Paul Andrew Waggoner (born February 10, 1979) is an American musician who is the lead guitarist of progressive metalcore band Between the Buried and Me. A fan of progressive music, he is heavily inspired by John Petrucci, Pat Metheny, Allan Holdsworth and Steve Vai, amongst others. Despite his mostly metal and jazz influential background, he has also listed Weezer front man Rivers Cuomo as one of his first guitar idols, as well as Green Day.[1] He also played guitar in the metalcore band Prayer for Cleansing,[2] as well as live guitar, as needed, for Lamb of God between 2010 and 2014.

Paul Waggoner
Waggoner performing with Between the Buried and Me in 2023
Waggoner performing with Between the Buried and Me in 2023
Background information
Birth namePaul Andrew Waggoner
Born (1979-02-10) February 10, 1979 (age 45)
OriginUnited States
GenresProgressive metal, metalcore
OccupationGuitarist
Member ofBetween the Buried and Me
Formerly ofPrayer for Cleansing

Style

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Waggoner has cited guitarists Jason Becker, Tony MacAlpine, John Petrucci, Steve Vai and Pat Metheny as influences on his craft.[3]

Personal life

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Waggoner is vegan and straight edge.[4] Waggoner formerly owned and operated Nightflyer Roastworks[5] (previously called Parliament Coffee Roasters), as well as Queen City Grounds, a small-batch specialty grade coffee roastery and cafe, respectively, based in Charlotte, NC. He is married with no children. He uses Ibanez guitars exclusively. He has signature guitars with Ibanez, the PWM20, PWM10 and PWM100. He has signature pickups with Mojotone, the PW Hornet. He uses D'Addario strings.

Honors and awards

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  • Nominated for a GRAMMY Award, Best Metal Performance Condemned To The Gallows[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Between The Buried And Me guitarist Paul Waggoner on the "sonic war" in his head". YouTube.
  2. ^ Julien, Alexandre (November 3, 2011). "Redstar Records Interview". Abridged Pause Blog. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  3. ^ "Between The Buried And Me: 'We Have Been Influenced By So Many Genres'". Ultimate Guitar. 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  4. ^ Petersen, Albert (2011). "Paul Waggoner, guitarist from Between The Buried And Me, mixes it up". Metal as Fuck. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  5. ^ Nightflyer Roastworks website
  6. ^ "Paul Waggoner at Grammys". GRAMMY.com. January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2024.