Words and photos by Neal Tiemann

1979 Gibson Rd Artist (Natural)
This guitar was modded out from its original state by Johnny Metal. I call her lefty. This being the name given to her by her former owner Mikey J.

1979 Gibson Rd Artist (Black)
I only brought this one out for a little while. Similar to the natural one, just all original.

2007 Gibson Rd Standard Reissue (Silverburst)
This was given to me by David Cook after the recording of his debut album. It quickly became my favorite and, accordingly, my main guitar because of the color (silverburst is my favorite Gibson finish) and it’s real heavy.

1977 Gibson Rd Standard (Walnut)
Another guitar that was modded by Johnny Metal. During said tour it was my ‘Bar Ba Sol’ guitar.

2009 Gibson Explorer (Black)
Gibson hooked me up with this about halfway through the tour. Definitely the fastest playing guitar I own. Additional mods by Johnny Metal.

2000 Gibson Les Paul Standard (Honeyburst)
‘miss america’. This was one of the first ‘real’ guitars I bought. I’ve played this one for years and years. The declaration tour was the last tour she’ll ever go on.

2005 Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus (Lightburst)
I bought this one specifically for this tour, but I’m finding out that it sounds great in the studio as well. Another huge overhaul done on this one by Johnny Metal.

2003 Gibson ‘57 Reissue Custom (Black)
I picked this one up on the St. Louis stop of the declaration run. you can’t really beat customs.

2008 Gibson Hummingbird (Honeyburst)
I used this during the first half for acoustic radio shows or the rare acoustic versions we played every once in a while.

2007 Gibson Hummingbird (Silverburst)
This replaced the honeyburst one halfway through. One of my many happy memories is playing this at an intimate show in Canada.

2008 Gibson L-4a
I used this for radio shows and late night parking lot shows.

For more information on Johnny Metal, please check out his website here: johnnymetal.com

Press play then double click the video for full-screen.

If you’re experiencing difficulty viewing the video, try this one uploaded to YouTube:

Neal A’s some more Q’s: Part 3 of 3.

Press play then double click the video for full-screen.

If you’re experiencing difficulty viewing the video, try this one uploaded to YouTube:

Neal A’s some more Q’s: Part 2 of 3.

Check out Neal’s friend Mick and his clothing line at dethless.com.

Check out part one now!

Press play then double click the video for full-screen.

If you’re experiencing difficulty viewing the video, try this one uploaded to YouTube courtesy of abbyrocky:

Neal A’s some more Q’s: Part 1 of 3.

Neal joined David Cook on a trip to Ethiopia to see firsthand how the UN Foundation is supporting the work of the UN to educate and empower girls. Footage from their trip will be featured during IDOL GIVES BACK, on Wednesday, April 21, 8pm ET. All photo credits: UN Foundation/Stuart Ramson.

Also, watch it here: (Thanks again, Giulia.)

And when you’re finished, go to iTunes and purchase the MP3 http://bit.ly/dsvirF.

How many guitars do you have? Why so many?  - Becky in Niagara Falls
i have too many.  they’re my favorite addiction.

Do you think MWK will ever play a show in New York? I could settle for somewhere in the Northeast, too. – Amanda in NY
we did. 5 years ago.  it all depends on everyone’s schedules if we can again.

How old were you when you first learned how to play the guitar? – Katie
13.

Has there been a specific band that you’ve been dying to join in on? – nealtiemannfanatic
i would love to play in queens of the stone age for a short tour. or mastodon.

Do you believe in paranormal stuff like ghosts? – Jessica
i want to really bad. such things never seem to happen around me.

What college did you attend? – Jessica
University of Tulsa

Why do you play right-handed guitar when you are left-handed? – Sue
right handed guitars are usually cheaper and there’s way more variety.

Do you have any future plans or desires to bring MWK over to the UK? – Skyler in the UK
see question two. i would love to though.

What was your worst subject in school? – Victoria
math.

neal, out of all your tattoos, which is your favorite ? – Gabi
the one of my dog on my right arm.

I’ve noticed that Neal plays a guitar that looks like a customised version of a Gibson Firebird. It has EMG pickups and a grey burst finish. I was curious what model guitar this is and what it is called? Was it a custom shop piece? -Corey
they are called rd’s.  no custom shop just a limited run.

So did you win the guitar you were bidding on? – Kristin in Michigan
i did. it’s a gibson rd custom.

most dorky tattoo you have? (in your opinion) – Nelia in Chicago
my worf tattoo on my right arm.

favorite mythical creature? – Rosie in Chicago
bigfoot, unless he’s real.

Favorite monster movie? – Becky in Wisconsin
brotherhood of the wolf.

Who do you most want to see in concert that you haven’t? – Kristin in Michigan
bjork.

Favorite Ryan Star song? – Kristin W in Michigan
back of your car or o.

Longest time you stayed awake? – Giselle
50 hours.

Do you regret any of the tattoo’s you have? – Kristin W in Michigan
a couple.

If you have one, who’s your favorite country singer? – Kristin W in Michigan
buck owens or george straight.

were you good at math? – Julie from “Halfway around the world”
never ever.

if i were to buy my 1st guitar,what would you recommend,i’m a lefty =) thanks neal.love ya! – Niqs in the Philippines
buy gibson! (what a plug)

Any chance that you’ll have the Luna Despierta EP cd available for international fans? – Ethel in New Zealand
i sure hope so.  i’ll work on that for you.

February 18th was AMAZING! Do you ever miss playing in Tulsa like that?! – chavelaprincess in Tulsa
i do a lot.

Which song of yours was the easiest one to make? – Dinna in Indonesia
i wrote this song called fairweather friend in 5 minutes.

What do you do when you can’t sleep, really? (asking for tips here) – Dee in Dreamland
if you follow me on twitter, you know i have no advice.  i am terrible at sleeping.

How many tattoos do you have? – hotwheels1975 in Ohio
depends on what counts as one tattoo.

Who came up with “the definitive news and historical reference resource regarding Neal …” on this site? =) – Rain on Earth
some lovely ladies, definitely not me.

What is your favorite Rush song? – amherrington in Oswego, IL
limelight.

How old were you when you knew you wanted play guitar in a band? – Amanda in NYC
5 or so.

3 places you’d like to travel to? – Chantelle in the UK
ireland,africa, germany.

Will you please come have a MWK show in STL? We have Schlafly beer!!! :) Nobody else has it! :) please? :) – Hannah in St Louis
mwk has played countless times in stl.  you have crazybowls & wraps and that’s why i love you.

Do you ever get nervous before appearing on TV with DC & the band?  Do you enjoy it? – LJR in Wisconsin
it’s not as crazy as it may seem. i enjoy it depending on what i’m playing and how early it’s being recorded.

Any cities, shows you esp enjoyed on tour? – LJR in Wisconsin
i really liked the macon, ga show on the declaration tour.

I love your music! How can I meet you? – Amber in Frisco, TX
come to a show.

I’m starting a band and we are tossing around the name Trebuchet. What do you think of that? We are an all-girl metal band and we rock balls. Will you come see us if we play in LA? Maybe we could open for you… – Weeza in Albania
i love metal. i’ll come see you if you remind me.

Neal! i want to hear you sing solo!! ;D will you? – Lesley in LA
i’ll never say never but.. probably not.

can you please tell me what the tattoo on the side of your right hand is? (: – Kayla
it’s my greatgrandmother’s intials.

Is it strange to you that people get your lyrics tattooed on their body or do you take it as a compliment? – Tracy in Atlanta
huge compliment.

If for some reason you never got into music (thank you so much that you did) what do you think you would be doing now? – Crystal Mott in Newport, MI
probably tending bar.

My favorite movie is Lord of the Rings (I have a tattoo of my name in Elvish). What are your thoughts on that trilogy? – Kelly in New York
i like it lots.

How do you celebrate St Patrick’s Day? – stlrz02
drinking. duh.

did you get to jam with synyster gates when working on the burn halo album? -jt
a little.

What is your favorite Motley Crue song? – @ashleyisawake
livewire.

Have you ever read the Nikki Sixx Heroin Diaries? – @ashleyisawake
i did.

Do you remember fans that you meet?  Or do you just forget them afterwards because it is part of the job? – Nikki in Colorado
i try my best.

First concert you went to? – Michele in NJ
zz top.

Do you like the band Sigur Ros? – Paige Powell in Virginia
yes.

Where do you get your clothes?
online. i make some of them too.

How long does it take you to get ready?
it depends on where we’re going.

how often do you get sick?
not that often

what’s your biggest fear?
things swimming underneath me.

why are you so shy on stage, but so talkative off? :)
just because i don’t sing doesn’t mean i’m shy.

Tickets are $7 and will be available at the door, the night of the show.

MWK will play at 9pm sharp.

more info

We are excited to share a few of our photos from the show with you, but we are more excited about giving all of you the opportunity to share your experiences.

If you were lucky enough to attend the show in Tulsa we would love for you to post your recaps, highlights, photo galleries and videos with us. Please post them in the comment section below.

Thanks!