Bon Jovi lead guitarist Phil X has spoken about his excitement for the bands upcoming album.
“We just made a new record in Nashville. We were there for five weeks. I’m super excited about it,” X told the Kenny Aronoff Sessions podcast.
X first joined Bon Jovi in 2011 as a temporary replacement for founding-member and lead guitarist, Richie Sambora. He became an official member of the band in 2016, assuming Sambora’s old role fulltime.
He said that making the new album produced some surreal moments, as his creative input became more substantial.
“There was a couple of instances where we were all as a group collaborating. And I got flashbacks to watching an Eagles documentary and they were in the studio creating Hotel California… I got that vibe, and I got goose bumps,” the Canadian musician said.
With his place in the band now well-cemented, X still struggled to believe what was happening around him at times.
“There were songs where I was like, ‘I think this bridge should start like this.’ And Jon goes, ‘Good idea, X.’ And then we’d go into it,” he said.
“‘I’m going, ‘Good job, X?’ My arm hairs are standing up. ‘What the f**k just happened?’”
While the title and release date are yet to be officially announced, X said the band are confident that they have struck the right note on this album.
“Jon’s really excited about the record. I think the whole band is super excited about this record,” the guitarist said.
“I don’t think the guitars are loud enough on the last couple of Bon Jovi records. And I think if the guitars are in the right space [on this one], then I’m going to be really – I mean, I’m going to be proud of it regardless, but for other listeners, I want them to feel the guitars.
“Because it’s Bon Jovi, right? It’s a rock record.”