Ernie Ball: String Theory with Mark Holcomb of Periphery

"My approach to writing is always to do it out of impulse and to do it regularly. Even if I'm not inspired, I always try to keep writing music a daily thing." Watch as Mark Holcomb of Periphery reflects on how guitar playing became his creative outlet and constant through life, while sharing the musical influences, songwriting philosophy, and pursuit of tone that shaped his approach to modern progressive metal. Mark Holcomb relies on Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Paradigm electric guitar strings to get his signature sound. String Theory is a web series from Ernie Ball that explores the sonic origins of some of music's most innovative players. Watch additional episodes of Ernie Ball: String Theory here: http://ernieb.al/1QtdTx9 0:00 – Finding Identity Through Guitar 1:10 – Guitar as Stability Through Life’s Chaos 2:02 – Early Lessons & Learning Guitar His Own Way 3:02 – Discovering Drop D Tuning & Heavy Music 4:12 – Metallica, James Hetfield & Early Influences 5:28 – Falling in Love with Progressive Metal 6:18 – Joining Periphery & Finding His Creative Voice 8:10 – The Magic of Collaboration & Songwriting 9:06 – Chasing the Perfect Heavy Guitar Tone 10:02 – Working with Ernie Ball & Custom String Gauges 12:03 – Expression Over Technicality in Periphery’s Music 13:05 – Daily Writing Habits & The “Riff Graveyard” 14:18 – Experimenting with Tunings & 8-String Guitars 15:24 – Gratitude for a Life Built Around Guitar #periphery #ernieball #stringtheory