Bumblefoot Unleashes New Chapter With Upcoming Album
I recently caught up with the legendary Bumblefoot, and let me tell you, this conversation was one wild ride. The man spills everything from his iconic guitar to his upcoming album, Bumblefoot Returns. And yes, we even dove into guitar mishaps, carjacking jokes, and an epic retro-style video game. Let’s dive headfirst into the chaos.
The Guitar With No Name
“Wait, what’s your guitar’s name?” I asked him right off the bat.
“It… doesn’t have a name,” Bumblefoot laughed. “We should name it. What do you think?”
That guitar. You know the one. It’s practically an extension of him. I reminded him of the time he let me hold it during our first meeting in 2018. “That’s your legendary guitar,” I said.
“Legendary? It’s what I hide behind so no one sees my face!” he joked. Classic Bumblefoot.
Carjacking in Florida? Almost.
Bumblefoot told me about a time in Florida when he was almost mistaken for a carjacker.
“I was putting my guitar in the back of an SUV,” he said. “Turns out it wasn’t our car. The family inside thought I was trying to steal it!”
Luckily, the misunderstanding was cleared up when mutual friends arrived. But the running joke? Bumblefoot’s unofficial Florida carjacking attempt. You can’t make this stuff up.
30 Years in the Making: Bumblefoot Returns
Fast forward to today. Bumblefoot’s new album, Bumblefoot Returns, drops on January 24th. Believe it or not, it’s his first instrumental album in 30 years. Let that sink in.
“Those years flew by,” he reflected. The last time he released an instrumental album was The Adventures of Bumblefoot in 1995. “During the pandemic, I got the itch to make instrumental music again. And here we are.”
Steve Vai, Brian May, and Guitar Legends Galore
Here’s the kicker: the album features Steve Vai, Brian May, and Guthrie Govan. I had to ask, “How do you get these legends on your record?”
Bumblefoot’s answer? Bold and simple. “You ask.”
It turns out he’s had a 15-year correspondence with Brian May and a decade-long connection with Steve Vai. As for Guthrie? They’ve been friends since 1989, when they became pen pals as teenagers, mailing handwritten letters and cassette demos. Talk about a throwback!
Each guest brought something magical to the album. “Brian May’s song just wouldn’t feel complete without him,” Bumblefoot explained. “And Steve Vai’s solo? Pure alien genius. I spent weeks trying to figure out how he did it.”
From Simon the Cat to Outer Space
The album kicks off with A Simon in Space—a track inspired by his cat. Oh, and the album art? It’s a nod to his first record but with a 2024 twist: think double-neck guitars, spaceships, aliens, and his cat piloting the whole thing.
And Bumblefoot went all out on the physical formats. “Vinyl, cassette, CDs, even a fold-out poster,” he said enthusiastically. There’s also a retro-style video game featuring the guitar spaceship. “It’s like something from 30 years ago—a classic space shooter. And it’s free for everyone to download.”
Yes, you read that right. Bumblefoot is dropping everything, from killer music to quirky games.
The Art of Collaboration
If there’s one thing Bumblefoot loves, it’s collaborating. This album, along with his stints with bands like Asia, Art of Anarchy, and his epic festival gigs, is proof.
“Collaborations are just fun,” he said. “You get to make music with people you like and stretch out creatively. It’s not the usual band dynamic. It’s fresh.”
Upcoming plans? He’ll be hitting festivals, music camps, clinics, and a massive show in Jakarta with a lineup including Nuno Bettencourt, Gary Cherone, and more. “85,000 people, man. It’s gonna be insane.”
Reflecting on Asia and Rush
Bumblefoot also opened up about his time with Asia, where he stepped into the late John Wetton’s shoes. The experience? A challenge he approached with respect and dedication. “I spent two months, eight hours a day, training my voice to honor Wetton’s style,” he said.
And when it comes to influences, the 70s prog rock shaped him deeply. From Rush to King Crimson, he’s a full-on prog geek. “Rush was huge for me. My first band, Paradox, played all their deep cuts. Everything from Xanadu to 2112.”
Bumblefoot Returns: Final Countdown
This album is more than music. It’s a statement—a journey. And with guests like Steve Vai and Brian May, it’s a celebration of collaboration and creativity.
For all the details, visit bumblefoot.com. Get ready for Bumblefoot Returns on January 24th. Whether it’s spinning vinyl, rocking out to cassettes, or blasting aliens in the video game, this project is pure, unapologetic fun.
As Bumblefoot puts it: “I just want people to enjoy it. Forget the business side. This is about making something cool. Something people will love.”
See you out there, rockers!
