Shred guys

[Melodic Dreamer]

After the whole Kotzen, Gilbert and Lynch post it got me thinking about some of the Shredders of yester-year. Any of the unsung Instrumental widley, widley wee guys.

Vinnie Moore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa8xBtmrEhs

Tony Macalpine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BlSCBEJP2s&feature=related

Yngwie Malmsteen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj3ec2cCaJw

Paul Gilbert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPGA3vjMLgE

Richie Kotzen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xgs9jOZzcQ

Greg Howe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX9FEjjsPLE

Jason Becker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WqE_q3kFUM

Marty Friedman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT0EsXxv_c0&feature=related

George Lynch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asUQBl1DTDA

Reb Beach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8q0Mb_uOG8&feature=related

Steve vai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdM00IbLyro

Joe Satriani
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuoBoWCym0k

Michael Angelo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG74eVb6V10

Chris Impellitteri
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y1cYMWp_sU

Gary Hoey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p4mgwTyq9M

Jan Cyrka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi1iHDdE964feature=PlayList&p=161AB896BE7DCB6D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=10

There are more, but here are some of the famous ones.
ENJOY!!!!!!
And God Speed!:rockin

[iamdavea]

You have done us a great service, Sir. I listened recently to Hoey's "Animal Instinct" CD the other day. There's a song on there called (I think!) "Native Son" that's a kind of live-in-the-studio tribute to SRV. It's unbelievably kick-ass; dripping with feel and a Strat through a cranked Bassman tone. It made me rethink my conception of him--in a good way!

[Melodic Dreamer]

You have done us a great service, Sir. I listened recently to Hoey's "Animal Instinct" CD the other day. There's a song on there called (I think!) "Native Son" that's a kind of live-in-the-studio tribute to SRV. It's unbelievably kick-ass; dripping with feel and a Strat through a cranked Bassman tone. It made me rethink my conception of him--in a good way!

Most of the Shred heads can playing what the normal everyday guitarist would describe as an emotional piece. This is a genra and nothing more. Some people love it and some move through it, as there are some who never and will never like it. It's all good.
Some shred is bad, but some like G.Howe, S.Lane is good!

[robelinda2]

Reb Beach's solo cd is great too, I forget what its called!

[Melodic Dreamer]

Reb Beach's solo cd is great too, I forget what its called!

I have his fusion demo. It's pretty cool. I haven't listen to it in awhile though.
Truthfully I haven't listen to shred in a long time. Pretty much a big Landau, Henderson, Ford, Hinds, Johnson and Trucks fan now days.

Going through some of these old inspirations was fun though. The old Yngwie when he was in Alcatraz was awesome! That Evil Eye clip I posted above shows that!

[Noah]

You forgot one of my faves, Michael Lee Firkins. He really had a style that set him apart and I think he actually tended to underplay a bit compared to other "shredders""

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ_dawPc3Xw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9NJqfy6YUY

[freedom's door]

There was a time when the guys on this list were my favorite players.
That time is gone.

[Melodic Dreamer]

You forgot one of my faves, Michael Lee Firkins. He really had a style that set him apart and I think he actually tended to underplay a bit compared to other "shredders""

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9NJqfy6YUY

I didn't forget him, I just got tired and quit. lol

[Melodic Dreamer]

There was a time when the guys on this list were my favorite players.
That time is gone.

I know the feeling. :beer

[Balok]

Most of the players on the list are amazing. Especially Howe, Kotzen and Becker. I might burn down my house to have their talent.

Strangely, I only feel like listening to their tracks once. Got it - amazing - wow - blown away - you're awesome, you've either practiced your ass off or been born really lucky to be able to do those precise, demanding licks so flawlessly.

Then there's this guy with a fraction of the technical ablity, maybe 1/3 the talent, but I've listened to this 1,000 times. No judgements passed here - just reporting my story with it all. And as I've said - I would pay dearly, obscenely - to have Jason Beckers ability. But to what end? I dont't really know. Maybe just to rule the roost?
anyway, check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkwa0HXNs58

[Balok]

Ok I think I have another idea.

It's about sincerity.

What Jason does is unbelievably difficult and freakishly amazing, but there's nobody home. When Santana plays Song of the Wind, I can easily imagine, even expect, that he might have had tears streaming down his face. Becker? not a chance. This is IMO.

I know Jason could mimic Santana and play with that emotional weight, but he doesn't choose to here. He chose the "knock em dead" that pure speed delivers to an audience of young guys.

[iamdavea]

Listen to Becker's molten-toned closing statement on Cacophony's song "Go Off", and then tell me that "there's nobody home."

[Balok]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbOEQJxE6N0
at 2:08, Jason does sound serious

[iamdavea]

Thanks for posting that! I'm referring to his entrance at the 2:38 mark, and then through to the close.

[BryanMatthews]

I kinda view the shred thing like being biffed about the head with a hammer, then being biffed about the head with a hammer some more, then being biffed about the head with a hammer some more.........etc

I listened to second heat : racer x (iamdavea) last night and stupendously talented technical playing married to a god awful singer I found it to be. I think the first ole chestnut sweep arpeggio sequences start approx 25 secs into the 1st track and thats what i find so brain numbing about the whole shred genre.......its predicability and no surprises, just being biffed around the head with a hammer for 45 mins at a time.

Have any of you guys listened to Danny Gatton , now there was a guy with alien guitar ability who knew how to write a tune and could do "the lot" , a dude who was virtuosic in a multitude of styles, Harlem Nocturne is a track which compositionally just blows my mind, not for speed or any of that stuff, just for the whole vibe that man got down onto 1/4 inch analogue tape.

[johan]

I never listen to this any more but I still like Michael Lee Firkins a lot. His first solo album was great. Not a shredder guy but same era, Vito Bratta. I like him a lot! Very tasty player!

[cirpo58]

Most of the players on the list are amazing. Especially Howe, Kotzen and Becker. I might burn down my house to have their talent.

Strangely, I only feel like listening to their tracks once. Got it - amazing - wow - blown away - you're awesome, you've either practiced your ass off or been born really lucky to be able to do those precise, demanding licks so flawlessly.

Then there's this guy with a fraction of the technical ablity, maybe 1/3 the talent, but I've listened to this 1,000 times. No judgements passed here - just reporting my story with it all. And as I've said - I would pay dearly, obscenely - to have Jason Beckers ability. But to what end? I dont't really know. Maybe just to rule the roost?
anyway, check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkwa0HXNs58

Oh yeahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Song of the wind, two chords, a great visionary sound, feeling, touch....
Santana at their best.
I FULLY AGREEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Melodic Dreamer]

This thread is suppose to be fun. It's about remembering our past influences and thinking... huh? lol
There was a time that these guys were all I listen to. They were my guitar heroes. Now it is very hard to stomach, but I still respect what they did. It was like a answer to a demand in that period of time. People wanted the show off, massive rock ego with amazing guitar tricks, I can't drive 55 mentality. A lot of these guys are humble and super nice. It's all good, even if I don't listen to it anymore.

[movingpictures]

This thread is suppose to be fun. It's about remembering our past influences and thinking... huh? lol
There was a time that these guys were all I listen to. They were my guitar heroes. Now it is very hard to stomach, but I still respect what they did. It was like a answer to a demand in that period of time. People wanted the show off, massive rock ego with amazing guitar tricks, I can't drive 55 mentality. A lot of these guys are humble and super nice. It's all good, even if I don't listen to it anymore.


Thanks for posting! I dont know if Blues Saraceno was mentioned, but i always liked his stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64MpeGsUXsE&feature=PlayList&p=C9DCC3BBBD95C99E&index=0&playnext=1

[cugel]

friedman is a monster musician and has some of the best melodic solos around. monster player w/ weird right hand that makes you scratch your head and wonder how he does it

[freedom's door]

friedman is a monster musician and has some of the best melodic solos around. monster player w/ weird right hand that makes you scratch your head and wonder how he does it

Totally agree, and it's hard for me to watch him because of his right hand position!

[Polynitro]

Gary Hoey? Hes not really a shredder is he?

[freedom's door]

Gary Hoey? Hes not really a shredder is he?

Never considered Gary a shredder.

I will add David T Chastain to the list of mentioned shredders.

[Polynitro]

what happened to Chris Impelliteri?

This guy was truly a machine!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apW7YQhFBoE

[Lance]

Or, how about Joey Tafolla? Dr. Mastermind, maybe? LOL!!! I haven't thought about most of these dudes in a long time, but yeah, I had pretty much all of that Shrapnel stuff. Hey, thank the stars for Mike Varney getting some of these guys in the studio, that would never have gotten that chance otherwise. Well, there's no way to know that, but I would imagine so. There was one pretty darn good release with vocals amongst all of these instrumental cds that were coming out, that I thought was really good. That would be

Greg Howe's Howe II with his brother singing. Really dug the tune about the Sloe Gin ordering the wine.

It actually started to gain some popularity amongst some of my High School party friends. Well, until Appetite for Destruction came out.

[Melodic Dreamer]

Gary Hoey? Hes not really a shredder is he?

Did you watch the clip I posted? If that's not in the shred family then what is?

[Frank Prince]

Here's one that I like a LOT who could shred like crazy, but is also IMO a very musical player.

Jeff Kollman.

He played in the UFO spinoff band Mogg/Way and may also have done some dates with UFO as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugrNZ96-9Cc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJlHfe73Gp4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7u4so6YmqU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byksoyIf5tU&feature=related

[PAF]

I'll refer ya back to the OG shredder, ULI =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeX3I4Jneyg&feature=related

[AnthonyL]

Big fans of all the guys you posted. I would also add:

Alan Holdsworth

Al DiMeola

John Mclaughlin

Ronni LeTekro - TNT

Shawn Lane

Joe Stump

Buckethead

Marc Bonilla

Frank Gambale

George Bellas

Rob Marcello

Akira Takasaki - Loudness

Ron Thal AKA Bumblefoot

Michale Romeo - Symphony X

Ray Gomez



Some more recent entrants:

Jeff Loomis - Nevermore and his solo work

Gus G - Firewind

Guthrie Govan

[Melodic Dreamer]

Big fans of all the guys you posted. I would also add:

Alan Holdsworth

Al DiMeola

John Mclaughlin

Ronni LeTekro - TNT

Shawn Lane

Joe Stump

Buckethead

Marc Bonilla

Frank Gambale

George Bellas

Rob Marcello

Akira Takasaki - Loudness

Ron Thal AKA Bumblefoot

Michale Romeo - Symphony X

Ray Gomez



Some more recent entrants:

Jeff Loomis - Nevermore and his solo work

Gus G - Firewind

Guthrie Govan


Yea, but there are a few of those guys that wasn't in the 80's which is what I was shooting for.

[Brooks]

shred is best when watched live, not to listen to on your stereo.

[Balok]

Thats an interesting point. I find shred much more entertaining, and intimidating, when I'm watching the hands doing it. When I look away, it kind of loses impact.
Maybe thats why I like the YouTube vids of these guys, but I seldom listen to it on my Ipod.
On the Ipod, it's Metheny, Blow by Blow, etc...stuff that lasts forever.
I love to watch Greg Howe tear around on his vids. His CD faired less well for me.

Now there is an exception - Shawn Lane's 'Ten' album. It sounds like a record EJ would have made - highly recommended.

[sahhas]

oh, the 80s shred days....i had tony mac.'s 1st shrapnel album (vinyl!) it was pretty good...

the george lynch on dave navarro's spread tv vid is pretty good. funny to hear him and dave n. talk and compare stuff... (i do love that bones guitar)

i also saw a few months back found a jason becker vid from the 80s of him playing (i'm sure it's on there i'm too lazy to look up) and man, he was amazing. so fluid, but the stuff sounded musical too, ...

the funny thing, is back in the 80s i knew most of the names, but couldn't afford to buy all the records, or let alone see any of the vids that a few of these guys made for instructional stuff...but the one guy who was amazing to see on the tele back in the 80s was eric johnson, not sure if he's full on shred, but i remember seeing him on austin city limits rerun (and i was at work as a video tape editor and i hit the record button to record some of his playing). that was amazing to see , b/c i had the album "tones" etc...ah the 80's, the shred era and all the fun crazy guitars....
s---
www.myspace.com/scotthansen

[Accio Recto]

Can't believe no one's mentioned John Petrucci yet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t25AOSxZZkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4X4jlOGG4s
[/URL][URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkF4JD2rO3Q (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4X4jlOGG4s)

[VinceM]

EVH? Doesn't he count???

[Luke]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7BHEid902Q&feature=related

[Melodic Dreamer]

Can't believe no one's mentioned John Petrucci yet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t25AOSxZZkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4X4jlOGG4s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkF4JD2rO3Q

Dream Theater didn't come out till the 90's.

[Polynitro]

I'm the opposite I don't like shred live, I like it in headphones cranked. When I watch teh Yngwie it just pisses me off how easy he makes it look.

[cugel]

yep
akira and those rock and roll crazy nights

[stratzrus]

Have any of you guys listened to Danny Gatton , now there was a guy with alien guitar ability who knew how to write a tune and could do "the lot" , a dude who was virtuosic in a multitude of styles, Harlem Nocturne is a track which compositionally just blows my mind, not for speed or any of that stuff, just for the whole vibe that man got down onto 1/4 inch analogue tape.If I could only bring two guitarists back from the dead it would be Hendrix and Danny Gatton.

[Balok]

I'm the opposite I don't like shred live, I like it in headphones cranked. When I watch teh Yngwie it just pisses me off how easy he makes it look.
I think one of the biggest differences between the old school 70's rock guys and the 80s shred movement is in the physical approach. The shred guys play very lightly, like a water spider dancing across a pond, where the old schoolers, coming from the blues school, dig in. They crush the neck a little and dig in with the pick to squeeze tone out. There is no way to play real fast that way.
So my point is that it IS actually easy for Yngwie - it has to be. If it's not effortless, you're doing it wrong, so to speak.

[Polynitro]

I think one of the biggest differences between the old school 70's rock guys and the 80s shred movement is in the physical approach. The shred guys play very lightly, like a water spider dancing across a pond, where the old schoolers, coming from the blues school, dig in. They crush the neck a little and dig in with the pick to squeeze tone out. There is no way to play real fast that way.
So my point is that is is easy for Yngwie - it has to be. If it's not effortless, you're doing it wrong, so to speak.

oh yeah no doubt Yngwie is a master at economics of movement. You kind of have to be to play that fast, cleanly. Kind of boring to watch IMO.