MARCEL YAMMOUNI has been around the traps for a while, sometimes as a gun session bass player and other times as an amazing lead guitarist. He has toured with Vanessa Amorosi, Electric Empire and Andrew Da Silva. He has worked extensively on TV shows like X Factor and Australia’s Got Talent, working behind the scenes providing Guitars, Basses and Production.
What was your first guitar?
It was a hand me down from my Sister Suzi. It’s called a Maxtone (nylon string). I think my parents bought it from Toyworld in the early 80s. I still have it.
What’s your main guitar now?
It varies depending on the gig. Right now I’m playing a couple bits and pieces (Frankensteins). One of my favourites sports a Tele body, Strat neck and Filtertron pickups. My mate Mark Emanuelli @ guitar rehab put it together for me. It’s a total beast.
Through what amp and why?
I’m a fan of the classics but right now I’ve fallen back in love with a Mesa Boogie Mk3 that belongs to my brother Joe. Recently tweaked by Warwick Newman.
Which pedals are your standards?
I love my 80s Japanese made Boss Pedals.
What’s your latest recording and when will you be back in the studio?
I’m always in the studio recording, engineering and mixing. I’m obsessed. I’m slowly piecing together my second solo album.
What gigs have you been playing lately?
Freelance lately. Lot’s of different gigs around Melbourne
Most memorable gig?
First gig in Switzerland with Vanessa Amorosi. We ran out of songs to play so for our third encore so the band had a 20 second chat backstage and went out and composed a song on the spot. It was too much fun.
Worst stage nightmare?
I used to have a fusion band called Shmik in my late teens early 20s that I played bass in. One day Billy Sheehan was doing a workshop across the road at another venue so when he was finished a whole stack of my favourite and Melbourne’s finest bass players walked over to our gig. Right in the middle of my bass solo (it was the 90s so bass solos were common) my amp decides to cut in and out. I did my very best to keep going. I died a little bit inside that night.
Album that changed your life?
Jeff Beck’s Guitar Shop
What gigs are coming up in the next few months?
I’m opening the 2014 Adelaide Guitar Festival with Simon Hosford and Cam Blokland.
A guitar tip for the kids?
Repetition, Repetition, Repetition…………… Repetition (Practice)