Tommy Bolan returns with N.Y.C. and a crushing sound powered by Celestion

Tommy Bolan is a force of nature. Known for his 10-thousand volts live performances and for his role as a virtuoso guitarist on Warlock’s multi-platinum album Triumph & Agony, Bolan has cemented his place in heavy metal history. Today, he continues to unleash his full energy at the helm of his new and explosive project, N.Y.C.

Across four decades of blistering solos and relentless touring, one element of his uncompromising wall of sound has remained constant: Celestion speakers, especially the Vintage 30 and G12M Greenback.

Bolan’s musical journey began with a childhood obsession with KISS, leading him to build cardboard guitars before teaching himself to play. His career reached new heights in 1987 when he joined Warlock, recording all the guitars for the hit All We Are. Now, alongside a rhythm section featuring Stet Howland and Steve Unger, known for Metal Church and W.A.S.P., Bolan strikes again with N.Y.C.’s debut album, Built to Destroy.

Bolan describes N.Y.C.’s uncompromising sound as rage metal, a powerful cocktail that combines “the energy of AC/DC with the power of Judas Priest and the grit of Motörhead”. To achieve this overwhelming force, Bolan relies heavily on his extensive collection of Celestion speakers. His relationship with the brand began early in his career when he plugged into a cabinet loaded with classic Greenbacks. “Celestion brought out the best in my amp; it always does”, he recalls.

During the Triumph & Agony era, his legendary vintage Celestion-loaded cabinets caught the attention of renowned amplifier technician Cesar Diaz, who was impressed by his rare speakers and remarked that “people would jump out of windows to get these”.

Today, both his touring rig and studio setup are anchored by the Vintage 30 from Celestion. Bolan used these speakers alongside his Peavey 6505 Plus and XXX II amplifiers to record the entirety of Built to Destroy. “The Vintage 30 is consistent, easy to find, sounds great, and always delivers”, Bolan explains. “If I have to play in Sweden or Norway, the Vintage 30 is easy to find. I always get it right and the result is flawless”.

For Bolan, tone is a holistic pursuit that demands the best components from start to finish.

You can’t spend all your money on just the amplifier. Adding Celestion to your rig is always a step up in any situation. You can’t lose, he stresses.

Looking ahead, Bolan is eager to experiment with the new Peacekeeper attenuating speaker in his smaller combo amps: “I’m planning to turn it up until the sound explodes”.

As N.Y.C. prepares for international tour dates, Bolan’s commitment to his signature sound remains unwavering. “One thing is certain: it will be powerful and powered by Celestion”.