Drug Church and Militarie Gun’s Nick Cogan names his favourite guitarists right now
Rock music has had an exceptional couple of years. Without trying to sound like Alex Turner at the Brit Awards, a moment when sections of society seriously contended that the old six-string and its relevant forms had enjoyed their day, now, the instrument has asserted why it is more culturally vital than ever. While many notable players have had a hand in this resurgence, one who has been particularly decisive is Drug Chuch and Militarie Gun’s Nick Cogan.
Although Cogan has been making waves in the hardcore circuit since 2011 and has produced a slew of influential material, the past couple of years have seen him take things up a notch artistically. His 2023 was so exceptional on the Drug Church, Militarie Gun and Pile of Love fronts that we named him our ‘Guitarist of the Year’.
From delivering the crunching post-hardcore single ‘Myopic’ with Drug Church to releasing the debut album Life Under the Gun with Militarie Gun, Cogan’s industry and dynamism stood out in 2023. That’s not to mention playing close to 200 shows worldwide. His other outfit, supergroup Pile of Love, dropped the stellar EP, Super Sometimes, in December.
At the end of 2023, we caught up with Nick Cogan to discuss his distinctive style and get to know him a little better. At one point, the conversation centred on why rock music and guitar bands have never been healthier and why he thinks this is. People will always be interested in a variety of sounds, he said, and pointed to the lockdown, allowing listeners enough time to find the material they like on this front.
He adds: “Everything feels accessible. It’s probably a combination of a lot of things. Also some bands from this world put out some truly great records these past couple years, and that’s inspiring for all who sees.”
Cogan was kind enough to name some of his favourite guitarists out there right now, which include Wednesday’s MJ Lenderman and Angel Du$t’s Steve Marino. “I’ll try to keep it younger and more relevant to the world we’re discussing ’cause otherwise, I’ll type pages on the Counting Crows,” he explained. “MJ Lenderman is someone I’ve only been familiar with for a year or two, but he’s probably my favourite guitar player right now, and whoever is playing the pedal steel in his band as well. His style is effortless, whereas I think I appear pained to play guitar. I’m infatuated cause I’m jealous.”
The Drug Church guitarist concluded: “My friend Steve Marino, who plays guitar in Angel Du$t, but also releases music under his own name as well as a band called Jacky Boy, is a favourite of mine as well. I don’t think I’ve ever told him that. The guitar parts on that Momma record from last year are still stuck in my head all the time. Such great guitar sounds, too, one of those records you wish you wrote, ya know?”
Watch Nick Cogan in action below.
