was really more of a fusion player in his heart.

I also am really influenced by non-shredders like John Mayer. I played a lot of his tunes in my previous band, and had to learn his parts, and I was really impressed with his compositional sense and melodic soloing style. Tim Reynolds is another really killer player, one of the coolest acoustic players around. I realize that they aren't exactly new guys but John Fusciante and Tom Morello always bring the goods when they strap on their axes too.


Dan McAvinchey: Finally, what is up next for you?

Scott Allen: I just finished shooting an instructional video for Chops From Hell which will available soon. I am also rehearsing my band, getting ready to record the next CD. I hope to have it out early in 2008. I had hoped to have it out this year, but I ended up having to change drummers midway, and getting the band up to speed with a new member always takes time. But all of the material is written, and we just need to tighten up a few parts and book the studio time. I would say that it is real step forward from "What Lies Beyond Words", and explores both the more melodic side, as well as the more crazy progressive side of my style. It has some of the sickest shredding and complex odd-time stuff I have ever done, and yet it also has some of the most tuneful and melodic playing I have ever done. Hopefully, everyone will enjoy the variety. I know that I always enjoy a new record when it takes you on a journey with a lot of peaks and valleys, and goes through a lot of moods. I think that this new record will definitely do that.

View albums available through Guitar Nine Records at the Scott Allen Discography.


- Guitar Nine Records Webzine

2007 Scott Allen (Independent)

This is an album that adheres to the classic ‘Shrapnel Records’ sound, like records by Marty Friedman, David Chastain, & Vinnie Moore, it’s all about the six stings; no gimmicks, just playing. The melodies on What Lies Beyond Words are perplexed with precision, where the riffs remain catchy & down to earth, keeping the shred factor within the grooving scheme of things, however, Scott Allen plays the hell of his axe.

He rocks his way through tracks such as the AOR tinged “A Girl I Once Knew,” the boogie laden “The Grind,” and the emotional rocker “Sapphire Sky;” but he does move to more eased back pastures on cuts like “Under the Mexican Moon,” “We Watched the Sunrise,” and “Saying Goodbye,” where the crunch takes a backseat to balladry and cooler passages.

What Lies Beyond Words is an album that invokes the spirit of a true guitarist’s record, no neo-classical mannerisms, no overzealous keyboard playing, and no over the top arrangements, ‘cause there is no need for them; Scott Allen plays his guitar like a singer would sing his lines, playing ‘lyrical’ riffs, where the phrasing (& songwriting) is king. He brings back the days of the real guitar hero.

Added: July 21st 2007
Reviewer: Tommy Hash
Score:
Related Link: The Official Scott Allen Website
Hits: 135
Language: english
- ytsejam.com

Scott Allen is possibly one of the best guitarists around today. His band The Scott Allen Project is a great back up for a great guitarist. With review after review they all seem to agree on the same thing that Scott Allen Project while influenced by previous Rock legends is a fresh and alive band that is not something to be missed. Well this review will be no different. Playing the guitar since the age of 11 Scott Allen is an up and coming guitar genius. And his records and fingers are the main subjects in proving this. See what happens to you when you play one of his albums, you'll get some of the best guitar work you might have ever heard. Anybody can learn guitar but it takes a true Talent to reach the level that Allen is on. His records are always
recorded with good production, great songs and of course flawless guitar playing. It wouldn't be wise to miss his dates. He and his band are truly on the road to legendary status.
- Northeast In-Tune Magazine

What Lies Beyond Words


Hey guys, today I will be reviewing the album "What Lies Beyond Words" by Scott Allen. This album rocks from the get go, with a great tone and great fluid technique, great sweeping and shredding!!!

This is your Heavy rockin' album with kickin' riffs great melodies and not forgetting some great flashy guitar work, but also there are a lot of softer songs as well which adds to the variety of this album. The riffs have great groove to them and the great production on this disk brings out the clearness and clarity of every instrument to make this disk an even greater listening experience.

There is definitely a lot of funk influence in the tracks, with the driving groove of the bass and some very catchy staccato esque guitar riffs. There is a little synth also present on here on track 4 ''A girl I once knew'', which gives some of the music more of a retro 80's feel.

I like the way this album is mixed with more heavier, wild hard rock tunes and more ballad type songs with great melodies, as I've stated before, I feel this disk benefits more from the variation. Some of the tunes on this disk have a very positive, uplifting feel about them with a great drive and great sense of melody which I find excellent. I cant really decide on my favourite tracks on this album, because I honestly think they are all really good, especially the more lead based melody tracks.

And so overall, I think this album is very good. Great songs, good variation of speed, great melodies, great arrangements, great tone, great fluid technique and great production.

Definitely recommended.


Copyright © Richard Niczyperowicz 2006
- shredaholic.com

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Interview W/ Guitarist Scott Allen Of The SA Project:
Category: Music


This is my exclusive interview w/Guitarist Scott Allen from The Scott Allen Project who's from Sacramento, CA......During this interview Scott discussed his career to date, as well as his band's new CD What Lies Beyond Words which just so happenes to have been produced by Tesla Guitarist Frank Hannon.

1. Rock Zone: - You mentioned that you went to the G.I.T. Musicians' Institute.....Tell me a little bit about your time at the music institute and what are some things that you remember most from your time there?

SA: - G.I.T. was an amazing experience for many reasons. It was an opportunity to move to Hollywood and experience what so many other musicians have gone through, the whole starving musician thing. I am from a small town outside of Sacramento, CA. , so it was a real change for me. As far as the School, I know for certain that I learned more there than in all the years prior. You have the chance to play with the best players on the planet, and live and breath music. You also get to jam with people from all over the world and experience how they perceve music. Sometimes you would be jamming with someone from Japan or Germany, who didn't speak much english, but we knew and loved many of the same artist. It showed that music is universal. It was there that I really got serious about making music my life.

2. Rock Zone: - How did you hook up w/Tesla Guitarist Frank Hannon and get him to produce your CD?

SA: - I am lucky enough to be from the same hometown as Tesla. Frank is a pretty well known figure in Sac. Most people in the rock scene in Sacramento have crossed paths with Frank one way or another. He is just a really cool guy, very passionate about music. Anyway I had opened a lot of shows for Frank's solo band, and as he's a Guitarist we just kind of started talking and at that time he was producing some artist and he agreed to work with me. Frank is all about Rock N Roll, and is just as passonate about guitar as I am.

3. Rock Zone: - What was it like working w/Frank Hannon in the studio?

SA: - It was a blast. I neevr really talked too much about it at the time, but Tesla's The Great Radio Controversy was one of my favorite records when I was younger. So to watch him dialing in similar sounds for my record was incredible. I have a pretty strong work ethic, and the band was really tight from playing a lot of live shows, so we cut it pretty quick. Frank and I have a lot in common as Guitarists, and both really dig playing our asses off, so he kind of just pushed me to kick as much ass as possible. I remember that we saved most of the solos for the end of the sessions, and sometimes it was just Frank, an engineer and me in the studio. It was a real honor considering what a great player Frank is, and how much respect I have for him.

4. Rock Zone: - I also understand that in the past you've opened shows for Dave Maniketti of Y & T and Planet X. What do you remember from those shows?

SA: - Yes, I've opened for a number of national artists. I remember Eric Martin of MR. Big and Dave Meniketti of Y&T as being really cool shows where the audience really dug us. It was, and to a large degree still is difficult being an all insturmental band opening for a big artist and trying to win over their crowd. But I remember it was great. Opening for Gary Hoey was a perfect fit, since we are in the same genre. Those were great shows. Same with Frank when we did shows together. In fact there is a link on my myspace page to some footage of a jam Gary, Frank, and I did from I think 2001. The Planet X show was down in LA at The Whiskey. It was cool, first time I had played there. We watched Tony Macalpine, Virgil Donanti, and Derek Sherinian soundcheck. Getting to open the show for such incredible players was awesome.

5. Rock Zone: - What year was it that you formed the Scott Allen Project?

SA: - I believe it was 1998. I had been playing in another straight ahead metal band called 7 years prior to that, and when The Project fell apart, I knew I wanted to go solo. I took the Drummer from 7 Years, got a Bassist and second Guitarist and off we went. We played a lot from 98 to 2001, and cut the CD around that time. The band then went on hiatus for about 3 years, and the album went on the shelf. I joined a different band at that time. This band was called The Morning After, and was totally a different style, I would describe it as Dave Matthews meets Collective Soul. I seriously fell in love with Pop music during this time, and it was fun to not have to play like a maniac all the time. But this band fell apart too, right around that time I got married in 2003. I then got back my shredding roots with a vengeance. The Scott Allen Project started playing live againafter the official release of the record in 2006.

6. Rock Zone: - What has been the response to your new CD What Lies Beyond Words?

SA: - I released the album finally in 2006. The response has been fantastic. I have gotten radio airplay all over the country and Europe. I was featured in Guitar Player magazine, and tons of other national and international magazines. The vast majority of the reviews have been absolutely great. The major Rock radio station in Sac, 98 Rock liked it enough to use some of the music for their "Bod Squad" DVD. Sales have been respectable for an independent insturmental guitar album. People seem to really dig the music.

7. Rock Zone: - One listen to your CD and I thought a lot of the music on the Cd sounded like it could have appeared on Joe Satriani's Surfing With The Alien CD.......Would you agree with that or say that Satriani was a huge influence on you?

SA: - Thanks for saying that. I am honored that you would compare it to such a great record. I am defintely influenced by Joe's music. We have a similar feel for hooks and arranging an insturmental guitar song so that it is actually a song, and not just a vehicle for pyrotechnics. I caught a bit of flak from some reviewers that I wasn't shredding enough on some of the tunes. But I really feel that the shred factor should be driven by what is best for the song. Take a song like "Saying Goodbye" . There was no way I was going to shred all over the song. I play my ass off, but I try to do so tastefully. As far as influences, I would say my biggest influence is Eddie Van halen. I remember one of of the reviews of my CD described my playing as a cross between Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Reb Beach, and John Petrucci. I think that is a pretty good description.

8. Rock Zone: - Tell me how you hooked up w/the other members in The Scott Allen Project?

SA: - I hooked up w/Drummer Tom Frost through my previous band 7 Years. He was good friends with an incredible Guitarist named Marty Cresci, who was between gigs at the time, and really loved this style of music. It was a real gift to have such a great musician backing me up. Marty actually does the outro solo to the song "The Clock Is Ticking". Bassist Brian Kinney is another talent I was lucky enough to find through an ad in The Sacramento News And Review. It is hard to overstate how lucky I have been in being able to have such talent to work with. Right now, the only original member who is still working with me in the current Scott Allen Project is Brian Kinney. We are gigging as a trio at this point. I am actually really digging the freedom this allows me as an improvisor.

9. Rock Zone: - I understand that for a while you taught guitar at the Northridge Music Center.....Tell me a little bit about that?

SA: - Yeah I am actually teaching 65-70 students per week there now. I love teaching because I still do music full time, and it allows me to only do what I want project wise. I have a number of friends who do sessions and sidemen gigs for a living, and while that is a great thing to do, I am really mainly interested in doing my own music at the moment.

10. Rock Zone: - Do you still teach guitar? Have you ever given lessons to anyone who went on to be successfull?

SA: - I have actually had students go on to play in gigging bands. One of them is currently an engineer for a big record label. I have had many go on to win scholarships to some respectible schools including G.I.T. . Some are even teaching themselves now. i don't now of any that have made national waves, but I could be wrong.

11. Rock Zone: - I understand that you recently finished filming an instructional DVD for Chops From Hell........How did the opportunity to film this DVD come about?

SA: - Yes, I just finished the editing process recently. The opportunity came about when Chops From Hell contacted me to contribute some lessons to their site. They said they would be interested in an instructional video. I loved shooting the DVD. There are some links to some clips from the DVD at my myspace site as well as the band's official site www.scottallenproject.com . It is only the first video of many I plan to make, and it covers everything a guitarist who has been playing for a while but has had a hard time putting the pieces together needs to know. Everything from scales, arpeggios, tapping, developing speed, improvisation, and theory. I also made sure to include some performance pieces just so people can see how all the material really works.

12. Rock Zone: - When will the DVD be released?

SA: - As far as when it will be release, I am not exactly sure. The editing is done so it is really just a matter of of reproduction. Keep checking www.chopsfromhell.com and the Scott Allen webpage for the announcement when it is finally available.

13. Rock Zone: - As a musician who records insturmental music I was curious if you feel a certain freedom when creating music to just wail away on the guitar as opposed to recording music w/lyrics where the music and lyrics have to match up?

SA: - I absolutely adore insturmental music. I love how open ended it can be. With lyrics, the Singer is telling you what the song is about. With Insturmental music the music can mean whatever you want. That being said, I really concentrate on bringing the hooks and melodies into my songs. I want anyone who loves music to feel that they can relate to my music. Some guitar shredders really make music that is aimed only at musicians. I want musicians to dig my music too, but I want everyone to feel welcomed by my music.

14. Rock Zone: - Have you ever been approached by any major bands who sought you for their Lead Guitar position? If such a position were to occur would you consider it or rather remain a solo artist?

SA: - No, that call has not come in just yet. However, I would defnitely consider it, if the right band were to call. I don't think I would ever totally abandom my solo career, but there are a lot of opportunities out there that would be great for my musical growth. Also playing with a more established band would help introduce me to a wider audience, which would in turn would help my solo career. So yes, I would defintely consider it.

15. Rock Zone: - What does the future hold for the Scott Allen Project?

SA: - Lots, I have a new record completely written and demoed. I have been trying to get the band ready for the past 8 months, but everytime I am ready to book the studio time I lose my Drummer. I should have the Drummer situation taken care of in January, and will hope to have the new CD out this year. I think the new CD will be a real step forward from What Lies Beyond Words. If you liked my first album, you should like this one. Ofcourse the instructional DVD will be out soon, and I am also contributing articles to Guitar Nine Webzine, Guitars-For-ever, and Chops From Hell. We will be starting rehearsals in early '08 and will be doing some more live shows around Northern California soon after.

16. Rock Zone: - Do you have any interest in getting your music released on a well known label or would you rather continue to release your own music so you had 100% control over the way your music is released and represented?

SA: - I really think that the only way to reach a lot of people is to sign with a larger label. You have to compromise somewhat artistically, but for now it is the best way to reach the most people. The music industry is in such flux right now that most labels are very tight with the purse strings, and very eager to take chances on new artist. But I will defintely be shopping the new CD to larger labels when it is finished. In the meantime knowing that I can release my CD on my own or through several small labels or distribuitors is a good way to move forward in the short term.

17. Rock Zone: - Are you involved w/any other bands/projects that you'd like to plug?

SA: - I am involved with many insturment companies whom I have endorsements with and would love to plug. Right now I exclusively use Vigier Guitars, Dimarzio Pick-ups, S.I.T. Strings, George L Cables, Morley Pedals, and Peavey Amps. I love their gear and use it on everything. I am also now doing some studio session work through studiotraxx.com. All sessions are done over the net. I can be booked at studiotraxx.com . I also want to invite your readers to visit myspace site at www.myspace.com/scottallenprojectband as well as the band website at www.scottallenproject.com for up to date news about the band.


- Jason Houston, The Rock Zone

SCOTT ALLEN PROJECT - What Lies Beyond Words
Independent

Metal Express Rating: 9.5/10

Release Date: 2006-04-25

by: GEORGE FUSTOS

Email: george(at)metalexpressradio(dot)com

write/read comments

It’s that time again when another Instrumental album/LP/CD takes up space on the shelf. Unfortunately, many people look at it that way. Instead of taking the time in finding out more about the new release/group/band, they prefer to remain ignorant. The sad thing about all of this is just about everyone is at fault at one point or another in their lifetime, doing the exact same thing when it comes to music, especially new and/or independent music. It’s hard to believe that something totally ass kickin’ can almost get lost along the wayside as if it never existed. Scott Allen’s story, for the most part, begins almost like the countless others you hear or read about.

Scott began playing a 6-string at age 11, thanks to Eddie Van Halen, who influenced him through a Van Halen video. After many years of taking lessons and practicing, he enrolled in the Musician’s Institute, Guitar Institute of Technology (G.I.T.) in Hollywood, California at the age of 20. At G.I.T., Scott studied under the likes of Scott Henderson, Danny Gill, Brett Garsed, and Steve Trovato. You can say that anything Scott wasn’t that good at playing before he attended, he was proficient in when he left the program. He graduated in 2 years in 1996 and moved back to his home town of Sacramento, California where he began teaching guitar at the Northridge Music Center, now at 65-70 students per week. Meanwhile, Scott became the lead guitarist for a local area favorite Metal band called 7 Years. After 2 long years of going nowhere, the group disbanded, and at this time the Scott Allen Project was formed.

The Scott Allen Project has opened for many big name bands over the years such as: Gary Hoey, Dave Maniketti (Y&T), Planet X (feat. Tony MaCalpine & Virgil Donati of the Steve Vai band and Derek Sherinian, formerly of Dream Theater), Frank Hannon (Tesla), and many others. The Scott Allen Project is made up of Scott Allen - lead guitar and keyboards; Brian Kinney - bass; Tom Frost - drums and percussion; Marty Cresci - rhythm guitar. All very talented musicians in their own right.

Originally, What Lies Beyond Words was released in 2001 and re-released independently in West Coast locations earlier in the year. So how does one express the styles and playing of Scott Allen? Razor-edged arsenal of licks, bends, hooks, and fills; staccato-esque riffs, smooth arpeggios, tricky tapping techniques, and tremolo bars here and there. Nothing short of your typical guitar genius at work, utilizing an arsenal of guitar wizardry at his fingertips (no pun intended).

Scott’s debut album consists of 11 tracks, almost 45 minutes in length. The genre it falls under is Instrumental Hard Rock, and it has wonderful fluidity from beginning to end. The tracks on What Lies Beyond Words range from hard and heavy all the way down to mellow. The heavier tunes on the CD are “U Want Some of This (Bring It On),” “The Grind,” and the closer “The Clock Is Ticking” (more on that one later). These two show that the Scott Allen Project can bring it on and crank it up. “The Cool Breeze” is one of the better songs on the CD. It might be a little mellow or slow getting out of the gate, but as it goes on, you realize that it is musically intense, flowing with incredible playing and talent all the way around. “Eternal Optimist” kicks it up a notch with intense percussion and guitar to match. “Sapphire Sky” starts out mellow and puts it into gear about 2 minutes in with an impressive bass run, non-stop guitar solos, and just a beautiful mix of guitar, bass, and drums that seems to flow endlessly until the song ends.

There are indeed some "mellower" tracks, those being “A Girl I Once Knew,” “We Watched the Sunrise,” (the guitar work by Scott is exceptional on this with equally intense percussion) and “Saying Goodbye.” Don’t let the word "mellow" fool you, however. Scott does something to them that other bands just can’t pull off and makes them sound so good that you don’t even think about whether or not the song is this or that. All you know is that it’s good!

“My Bad Mojo” has good percussion to it with non-stop bass for those digging low end. The closing track is probably the best track on here. “The Clock Is Ticking” starts off as if you are watching 60 Minutes on TV. Then, for a second, you think “As I Close My Eyes Forever” is about to kick in, but it doesn’t. Next up, an 80’s sounding riff that that has you saying, “haven’t I heard that before” until the track finally begins. There is a bass run at 1:50 until 2:05 that just sounds so damn cool you want to go off and learn it. Well worth the wait and more so the listen.

This is one of those releases that have you eagerly awaiting the next song to see what it’s like, because you love the track you are on so much. This CD is as solid as they come all the way through. Every song is good with no duds. It would be a shame if What Lies Beyond Words is not added to your music collection.

- George Fustos