Thomas McRocklin

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Thomas McRocklin
Mcrocklin-profilepicture.jpg
Thomas McRocklin in studio
Background information
Birth nameThomas McLaughlin
Also known asMcRocklin
Born (1979-09-20) 20 September 1979 (age 45)
Newcastle upon Tyne
OriginUK
Instrument(s)Guitar, bass, keyboards
Website mcrocklin.com

Thomas McLaughlin (born 20 September 1979), better known by his stage name McRocklin, is an English guitar player, music producer and mastering engineer. [1] He came to prominence as an electric guitarist in the 1980s.

Contents

Biography

McRocklin started playing the guitar at the age of four. At the age of eight he performed live on stage, opening for Ozzy Osbourne. [2]

He performed in the music video for Steve Vai's 1990 single "The Audience Is Listening" [3] from Vai's album Passion and Warfare , and was subsequently gifted the custom-made Ibanez Universe guitar which Vai had used on the album. [4]

At the age of 11 McRocklin featured in the Warner Bros. documentary Legends of the Guitar, presented by Jeff "Skunk" Baxter. [5]

In 1991 he was recruited to play lead guitar in the all-teenage band Bad4Good, which was set up by Vai. [6] [7]

After returning to the UK, he released his own solo album 91-95 and later teamed up with Tim Hutchinson to form the band McRocklin & Hutch, which supported DragonForce on the UK leg of their 2019 "Extreme Power Metal" tour. [8]

In 2023 McRocklin launched the software company PolyChrome DSP, specialising in music-editing computer plug-ins. [9] [10]

Equipment

List of McRocklin's main equipment
CategoryBrandType
Guitar Kiesel Guitars
  • Zeus
  • Aries
  • Delos
  • Type X
  • Osiris
  • HD6
  • Leia
  • MCR6X Signature
Pickups Fishman
  • Fishman Fluence Signature Series Tosin Abasi
  • Fishman Fluence Classic Humbucker
  • Fishman Fluence Signature Series McRocklin
AmplifierVictory AmpsSheriff 22 Head
BossKATANA-AIR
EffectsHorizon DevicesPrecision Drive
BossLine Selector LS-2
BognerHarlow
Load BoxBossWAZA Tube Amp Expander

Endorsements

McRocklin has become an artist for brands including:

References

  1. Ramos, George (22 January 2020). "Bad4Good: membros se reencontram na NAMM Show, fãs pedem reunião" [Bad4Good: Members reunite at NAMM Show, fans ask for reunion]. whiplash.net (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2 September 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Thomas "McRocklin" McLaughlin | Biography". ibanez.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  3. SteveVaiHimself (26 March 2011). Steve Vai - The Audience Is Listening (Official HD Video) . Retrieved 29 August 2025 via YouTube.
  4. "Passion & Warfare cover Guitar". vai.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Thomas McRocklin". Fishman . Archived from the original on 2 September 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  6. Ramirez, Carlos (2 January 2010). "Top 10 Musicians with Hair Metal Pasts". Noisecreep. Archived from the original on 6 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  7. Catania, Andrew (26 May 2018). "Thomas "McRocklin" McLaughlin – The Mozart Of Music". allthatshreds.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  8. Bienstock, Richard (9 July 2019). "DragonForce Announce New North American and U.K. Tour Dates". Guitar World . Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  9. Horsley, Jonathan (9 February 2023). "Thomas McRocklin launches guitar plugin company PolyChrome DSP and claims the software has replaced over $3,000 worth of his own gear". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  10. Walden, John (November 2023). "PolyChrome DSP McRocklin Suite | Guitar Rig Modelling Plug-in". Sound on Sound . Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  11. "Artist Gallery". Eventide Audio. Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  12. "Kiesel Guitar endorsers". kieselguitars.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020.