By: Rick Landers
Jason Deraps – photo credit: Robert M. Knight
The Brotherhood of the Guitar found Jacob Deraps up in Canada and discovered a phenomenal young guitarist who could channel Eddie Van Halen and more on his axe. Clean, articulate sonics and an ease of playing that was as nonchalant as a teen flipping a burger, yet as crafty and serious as a full force gale.
In 2014, Jacob was featured at Van Halen News Desk HERE!
The young guitarist’s playing not only has depth, but a range that can shift from nuanced tones to a storm-driven crunch in a flash.
Discovered by legendary rock photographer and co-founder of The Brotherhood, Robert M. Knight, Jacob was brought into the Brotherhood and he’s been working hard to build a professional career. Since Jacob and Robert met, the two have formed a solid friendship as they’ve been working together to unleash this new talent on all of us who love all things guitar.
The Brotherhood of the Guitar has the backing of Brian Ball, president, Ernie Ball, Inc. (Music Man Guitars) and the Guitar Center. And Brian has established a sub-set of The Brotherhood, of young guitarists who are not only big talents, but play his Music Man guitars.
Jacob comes by his talent honestly, with both of his parents musicians of professional caliber. But, like many of his generation, he started out testing his skills on Guitar Hero “guitars”, before his father prompted him to check out the real thing – he did and found he had an innate affinity to the six-stringers and soon found himself wrapped up in an accelerated learning curve to become one of the hottest young guitar talents around, and by the time he turned 18, he was with the Ernie Ball Music Man Brotherhood.
Deraps is now looking toward a professional career in music and given the way he supercharges his guitars with talent, we expect to hear more of Jacob and his music soon.
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Rick Landers: What kinds of musical influences or perspectives did you get having been brought up by two talented musicians?
Jacob Deraps: I grew up hearing mom’s and dad’s music in the car or at home or even when they were rehearsing, so I’ve always had an interest listening to the same kind of music from Van Halen’s, “I’m the One” to Toto’s, “Rosanna”. We have the same taste and competence in music, so I guess the apple falls near the tree!
Rick: How would you describe the feelings you had wanting a guitar and then actually getting your first guitar?
Jacob Deraps: I started playing on my dad’s guitar, but when I got my first own guitar I was so happy, it felt great!
Rick: The Ernie Ball Brotherhood of the Guitar seems to be a working mission to discover, then mentor a new generation of top guitarists. What do you think sets you and the others apart that clicked with Robert Knight and Brian Ball that got them to “Yes!”?
Jacob Deraps – photo credit: Robert M. Knight
Jacob Deraps: I think it’s the fact that my playing and sound are close to Eddie’s in his early days and there’s very few people that are able to play and sound like that, so I guess they find it interesting and think there is somewhere to go with it.
Rick: The amount of dedication it takes to get to your level of playing guitar must have pulled you away from other opportunities and interests. Do you think in terms of sacrificing some things in order to get to where you want to be?
Jacob Deraps: Not really, actually, I was never really into anything before I started playing music. I was playing video games a lot especially Guitar Hero and when I started playing guitar I was instantly hooked and started to put all my time on it, but it’s not like I had to sacrifice anything, I just loved to do it and I’m glad it happened. I kinda found my real passion.
Rick: What gear are you playing and do you find you gravitate to any particular guitar?
Jacob Deraps: I’m playing an Ernie Ball Music Man Axis guitar straight through a Marshall Plexi amp. The Axis guitar is perfect for me, I love the way it feels and the way it sounds.
I also love the fact that it’s got only one volume knob. It’s simple and that’s the way I like it, just like my amps.
Rick: As an Eddie Van Halen fan was it just his masterful guitar playing that you found exciting or the image of some guy playing remarkable guitar with more a sense of joy than aggressive intensity?
Jacob Deraps: Since the first time I’ve heard his playing and tone on the first few albums, I fell in love with his stuff. I instantly felt something for that nasty guitar sound and everything he does on the neck. His rhythm playing and solos are full of attitude and feeling, I just love it.
Rick: Tell us about how The Brotherhood experience unfolded for you. Would you equate it to someone applying to Harvard and going through the acceptance process?
Jacob Deraps: I think we can say it that way, it’s a progression. After 6 years of playing guitar, it’s another step I’ve made and I’m getting closer to where I want to be everytime I make a step, just like a student graduating from school.
Rick: You moved from a kid playing Guitar Hero to a player – the switch from the game to an actual guitar isn’t always an easy migration and many give up when they get to challenges like figuring out the fret board, having to slowly work up to shredding, learning modes and pulling it altogether into singularity. Was it all work and no play or did you find you had a natural inclination to figuring it all out?
Jacob Deraps: I think I definitely am a natural. I learned the main chords all in one evening, the same day I started playing guitar and I was improving really fast, like I was in my element since the beginning.
Rick: You’ve been in The Brotherhood for some time now. What have been the highlights and how has your career progressed? Met Eddie or any of your guitar heroes?
Jacob Deraps: I must say the endorsement with Ernie Ball Music Man is a big step in my career and I’m very happy about it. I haven’t met Eddie, but I met other great guitar players such as Joe Bonamassa and Dweezil Zappa!
Jacob Deraps – photo credit: Robert M. Knight
Rick: Some guitarists are “one trick ponies” and only play rock, but your parents don’t seem to have boundaries. Does your interest and playing expand to jazz, classical, the blues, folk and other genre where nuances, historical influences and creative choices differ?
Jacob Deraps: I play mostly rock and the blues, but I do have interests into jazz and classical stuff too and sometimes, when I create stuff, it can be heard in my playing.
Rick: I’ve found that when success arrives, it’s always good to “give back” – meaning to a good cause – have you given this any thought or do you already give back?
Jacob Deraps: I haven’t really given back enough yet, but I sure thought about it and will do my best to make it happen!
Rick: So, what’s happening now with your guitar playing, your career and your aspirations? Where are you headed?
Jacob Deraps: I would like to go to L.A. and hopefully become a professional guitar player and have my own career as a solo artist.
