GUITARIST SAM KOLTUN makes his debut with Made In America at the Viper Room on Saturday.

Sam Koltun is only 18 years old and is already a rock guitar veteran.  He’s played huge shows and has built quite a resume in a very short time.    He’ll be playing his inaugural show with Made In America on Saturday at The Viper Room.   Sam took a minute to talk about music, influences, gear and shows.

What’s your background and what can we expect from the show?

Before I came to LA I played out 4-5 nights a week.. in 9 different bands.. so definitely expect some energy and stage presence..

Is this Sam’s first gig in Hollywood? No.. I played a gig out here for a NAMM National Battle of the bands competition in 2010… but first gig on Sunset!!!

What first got you interested in playing guitar?

The house band guitarist Rafael Moreira on the TV show Rockstar INXS. He made me want to play!!!

How did you learn? Are you self taught or did you take lessons?

Lessons mainly… Getting the opportunity to play live helped a ton, too!

Who are your 5 favorite guitar players?

Zach Myers, Zakk Wylde, Slash, Tony Iommi and Jerry Cantrell

Who are your 5 favorite bands?

I’m gonna cheat and put 6!    Alice in Chains, Monster Magnet, Black Sabbath, Shinedown, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden.

Your favorite gig?

First time playing an arena to 7,000 people at age 14.. That was a very crazy and surreal experience!

Your favorite concert?

Oh man.. So many… Alice in Chains this past year on the “Devil Put Dinosaurs Here” tour, Black Sabbath on their 13 tour, Last in Line (all of Dio’s original band members) at Ramona Mainstage, Shinedown front row at Dean NAMM Jam 2013, Slash’s solo band (twice) – I’ve been to a ton of great shows!!!

How about your main guitars?

I’m endorsed by Buddy Blaze Guitars.. my main guitar is my Custom triple humbucker Evanator.. Greatest guitar ever! My 2nd favorite is the first guitar I got from Buddy.. Black K2 2H Floyd Rose.. I can do anything with those two guitars… they’re my two favorite guitars in the world!

Your favorite piece of gear?

I have 3. My Custom Blaze, My main Modified Fender Dual Showman head, and my Cantrell Cry Baby Wah!!!

How about the recent jam sessions at Lucy’s 51 in Toluca Lake??

They’re incredible! I’m from St. Louis, MO and I’ve gone to Jam Sessions every week since I was 12.. and I host a lot of jam sessions back home.. But the host group is a great group of guys and a great group of musicians!!! They run a great jam!

How about your experiences there- the people you’ve jammed with, highlights that come to mind, etc.

Getting to jam with Gilby Clarke from Guns-n-Roses the FIRST time I went to Lucy’s was pretty surreal for me.. he was one of the first guitar players I even knew about. And when I discovered GNR I had the Use Your Illusion DVDs, and I always thought of GNR as having Gilby as the 2nd guitar player!!! I’ve gotten to meet so many of my favorite musicians! Shinedown (the whole band), Slash (three times now), Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge/Creed), Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch).. so I’ve gotten to meet a lot of my heroes!

Check out Sam as he rocks with MADE IN AMERICA (REVERB NATION ITUNES MERCH WEBSITE)