Naser Mestarihi: The First Rock Trailblazer of Qatar and His Journey From Hendrix to Guns N’ Roses

When Naser Mestarihi released his first record, he inadvertently carved his name into Middle Eastern music history. Hailed as the first rock musician to officially release an album from Qatar, Mestarihi has become a torchbearer for hard rock in a region where the genre remains underground. Yet for him, the pioneering title was never the point.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t think about it much because it just happened to be the circumstance that no one was doing it,” he reflects. “There’ll always be firsts. My priority is about putting out something with quality and integrity.”

That commitment—to craft over credit—has defined his career.

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Hendrix at the Beginning

Before his Les Pauls and thunderous riffs, Mestarihi’s first steps were guided by the psychedelic magic of Jimi Hendrix.

“The first riff I ever learned was ‘Purple Haze’,” he says with a grin. “If you listen to my music, in addition to Guns and Van Halen, you’ll hear little Hendrix-esque inflections all over the shop.”

Those subtleties—bends, phrasing, melodic twists—are now deeply embedded in his playing. They echo not just Hendrix’s influence, but a wider philosophy: always absorbing, always evolving.

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Spanish Strings

Though his foundations lie in hard rock and metal, Mestarihi’s travels exposed him to Spain’s deep guitar culture—flamenco, classical, and regional traditions.

“I definitely look up to players like Paco de Lucía,” he says. “Even traditional music like Los Marismeños. Spain in general has a special place in my heart—it’s one of my favorite places in the world.”

The influence shows in songs like “Dogtown,” where a Latin break sneaks into the guitar solo. “It’s not exactly flamenco rhythms,” he admits, “but the melody and note choices are of that vein.”

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Full Circle with Guns N’ Roses

If Hendrix was the beginning, Guns N’ Roses were the ignition. They were the band that pushed him to chase music seriously—and in 2023, fate brought things full circle when Mestarihi’s band Winterburn opened for them.

“It’s still surreal to me,” he admits. “Guns were the band that got me on this journey for sure. To be sharing the stage, to get a nod from Duff directly and the band’s crew—that’s the greatest feeling in the world.”

The nerves were real, but vanished once the music started. “After speaking with Duff, we were ready. Once we hit that stage, the nerves dissipated. We were determined to win over new fans—and we did.”

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Writing: From Riffs to Showers

Mestarihi’s songwriting often starts where you’d expect: with guitar riffs. But inspiration doesn’t only arrive plugged into an amp.

“Second, and also common, would be the melodies that come to me in the shower,” he laughs. “People might find it funny, but it’s true. I’ll get vocal melodies or even riff ideas while in the shower. It’s strange, like something transcendental happens when I’m in contact with water.”

It’s this blend of discipline and unpredictability that keeps his catalog fresh.

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The Guitar as a Constant

If there’s one instrument that anchors Mestarihi’s life, it’s the guitar.

“I never stop learning and I’ve never lost interest in exploring new music and techniques,” he says. “Music is the constant in my life I can’t live without, so I’m always inspired to play guitar and learn new stuff.”

That restless spirit is what’s kept him pushing forward across multiple albums—always searching for new textures, always growing.

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Tools of the Trade

On stage, his setup is straightforward but powerful. His mainstay is a Gibson Les Paul Traditional, with a Standard as backup. When needed, he rotates in Gibson Explorers and Flying Vs. Strings are DR Hi-Beams 9–46, and his amps of choice are Marshall JCM 800s, though he’ll turn to a Mesa Boogie if those can’t be sourced.

It’s a classic rig for a player who values tone, clarity, and raw energy over gimmicks.

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Challenges in the Middle East

Building a rock audience in the Middle East is still a battle.

“It fluctuates,” Mestarihi explains. “Sometimes there’s a lot of interest, then it quiets down. But it’s picking up again—I see a lot of bands performing and putting out music, and major acts are making regular tour stops in our region.”

His own success—especially opening for Guns N’ Roses—proves there’s an appetite. But industry backing remains an obstacle. “The main thing is getting the powers that be to support artists. But honestly, that’s a global issue.”

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Melody Meets Heaviness

Part of Mestarihi’s appeal is the way he marries accessibility with crushing riffs.

“I’m a sucker for melodic music,” he says. “I always say a good song is a good song regardless of genre. At the same time, I love heavy, hard-hitting stuff—things that shake you to the core and make you want to groove. I think subconsciously that’s what comes out when I write.”

His catalog proves it: heavy enough for headbangers, tuneful enough for casual listeners.

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Evolution: From 1987 to Funk Rock

Each record has shown growth, from the retro-tinged 1987 to the more mature Praed Street and Winterburn’s Ivory Towers.

“You can hear a lot of evolution in terms of my playing and songwriting,” he says. “Now with our upcoming record, we’re incorporating new sounds. I’m a massive funk fan, so we have a few funk rock songs. I’ve also started writing more straight-to-the-point songs—sometimes I don’t even put in guitar solos if they don’t serve the song. I think it’s all down to maturing.”

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Advice to Madrid’s Next Generation

Asked what he’d say to young guitarists in Madrid and beyond, his answer is simple and sincere:

“Be yourself. Be authentic. Don’t ever give up. Just keep at it no matter how bleak things get. There’s always a silver lining.”

And if he could collaborate with any Spanish guitarist? “Aryan King and El Amir Haddad. Aryan’s more blues-oriented, which is the root of my playing, and El Amir is closer to my shred side. Both are fantastic players.”

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The Shape of His Sound

Pressed to define his sound in a single phrase, Mestarihi doesn’t hesitate:

“It’s got to be melodic, groovy, and original.”

That formula—rooted in Hendrix, sharpened by Guns N’ Roses, colored by flamenco, and carried by relentless authenticity—is what keeps Naser Mestarihi’s music resonating from Doha to Madrid, and beyond.

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