Reba Meyers of Code Orange performing with her LTD Viper guitar
Photo by Justin Boyd
Reba Meyers, the guitarist and singer for the Grammy-nominated metal powerhouse Code Orange, isn’t one to rest on past achievements. Despite a “Best Metal Performance” Grammy nod in 2018 and the success of their hit album Forever, Meyers embodies a relentless drive to evolve and push her musical boundaries. After years of relentless touring, we finally caught up with this exceptional musician, songwriter, and captivating live performer to delve into her journey and the unique Guitar Code Song she crafts.
Let’s start from the beginning. When did your musical journey commence?
My musical beginnings trace back to my early school days, where I first engaged with music. The guitar entered my life around the age of 12 or 13. It was during this time that I connected with Jami (Morgan, Code Orange’s drummer/vocalist), and we bonded over our shared passion for punk music. Interestingly, I initially started on bass before transitioning to guitar later on.
What sparked your interest in becoming a musician? What was the initial appeal?
Initially, music was purely a source of enjoyment. I found pleasure in learning songs and navigating the process of self-teaching. However, with Code Orange, we quickly realized we weren’t adept at replicating other artists’ material. This realization led us to immediately start writing our own songs.
So, we formed the band when I was around 13 or 14, and at that point, I was playing bass. A couple of years later, I made the switch to guitar, and it’s a decision I’ve never regretted.
Tell us the story behind acquiring your signature LTD Deluxe Viper-1000. It’s become a key element of your guitar code song.
My transition from bass to guitar was driven by necessity. We had a guitarist in the band who departed, leaving a void in the guitar parts. Growing up, possessing any instrument felt like a significant accomplishment. I already owned a bass and a small 4×12 combo amp, which had consumed all my savings.
When I switched to guitar, I lacked direction and a clear plan. Fortunately, a friend from a local Pittsburgh band called Failure to Fall stepped in to help. I admired their music, and it turned out he played a Viper guitar. I noticed that when he played the Viper with his band, it produced a sound that was both incredibly smooth and powerfully heavy, a crucial element in their guitar code song. He temporarily filled in for us and then generously passed that Viper guitar on to me.
Close-up of Reba Meyers' LTD Viper-1000 guitar
Photo by Jake Owens
Were there specific aspects of the Viper that particularly appealed to you beyond just having a guitar? What made it resonate with your developing guitar code song?
One key factor was its distinctiveness. At the time, I had a strong aversion to Strat-style guitar bodies. It seemed like every uncool person at school owned a Strat. The Viper, in contrast, immediately struck me as cool and unconventional. It was a guitar that visually spoke to a different kind of guitar code song.
How did you ultimately come to own it?
My friend proposed a payment plan, “I’ll sell it to you but charge you in installments,” he said, recognizing that I couldn’t afford a lump sum purchase. I made monthly payments until it was fully paid off. So, initially, my attraction wasn’t specifically to the Viper model itself. I was simply thrilled to have a guitar at all, a tool to craft my guitar code song.
Many guitarists, including ESP players, often modify their guitars to better suit their individual preferences. You’ve mentioned changing the stock EMGs in your Viper-1000. What pickups are you currently using to shape your guitar code song?
Currently, I’m using Railhammer pickups. They’re fantastic. Railhammer was a smaller company based out of Ohio that has recently fully integrated with Reverend guitars. They reached out to us early on, expressing their support, so I decided to try their pickups and immediately loved them. Of course, the stock EMG and ESP combination is incredibly popular and delivers a great sound, a standard guitar code song for many. However, I switched to Railhammers because I wanted to carve out a more personalized sonic identity, a more unique guitar code song for myself.
Code Orange utilizes a wide sonic palette, ranging from extreme high-gain noise to crunchy riffs and clean, spacious progressions. You employ numerous effects to achieve these diverse sounds, but has the Viper proven versatile enough to deliver the tones you need for your complex guitar code song?
Absolutely, it’s been incredibly versatile. I’ve found that your musical compositions often become tailored to the instruments you have at your disposal. When I play the Viper, I instinctively adapt and make it work for whatever sonic landscape I’m aiming for. It’s all about understanding how to manipulate your playing dynamics on a specific guitar to achieve your desired sound. Having grown up learning guitar on the Viper, I’ve developed a deep understanding of how hard or soft to play to extract the sounds I need. I can make it work across our entire sonic spectrum, and I use it on about 90% of our songs. That’s a testament to its versatility in crafting our guitar code song.
Code Orange has toured extensively over the past few years. How has the Viper held up to the rigors of the road? Durability is key when crafting your guitar code song night after night.
It’s held up remarkably well, especially considering I’ve been playing it consistently for ten years straight. Naturally, minor issues arise over time, whether it’s pickups getting knocked out of position or tuning pegs getting damaged. But in terms of the guitar’s structural integrity, I haven’t encountered any significant problems. For a band that tours globally for eight months of the year, its durability is undeniable. It’s a reliable tool for delivering our guitar code song on stage.
Your stage presence with Code Orange is undeniably ferocious, and it’s clear how that energy electrifies your audience and creates a powerful feedback loop. You achieve this raw power purely through your music and stage vibe, without relying on elaborate stage production.
Not yet, anyway.
Indeed, not yet. But you’ve cultivated this intense stage presence solely through your music and energy. Where does that raw, captivating energy originate? What’s the source of this performance aspect of your guitar code song?
As we evolved as a band, our stage presence became deeply intertwined with our personal growth. Early on, we were aware that our musical proficiency wasn’t our strongest suit, but we were driven by immense passion. Starting at a young age allowed us to truly discover what defined us as individuals and as performers.
Years of touring taught us what resonates with audiences. It’s not a formulaic equation; it’s about tapping into emotions and creating a genuine connection. You can study other bands, analyze their music, stage shows, and videos, but simply imitating them will never lead to authentic artistry. Personal investment and time are essential to developing your unique performance style, your individual guitar code song in a live setting. It’s not just about mimicking other bands’ physical movements. Having dedicated so much time to it, we’ve carved our own niche. When I was younger, there wasn’t a clear blueprint for what I was doing. I wasn’t solely a metal kid. I knew female guitar players existed, but my focus was on punk and hardcore. For me, it was about embracing freedom, acting on instinct, and letting my creativity flow. As I matured, I learned to channel and control that energy.
Initially, I was quite introverted.
What? Really? “Introverted” is definitely not the word that comes to mind when witnessing your powerful live performances. Your guitar code song on stage screams extrovert!
I’d step onto the stage, see the audience, and feel disconnected, thinking, “I don’t know anyone out there. I don’t want to look at them.” So, as a band, we would direct our energy intensely towards each other on stage, creating a tight-knit unit. This internal focus became the foundation for connecting with the audience later on. We flipped the dynamic. We learned to harness and amplify each other’s energy as a unit, which ultimately translated into a more confident and engaging performance for the audience. That internal band dynamic is crucial to delivering our guitar code song with impact.
Reba Meyers performing live with Code Orange, showcasing her intense stage presence
Photo by Jamie C. Langley
Many guitar players cycle through numerous models before finding “the one” that perfectly complements their style. Have you explored other ESP models beyond your Viper in your quest to refine your guitar code song?
Our other guitarist owns an EC Series guitar, and I did try it out, but it didn’t resonate with me in the same way. People often ask me, “Why do you still play that guitar?” and the answer is simple: I found the one that works perfectly for me. Living where we do, access to a wide range of instruments isn’t always readily available. I dislike the idea of aimlessly browsing through guitar stores trying out countless guitars. When we recorded with Kurt (Ballou, Code Orange producer), we experimented with various guitars, but we consistently returned to my Viper with my pickups. It’s simply the best guitar for my playing style and for crafting my specific guitar code song. I feel incredibly fortunate. Considering how I initially acquired the Viper, it could have been any guitar, even a subpar one. But it wasn’t. It was luck that led me to it, and then I organically grew into it and developed my guitar code song around it.
I understand that songwriting in Code Orange is a collaborative effort, but I find your guitar parts particularly captivating, characterized by dissonance, intriguing rhythmic variations, and a distinct originality. You seem to consciously avoid cliché guitar lines in your guitar code song. How did you cultivate your abilities as a music composer, specifically in crafting these unique guitar parts?
That’s a complex question. I’ve often pondered, “Why do I play the way I play?” It’s challenging to pinpoint the inner workings of that process.
One significant factor is my upbringing, the music I listened to, and starting to play music at such a young age. A lot depends on your listening habits and your personal connection to music. For me, I listen so deeply because I genuinely love music. Certain dissonant or beautiful melodies resonate deeply and stay with me. Certain musical phrases just embed themselves in your brain, often without conscious awareness of why. I also believe that truly exceptional guitarists possess an innate sense of the sound they want to create before they even play it. If you have a melodic idea and can translate it through your fingers, achieving that flow state, that’s when you produce your most authentic work. The more you play and learn, the more freely that creative flow emerges.
Of course, creative blocks are inevitable for everyone. But with a wealth of musical influences stored in your subconscious and a genuine passion for music, the music often speaks for itself. Growing up, we were part of a small community that embraced unconventional music. We were always searching for bands that were under the radar. These bands were often underrated but incredibly talented. Listening to just one band was never enough. We immersed ourselves in thousands of records. Music was always our primary focus. It’s not necessarily about formally studying music theory to become a capable composer, although many musicians do take that path. We learn by ear, allowing music to deeply permeate our being. That intuitive approach shapes our guitar code song.
Sometimes, encountering fragments of music without fully learning a song can be a powerful source of inspiration. Just capturing a vibe and letting it influence your own work.
Exactly. When I feel creatively stuck, I’ll listen to just 5-10 seconds of a song to reignite inspiration. It’s like a sonic jumpstart for my guitar code song.
You play an LTD guitar, which, price-wise, represents the more accessible range within ESP’s offerings. Is it important to you to play a guitar that is attainable for many of the young people who come to see Code Orange? Accessibility in the tools to create their own guitar code song?
Absolutely, that’s incredibly important from my perspective now. It wasn’t the initial reason I started playing this guitar, but it’s become a significant and welcome bonus. It’s something I’ve grown to care about more recently, especially seeing that there are people who look up and see a woman playing guitar and feel inspired to do the same.
Kids approach me and ask about my gear. It frustrates me that some people believe that financial limitations should prevent them from playing music. Kids can get discouraged. But with a guitar like this, a young person could realistically save up and acquire it. So yes, now it’s very important to me. Guitar playing shouldn’t be about “Who has the most expensive instrument?” Often, the kids who face the most struggles are the ones who become truly great. When you’re starting out, it can feel disheartening to be surrounded by bands with expensive gear when you’re just making your way. If you find an instrument that works for you, it doesn’t have to be perfect or high-end. It’s about the passion and the guitar code song you create, not the price tag.
I’m intentionally not going to ask you about being a female player in metal. Instead, from your perspective, what actions could ESP, as a guitar manufacturer, take to encourage more young women to enter the world of guitar-driven music? How can they help more women find their own guitar code song?
Well, that’s a complex question, and I’m not an expert in that area. From my understanding, the primary challenges aren’t necessarily company-driven. They are more rooted in social constructs and societal reactions to the idea of women in metal and guitar playing in general.
One positive step ESP has already taken is including me on their artist roster. In the grand scheme of ESP’s roster, we are a relatively smaller band. However, when someone visits the ESP website and sees Code Orange listed among their artists, it subtly contributes to normalizing the presence of women guitar players in heavy bands, representing a prominent guitar company. It’s not just about partnering with bands that happen to have women members. It’s about actively seeking out and supporting bands with women who are leaders and inspirations, who can be positive role models. Not just fleeting, short-term collaborations, but partnerships that have a lasting impact.
The second crucial area is marketing… the way guitars are typically marketed is overwhelmingly geared towards men. When you see advertisements for guitars, particularly metal-style guitars, women are rarely, if ever, featured. And when women are included, it often feels like a token gesture, a calculated move for revenue rather than a genuine commitment to inclusivity. It’s a delicate balance, but ultimately, companies need to actively communicate that guitar playing isn’t exclusively for men or any specific demographic. It’s frustrating that this disparity persists, and even small, genuine efforts from companies can make a difference. But authenticity is key. Musicians can easily discern when a company is merely pretending to support women. Those disingenuous attempts are counterproductive. Companies need to showcase women leaders in guitar who serve as role models, women with unique voices and styles that demonstrate to young people that they can be whoever they want to be as a guitar player and create their own unique guitar code song.
Are you still actively striving to learn and grow as both a guitarist and a songwriter? Is the guitar code song always evolving?
Absolutely, yes. It would be disingenuous to say otherwise. That’s my number one priority. I have no justification to claim that I’ve reached a plateau and can’t improve further. In fact, I often feel like I’m still quite inadequate as a guitarist. I’m constantly seeking growth by writing more songs, listening to diverse music, exploring creative playing techniques, and experimenting with new sounds. I’ve noticed that with each Code Orange album, the new songs are intentionally more challenging to play than the previous ones. It’s not just familiarity; we deliberately write them to push my technical abilities and expand my guitar code song vocabulary.
If you aspire to write better songs, you must continually refine your instrumental skills. I constantly observe other guitarists, analyzing their techniques and approaches. Even subconsciously, I try to absorb nuances and incorporate them into my own playing arsenal. As a guitarist, crafting compelling riffs requires a vast repository of ideas and diverse playing approaches. Many bands might create one strong riff early on, which leads to a great demo, but then they run dry creatively. Sustaining a career demands a constant stream of fresh, compelling riffs. You have to remain adaptable and consistently explore new sonic territories with your instrument to keep your guitar code song evolving.
Is it important for musicians to expose themselves to musical genres outside their comfort zone? To broaden the influences that shape their guitar code song?
I believe so, yes, as long as you genuinely connect with the music. Every individual is different and needs to discover what works best for their creative process. For me, venturing outside my comfort zone is crucial. Exploring different techniques, seeking inspiration from diverse sources, is essential, provided I have a genuine appreciation for the music itself. If I’m forcing myself outside my box but dislike the music, there’s no value in it. The goal is to find as many musical elements as possible that resonate with you. Looking beyond your immediate genre is beneficial, but also explore within your own musical community, seeking recommendations from peers. Don’t solely rely on internet algorithms to dictate your musical exploration. I’m constantly searching for new music while remaining grounded in the fact that heavy music will always be my core passion. It’s the foundation of my guitar code song.
Stay connected with Code Orange through their official website.
