“Modelers are like Spotify. I’d never get excited about a box that has every single tone”: My pedalboard is so huge it’s got wheels. But switching to modelers costs guitarists their identity

Tom Peters’ pedalboard.

Tom Peters of UK math rock heroes Alpha Male Tea Party is the sort of guitarist who will name a track Battle Crab – but then straight-facedly level a venue with his thunderous tube-driven tone and polyrhythmic riff prowess.

Since 2009 the trio have inspired a fanatically dedicated following – and for good reason. Their sound incorporates euphoria, thrilling intricacy and the kind of earth-moving chug that wins hearts and minds, but never falls foul of the common progressive pitfalls: creative cul-de-sacs, cold mechanics, or rhythms so on-the-grid they make Tron look like a muddy joyride.