Brian Quinn

Brian Quinn- Guitarist/Songwriter

Brian Quinn is a multi-dimensional guitarist who has spent his career writing and performing in nationally-recognized bands across various genres of music, including rock, metal, blues, and country, while touring the U.S. and beyond with several record labels.

He first picked up the guitar at the young age of five and was playing sold-out shows by the age of 15 with his hardcore band Burial Ground (1990-1996). He spent six years performing in the hardcore circuit and released an independent album with a huge fan following before moving to Philadelphia, PA.

Soon after arriving in the city of Brotherly Love, he co-founded the Philadelphia-based rock band Octane (2000-2005). Still considered as one of the most successful bands to come out of Philly, Octane sold more than 20,000 copies of their independent debut release and enjoyed more than 1,000 spins of the single “I For One” on Philadelphia rock station 94.1 WYSP. Octane is currently enjoying a resurgence after two sold out reunion shows in 2023 and 2024 and has been invited to perform on 93.3 WMMR’s WMMR BBQ this summer. WMMR has also added several of Octane’s singles into rotation.

In 2007, Quinn landed his first major record deal with his blues-based hard rock band Fosterchild. Signing with SMG/ILG/WARNER, the project quickly gained national attention after touring the country numerous times and performing with some of the biggest names in the industry. The band culminated its journey with a special invitation to perform for the U.S. troops stationed at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, where the group played in front of thousands of soldiers.

Most recently, Quinn was the lead guitarist for multi-platinum, Seattle, WA-based rock band, CANDLEBOX. Quinn provided the critically-acclaimed guitar work on Candlebox’s album Disappearing In Airports, which debuted at #9 on the Billboard Charts, as well as the 2017 release of Disappearing Live. The band released its seventh studio album, Wolves, in September of 2021, which debuted at #7 on the Billboard Charts. August of 2023 saw CANDLEBOX release their 8th and final studio album, The Long Goodbye, which was supported by extensive world tour, and the unveiling of A Little Longer Goodbye (Tour Edition), the digital deluxe version of the album The Long Goodbye, a few months later. During this time, CANDLEBOX also saw its smash hit “Far Behind” re-enter the Billboard Charts at #3 – 30 years after its initial release.

In December of 2023, Quinn was invited to join the staff at Guitar Thrills Magazine as a Contributing Editor with a monthly column on all things music.

During his career, Quinn shared the stage with such acts as: Slash’s Snakepit, Gene Simmons, Metallica, Kid Rock, Disturbed, Judas Priest, Chevelle, 3 Doors Down, Seether, Sevendust, Shinedown, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Alter Bridge, Godsmack, Deftones, Black Label Society, Buckcherry, Warren Haynes, Marshall Tucker, Devo, and a slew of other notable performers.

Quinn also routinely guests with the American Vinyl All Star Band featuring Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan/Doobie Bros.), Barry Goudreau (formerly of the band Boston), Robert “Mousey” Thompson (Wilson Pickett/James Brown), Leroy Romans (The Wailers), Tim Archibald (Peter Wolf/RTZ), and Danny Beissel (Fosterchild).
Quinn is currently endorsed by Gibson Guitars, DR Strings, Milwaukee Guitar Company, Jim Dunlop Company, LPS Clothing, and Cult Of Individuality Clothing. He has also received several awards for his guitar technique and stage presence, including being named “Best Guitarist” in the Philadelphia region by the Philadelphia Music Awards in 2001 and 2004 and was routinely praised by fans and critics alike for his signature guitar technique, especially on slide guitar, and dynamic on-stage presence.

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