It is logical to suppose that most of you who visit UG more then once a month are curious, who is standing behind the Ultimate-Guitar.Com.
And it's not a secret that a mystical halo that has arised around the UG makers is caused by the fact the majority of UG developers are none other than Russians.
Below is the first ever interview with UG behind-the-scenes people, to be more precise the following ones (make sure to check out some weird pics of them here):
zappp - CEO/Founder
casualty01 - Executive Director (US office)
medick - Head Of IT Department
matter - Editor-In-Chief
Dyuha - Service Development Manager
Till From Kenig - Developer
Remedios - News Editor
Cosss - Designer
| Which album impressed you the most this year? |
zappp: Since I can get away with saying that I like Avril Lavigne on my profile... Not much to be honest -- the first one is Lily Allen. That disc was playing non stop for 2 months in my car. There are not much guitars there though haha, but it's an easy listening. I have too much things in my head to think about and too complex music is rather unappreciated by me these days. The next, is a new Marylin Manson album -- I don't remember the title though. And finally, Serj Tankian. I have to admit that I consider all these records as "pop-ish" albums... because they are popular maybe? Really, what's the difference between Serj and Lily -- they both do good music which appeal to mass market.
Speaking about more rock music -- the only thing I'm listing to is what we play with our UG Band :) I'm glad that we started the band finally, I consider it as one of the best things that happened to me this year.
Dyuha: Being a virtual project, similiar to what I am, Dethklok impressed me the most with their amazing melodic death metal release "The Dethalbum". I would also like to mark out a 2007's masterpiece "An Ocean Between Us" by As I Lay Dying.
casualty01: Radiohead's new album.
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| "The Sundial is definitely my most favoutite band -- because this band is mine :D" |
Remedios: Dimmu Borgir's "In Sorte Diaboli" -- as usual, amazing quality and sound. They are one of my favourite bands. Also I should mention "Vol. 2" by Hurt -- I discovered the band this year and was pretty much impressed.
Till From Kenig: Gulag Orkestar, by Beirut (althought it was released in 2006). Something different to what I used to listen usually.
matter: The album that impressed me to the depths, so much that I still hold my breath listening to some of the tunes from it, is "Call To Mind" by Commix. But it's not rock or even instrumental stuff at all, so I'd better keep quiet here. As well as I'd better keep quiet on the fact that I'm a drum&bass DJ o_O
| What upcoming releases are you looking forward to? |
casualty01: I don't know about any scheduled ones, but a new Deftones or Portishead would own my world.
zappp: Chinese Democracy maybe? Or new Green Day, as I love a couple songs from last album.
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| "I want to become a Dark Wizzard." |
Dyuha: Oh... there are a lot! New Paris Hilton I suppose, or Guns N' Roses... But honestly -- looking forward to get new Metallica! Yeah, baby.
Till From Kenig: Maybe something from Russian punk group Gr.Ob. Realy I still got lot's of music from the past to listen.
medick: I haven't kept an eye on new releases lately, I know about a record only when it has already hit stores' shelves. When it is available on the Net to be more correct :)
Remedios: Well, I would be happy to finally see the release of "Transition" album by the act called The Sundial and even participate in it. This is definitely my most favoutite band -- because this band is mine :D
Also there is a new album by Midnattsol coming out in March. It's a very interesting mix of old school goth-metal and folk, plus amazing vocal. I want that CD now already!
| Which bands should start making a record for next year? |
zappp: Slash's Snakepit. They should reunite with same line up as on "It's 5 O'Clock" somewhere, that was a brillian music. Exactly what I love.
matter: Green Day. Because I want our website to be supplied with such massive news for at least several months -- everyone hailing and bashing GD is always such a nice thing to watch! J/k if anything.
Remedios: It would be so great to listen to the new album by Pink Floyd, ideally with the same line-up with which "The Division Bell" was recorded. Same is with Theatre of Tragedy, if they could make an album like their old records (1998's "Aegis" for example), with Liv Kristine on vocals.
Also something new from Lucia, Fields of the Nephilim, Russian's Tvangeste - just to name a few.
Dyuha: I would be happy if Agaloch, ISIS and Karnivool released some new material next year.
Till From Kenig: Maybe the band, I play in...
| What do you want for Christmas? |
casualty01: I would like the senate to approve that bill I've been submitting for the past 4 years now. The one where women must give a BJ upon request. I think that would be a nice little stocking stuffer.
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| "I can promise a stable work of the site." |
medick: Some big, serious rock festival to be moved to Russia, Kaliningrad.
Dyuha: To drink some beer with Santa and then to have a world trip on his sleigh. And get a decent drum kit as well.
Remedios: A good art cover for "Transition" album.
matter: All I want now actually is fulfilment of all my global next year's plans.
zappp: I have all I need -- my little daughter, which soon will be 2 years old, Slash signed new Epiphone, and awesome "job" here at UG. Can I wish more?
| Do you think Metallica will ever release its next album? |
Dyuha: Me?! Are you kidding? Sure they will! There is no doubt. That will be an old school ass-tearing THRASH (James told me)!
zappp: Haha probably, but I hate them. Seriously, these dudes break the whole internet freedom idea and started piracy war. They destroyed music. Weird enough, the only album I like is St. Anger (again, for simplicity)... I'm not a metalhead at all.
casualty01: God I hope not. I do hope they change their name to Metallicant-keep-doing-this-anymore.
Till From Kenig: Who are these guys?
| Can you tell me about any upcoming features for Ultimate-Guitar.com? |
Cosss: Zappp is kinda mysterious lately, mumbling something about "new features". I remember how once he was so deep in thoughts that put 17 spoons of sugar in his coffee. What could that mean?
zappp: Haha not in details. But I've been thinking about the whole UG concept lately and it will be shifting somewhere next year. We've hired like twice more people for UG this fall, and we are concentrated now on implementing new features. There are like 1-2 new things implement each week (both public and behind-the-scenes). Ultimate-Guitar.com should become more ultimate guitar website in 2008 -- we will keep following the "service" route. No more pure tablature concentration. We want it to be first thing anyone want to get something for their stringed instrument. I tell you, we have several good services and 5-6 new "products" lined-up for for 2008, inclusing Cas' idea (read below). Stay tuned.
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| "Maybe the band in which I play should release an album?" |
Till From Kenig: We got some ideas, but it's up to Zappp and Dyuha to decide what we will implement. My task of making UG Profiles more stable and bugless is the top priority.
casualty01: Well I am in talks with Eugeny about hosting a nude gallery for our female members, but he's been less than receptive. Something about legalities and age verification... pffft. (Zappp comments: "Argh! You were talking about women? I thought we are speaking about moderators only, you know... I didn't think you penis all over UG was a good idea... but if it's just for females then I'm ok with that!")
Other than that, we have the Pedal Professor coming up which will be hosted by Berklee professor and all around guitar genius madman Chris Buono. More interviews by him as well as a clothing line coming soon (I swear lol) aaaaaand... we're in talks with several content providers to deliver premium videos for UG.tv which will be ushering in a whole new era of UG.tv.
Some other things that I know the users will be pumped up about... well, I can't really say right now ;)
medick: I'm not responsible for developing UG features anymore virtually, but I can promise a stable work of the site. I began working on this in real earnest.
Dyuha: Yes I can, but I won't :) Well, the first and the foremost feature is UG World Domination (a plan for the next 3 years)! We are close :)
matter: All I can promise you by now is more tasty content, expecially interviews, reviews, and video stuff. We've got lots of new talented writers in the team, and together we'll be getting the website on the brand new level.
| What will we be seeing from UG.TV next year? |
zappp: That's what I was talking above :) Stay tuned and you will see.
Dyuha: Hot chicks, reality show 'Russian UG Office', cartoon 'Farmer Bush Jr. Vs. The Aliens' and movie 'Don't Be Like Ozzy' featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Pete Doherty and special starring guests Charlize Theron, Monica Bellucci, Salma Haek and Katrine Zetta-Jones.
Till From Kenig: Propaganda of UG world's domination, of course!
Remedios: Britney Spears? (Zappp comments: "Nah, everbody seen her nude already :)")
medick: Hmmm... I think I should ask Matter about this.
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| "I'd better keep quiet on the fact that I'm a drum&bass DJ." |
matter: Expect much more exlusive video premiers from bands that you love, Serj Tankian's "Beethoven's Cunt" in early January just to name one. More guitar, bass, songwriting lessons. The year is gonna be heavy on hot video stuff!
casualty01: Well, as I mentioned... you'll be seeing the "Pedal Professor" from Chris Buono. An in depth look at using, tweaking, moding and just downright abusing pedals in all their glory.
You'll be seeing a vast increase in content from a couple of partnerships we're working out right now to deliver some massive content you'll be seeing several new channels a bunch more celebrity interviews and even a few more guest celebrity appearances in the form of lessons from your favorite guitarists ;) and I do believe remedios will be doing a special "naked guitar" series. Stay tuned!
| Got any New Years Resolution? |
casualty01: #1 stop drinking so much. Again :(
#2 start playing guitar again :)
Remedios: In the New Year I want to become better and smarter.
Dyuha: To become a Dark Wizzard.
matter: To be stronger to easily stand everything that I'm eyeing to get.
Till From Kenig: Try to add more sense into my life. Cause this year was just work, study, work, study, work...
| Rock Band or Guitar Hero III? |
zappp: GHIII, they have Slash on the cover ;)
casualty01: I don't play either. so... World of Warcraft. ;).
medick: Rock Band!
Dyuha: Counter Strike: Source and Diablo II. Period!
Remedios: What are these games for if you can play real instruments?
Till From Kenig: I've bought real guitar in September, I think it's much more fun) (Zappp comments: "But still thinks it's a percussion instrument")
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| "I have all I need - my little daughter, Slash signed Epiphone, and awesome 'job' at UG." |
PS: A final word from zappp.
Happy Xmas and New Year guys, I love to see all of you on the site and I love your appreciation of our job here! This year was probably the most complicated year in my entire life, but that's for good. I'm gonna wish you to decide who you want to be and what you gonna do in your life and concentrate on that starting right now.
Doesn't mean you need to decide that you want to be an astronaut, but at least decide if you want to be a good rock star or bad rock star. No matter what happens it's all for good if you go the right road. Sounds weird I know ;) Later.
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/ my profile 
. but i am a metal head so i guess i would
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