Paul & Bruce together again!!! (Racer X)

[fullmetalguitar]

Hi guys. Hope this wasn't posted already.

Paul Gilbert and Bruce Boulliet have been rehearsing for Paul's upcoming tour of Japan. They will be playing Paul's solo stuff as well as Mr. Big, and of course Racer X stuff!!!

Bruce is also working on an all instrumental guitar cd. How cool is that? They are playing one show at the Viper Room in L.A. in January for a warm up. I plan to attend.

For more info check out paulgilbert.com. From Paul's description, it sounds like they will be shredding up a storm together.

[Racerx2k]

Sweet. I'm a longtime Racer X fan. Can't wait till clips start rolling in.

[chrisolson]

Killer! Can't wait for that!

[JBall008]

Awesome! I wish I could get out west for the show!

[Ralph E.]

Wow, great news for sure!

That RacerX record with the 2 of them is one of the best of all time.

[fullmetalguitar]

This is very interesting because of something that Bruce once told me. He said that playing the Racer X stuff on guitar was a lot of work on his part. He said it didn't just come natural to him like it does for Paul. He had to practice constantly to be able to pull off that stuff. He said that his playing on The Scream album was much more his natural speed and style. So I'm very curious to see what he will be playing at the show. Paul does say on his website that Bruce has been concentrating on playing guitar lately. Do you think they're going to play "Scarified?" I'm almost certain they will.

I saw Racer X in the Fall of 1989 after Paul left the band. It was just Bruce on guitar and he was SERIOUSLY awesome. He sounded and played better than he did on the Racer X records. Then the band slowly changed into what was eventually The Scream. I saw them live many times during that period.

[Wayniac]

Damn - wish i could make it out to the West Coast or Japan!
Gtreat news.. can't wait to hear Bruce's solo stuff, and hopefully a DVD of the Japan shows..

[jwoods986]

That's awesome news!

Fullmetal - that's some interesting info. But this is even more surprising to me because I understood that he stopped playing because of a hand injury?

[fullmetalguitar]

That's awesome news!

Fullmetal - that's some interesting info. But this is even more surprising to me because I understood that he stopped playing because of a hand injury?

Yes that's true. But the hand injury came after The Scream. What I'm saying is that during the transition from Racer X to The Scream, he slowed down his playing to a more natural level so he wouldn't have to practice hours every day.

I heard about the hand injury, but not much about it. I know he's been doing a lot of producing over recent years, so I was surprised to see that he's back to guitar playing. Whether he will be playing like he did in his Racer X years or during The Scream era is something I'm wondering. I guess I'll see in January. Can't wait!

That would awesome to see Paul and Bruce walk out with bright pink and green or orange Ibanez guitars, but I won't count on that. You never know.

[Racerx2k]

They need to do Scarified. That's like a trademark for Racer X.

[Glave]

I think I read in some magazine interview with Bruce that there was no way he could play Scarified today.

LOL, I found it. Dec 2004 edition of Guitar One magazine. Here's the exact quote.

"Paul and I were working on a lot of insane guitar parts and harmonies, and I think it represents probably the most challenging writing and playing I've ever been a part of. Of course, I don't think I could play it today! Heck, the last time I played 'Scarified' up to tempo was probably 18 years ago!"

[khabibissell]

The Scream album was awsome. Bruce's playing was tasty, melodic, but still pretty fast.

I think this is a cool turn of events. I hope there's some video available from the shows!

[fullmetalguitar]

I think I read in some magazine interview with Bruce that there was no way he could play Scarified today.

LOL, I found it. Dec 2004 edition of Guitar One magazine. Here's the exact quote.

"Paul and I were working on a lot of insane guitar parts and harmonies, and I think it represents probably the most challenging writing and playing I've ever been a part of. Of course, I don't think I could play it today! Heck, the last time I played 'Scarified' up to tempo was probably 18 years ago!"

Well, like I said, he had to practice A LOT to play that stuff. However, Paul did say that Bruce has been concentrating on playing guitar lately. Plus, they've already been rehearsing and the shows are not for another six weeks. I'm not really sure what to expect. Anything is possible.

[Glave]

I reread the whole article, not just the 'Scarified' section and he also mentioned that he had no interest in doing a Racer X reunion. So I guess if he changed his mind on that in the last 2 years, anything is possible.

[fullmetalguitar]

It's not a Racer X reunion. This is Paul's solo tour of Japan, which is only a handful of dates, plus the one in L.A.