Will Wallner

Will Wallner (born 24 January 1987) is an English rock guitarist and songwriter. His main influences are Ritchie Blackmore, Gary Moore and John Sykes.[1][2]

Will Wallner
Will Wallner Photographed live in Los Angeles at the Whisky a Go Go on 12 December 2013 by Alex Solca
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Ernst Wallner
Born24 January 1987 (1987-01-24) (age 33)
OriginShute, Devon, England
Genreshard rock, heavy metal, blues rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active2011 – present
Associated actsWhite Wizzard
Will Wallner & Vivien Vain
Websitewww.willwallner.com

Life and career

He began playing guitar at age 16 and received his first "real guitar", a Gibson Les Paul Custom, which he has played his entire career, at the age of 18.[3] He began playing guitar by ear, then had taken his first formal guitar lessons from a rock guitar teacher in his home town of Devon, England. He joined his first band Faustus, recording several songs and playing one show before the group disbanded.[3] He is an alumnus of Colyton Grammar School and a graduate of the University of Portsmouth with a BSc in Music and Sound Technology[4][5][6] and has also studied at the Musicians Institute, in Hollywood.[3] Since 2012, he has been a regular contributor to Guitar World magazine with his weekly blog 'Bent Out of Shape'.[3][7] He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Since 2011, he has worked with Croatian singer Vivien Vain. Their debut album Will Wallner & Vivien Vain was released on 8 October 2012 via Metal Mind Productions.[8][9] The album was mixed by Gary Tole and features several guest musicians including Carmine Appice, Vinny Appice, Rudy Sarzo, Derek Sherinian, Jimmy Bain, Brian Tichy, Tony Carey and Tony Franklin.The song "Streets of Rage" is the first and only studio recording to feature both Vinny Appice And Carmine Appice on drums. The album cover features both musicians photographed by Glen La Ferman.[3][10][11][12][13]

On 11 November 2014, he released his second solo album featuring Vivien Vain on vocals. The album title The Battle Of Clyst Heath was inspired by the battle of Clyst Heath during the Wars of the Roses. The album also features two cover songs. The first is a guitar arrangement of the soundtrack to cult science fiction film Blade Runner original composed by Vangelis. The second is a cover of Gary Moore's "The Loner", which features Moore's former band members Don Airey and Neil Murray. Other guests on the album include Carmine Appice, Vinny Appice, Tony Franklin and Bjorn Englen.

In 2012, he recorded several sessions with Grammy Award winning producer Bob Kulick. From 2012 to 2013, he toured and recorded as lead guitarist for White Wizzard.[3][14][15] His first show with the band was in Shibuya, Tokyo on 12 May 2012 at Club Quattro.[16] In 2012 he toured North America and Canada and was featured on their single "Torpedo of Truth".[17][18] In 2013, he recorded guitar solos for White Wizzard's new album The Devils Cut. The album was produced by Ralph Patlan. The Devils Cut was released on 3 June in Europe via Earache Records and on 25 June in North America via Century Media Records.[19] He toured North America and Europe in support of the release but left the band in October 2013.[20]

He is currently endorsed by Bare Knuckle Pickups which are manufactured in South West England where he grew up.[21]

From 2014 to 2019, he lived in Berlin, Germany, where owned and ran his own company, Escape Game Enterprises Ltd. The company has operated Live Escape Game locations in Brighton, England and Berlin, Germany. Wallner designed several Escape Game missions including Ghost of Kunsthof and Murder in Metropolis.

In 2015, he published a memoir titled 'The Howling Company'. The book focused on his childhood pets and his love for animals.

In 2018, he released a solo EP titled Phthalo Blues, which featured science fiction inspired rock and heavy music. The EP also featured the instrumental tack "Berlin Blues", which was inspired from his time living in Berlin, Germany.

In 2019, he created the cyberpunk comic book series, Wild Frontier.[22]

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References
  1. "Artist Website". Will Wallner Official Website. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  2. "Will Waller Interview – Fave 5 Reviews". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  3. "Will Wallner Interview". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  4. "Midweek Herald". Heavy metal star returns to Colyton. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  5. "Student Profile". University of Portsmouth Official Website. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  6. "News Article". University of Portsmouth Official Website. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  7. Wallner, Will. "Online Article". Guitar World. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  8. "News Article". Muzyka.pl. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  9. "News Article". Bravewords. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  10. "Press Release". Metal Mind Productions. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  11. "will Wallner Vivien Vain rising". TV Rock Live. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  12. "Lyme Regis: Guitarist Will Wallner set to rock Los Angeles". Bridport News. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  13. "Will Wallner/Vivian Vain Debut". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  14. "White Wizzard Official Website". Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  15. Wallner, Will (8 October 2012). "An Introduction to Improvising for Rock and Metal Guitarists". Guitar International. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  16. "News Article". Burrn! Magazine. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  17. "Video". Earache Records Tumblr blog. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  18. "Feedback: White Wizzard – Official Website". Rockhouse Photography. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  19. "Century Media Records Press Release". Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  20. "Shocker! Guitarist Will Wallner Out of White Wizzard". Metalsucks.net. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  21. "Guitar World". Checking Out Bare Knuckle's PG Blues Pickups. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  22. "Wild Frontier - The Ultimate Cyberpunk Comic Book Series". Retrieved 28 April 2019.
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