Russian Circles

Mike Sullivan Van Halen Panama 1984 hooked on guitar

Hooked: Russian Circles' Mike Sullivan on Van Halen's "Panama"

June 16, 2020

Thanks to an older brother and the iconic 1984 album, the post-rock instrumentalist reminisces about his first "gig" on his parent's porch with a tee-ball stand and tennis racket.

Riff Rundown: Russian Circles' "Arluck"

May 26, 2019

Premier Guitar

The guitar architect demonstrates how to play the first single off the instrumental-metal band's forthcoming album, Blood Year.

Russian Circles' Mike Sullivan: How I Create Live Loops

May 12, 2019

Premier Guitar

The instrumental-metal shaman demonstrates how he builds the bulldozing tones for "Mladek" onstage.

Riff Rundown: Russian Circles' "Harper Lewis"

March 10, 2019

Premier Guitar

The instrumental guitar wizard demonstrates how he uses a simple fretting-hand pattern and tapping technique to create a difficult-sounding passage from Station.

Rig Rundown: Russian Circles [2017]

May 31, 2017

Chris Kies

Guitarist Mike Sullivan chronicles the essential guitars, amps, and noisemakers he needs to construct the band’s instrumental post-rock sonic mayhem.

Top 5 Studio Rig Rundowns

January 21, 2015

Premier Guitar Staff

PG gets personal with Larry Carlton's famous ES-335, Brendan Benson's closet full of stomps and amps, Russian Circles' Custom Shop First Act axes, Brent Mason's Valley Arts T-style, and Vai's unreal guitar collection.

Top 5 Heavy Rig Rundowns

March 31, 2014

Premier Guitar

We dig deep into our vault to bring you the gear from five boundary-pushing heavy hitters.

GALLERY: Russian Circles Gear at Electrical Audio in Chicago

September 20, 2013

Jordan Wagner

Earlier this year, Premier Guitar went into Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio studio with Russian Circles as they recorded their fifth studio album, Memorial. We give you an inside look at the gear of this legendary music-making space.

Rig Rundown - Russian Circles' Mike Sullivan & Brian Cook

September 5, 2013

Jordan Wagner and Tessa Jeffers

Premier Guitar heads into Steve Albini's Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago to catch up with Russian Circles' Mike Sullivan and Brian Cook during the recording of Memorial where the duo shows off their studio rigs and collection of boutique gear.

Russian Circles—The Memorial Sessions

September 4, 2013

Jordan Wagner

Premier Guitar joined the prog-rockers inside Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio studio in Chicago to watch them create their most experimental album to date. Plus, we look at the drool-inducing boutique and custom gear they used while recording.