George Lynch Shred for the attack

[speed monkey]

George looks like his face is about to explode....I'm agreeing with Sully in the roid' rage suspicions.....friend of as friend saw him recently in an L.A. gym and he was just going off on the training thing - completely unapproachable..

The flip side is when I saw him last year in Portland he just killed it in front of about a wopping 75 people...awesome show, he played an old Tele almost the entire evening and sounded like, well, like Lynch

Steve E

[VitaminG]

muscular guy tearing it up on a tele? You sure it wasn't Brett Garsed?

[jjw]

if he plays with his eyes open then its not Brett

[MBreinin]

I'm late, so I am just going to jump in at the end on this and skip reading most of the posts. This one has been posted before. I recall really liking the asian dude with the Strat, myself.

I know there are some seriously great guitar players on this board. I have listened to your stuff, seen your videos and have been completely humbled and inspired by the level of musicianship demonstrated on this board.

With that said, I am sure some of you COULD probably "hang" with George in a cutting heads type of deal. I don't think you could eclipse him though.

Loomis? Well...Loomis is indeed awesome. However, when I listen to Nevermore..and I have listened to the 20 songs or so I have downloaded over and over and over...probably 30-40 times each...the guitar work on most of it does not jump out at me. I have to actively pay attention to pick out the stuff. A direct contrast to Lynch or Eddie, where the guitar work just grabs you by the NUTS and commands instant attention. Yeah, Loomis is a technically more proficient player than either of them...but he, at least in my eyes, lacks that soul that made these other guys so influential.

However, my ears are kind of set up to tune out 7 string and dropped X tuned songs...so that may have something to do with it.

Rock on,

Mike

[RobRR]

Ive watched this clip quite a few times this week. Now, while Lynch did hit a few bum notes and timing was off a bit in a few places, he is the ONLY one in that clip who stands out. None of those guys up there are even close to his playing style and feel wise. It would be easy to listen to that clip without video and pick out Lynch from the rest.

I dunno, I think it was pretty fuckin awesome if you ask me. Everyone has a bad day every now and then, and from what you guys who have seen him live are saying, some more than others. But thats still unmistakably Lynch in every way, just maybe not as fine tuned as he used to be.

[horns666]

"just maybe not as fine tuned as he used to be."

That is the one thing you said I totally aggree with..

[horns666]

I have a question..why is it so common place to cling onto past guitar heroes who lost their mojo years ago..or just peaked 20 years ago..I can understand the loyalty factor of a guys like Lynch or Ed that made you want to pick up the guitar..I know this!

but why be blinded to the facts of life..

The fact is Metal/shred has evolved..players have raised the bar in skill level..leaving the has beens far in the dust..

accpet that..you can't be the "king" forever..they all have their place and are immortalized by their contrabutions..leave it at that..

Move on, instead of waiting for something that will never happen..while the scene is jumpin' with hungry new players, that took the ball and ran with it..

These are my thoughts after being a loyal fan and player over 27 years..or longer..since 1978!

Guitar has evolved since 1978..for the better, acknowledge it and embrace it

[VitaminG]

y'know, I'm sure I just saw this post in another thread

I think it's easier for most folk to put up with their favourite's demise, hoping that they'll return to form, and to belly ache that there are just no good young guitarists anymore, than to actually seek out the young guns.

They generalise that all the metal that you hear these days is downtuned, one-finger-chorded flogger nu-metal, and that has been essentially true if you rely on the mass media to provide you with new music the last few years. Of course, you and I (and many, many folks here on the JCF) know that there is a wealth of excellent new metal being created as we speak, with a plenitude of smokin' hot young guitarists. But you would have to invest a little bit of time and energy to find seek them out - MTV isn't going to deliver you the next Warren, George or Ed on a platter anymore.

[horns666]

y'know, I'm sure I just saw this post in another thread

I think it's easier for most folk to put up with their favourite's demise, hoping that they'll return to form, and to belly ache that there are just no good young guitarists anymore, than to actually seek out the young guns.

They generalise that all the metal that you hear these days is downtuned, one-finger-chorded flogger nu-metal, and that has been essentially true if you rely on the mass media to provide you with new music the last few years. Of course, you and I (and many, many folks here on the JCF) know that there is a wealth of excellent new metal being created as we speak, with a plenitude of smokin' hot young guitarists. But you would have to invest a little bit of time and energy to find seek them out - MTV isn't going to deliver you the next Warren, George or Ed on a platter anymore.

G your words are honest and pure..and very accurate I must say..

so, it's laziness and spoonfeeding is it??..I knew it!!

[Chad]

Right on. I was reading an article that was talking about the potential death of redbook (normal) CDs due to downloading and what-not. My CD spending hasn't changed a bit in the last couple years even with all of the downloading because most of the stuff I want to buy is oddball stuff that CAN'T be downloaded. When I was in my teens I used to watch MTV at least a couple hours a day. Now I watch it maybe a couple hours a year. For the most part, you HAVE to dig and search to find good stuff.

[horns666]

Right on. I was reading an article that was talking about the potential death of redbook (normal) CDs due to downloading and what-not. My CD spending hasn't changed a bit in the last couple years even with all of the downloading because most of the stuff I want to buy is oddball stuff that CAN'T be downloaded. When I was in my teens I used to watch MTV at least a couple hours a day. Now I watch it maybe a couple hours a year. For the most part, you HAVE to dig and search to find good stuff.

Chad exactly ...I'm obsessed in finding all the coolest underground players I can find.. I did this for over 25 years..always trying to discover the next best thing..and how far can they raise the bar..

I posted a list of my faves , most people don't know half the players on that list..
I always admired Mike Varney..he did something with his obsession..broke a lot of new talent..made a name for a lot of amazing players ..got them in some great gigs..a very impressive music on his Shrapnel label..

I LOVE shred, I always will..Jeff Loomis is the new KING ..he is the top of the food chain as it stands today..I knew that the minute I saw and heard him..

I have that list somewhere on my thread..I'll try to find it..it's definitely worth checking out ...especially the ones that don't sound familiar..that's the ones you should investigate!!

Once in a while I learn of players/bands I don't know from you guys..I love that..I like surprises!!

[MBreinin]

I have a question..why is it so common place to cling onto past guitar heroes who lost their mojo years ago..or just peaked 20 years ago..I can understand the loyalty factor of a guys like Lynch or Ed that made you want to pick up the guitar..I know this!

but why be blinded to the facts of life..

The fact is Metal/shred has evolved..players have raised the bar in skill level..leaving the has beens far in the dust..

accpet that..you can't be the "king" forever..they all have their place and are immortalized by their contrabutions..leave it at that..

Move on, instead of waiting for something that will never happen..while the scene is jumpin' with hungry new players, that took the ball and ran with it..

These are my thoughts after being a loyal fan and player over 27 years..or longer..since 1978!

Guitar has evolved since 1978..for the better, acknowledge it and embrace it

Well, for me it a stylistic thing. I like that STYLE of music, and for the most part it is indeed DEAD in today's world. You may say that Eddie is just a memory now, his throne in ruins...but I beg to differ. Name one guy, one solitary guy that is out there doing EVH style rock today...and is relevant. I am not going to argue the Loomis vs. Eddie thing, because that is like comparing an F4U Corsair to an F-22...both state of the art at their respective times. However, I still listen to this old stuff and "cling" to these guys because I like the music. That is really all it comes down to, I listen to it and I like it. I liked it then, I like it now. I can dig Nevermore, but it isn't Van Halen, my man. It is just not really my style, although I enjoy it. My 8 year old FUCKING LOVES IT, though! Really...I burned him a Nevermore CD and he thinks it rules. However, I taught him well and I nurtured his musical taste...and he likes all kinds of stuff.

You may think we are Dinosaurs because we fail to evolve past the stuff we have always listened to..and that is cool. I am always looking for music that sparks me like the old stuff. For you, Bill, Loomis gave you that kind of 1978 reaction..I haven't found it yet.

Mike

[horns666]

Well, for me it a stylistic thing. I like that STYLE of music, and for the most part it is indeed DEAD in today's world. You may say that Eddie is just a memory now, his throne in ruins...but I beg to differ. Name one guy, one solitary guy that is out there doing EVH style rock today...and is relevant. I am not going to argue the Loomis vs. Eddie thing, because that is like comparing an F4U Corsair to an F-22...both state of the art at their respective times. However, I still listen to this old stuff and "cling" to these guys because I like the music. That is really all it comes down to, I listen to it and I like it. I liked it then, I like it now. I can dig Nevermore, but it isn't Van Halen, my man. It is just not really my style, although I enjoy it. My 8 year old FUCKING LOVES IT, though! Really...I burned him a Nevermore CD and he thinks it rules. However, I taught him well and I nurtured his musical taste...and he likes all kinds of stuff.

You may think we are Dinosaurs because we fail to evolve past the stuff we have always listened to..and that is cool. I am always looking for music that sparks me like the old stuff. For you, Bill, Loomis gave you that kind of 1978 reaction..I haven't found it yet.

Mike

That's a very nice , honest response Mike..I can relate, I understand that..everybody tried to copy ED back in the day..but never hit the mark..they tried to surpass it but they didn't even hit it..Vitto Bratta, Steve Lynch, Stevie Blaze..and well so many others..all "good" players but non with the impact of Ed..all still in his shadow..Vai shook things up a bit as well as Yngwie..but to me the writing style and their impact was still in Ed's shadow..but not anymore..those guys are thriving and staying in practive and putting out the same shit..different decade..

Yeah, I still listen to VH, I didn't because I burned out on them being in a tribute band for 2.5 years..playin' all their hits and whatnots..that got old..

Note to VH fans...don't start a VH tribute band..the last thing you'll wanna hear is VH after you just played them every weekend for almost two years..yeesh..

I'm just now starting to get over it..I still have flashbacks when I hear those "Jump" keyboards..

Metal has evolved..I wanted a change and I evolved with it I suppose..in my tone and style..I really got into much heavier stuff..making the heaviest VH seem so "light"..and "old" I guess..it doesn't have that same punch..and Loomis came along punched me in the nuts!!

[MBreinin]

I would say that the only other guy that gives me that same Eddie kind of feel when I listen (and we are talking rock only...because I am blues nut and SRV certainly gave me and still gives me that punched in the gut feeling), would be Sykes. It is too bad that there just isn't enough good Sykes material out there. The '87 Whitesnake record, Blue Murder...some Thin Lizzy. I think the Whitesnake was the best though...what a killer record.

When I listen to music I wait for that gut reaction..that feeling, that urge to bang my head, tap my toe or just air guitar out. I do get that from some Nevermore stuff..especially a tune like "I am the Dog"...that is a good headbanging tune for sure.

Mike

[horns666]

Sykes used to squeeze my grapes..

SRV...Austin City Limits is mind boggling as well as Eric Johnson's performance on there..

Jeff was just at the right place at the right time for me..when I was becoming "sick" with the whole scene..especially 10 years ago..there was no scene ten years ago..unless you like ebonics..