Ø Riffmaster – Give all our loyal readers and peeps an update with what’s been going on with you these dayz… I'm currently in the studio finishing up with the guitars for my upcoming release due out the first half of 2010 including ten new tracks. I'm happy to announce that I secured some of my favorite A-List players including Ray Luzier on drums (Korn, David Lee Roth), Andrew Freeman on vocals (The Offspring, Lynch), and Philip Bynoe on bass (Steve Vai Band) with a few surprise players as well including Jimmy D'Anda on drums for a few tracks (Bulletboys), as well as Joey Heredia on drums ( L.A. studio legend). I'll be touring the states in support of the new record and performing clinics on behalf of my endorsements starting this summer.

Ø Riffmaster - I was checkin' out your MySpace page and I like what I see & hear… I also hear some kool musical influences too. Give our readers an idea of what you were listening to growing up thru high school and beyond… By the way …. Kool audio Interviews too !

Thanks!! I discovered music at the dawn of MTV and Kiss was one of the first bands that I loved when I was about 10 years old. Later in my early teens when Master of Puppets (Metallica) came out, it changed everything for me. From that point on, I was really only into music that was aggressive and guitar heavy. Fast forward a few years and Steve Vai with David Lee Roth really helped focus my attention on the technical side of guitar playing. These days nothing has really changed. I love "All That Remains", "Five Finger Death Punch", "7Dust"...the list goes on and on!!

Ø Riffmaster - Out of all the rock stars you have met, who personally has lived up to your expectations and has touched your life in one way or the other? No doubt Ray Luzier is one of the most down to earth and real people I've ever met not to mention just scary talented. I had a great time with Jimmy D'Anda at my studio recording drums reminiscing about the hair days! Jimmy's playing has a ton of attitude and swagger. Andrew Freeman is one of the hardest working musicians and unrelenting in the studio. Andrew would rip his vocal cords out for hours until we got the chill factor happening. Philip Bynoe is the consummate professional showing up in- tune and on time with charts in hand. Philip has played bass with me for my guitar clinics in L.A. and provides a very big safety net for me to go off.

Ø Riffmaster - What musical gear and endorsements to you have and why? I'm proud to be endorsed by Dimarzio Pickups, Egnater Amps, Delaney Custom Guitars, Xotic Effects, and Curt Mangan Strings. I rely on these products implicitly and they deliver on tone and quality with every note.

Ø Riffmaster – Give our readers a breakdown of how your current live show has come about. I'm sure there is a neat story there… I go back to the tennis racket and wardrobe mirror cranking Kiss in the bedroom as a boy in Pennsylvania. Ace was the coolest... Gotta give him props.

Ø Riffmaster – Tell us a little bit about your live show’s transition over the years… Where you came from, where you are now, and where you are going with the live show in the future… I'd like to think that I am a more consistent player after all of these years. I try to showcase my performances with the best players available and practice as much as possible in the weeks leading up to the shows. No doubt the theater gigs have been more exciting than the local pubs but no matter where I'm playing I try to have a blast.

Ø Riffmaster – How many hours a week does it take to put this (your band, writing your music,) all together for the listening masses? 24/7 bro! My day consists of waking up at 7am and going straight to the home studio for a few cups of coffee and warm-ups to drum loops while dialing in tones and tracking guitars until around noon. I try to break for a mountain bike ride or gym session to clear my head before starting my daily music lessons at my music school here in So-Cal. I teach from 2pm to 9pm and then back home to return messages. Sleep and repeat!

Ø Riffmaster – Tell us a little or allot about your Guitar School… How many students and at what levels do you teach? I have about 40 students that I teach privately Monday through Saturday. I teach all levels and pride myself on providing a curriculum that makes college level information tangible to any level of player. I love seeing the little kids rock out and impress their parents. It is cool to teach the high school kids that just want to shred too because I realize that I am teaching the next generation of rock stars. Some of these young guys will rip-yer-head-off with their playing!

Ø Riffmaster – I'm sure you've had some uncomfortable & weird moments while on the road meeting other great artists, guitar players and bands. Can you give us an example…? Or even a Spinal Tap moment…? Before I moved to L.A. about 12 years ago I played in a punk band in Philly that was signed to an Indie label. Besides all of the tunes being at 200 bpm or above the singer always had an amazing stage costume or props that "enhanced” the already lively set. The line "Hello Cleveland” from Spinal Tap pops in my head at almost every show even to this day!!

Ø Riffmaster – Greg, have you ever had a rude artist on the same stage as you? I hear some of these cats are really stuck on themselves while others are pretty cool, or funny, etc. ( you are welcome to skip this one..) Yep! Some of it has been captured on video and is on YouTube!! Of course, I won't mention any names... but those that know me know the stories.

Ø Riffmaster – Please tell our readers what your high school years were like, and what the soundtrack would be to sum up your senior year in High school. I was completely obsessed with the guitar throughout high school. Most of my buds were musicians too and we rehearsed for months for the talent shows. I remember going down to the local music store in my town to get the latest gear catalogues and rock magazines dreaming of the day that I might get out of Mayberry, USA. Soundtrack for senior year in high school was either "And Justice For All” by Metallica, or "Passion and Warfare” by Steve Vai.

Ø Riffmaster – So Greg, what are you listening to allot of these days? It changes depending on the mood but I absolutely love Alter Bridge, All That Remains, 5FDP… anything that gets ya pumped!

Ø Riffmaster – Dream Car? Or Recreational Vehicle? Let's say that I will be returningwhat I thought was my dream car in a few months back to the BMW dealership. I will never lease another oneagain!! My dream car is anything that gets me to where I need to go without too many trips to the dealership!

Ø Riffmaster – Why? It is a good feeling to pull up in a nice car but I would always be sweating it out when I parked it in L.A. because you never know if you’d have some new dings or scratches when you returned.

Ø Riffmaster – Name some folks you would love to get on the same album or share the stage with… Inquiring minds want to know… I would love to be in the band "All That Remains”. So much raw energy and talent there not to mention the guitars just kill in that band! It was a dream to work with the guys on my upcoming record. Can’t wait for everyone to hear it.

Ø Riffmaster – I also don’t want to forget this… Tell us about any other things you may be in involved in or any special interest besides music that is close to your heart …? When I’m not strangling the necks of my guitars I am heavy into mountain biking and weight training.

Ø Riffmaster – Lastly, please give our readers one last parting shot across the bow… What is Greg Marra going to be doing in 5 years? I hope to be doing the exact same thing I am today. I am very happy with my family, friendships, and wouldn’t want to change a thing!

Ø Riffmaster – I would like to thank you for your time and candor with my loyal readers and keep on fighting the good fight to bring us some quality guitar oriented music. Thanks a million bro! All the best to you!!