Christian Andreu

Christian Andreu
Andreu at Rock im Park in 2017
Andreu at Rock im Park in 2017
Background information
Born (1976-11-15) 15 November 1976 (age 48)
Genres
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1996–present
Labels

Christian Roger Andreu (born 15 November 1976) is a French musician best known as the lead guitarist of heavy metal band Gojira, and was guitarist on a Familha Artús album.

Music

Christian Andreu's influences include bands such as Death, Metallica, Morbid Angel, Tool, Slayer, and classical music.[1]

His favorite non-metal musicians are Mozart, La Tordue, Têtes Raides, and Björk,[1] as well as Bulgarian music and Indian music.[1] He cites French-language singers such as Alain Bashung,[1] Barbara, Jacques Brel, and Georges Brassens.[citation needed]

In an interview for Lyon's ZYVA Magazine, Andreu explained that he does not listen to much metal music apart from Gojira, stating that he primarily listens to classical music.[1] Andreu credited "Symbolic" from the band Death as the song that portrays him.[1]

In 2007, he was also a guitarist in an experimental ethno-tribal progressive rock band playing in a traditional style called Familha Artús.[2]

In May 2019, towards the end of the song "Stranded" at Ohio's Sonic Temple Festival, the pyrotechnic effects of the show projected flames in his face under the effect of the wind. Burned superficially, Andreu had to leave his comrades but returned on stage to complete the concert, while taking breaks between songs to throw water on his face. He recovered quickly.[3][4]

Personal life

Christian Andreu resides close to nature on the south west coast of France, near San Sebastián, Spain. He maintains his organic garden when he is not on tour,[5] and practices fishing.[6]

Equipment

Guitars
  • Jackson RR1t
  • Jackson RR Custom (with "G" inlay on 12th fret)
  • Jackson RR5
  • Gibson Explorer (on The Link Alive)
Amplifiers and Cabinets
  • EVH 5150 III 100 watt HEAD (L'Enfant Sauvage – present)
  • EVH 5150 III 4×12 Cab (Christian started using EVH in 2009 on Gojira's first headlining tour in US)
  • Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier (Terra Incognita – The Link)
  • Peavey 6505+, 6505, 5150, 5150 II (From Mars to Sirius – The Way of All flesh)
Pedals
  • Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner
  • MXR Smart-Gate
  • MXR Carbon Copy Delay

Note: Before the deal with Dunlop, he was using Boss NS-2

Discography

Gojira

Main article: Gojira discography
Demos
  • Victim (as Godzilla) (1996)
  • Possessed (as Godzilla) (1997)
  • Saturate (as Godzilla) (1999)
  • Wisdom Comes (as Godzilla) (2000)
EPs
Studio albums
With Familha Artús
  • Òrb (2007)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Jagunk, Yoch (August 24, 2009). "Discussion - Gojira (Interview with Christian Andreu)". Zyva Magazine (in French). Lyon: Issuu. p. 28. OCLC 743017035. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  2. ^ Familha Artús (band) (February 12, 2007). Christian Andreu (Gojira) en guest - 2007 [Christian Andreu (Gojira) as a guest - 2007] (Trailer). The Landes: Artús – via YouTube.
  3. ^ Chapstick, Kelsey (May 20, 2019). "Gojira Guitarist Burns Face in Onstage Pyro Accident, Finishes Playing Set". Revolver. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Kaufman, Spencer (May 22, 2019). "The moment Gojira's guitarist was struck by pyro flames at Sonic Temple Fest". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on May 3, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  5. ^ Geist, Brandon (March 1, 2007). "Joe Duplantier talks Metallica, Randy Blythe, environmentalism, pizza and more". Revolver. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  6. ^ Soenen, Marie-Hélène (June 24, 2016). "Gojira, du zen dans le metal" [Gojira, some Zen in the metal]. Télérama (in French). Paris. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christian Andreu.