EVANESCENCE Guitarist Says Internal Band Vibe Is 'The Best It's Ever Been'

Electric City recently conducted an interview with EVANESCENCE guitarist Terry Balsamo. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Electric City: Have you fully recovered from your stroke?

Terry: No. I'm probably between 75 and 80 percent there. The whole paralysis thing is the biggest issue. As far as the artery, that's healed 100 percent. I mean, I'm back out there doin' the same shit that caused it basically.

Electric City: Come on.

Terry: I am. It's not as violent, but it's like, I have Angus Young tattooed on my arm. I'm like — what about Angus? I guess you could say I'm slightly chilled out.

Electric City: How did you put out this record being basically incapacitated?

Terry: That was the good thing. We had already written everything, and I had finished all the guitar tracks on a Saturday and then I had the stroke that Monday. It was actually great timing. I actually recovered in time for the tour to start. I just felt like I could make it, so f*ck it. I can't do solos yet, but I'm OK.

Electric City: With all the lineup changes you've been through, do you think EVANESCENCE can ever be a "real" band?

Terry: I know what you're saying. From the outside it has to look pretty ridiculous some times. Internally, it's the best it's ever been as far as everybody being here and enjoying it. There's no drama or bullshit.

Electric City: Your guitar sound is just damaging. How do you do it?

Terry: Thanks a lot, man. Usually I'll have a bunch of diferent amps. I don't like the common apprpach of laying down 15 guitar tracks in the studio to try and get a big sound. Why can't the sound just be good as it goes down? Mesa Boogie is always a good amp. I'll take one and blend it with a Diezel to play one track, and then I'll take a Boogie and a Bogner and mix it together. It's two tracks to get that sound.

Electric City: Still feeling the pressure?

Terry: Everybody talks about the pressure, because "Fallen" sold so many copies. That never phased us. the thought was there, but most of us were sick of hearing about it just because Ben was gone. It's not like Amy didn't do anything on "Fallen". COLD didn't sell 10 million records, but we did pretty decently, you know? I just told 'em, "Hey, I know how to write a song, so f*ck off."

Read the entire interview at www.ecweekend.com.