‘Alan Entwistle Pickups’ Artist

Dan Coates

“There is nothing quite like taking an idea from concept to finished song, then playing it live to an audience .”

GENRE(S): Rock / Hard Rock

INFLUENCES / FAVOURITE ARTISTS: I always find it difficult to pick favourite artists / bands as I feel that as you evolve as a person and a player, you pick up different tastes and influences. Depending upon my mood I can be happy listening to old blues one day, and modern heavy rock the next!

That being said there are a few standouts that if I hadn’t of heard then may never have played guitar – Dave Murray & Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden), Slash, SRV, Gary Moore, Santana & Joe Bonamassa.

BANDS – ACTIVE:

Black Whiskey – Classic Aussie Rock

Sound Affliction – Modern & Melodic Heavy Rock

PREFERRED PICKUPS, AND WHY: I have always loved PAF style pickups so the HV58, HV58+ and HVN are all great for my playing styles.

PRIME CUTS / STAND-OUT CAREER MOMENT SO FAR:

The biggest hit for Black Whiskey so far has been Wild & Free, which charted at number one in the Independent Australian charts, staying in the Top 10 for 18 months.

This was a great achievement for the band and helped propel us to a wider audience.

We’ve also been lucky enough to open for some of the larger touring bands and play a few festivals around Australia.

DISCOGRAPHY:

Black Whiskey

EP – Rebel (2022)

Album – Last Temptation (2024)

Singles – Wild & Free, Whiskey & Rock N Roll, Down (Devils Highway), Eat You Alive

Sound Affliction

Singles – The Path, The End

BIOGRAPHY:

Originally from the UK, I started playing guitar around the age of 16. I’m mostly self-taught, spending hours listening to a range of guitar-based music and doing my best to emulate the sounds. Some of my early bands were very much in the heavy metal genre, playing as fast and loud as we could, however, as I got older, more blues and classic rock started to influence my playing.

I spent several years playing all around the UK with pop / rock covers bands, which really helped me develop a better understanding of gear, tone and playing live.

In 2011 I emigrated to Australia and started playing in a few local bands. Eventually I crossed paths with Black Whiskey who were looking for a guitarist, and since then we’ve been recording and playing live shows around Australia.

Since starting to play guitar I have always been writing and recording music, which has helped provide me with a creative outlet. I’ve been lucky enough to then take this further by playing in bands and meeting like-minded people. There is nothing quite like taking an idea from concept to finished song, then playing it live to an audience.

“I’m mostly self-taught, spending hours listening to a range of guitar-based music and doing my best to emulate the sounds. Some of my early bands were very much in the Heavy Metal genre, playing as fast and loud as we could, however, as I got older, more blues and classic rock started to influence my playing.“

GUITARS / AMPS / GEAR:

Fret King & Vintage Guitar Endorser

Rotosound String Endorser

Marshall Amps

Other gear – Boss Pedals, FGN, PRS, & Gibson Guitars