Brian Greenway of April Wine discusses the band’s future and his favorite pedal
When April Wine released hit albums like First Glance, Harder… Faster, and The Nature of the Beast in the late 1970s and early 1980s, guitarist Brian Greenway acknowledges that the band remained somewhat underrated. “The Canadian thing probably had something to do with it,” he reflects. After the band broke up in 1984 and reunited in 1992, they felt they had missed out on some opportunities. As the last member remaining from the classic era, Greenway recognizes the band’s legacy and is excited about the upcoming tour with Triumph.
Despite facing challenges with venue sizes due to being told they were too loud for some rooms and not fitting well in others, April Wine has been receiving positive responses as they return to places they haven’t played in years. Greenway attributes the band’s success to their commitment to being present and performing live. Reflecting on his start with April Wine in 1977, Greenway explains that familiarity with the band and having worked with Steve Lang, who was later the bass player, led to his joining the group. Initially brought in for a summer tour trial, Greenway ended up becoming a permanent member and, in his words, the “last one here.”
Greenway’s gear of choice has always been a 1972 sunburst Gibson Les Paul Custom, a guitar he has owned for over 50 years and which he purchased for $550, a price significantly lower than the current value of similar guitars. Alongside his trusty Les Paul, he acquired a Marshall stack in the late 1970s, essential for the arena rock sound the band embraced. His pedal setup consisted of an MXR Phase 90 and a Boss Chorus Ensemble, with the latter becoming a personal favorite due to its addictive tone.
In discussing his gear modifications, Greenway reveals that he has made changes to his beloved Les Paul over the years. Despite facing venue size challenges and being considered too loud for some locations, April Wine’s resilience and dedication to their craft have seen them enjoy renewed success in recent years. As they prepare for their tour with Triumph, Greenway remains optimistic and committed to delivering their best performances to their loyal fans.