Whiplash Guitarist Tony Portaro
By Kaju Roberto
TONY PORTARO, founding guitarist, singer and composer of Whiplash, remains as passionate and restless as ever. Here he performs with Whiplash at the legendary Electric Ballroom in London for the Campaign for Musical Destruction Tour. Photo by Kaju Roberto.
After more than four decades in thrash metal, Tony Portaro, founding guitarist, singer and composer of Whiplash, remains as passionate and restless as ever. From iconic guitars to painting, online teaching, and an upcoming album, Portaro shared a candid look at his life, creative process, and the future of the band.
Portaro and I crossed paths by an extraordinary twist of fate at a late-night restaurant during my recent trip to London, and we instantly hit it off. He graciously invited us to join him as his guests for the band’s performance the very next evening.
On February 24, we experienced Whiplash live at the legendary Electric Ballroom in Camden, sharing the stage with Napalm Death during the iconic Campaign for Musical Destruction Tour. The show was absolutely electrifying — the energy was off the charts, the riffs were relentless, and Portaro’s vocals tore through the venue with ferocity. What excitement! It was some of the tightest, most savage and exhilarating thrash metal I’ve ever witnessed.
After arriving back in NYC, I caught up with Portaro in the West Village.
Portaro’s gear has always been as legendary as his riffs. Long before he endorsed Jackson guitars, he was devoted to BC Rich, particularly his Red Rich Bitch — fondly nicknamed The Bitch. “Only the red one. That was it,” he recalled. After years away from it, he recently reclaimed the guitar from a collector, restoring its original electronics. “It’s like reuniting with an old girlfriend,” he joked, noting that longtime fans will recognize the guitar’s return on stage.
Though he once endorsed Jackson, Portaro stopped pursuing sponsorship after Fender acquired the brand, deciding instead to invest in the guitars he wanted. “I spent $4,500 on the Kelly before all of that. I already had one, so I wanted my Red Bitch back,” he said. He also revealed an eye-catching Blue Mockingbird that has tempted him, highlighting his ongoing love for rare and unique instruments.
A move from the Tri-State area to North Carolina during the pandemic has had a profound impact. “It’s so peaceful here,” he said, describing friendly neighbors, relaxed traffic, and a lifestyle that allows him to focus on family and music. “In New Jersey, if you see a cop behind you, you get tense. Down here, it’s a different pace, and it’s been amazing for us.”
This calmer environment has provided a fertile ground for creativity and reflection, reinforcing the connection between personal well-being and artistic output.
Despite thrash metal being considered a niche genre, Portaro is optimistic about its future. “I think it’s going to break through as soon as I release this new album,” he said. With fans ranging from those who have followed Whiplash since the ’80s to younger listeners discovering the band for the first time, he sees an opportunity for a renaissance.
Portaro hinted at an ambitious plan for the rest of 2026, including new music and tours, with major festival appearances expected in 2027. “The younger fans are on Instagram, but we still have a loyal base on Facebook,” he noted, emphasizing the band’s ability to engage multiple generations.
Beyond music, Portaro has developed a passion for painting. He started during a financial rough patch, learning through YouTube tutorials, and quickly discovered a talent for large-scale canvases. “I never painted before. I just watched tutorials and started,” he said. Painting, he explained, is both stress relief and a creative driver: “It really influenced my songwriting. I let the paint tell me where to go, then the music takes over.”
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Some of his tutorials are online, blending painting techniques with audio narration. The intersection of visual and musical art exemplifies Portaro’s holistic approach to creativity.
Portaro is equally devoted to teaching. His YouTube series, Tony Pat’s Bloody Licks with Midnight, “focuses on his thrash metal guitar leads, with close-ups, tabs, and notation. He emphasizes teaching his own work rather than generic lessons, cultivating a personal connection with students and fans.
While he is cautious about monetizing content, Portaro considers premium material as a possible future step. “I only want to teach my own leads. I feel weird taking money from my followers for that,” he explained, reflecting a sincere dedication to his audience.
The interview highlights Portaro’s playful, candid personality. From joking about guitars as old girlfriends to recounting serendipitous McDonald’s encounters, he balances intensity with humor. Even technical discussions about gear are punctuated with anecdotes about naming guitars, sharing band memories, and interacting with fans.
The future for Whiplash is bright. With a new album nearly complete, Portaro anticipates an energizing period of touring and engagement. He hinted at a special project scheduled for July 2026, though details remain under wraps. “2027 will be even better than 2026,” he said confidently.
Portaro’s message to fans is simple: enjoy the music, explore creativity, and stay connected.
With two generations of fans, a commitment to teaching, and a renewed creative drive, Tony Portaro is positioning Whiplash for a resurgence. He remains deeply committed to his craft, his instruments, and the thrash metal community. “I hope everyone likes the new album,” he said. “We’re going to be out there pushing it and playing shows again.”
For fans and newcomers alike, Tony Portaro embodies the essence of thrash metal: relentless energy, creative exploration, and an unwavering connection to both music and audience.
Here are Whiplash’s social media accounts, including the band’s Instagram handle and website to stay updated with new Whiplash releases and performances.
