SA Music Awards
2012 Best Guitarist: Derek Badillo (The Heroine, Mark Monaco Band, Czars)
Photo by Alvin Alderete
Published: March 28, 2012
Derek Badillo
(The Heroine, Mark Monaco Band, Czars)
He's the leading ax man for the leading guitar band in town, and his secret is simple: "I like to consider myself a student of the game," says Badillo, 27. "I'm always looking for new techniques, always on YouTube looking for new lessons and ways to practice. It's really important for me to never be satisfied with my playing and I always try to get better."
Though he had a short stint on bass, once his guitar-playing father taught him the basic guitar chords, that was it — Derek spent untold hours in front of his stereo playing to Metallica and Kiss albums.
"I owe all my solos to [Kiss'] Alive! album," he says.
And playing guitar in this fictitious Dream Team-like band the Current readers selected is a challenge he wouldn't mind tackling, even though 2012 will be a busy year of touring and recording for the Heroine.
"But having a salsa singer and a heavy metal keyboardist, you kidding me?" he says. "It would sound fantastic, man, so out there. We need to get together and jam."
2. Marc Sauceda (Marty Heddin & The Country Blues)
3. Isaac Duvon (Deer Vibes)
> Email Enrique Lopetegui
To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.
Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.
