Advertisement
Photo credit: Mark Roces
Six years ago, I stumbled upon a video of a young guitarist absolutely tearing it up on stage at Camden’s renowned Monarch club. That guitarist was Danny DeLa Cruz—a teenage prodigy whose electrifying solos and effortless command of the fretboard were already making waves in London’s guitar scene. Even then, it was clear he wasn’t just another talented player; he was a force to be reckoned with.
Fast forward to today, and Danny’s trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. With multiple records, high-profile tours and a growing list of accolades under his belt, he now leads THRXNES, a hard-hitting rock powerhouse. Joining him in this sonic assault is Dan Stevens, his longtime six-string counterpart from his Inglorious days. THRXNES recently made their explosive debut in Camden, earning a rapturous response from fans and proving that this band is one to watch.
What sets Danny apart isn’t just his jaw-dropping technical ability—it’s the fire, soul, and precision he brings to every note. His playing has earned praise from some of the most respected names in rock, including Steve Stevens, Joel Hoekstra, Rick Graham, and Doug Aldrich. With his blistering leads and undeniable stage presence, Danny DeLa Cruz is cementing his place as one of Britain’s most exciting guitarists, carrying the torch for a new generation of axe-wielding virtuosos.
I had the chance to chat with Danny to talk about his journey so far, his inspirations, and what’s next for THRXNES. Here’s what he had to say.
1. We’ve been good friends and peers for a long time & I’m really happy we get to do this I’m also very proud of how far you’ve come.
I’ve played guitar since I was 9, played in bands in school, we did pubs to save money so by the time I was 18 I’d already done over 200 gigs. Nothing major but it really helped me learn a lot of skills, every gig was a learning experience.
2. You and I connected when you had started playing with Inglorious but tell me how you got your start professionally?
Then when I was 18 I moved to London to pursue music, did 3 albums and various tours with Inglorious, which leads me to my current venture, THRXNES, also featuring ex Inglorious Dan Stevens who is a long time friend and amazing player. I’m also working on various other projects such as my courses at JTC, gear demonstrations with Bareknuckle, Marshall and more. So plenty to keep me busy currently but I couldn’t wish for any better way to spend my time.
3. You’ve got a very versatile style of playing, who are your biggest influences as a guitar player?
I’m always changing my setup to be honest but I’ve grown to love a hybrid of old school and new school stuff.
My biggest influences in no particular order (way too hard to put them in order) are
Joe Bonamassa
Slash
Philip Sayce
Yngwie Malmsteen
Paul Gilbert
Eric Johnson
John Mayer
More recently :
Nick Johnston
The players in a killer band called Lost Society!
4. Let’s dive into your gear. I’m not necessarily a massive gear head but I love guitars and good amps, what is your current main setup pedals/amp wise?
I think ultimately whatever inspires in the moment is always the right rig for that timestamp. As far as guitars, I’m always inspired by Gibson and Fenders primarily, always loaded with Bareknuckle pickups which in my opinion are just the best in the game. They hand wind their pickups to the highest quality and give guidance on the right choices/customisations if you’re unsure on all the techy things like me.
5. You’re a Marshall artist but recently you’ve been experimenting with Neural DSP, do you have a preference?
Sometimes it’s Marshall Plexis, JCM 800s and pedals. Other times it’s Neural DSP plugins or the quad cortex, but one thing that stays consistent is I’m usually chasing that classic Marshall sound that lives in my head. I just love the way it sits in a mix (especially solos) and feels.
Guitar Thrills Broadcast
6. You’re primarily a Gibson artist but I’ve seen you use Knaggs & more recently Fenders, what are your favourite guitars to use live and in the studio?
Currently my favourite guitar is my Fender ‘63 reissue Strat. I got it a few months back and it just sings. It’s undeniably strat sounding and I love that. You have to fight it but that’s part of the fun. Also my ‘58 reissue Les Paul is a long time favourite of mine. Just feels at home.
7. Now you’ve got THRXNES with whom you’ve been releasing total bangers and just made its debut last week in Camden, what are the band up to, any plans on touring?
Plans for THRXNES include: more dates, an album this year and hopefully some festivals in 2026. We’re just getting started but we were so blown away by the response we’ve had so far, we couldn’t have wished for a better debut.
8. What is the songwriting process like? Do you guys come in with ideas or do you just knock stuff out in the studio?
The songwriting process is the easiest it’s ever been with any project I’ve been a part of. Me, Dan and Josiah are always demoing and sending new tracks to each other. It usually starts like that, then explored in a studio session before being recorded properly with Josiah’s producer mindset/approach. We’re so lucky that Josiah is not only an elite musician but a world class producer too. We’ve had some amazing times at his studio Momentum Studios in Plymouth.
9. How has the transition been for you taking over lead vocal duties & ripping on guitar, considering you were mainly playing lead guitar roles in the past? Is it nerve wracking?
Singing in this project has been a whole new experience for me but honestly it has felt like a natural transition, I’ve learned a lot along the way and I’ve been able to push myself in a whole new way as a musician. That, I am super grateful for.
10. Any last words to our readers on what to expect from you?
Keep an eye out for THRXNES debut album release coming this year, and for those wanting to take their playing to the next level, my new masterclass ‘Pillars of Melodic Rock’ is coming out soon over at JTC guitar dot com.
A RECAP OF WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
