Guitar Gods Goes Cosmic returns to air on 7Mate

The show that highlights all things guitars, Guitar Gods Goes Cosmic, returned to the screens yesterday on 7mate.

Fast paced and quirky, the episode squeezed eight artists into 23½ minutes with interview, tutorials and live performances from Wolfmother, Tommy Emmanuel, Screaming Jets, Diesel, Geoff Achison, Lloyd Spiegel, Sonic Citizen and Opal Ocean.

Fronted by “Dorian Chiiwahwah” (aka David Loader, who also directs and produces) and co-host Lisa Keller, the live sets are filmed at Chelsea Heights Hotel and the Pony Music Studio with a 12-camera set-up.

“Within the season we will present from many music venue and locations,” Loader tells TMN.

Others to be featured in the series include Glenn Hughes from Deep Purple, Airbourne and Ritchie Kotzen with up and coming Aussies including Nick Charles, Bottle of Smoke, Simon Gardner and Matty T. Wall.

The series’ overseas content is exclusive: “I have travelled overseas at my own expense to film interviews with many of the greats and just from personal relationships I have gained have acquired rights.”

Guitar Gods Goes Cosmic is a sequel to Guitar Gods and Masterpieces, which Loader began out of frustration that guitar music was being ignored on TV.

“So seven years ago I made a pilot for (community TV station) C31 and have since made over 390 independently produced weekly episodes,” says Loader.

“Guitar Gods is now the longest running broadcasting guitar TV show in the world.

“The Australian rock and guitar music scene has amazing artists but no real platform so this show is all about showcasing this talent.

“As a kid I would always have a video recorder armed to record Tommy Emmanuel or Led Zeppelin or Iron Maiden or Stevie Ray Vaughn on Hey Hey or Sounds or Countdown.

“You would have to wait weeks to see something great. So this TV show is just an extension of what I have always done.”

Pitching the idea of the show through the years to the likes of 7mate, and before that C31 and Foxtel Aurora, has never been a problem, Loader says.

“They have all been overwhelmingly supportive, as have CMI Music and Audio who’ve sponsored the show for six years.

“Of course there are daily challenges in making a TV show that is a 2 man production. There is also always a challenge of raising a budget to present the show.”

In terms of the axemeisters who turned him on both as a fan and guitarist, Loader has no hesitation in admitting he’s “definitely a Jimmy Page guy as he was the composer, producer, riff king rock god and played in every style.

“But Stevie Ray Vaughn blew my mind as I saw him when I was very young back in 1984 for the pure ‘feel’ aspect along with Derek Trucks, Jeff Beck and Brian May.

“For pure genius, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani must have a mention.”

As for the demographic of the viewers of the Guitar Gods series, “It’s across the board. Guitar is the most played instrument in the world.”

*Guitar Gods Goes Cosmic is screened on Sundays at 10 am and Wednesdays midnight on 7mate, and catch-up on PLUS7.