"Is it conceivable that Kramer surpasses both Fender and Gibson in success? Astonishingly, Eddie Van Halen achieved just that": Dave Dalone of H.E.A.T discusses reviving rock, drawing inspiration from Gary Moore, and his unwavering affection for Kramer.
Straight up, H.E.A.T's Swedish quintet can't get enough of the '80s. From their stylish outfits to their tunes' key changes, vocal hooks, scorching guitars, and celestial keyboards, it's clear they're die-hard fans of the music legends like Europe, Scorpions, and Whitesnake.
Their latest full-length album, Welcome To The Future, might sound modern, but it's far from outdated. It's got a sleek, contemporary edge that breathes new life into their vintage-inspired ideas, even if their influences hail from ages past. For founding guitarist, Dave Dalone, who took a brief hiatus from the group in 2013 and returned three years later, this record is a heartfelt ode to a time when driving riffs, soaring melodies, and ambitious leads ruled the world.
"I used to be a huge fan of John Norum and Kee Marcello from Europe," Dalone reveals to Guitarist. "Both of them have this melodic nature that sets them apart from typical shredders, but at the same time, you can't deny the technique aspect. Our band is trying to emulate the same melodic brand of rock."
It all began for Dalone when he was just eleven years old. His older brother introduced him to an '80s mixtape and a stack of old magazines, serving as a time capsule into the era's music. The songs struck a chord with him, and he quickly realized he'd discovered his true calling.
"The music sounded really cool to me," Dalone elaborates. "I remember going up into my parents’ attic, feeling like an intrepid archaeologist digging for fossils. It was the mid-'90s by then, so this era of music already felt kind of old. I didn't have any friends who shared the same interests until we started this band."
Who was your first guitar hero?
Rock on! The first guitarist Dalone became infatuated with was Gary Moore. His unique tone was simply captivating. Moore had a special ability to bring the blues to life, which opened up an entirely new genre for Dalone. Moore was his gateway to the blues.
"After discovering Gary Moore, I found other heavy hitters like Yngwie Malmsteen," Dalone adds. "I seemed to stumble upon his name somewhere, went to the record store, bought an album, and instantly felt like I'd hit the jackpot."
Is that the iconic Marshall 'Plexi' amp we're hearing on your latest album?
When it comes to the studio, Dalone is all about his 1972 Marshall 'Plexi.' It's featured heavily on his recordings and has served him well since he bought it 15 years ago—his first real valve amp. Before that, he was using solid-state combos.
"The Marshall 'Plexi' is a beast in the studio," Dalone shares. "I use it on almost all of my recordings because it's simply a phenomenal amp. It's been around a lot—I even took it on the road for about 10 years before switching to digital amps for live shows."
For his pedalboard, Dalone tends to rely on Boss overdrives, specifically the classic yellow SD-1. He adores its frequency response, finding it adds warmth and clarity to palm-muted passages, as well as helping eliminate muddy tones. The Revv G3 distortion and a blue Boss chorus pedal also have a place on his board.
As for guitars, Kramer models are often his go-to. He became enamored with the '80s innovation behind the brand and now owns a collection of vintage Kramers. Fans of Eddie Van Halen will appreciate this choice, as he was a significant advocate for the Kramer brand during the '80s.
Dalone's latest album is predominantly Kramer, with one exception—a Strat-style guitar crafted by FranFret Guitars, a small Spanish company. He stumbled upon the instrument and appreciates its quality and Olympic White finish, a color that ranks among his favorites.
"Strats have this unique single-coil sound, and it's like nothing else," Dalone finishes. "There's a reason they've become such classic electric guitars—their tone is memorable and has a special feeling that's hard to replicate with different guitar styles."
- Dave Dalone's first guitar hero was Gary Moore, whose unique tone and ability to bring the blues to life captivated him.
- After discovering Gary Moore, Dalone found other notable guitarists like Yngwie Malmsteen.
- On his latest album, the iconic Marshall 'Plexi' amp can be heard, a piece of equipment that Dalone has relied on in the studio for 15 years.
- For his pedalboard, Dalone prefers Boss overdrives, specifically the classic yellow SD-1, and also uses the Revv G3 distortion and a blue Boss chorus pedal.
- Kramer models are often Dave Dalone's go-to guitars, and he owns a collection of vintage Kramers, appreciated for their '80s innovation.
- One exception on Dalone's latest album is a Strat-style guitar crafted by FranFret Guitars, a small Spanish company, which he appreciates for its quality and Olympic White finish.
