In a musical era polluted with the hisses, buzzes, and boisterous booms of dubstep and house music, rock and roll struggles to cut through the mix. Drum kits are being replaced by drum machines, bass lines are being replaced by muddy, sub-sonic synth fuzz, and vocals are being replaced by sporadic and over processed voice samples.   

Luckily, rock has a secret weapon: the timeless weep and squeal of the electric guitar. 

Amidst the tidal wave of EDM garbage spewing from the radio, these guitarists fight against the current to preserve the unfiltered, undeniable and unrelenting spirit of rock and roll music. 

Gary Clark Jr. This young Texas bluesman delivers scorching blues-rock riffs with his fuzzy tone and dynamic finger picking. Clark has shared the stage with, and earned the respect of, many blues legends -- classic and contemporary alike -- including everyone from B.B. King to John Mayer. Check out his massive solo at the end of “When My Train Pulls In.” 

Derek Trucks. Trucks’ career as a guitarist began at age 13 when he toured as a rhythm guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band. Since then, he has started multiple groups of his own, including The Derek Trucks band and, more recently, The Tedeschi Trucks band which features Trucks’ wife, Susan Tedeschi, on vocals. Trucks’ tone and playing embody rock and roll music -- dynamic, passionate, and loud! Armed with a Gibson SG and a single overdriven amplifier, Trucks oozes creamy, bell-like notes, never over or underplaying his role in the band. Check out his versatility on The Derek Trucks Band’s Songlines album. 

Matt Bellamy. Front man of the monstrously successful Muse, Matt Bellamy combines tight, screaming tone with near virtuosic playing to deliver the powerful riffs and catchy licks that drive Muse’s energetic sound. He coaxes tones from the future from his extensive effects pedal setup and custom guitar, complete with a built in synthesizer.  Bellamy is at his best on Muse classics such as “Plug In Baby” and “Assassin.” 

Alex Turner. For the last decade, The Arctic Monkeys have been on fire. Lead by Alex Turner on vocals and lead guitar, the British quartet has attained consistent success with their recent releases, particularly 2013’s AM. Much like his songwriting, Turner’s guitar playing is both sophisticated and unruly. His bulky British guitar tones contrast wonderfully with his smooth and simple vocal melodies. Take a listen to the opening solo on “I Bet that You Look Good On The Dance Floor.” 

Dan Auerbach. Dan Auerbach, mastermind behind the blues duo that is The Black Keys, bleeds old school blues rock. Playing vintage guitars through vintage amps and effects pedals, Auerbach delivers the punchy single note riffs that have driven the two piece band into international stardom. Auerbach is, by no means, the most technically skilled guitarist on the circuit, but he  plays to his strengths, focusing more on melody and tone than speed and consistency. This gives his playing a rare, organic quality that can be felt as much as heard. Give “I Got Mine” from 2008’s Attack & Release a listen.