The 6th annual "Shred For Your Life" Guitar Battle will take place on April 17th at Webster Hall. From its humble beginnings in the back of Max Fish in 2005, to Santos Party House in 2008, musician/artist Marc Razo's "Shred For Your Life" has been challenging 13 to 54 year olds to shred their best for the past 5 years and will take the show to it's biggest venue yet with this year's battle taking place in the Grand Ballroom at Webster Hall on April 17th. In addition, this year "Shred For Your Life" has secured some of the coolest and shred worthy judges including Andrew W.K., Justin Theroux (actor/writer Tropic Thunder, Iron Man 2), and Jaleel Bunton (TV On The Radio). Past judges have included actor/comedian David Cross (Arrested Development/Mr. Show), Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and Ray Barbee (Skateboard Legend/Musician) among others.
This isn't just a guitar nerd-fest; "Shred For Your Life" is all about having an awesome time. It's for everyone from the insane shredder to the kid who likes to bop his head to the music. This year's head to head battle featuring the best guitarists of all ages and genres is sure to be the biggest and baddest yet.
Steadily growing for the past 5 years, "Shred For Your Life" has a strong history and has had some amazing, talented, and notable people involved from competitors Mike Einziger (Incubus), Brad Shanks (Blood On The Wall), and Rhandy Randall (No Age); to rhythm section players Matt Sweeney (Chavez/Zwan), Spencer Sweeny (Owner of Santos Party House), John Stanier (Battles/Helmet), Andy Mcleod (White Magic), Brad Truax (White Magic/Jah Division), Torbit Schwartz (Chin Chin); to the hilarious engaging host Wilder Schwartz (Chin Chin).
Past winners, whose trophy includes a 3 foot guitar pick by artist Neck Face and a guitar crown, have been just as remarkable as the judges and rhythm section. Take for example Chris Maxwell (Skeleton Key/Elegant Too), who won at the very first "Shred For Your Life" contest at Max Fish, and Alex Nemiz (Mod Rocket) who was not only the first female winner but also the first teenager to win! Blake Mills who won in 2007 has worked with Band of Horses, Jacob Dylan, Julian Casablancas, and Cass McCombs.
