JOHN 5 Answers Fan-Submitted Questions

ROB ZOMBIE/ex-MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5 recently answered fan-submitted questions for Fret 12. The entire question-and-answer session can be viewed in six parts below.

"The Art Of Malice", the new solo album from John 5, sold around 1,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 27 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

Released on May 11 via 60 Cycle Hum/Rocket Science Ventures, "The Art Of Malice" "exhibits John 5's incredible diversity as a writer and guitarist pulling from the pages of his life," according to a press release. "It is a completely different vibe than my other albums," explains John 5.

He adds, "The title is derived from the saying 'kill them with kindness,' like taking a good approach to still obtain a dark result."

"The Art Of Malice" further showcases John 5 to be one of the most technically advanced guitarists in the business today. Fans of driving rhythms and ear-catching, over the top, guitar work will keep this in their CD player for months on end. This album has everything that the fans come to expect — chicken pickin', shred, metal and Spanish guitar. The songtitles vary as vignettes into John 5's life, such as the title "J.W." which are John 5's initials (John William Lowery) and what his father had called him growing up. "Ya Dig" comes from working with the master or frontmen David Lee Roth and also features Billy Sheehan on bass. "That is Dave's saying and it fits the music," says John 5.

John 5 has compiled one of the most impressive resumes in rock. In addition to his own solo work, his commanding riffs combined with his composition skills have most recently earned him a coveted spot playing with rock icon Rob Zombie.

John 5's credentials include his famous stint with shock rocker MARILYN MANSON and his current gig with ROB ZOMBIE, but also includes diverse work with some names you might not expect, including Lita Ford, K.D. Lang, David Lee Roth, Meat Loaf, SALT-N-PEPA, LYNYRD SKYNYRD and many others. Surprisingly to many, John 5 has an ardent love of bluegrass music and has the chops to prove it (just listen to "Sugar Foot Rag" from 2004 solo album "Vertigo"). Furthermore, he is a self-described "Fender fanatic" with a jaw-dropping collection of his favorite instrument, the Telecaster ("the greatest guitars ever built, by far, hands down," he said). Such is his love for the instrument that Fender introduced the J5 Telecaster (and J5 Special Edition acoustic) in 2004 and the J5 Triple Tele Deluxe in 2007.