Mr. Big guitarist Paul Gilbert joins Mitch for episode 231 of One On One With Mitch Lafon. In the show's only interview, guitarist Gilbert discusses his latest album I Can Destroy, his time with Racer X, Mr. Big, Pat Torpey and more. He also whips out his guitar for an impromptu jam.

Excerpts from the interview:

Writing for the new album (time 1.42): "I wrote a lot of the lyrics while travelling in a van through Italy."

Shrapnel Records' Mike Varney (5.30): "Mike loves music - loves the guitar... A very inspiring figure in my life."

Being a rock star (18.58): "I wanted to be a rock star too, but somehow the tour bus would pull up to the venue, open the door and instead of the girls in bikinis - there would be a bunch of guys who wanted guitar lessons."

Gilbert released his newest record, I Can Destroy, on May 27th via earMUSIC on CD and digital. Snippets of the new songs “Love We Had” and “I Am Not The One (Who Wants To Be With You)”, as well as the bonus track “Great White Buffalo”, are streaming below.

From platinum album sales and number one chart success as a founding member of Mr. Big, to frightening the guitar community with new levels of ferocious picking technique with shred-pioneers Racer X, to exploring punk, pop, classical, blues, jazz, and progressive instrumental styles in his solo career, Paul Gilbert has recorded a massive amount of stunning guitar music, all while circling the globe to play sold-out arenas from Japan to Jakarta.

Gilbert’s style stands out for its rare combination of accuracy, creativity, and power – all which are balanced with Paul’s sense of humour and pure love of music.

Although Paul is best known for his work with Mr. Big and Racer X, he has also toured with Joe Satriani’s G3, played in a host of tribute concerts with legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, and been integral in the design of his signature Ibanez PGM and Fireman guitars.

Paul’s legacy as a guitar instructor began when he was eighteen, when he was hired to teach at Hollywood’s Guitar Institute of Technology. His groundbreaking “Intense Rock” videos and DVDs have inspired legions of guitarists to improve their accuracy, speed, and phrasing. Years as a columnist for Guitar Player magazine, and most recently, Premier Guitar magazine, along with giving countless clinics, private lessons, and serving for five years as the dean of MI Japan, have given Paul Gilbert deep experience in the art of communicating music to all levels of guitarists.

Over 25 years in the music business have only increased Paul’s passion to explore the possibilities of music and the art of playing the guitar. Whether he’s playing to 10,000 fans or jamming one-on-one with a student, Paul Gilbert is living his childhood dream of taking the sounds in his head and bringing them into reality – on the electric guitar.

I Can Destroy is Paul’s next solo-masterpiece and will be his 18th solo album. The album features 13 very diverse rock-tunes. With Kevin Shirley producing, and an amazing band of Freddie Nelson and Tony Spinner on guitars and vocals, Kevin Chown on bass, and Thomas Lang on drums, Paul rocks with more power and emotion than ever before.

Tracklisting:

“Everybody Use Your Goddamn Turn Signal”
“I Can Destroy”
“Knocking On A Locked Door”
“One Woman Too Many”
“Woman Stop"
“Gonna Make You Love Me”
“I Am Not The One (Who Wants To Be With You)”
“Blues Just Saving My Life”
“Make It (If We Try)”
“Love We Had”
“I Will Be Remembered”
“Adventure And Trouble”
“Great White Buffalo” (Bonus Track)

“Love We Had” snippet:

“I Am Not The One (Who Wants To Be With You)” snippet:

“Great White Buffalo” snippet:

“Knocking On A Locked Door" snippet:

“One Woman Too Many" snippet:

"Blues Just Saving My Life" snippet:

"I Will Be Remembered" snippet:

“Gonna Make You Love Me” snippet:

“Make It (If We Try)” snippet:

"Everybody Use Your Goddamn Turn Signal" video:

“I Can Destroy”:

Pre-roll video: