From Devon to LA: Will Wallner on Neon Dragon, Vintage Marshalls & Life in Lemmy’s Old Apartment

I’m a British guitarist originally from Devon, England, currently based in Los Angeles, CA. I spent many years recording and touring with several different bands. Now I’m doing my own thing with my band Neon Dragon.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM OR SINGLE

We just put out a fun cover song ‘Ooh Baby’ as a tribute to Canadian Metal Legends ‘Anvil’, they’re friends of ours. The song has a really good line up, Vinny Appice on Drums, Neil Turbin on Vocals, Becky Baldwin on Bass, and I’m on Guitar.

Ooh Baby Lyric Video: https://tr.ee/6zLrjLkqYA

Ooh Baby Steaming: https://tr.ee/iAWkvrSvrb

WHICH SONG WOULD YOU SAY SUMS UP YOUR SOUND THE BEST?

Right now, probably Enter the Dragon with Ronnie Romero on Vocals. That one came out really good but we’re currently recording our debut album which has really expanded our sound.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO MUSIC?

When I was 16, listening to bands like Black Sabbath, Van Halen, stuff like that. I started with bands in England, playing small clubs in the city of Portsmouth. Then I moved to Los Angeles.

WHAT DOES TYPICAL WRITING AND RECORDING DAY LOOK LIKE?

I usually work on a music for around 2 hours before I call it a day. I don’t like to rush or force things. It’s pretty much just jamming ideas in my home studio. I have a really nice setup with all my vintage Marshalls hooked up so I can switch between them. It’s funny, I live in Lemmy’s old apartment just off the Sunset Strip. He used to have pinball machines and all sorts of crazy stuff where I have my studio.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR BAND NAME/ STAGE NAME?

It’s sort of a silly, cheesy name, but the idea was to have something that would give us some good visuals for merchandise and artwork designs.

WHAT HAS BEEN THAT HARDEST THING ABOUT YOUR MUSIC JOURNEY SO FAR?

The lack of money lol!

WHAT'S BEEN THE EASIEST?

I would say staying inspired. I’m pretty much as excited to pick up the guitar today as I was 10 years ago.

WHAT WOULD YOU DOING IF YOU WEREN'T MAKING MUSIC?

I’d just be a father to my children, and I’d be happy to just do that, but I have a passion for music, so I want to keep creating.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?

Just be yourself. That’s advice I give myself whenever I’m unsure of how to act in any situation. It sounds simple but if you really know who are inside then that’s all you need.

WHAT'S NEXT?

I’m going to South America with a band for some tour dates this month. I’ve almost finished the debut Neon Dragon album, which I’ll hopefully figure out how to release sometime towards the end of this year.

PLEASE ADD ANY SOCIALS SO WE CAN SHARE

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/WillWallner

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/will_wallner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willwallner

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