Rob Zombie is an American musician and filmmaker who rose to fame as the frontman of the heavy metal band White Zombie. Since going solo in 1998, Rob has continued to be an influential figure in the world of hard rock and metal, known for his theatrical lyrics and horror-influenced aesthetic.
An essential part of Rob Zombie’s musical persona has always been his talented band of musicians. Over the years, Rob has played with various guitarists who have helped define his signature sound. In the early days of White Zombie, Rob was joined by Tom Five, who played on albums like ‘Soul-Crusher’ and ‘Make Them Die Slowly.’ After the departure of Tom, other guitarists like John Ricci and Jay Yuenger contributed to albums like ‘La Sexorcisto’ and ‘Astro Creep 2000.’
John 5 becomes Rob Zombie’s lead guitarist
In 1998, when Rob went solo with the release of ‘Hellbilly Deluxe,’ he recruited guitarist Riggs for his backing band. Riggs appeared on early Rob Zombie albums like ‘The Sinister Urge’ in 2001. However, in 2003, Riggs was replaced by guitarist John 5 (birth name John William Lowery).
John 5 first rose to prominence playing with rock artist Marilyn Manson in the late 1990s. Manson and Zombie were friends and collaborators, so it was a natural fit for John 5 to transition from one band to the other. Although Riggs was an outstanding guitarist, John 5 brought a new level of talent and showmanship to Rob Zombie’s band. His creative leads and solos combined with shredding riffs gave Zombie’s music an electrifying edge.
John 5 has been Rob Zombie’s principal guitarist for over fifteen years now. He is the longest running guitarist in Zombie’s band, surpassing the tenures of all previous guitarists. In interviews, Rob has stated that he gives John 5 free rein to craft solos and contribute creative ideas to the songwriting process. Their long partnership has led to a fruitful artistic synergy between Rob’s sinister visions and John 5’s guitar wizardry.
Signature guitar style
Over his many years playing with Rob Zombie, John 5 has developed a distinctive guitar style that fans can instantly recognize. Some key elements include:
- Lightning fast shredding and tapping solos
- Creepy sounding lead lines and riffs
- Whammy pedal effects for warbling sinister sounds
- Catchy, melodic hooks underlying heavy grooves
- Impressive improvised solos at live shows
John 5 incorporates various techniques like sweep picking, whammy dives, and exotic scales to create his unique guitar work. But he also ensures his playing serves the mood and vibe of Rob Zombie’s horror-inspired music. His versatility allows him to lay down anything from ethereal psychedelic leads, to chunky rhythms, to all out aggressive metal riffing.
Contributions to Rob Zombie’s albums
Since 2003’s ‘The Sinister Urge,’ John 5 has contributed his guitar skills to every subsequent Rob Zombie studio album. Some highlights include:
- Educated Horses (2006) – Bluesy solo on “17 Year Locust”
- Hellbilly Deluxe 2 (2010) – Epic dual harmony solos on “Mars Needs Women”
- Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor (2013) – Sliding hooks and rhythms on “Dead City Radio”
- The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser (2016) – Frenzied shredding on “The Hideous Exhibitions of a Dedicated Gore Whore”
- The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy (2021) – Warped, psychedelic leads on “The Eternal Struggles of the Howling Man”
In the studio, John 5 has helped bring Rob Zombie’s musical visions to life with creativity and technical ability. Live, he recreates the band’s songs with high energy while cutting loose with improvised guitar wizardry.
John 5’s skills as a solo artist
In addition to his work with Rob Zombie, John 5 has had success as a solo instrumental artist. He has released several acclaimed solo albums that highlight his versatile guitar skills, including:
- Vertigo (2004)
- Songs for Sanity (2005)
- The Devil Knows My Name (2007)
- The Art of Malice (2010)
- Careful With That Axe (2014)
On these albums, John 5 gets to showcase guitar styles like country, bluegrass, jazz, blues, and even classical. While his solo work is a departure from Rob Zombie’s sound, it demonstrates John 5’s well-rounded abilities. The solo albums have earned praise in the guitar community and expanded John 5’s audience beyond Zombie fans.
Other musical endeavors
When he is not on tour or in the studio with Rob Zombie, John 5 stays busy with session work and guest appearances. He has contributed guitar to albums by artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Papa Roach, Avril Lavigne, and more. John 5 has also launched his own record label ‘Big Machine’ to release his own music as well as work with new up-and-coming bands.
In his long and varied career, John 5 has proven to be a consummate guitarist – proficient in styles from metal and rock to jazz and country. These well-rounded skills make him the perfect guitarist to bring Rob Zombie’s theatrical visions to life. After nearly twenty years of working together, John 5 remains the man behind Rob Zombie’s sinister guitar sound.
Conclusion
John 5 (John William Lowery) has been Rob Zombie’s primary guitarist since 2003, replacing former guitarist Riggs. Their long partnership has led to John 5 developing a signature guitar style and contributing his talents to all of Zombie’s albums in the past two decades.
John 5 is known for his lightning fast shredding and creative lead guitar work. His versatility allows him to craft anything from melodic hooks, to heavy riffs, to improvised solos seamlessly blended with Zombie’s music. John 5 also enjoys success as a solo instrumental artist outside of his work with Zombie.
After nearly twenty years playing together live and in the studio, John 5 has become an essential part of Rob Zombie’s horror-inspired sound and aesthetic. Fans instantly recognize his unique playing across Zombie’s catalog. John 5’s guitar skills have helped elevate Rob Zombie’s music and made him the longest running guitarist in Zombie’s band to date.
In summary, John 5 is the consummate guitarist who brings Rob Zombie’s musical visions to life. His creative style and technical prowess have defined the Rob Zombie band sound since 2003, making him an integral part of Zombie’s theatrical horror rock music and live performances.
Rob Zombie Guitarist | Years Active | Notable Contributions |
---|---|---|
Tom Five | 1985-1991 | Early White Zombie albums |
John Ricci | 1991-1992 | |
Jay Yuenger | 1992-1996 | La Sexorcisto, Astro Creep 2000 |
Riggs | 1997-2002 | Hellbilly Deluxe |
John 5 | 2003-Present | Every album since Sinister Urge |