ABOUT
What do you love about music?
Music is the only 100% international language that all of us truly understand. Learning, practicing, playing, creating, recording, and performing it — especially with others — is never “work.” It’s fun . . . in fact it’s a blessing. To my delight, I discovered — purely by accident — that teaching it is just as much fun, if not more. Music is also a great “healer” and bringer of happiness.
Who is your favorite artist?
My honest answer (as opposed to the dishonest one!) — it depends on both the day and my mood. So, I can literally go from metal to funk; Pantera to the Police; Metallica to George Michael; Ozzy Osbourne to Oasis; Slayer to Seal; and ZZ Top to Zakk Wylde.
What are your top five desert-island albums?
Fair Warning — Van Halen
Vulgar Display of Power — Pantera
Live — Mahogany Rush (Produced by Frank Marino)
British Steel — Judas Priest
Live & Dangerous — Thin Lizzy
Do you play in a band or currently perform?
I am too busy to be in a band (it’s always been “all or nothing” for me) but I produce groups and also perform all the time, , whether jamming with other bands, at GearFest, or at the annual Dimebash and Ride For Dime charity events.
PHOTOS
BIOGRAPHY
England-born Nick Bowcott brings a wealth of experience to Sweetwater Academy students. In the ’80s, he formed the cult British heavy-metal band Grim Reaper as the band’s guitarist, producer, and leader. The band starred in three hit MTV videos, created three American Billboard Top 100 albums, and toured the world. The band was also extremely proud that all three music videos were “completely trashed” by the animated series Beavis and Butt-Head.
Nick began instructing in 1985, releasing a critically acclaimed teaching video series The Heavy Metalist and writing the guitar column in the leading American music magazine Circus. Later, while writing for Guitar World, he cowrote closely with many artists, including Dimebag Darrell of Pantera and Kirk Hammett of Metallica, on popular columns that became best-selling books.
Nick performs live — a lot. As the musical director for the Ride For Dime and Dimebash charities, he organizes and plays with famous musicians, including Dave Grohl, Nita Strauss, Zakk Wylde, Corey Taylor, Rudy Sarzo, Ace Frehley, Scott Ian, Paul Gray, Vinnie Paul, Geezer Butler, Kerry King, John 5, and others. When reviewing that legendary list, Nick admits, “I am not worthy of playing with any of these people, but I’ll take it!” Nick can help make your guitar playing legendary, as well.