ALICE COOPER's new guitarist, Australia-born Orianthi Panagaris, is featured in a new interview with MusicRadar.com. An excerpt is available below:

Q: How exactly did you hook up with Alice?

Orianthi: "I got an e-mail from Bob Ezrin. I worked with him on a Fefe Dobson song, and he reached me in Nashville, where I've been working on the new album. He asked me if I would be interested in joining Alice's band. I had played with Alice before – we did School's Out on American Idol – and the whole thing really appealed to me. It's been pretty crazy, as you can imagine, learning all of Alice's songs in a week. But I love a good challenge. Pushing yourself and digging into something new, that's what being a musician is all about."

Q: You're what, 15 years old? How extensively do you know Alice Cooper's body of work?

Orianthi: "I'm a little older than 15! [laughs] You know, I've listened to 'School's Out', obviously, and songs like 'Poison', but I never really played any of the material in cover bands before. I always thought Alice was super-cool and a total originator, though. During the past week or so I've been manically learning the repertoire, and I've been really impressed by how well written the songs are. There's so many cool guitar parts and places for a player to stretch out. It's a lot of fun when Steve Hunter and I play together. This is unlike anything I've ever done before."

Q: Now, you've obviously got chops. Did you have to audition to join Alice's band?

Orianthi: "No. I was just asked to be part of it. So I kind of went in there and started playing, really. It was strange timing, in a way, since I was in Nashville working on my new record. I have eight tracks done – we should be putting out a five-song EP very soon. Once the tour is done, in January, I'll go back to Nashville and finish up the album."

Click here for the complete interview.

Orianthi is replacing guitarist Damon Johnson, for the next leg of his 2011 No More Mr. Nice Guy world tour, starting September 22nd in Auckland, New Zealand. Currently in progress, the tour hits ninety plus cities, covering five continents, including Europe and North America twice over.

At the young age of 26, Orianthi has already experienced what most aspiring musicians only dream of. She's opened for her hero, STEVE VAI; backed CARRIE UNDERWOOD; traded solos with CARLOS SANTANA; shared the stage with the King of Pop, MICHAEL JACKSON, and accompanied Alice during his live performance of 'School’s Out' on the 2010 season finale of American Idol (see clip below).

"It’s very difficult to find someone to match the talents of Damon Johnson,” commented Cooper, “but not only did we find someone who is more than up to the challenge… she also looks WAY better."

Orianthi will join world-renowned guitarist Steve Hunter (toured and recorded with Cooper and LOU REED) and Tommy Henriksen (co-wrote and played on Cooper’s upcoming release); drummer Glen Sobel and Alice's longtime bassist Chuck Garric round out the band.

“I’m super excited to go on tour with Alice,” said Orianthi. “It’s a huge honor to be able to get on stage and jam with an icon.”

Alice Cooper's live itinerary can be found here.

Orianthi made her debut with the band for a performance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, on Friday September 9th on NBC. Check out the footage below, along with some extra clips of her in action.