While cities like Nashville, los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, and Austin have their share of musical brilliance, none can rival the unique essence of New York City.
As 1980, NYC has been the heartbeat of Guitar World, serving as the birthplace of punk and hip-hop, a vibrant center for jazz, new wave, and post-punk, and a breeding ground for an array of gritty, guitar-driven bands.From the Velvet Underground to Sonic Youth, Blondie to Interpol, and the New York Dolls to the Ramones, the city has produced a rich tapestry of musical talent, including Chic, Kiss, White Lion, Parquet Courts, Television, and TV on the Radio. The list goes on.
While one could argue that NYC experiences its own “golden eras”-like the punk explosion of the ’70s or the early 2000s surge with bands like The Strokes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs-it’s clear that the city is currently enjoying a vibrant resurgence. with fresh sounds emerging almost daily, it’s an exciting time for music lovers.
Just ask anyone who has been captivated by the electrifying riffs or mesmerizing performances from bands like Geese, Horsegirl, or Castle Rat.
The following 15 artists exemplify the thriving guitar scene across the city (mostly in Brooklyn, as Manhattan’s rent is a different story). And speaking of Parquet Courts, fans are eagerly awaiting news of their next album. But I digress…
1. Gooseberry
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On a chilly spring morning, I find myself running late for a Zoom interview with Asa Daniels, the charismatic frontman and guitarist of the Brooklyn-based rock band Gooseberry. Thankfully, Asa is laid-back and eager to share some of the band’s wild experiences.
“At 1 a.m., we might get invited to a bar owner’s ranch where locals join us,” he recounts. “Next thing you know, we’re playing darts with bows and arrows in a barn.Those are the kinds of adventures we have.”
Gooseberry also experiments with unconventional time signatures, crafting riffs in 11/8 and songs in 7/4, a testament to Daniels’ strong jazz background.He recalls receiving At Carnegie hall by Thelonious Monk quartet featuring John Coltrane at the tender age of five, a moment that profoundly influenced his musical journey.
“There’s a jazz foundation in our music,” he explains. “After shows, people often approach me, saying, ‘You’re playing some really unusual chords!’ But really, they’re just hearing a ninth chord. It’s not as wild as they think, but those influences shine through, even with heavy distortion.”
2. The Thing
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During our Zoom chat, I meet Michael Carter, the guitarist for The Thing, who is proudly showcasing a B.C. Rich Bich, a stark contrast to his usual white Ovation Breadwinner. the guitar belongs to the Macks, who are graciously hosting the band while they embark on a series of West Coast performances. “The Macks are incredible,” Carter exclaims.
But The Thing is equally remarkable. With over 300 shows under their belt globally, the band has honed their craft to a razor-sharp edge, delivering electrifying performances that leave audiences wanting more.
thanksgiving is a time for family,friends,and loud music,especially when the amps are cranked up high.
“Many musicians are opting for modelers these days,” remarks guitarist Jack Bradley. He notes that while this may be a sensible choice in a bustling city like New York, the band The Thing takes pride in transporting their amplifiers to every performance.
“Sound can be unpredictable,” he explains. “Each component-tubes, speakers, or preamps-contributes to the overall character of the music.”
Speaking of gear, what’s the deal with capos? ”If you think capos are a hassle, you’ve been watching too many YouTube tutorials,” Carter quips.”Get out of your room and play with a band.”
3.Shower Curtain
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Aging is a curious phenomenon; you often don’t notice it until you find yourself in a Zoom meeting with a group of twenty-somethings explaining a meme from their childhood. this was my experience with Horsegirl, a band that originated in Chicago and now calls New York City home.
“It’s about a grown man getting his finger stuck at Chipotle,” bassist Penelope Lowenstein explains, referencing a nostalgic meme.
The name Horsegirl came to Lowenstein in a dream during her teenage years, and the band’s sound has evolved significantly since then.
“We used to be much louder and more distorted,” guitarist Nora Cheng recalls. The current incarnation of Horsegirl draws inspiration from iconic bands like the Velvet Underground, utilizing Cheng’s open tunings and Lowenstein’s Fender Bass VI to create a minimalist yet impactful sound.
“I absolutely adore this instrument. I wouldn’t want to play a standard bass in a trio,” Lowenstein adds. “With the higher strings, I can create voicings similar to guitar riffs, which gives us incredible versatility.”
5. Castle rat
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5. Castle Rat
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Even though Castle Rat is officially based in New York City, the essence of their music transcends geography. Vocalist and guitarist Riley Pinkerton, also known as the Rat Queen, along with lead guitarist Franco Vittore, affectionately dubbed the Count, and their bandmates, transport listeners to a fantastical realm they refer to as “The Realm.”
“The concept is about fostering a sense of collective belonging that transcends both space and time,” Pinkerton explains. ”I aim to create a sanctuary for anyone who has ever felt out of place, a sentiment I grappled with during my youth.”
My goal is to create a place for anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t belong, which is something I struggled with growing up.
Riley pinkerton
“As a child, I often escaped into fantasy worlds or created games to engage other kids on the playground. Now,at 30,I find myself doing the same thing.”
Their latest album, The Bestiary, showcases Pinkerton’s bold customary metal riffs, Vittore’s electrifying Mixolydian embellishments, and lyrics that resonate with fantasy themes.
Recently re-released by Loma Vista, the album has gained traction, coinciding with the band’s participation in a major metal tour alongside Dethklok and Amon Amarth.This surge in visibility means that more fans are entering “the Realm” than ever before.
6. Pasquale Grasso
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“The blues found me,” reflects Emanuel Casablanca, a musician from Brooklyn.He acknowledges that this sentiment might sound cliché, but for a young boy eager to learn guitar, the only lessons available were from a neighbor who played blues on his porch. “I wanted to improve, so I asked him, ‘Can I jam with you? Can you teach me a few things?’”
His beliefs is simple: you’ll never recieve a positive response to a question you don’t ask. this mindset not only helped him hone his skills but also led to encounters with music legends like Ronnie Wood, a performance opportunity with Lauryn Hill, and ultimately, a record deal.
“These individuals were all at the pinnacle of where I aspired to be,” he shares. “My father always said, ‘A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.’ I can choose to remain silent and miss out,or I can speak up and seize the opportunity.”
8. Geese
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“I didn’t choose the blues,” Brooklyn native Emanuel Casablanca reflects. “It kind of chose me.” He acknowledges that this sentiment might sound cliché, but for a young boy eager to learn guitar, the only lessons available were from a neighbor who played blues on his porch.”I wanted to improve, so I asked him, ‘Can I jam with you? Can you teach me a few things?’”
His philosophy is simple: you’ll never receive a positive response to a question you don’t ask. This mindset not only helped him hone his skills but also led to encounters with music legends like Ronnie Wood, a performance opportunity with Lauryn Hill, and ultimately, a record deal.
“These individuals were all at the pinnacle of where I aspired to be,” he shares. “My father always said, ‘A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.’ I can choose to remain silent and miss out, or I can speak up and seize the opportunity.”
8. Geese
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5. castle Rat
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“I’ve been pursuing rock ‘n’ roll my entire life,” states Jackson Hamm, the lead vocalist and guitarist of Telescreens. He shares his personal connection to the iconic scene depicted in the film almost Famous, where the protagonist receives his sister’s old record collection.
What sparked my passion was probably Kurt Cobain. He plays with such intensity and energy.
Jackson Hamm
For Hamm, the catalyst was a friend of his mother’s boyfriend, who instead of introducing him to classic records like the Rolling Stones’ get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out or Joni Mitchell’s Blue, gifted him albums like Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Stadium Arcadium and Nirvana’s Nevermind.
“Kurt Cobain was a huge influence on me,” Hamm explains. “He plays with his whole being, pushing out this raw energy.His guitar work is often underrated; it may not be flashy like Eddie Van Halen’s, but it’s incredibly powerful and imaginative.”
As a guitarist,Hamm looks up to Cobain,Joey Santiago,and John frusciante. “For me, playing is more about the emotions I convey rather than the number of notes I hit,” he emphasizes.”It’s about the energy I project rather than how fast or technically impressive the music is.”
9. Telescreens
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“I’ve been pursuing rock ‘n’ roll my entire life,” states Jackson Hamm, the lead vocalist and guitarist of Telescreens. He shares his personal connection to the iconic scene depicted in the film Almost Famous, where the protagonist receives his sister’s old record collection.
What sparked my passion was probably Kurt cobain. He plays with such intensity and energy.
Jackson Hamm
For Hamm, the catalyst was a friend of his mother’s boyfriend, who rather of introducing him to classic records like the Rolling Stones’ Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out or Joni Mitchell’s Blue, gifted him albums like red Hot chili Peppers’ Stadium Arcadium and Nirvana’s Nevermind.
“Kurt Cobain was a huge influence on me,” Hamm explains. “He plays with his whole being, pushing out this raw energy. His guitar work is often underrated; it may not be flashy like Eddie Van Halen’s, but it’s incredibly powerful and imaginative.”
As a guitarist, Hamm looks up to Cobain, Joey Santiago, and John Frusciante. “For me, playing is more about the emotions I convey rather than the number of notes I hit,” he emphasizes. “It’s about the energy I project rather than how fast or technically impressive the music is.”
9. Telescreens
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