artists » Nico: On the Go go with Lady Gaga

For years, Nico (Nicodemus) Constantine and Tom Kafafian have been active agents of the band Program the Dead.  Lately, the two have been throwing their talents behind pop diva Lady Gaga.  When we caught up with guitarist Nico, we asked him about his own musical history, the Fame Ball Tour - and his VOX Heritage Series AC30 amplifier!

VOX: How is the European tour w/ Lady Ga Ga going?

Nico: The tour has altered my DNA permanently. I could easily father a soccer team full of vampires and witches now.

V: Have you had a favorite show yet?

N: I really enjoyed our show in Berlin. The audience went insane and it was nice to facilitate all that mental illness.

V: How did you get the Musical Director gig w/ Lady Ga Ga?

N: I was in a band called Program the Dead and Tommy K; our bassist was writing and producing some tracks with her when we lived in NYC. Gaga always dug my sonic aesthetic and wanted to inject some of it into her thing.

V: Tell us what you like most about being Lady Ga Ga’s Musical Director?

N: Gaga is a fiery character with tremendous vision. She is hands on about every facet of her world down to the smallest details. She has pushed me as a musician and the challenge of keeping up with her work ethic, stamina, and creativity has been a welcomed change in my life.

V: What’s next for Lady Ga Ga and touring? US? ASIA?

N: We are going straight out of this European run into Asia. There will be a massive tour of the U.S. this fall and then Europe again. I have been told that we will be working well in August of 2010. I am sure there will be some surprises along the way.

V: What is it about the VOX AC-30 that prompted you to start playing them?

N: The Beatles of course! Those guys are the template for bands, rock and roll, and pop music. I figured if VOX was good enough for the Beatles, then I should give the amp a try. I tried my first AC-30 ten years ago and have used one in the studio and as part of my live rig since. Not only does it sound massive, but it is the coolest looking amp in the world!