Steve Vai

[da cheese walks]

Ok....so last night....myself,and my band, all went to Dublin....we went there for one hell of a reason...to see the ALMIGHTY Steve Vai and the Steve Vai band....holy christ!!!!

Jeremy Coleson on drums,Steve Vai on guitar of course,Bryan beller on bass,Dave Weiner on guitar aswell,and then two violin and keyboard players whose names i honestly did not catch...

the Gig was fantastic....id never heard of Jeremy Coleson before but he played a hell of a show....

so anyway....after the gig we were thrown out into the rain of Thomas Street(beside the venue:Vicar Street)and there we decided to wait for a while...considering our guitarist is absolutely obsessed with Mr.Vai...

and then we met the band....all of them...yup!Shook hands with them all....chatted with the drummer....then met STEVE FRIKKIN VAI.....just out on Thomas Street(which for you who dont know is one of the dodgier streets in Dublin city,and theres a lot of those!)....and as suddenyl as they appeared...they were gone...biblical stuff i tells ya......


so anyway.....y'all like Stevie?

and who has Jeremy Coleson played with and how had i heard the name before.....?

[groove meister]

haha, legendary! a good story to tell the grandkids surely :P! On the note of dodgy dublin streets, any idea where in dublin "dublin national stadium" is? and if so, is the area dodgy?

[harryconway]

Every time I see Vai, it is impressive. You can read here: http://www.vai.com/News/thebreed.html on his web site, Tony MacAlpine, Billy Sheehan and Virgil Donati are on tour together. Steve put together this new group of musicians for the Sound Theory's tour. From Zappa to DLR to today, Vai always kicks butt. So no doubt any cat in his band is just a monster in their own right.

[millerdakiller]

Every time I see Vai, it is impressive. You can read here: http://www.vai.com/News/thebreed.html on his web site, Tony MacAlpine, Billy Sheehan and Virgil Donati are on tour together. Steve put together this new group of musicians for the Sound Theory's tour. From Zappa to DLR to today, Vai always kicks butt. So no doubt any cat in his band is just a monster in their own right.

Yah Vai is sick. Theres actually a DVD out called Steve Via Live in Astoria that features, Sheehan, Donati, Weiner, and MacAlpine as his band(Virgil Donati has an unbelievable drum solo on a song based around an 11/8 or 13/8 groove i forget which) Get it and watch the hell out of it if you like Vai. PS anyone heard the song Lotus Feet that Vai did with the Metropole ORkest, one of the most beautiful songs ever written in my opinion

[da cheese walks]

Yah Vai is sick. Theres actually a DVD out called Steve Via Live in Astoria that features, Sheehan, Donati, Weiner, and MacAlpine as his band(Virgil Donati has an unbelievable drum solo on a song based around an 11/8 or 13/8 groove i forget which) Get it and watch the hell out of it if you like Vai. PS anyone heard the song Lotus Feet that Vai did with the Metropole ORkest, one of the most beautiful songs ever written in my opinion

yeah live at the astoria is amazing....i honestlty think this gig was better tho....maybe cos i wasnt at the astoria....haha


man im too tired to write anything else but i will soon...hhah

[spartacus1989]

I saw him in concert in Nottingham!

I never realised how good his usual drummer -Jeremy Colson- is! He is so technical but at the same time, Punky!

Best Punk drummer of all time I must say!

[hawk9290]

That must have been an awesome show, Vai is amazing. I got a chance to see Chris Frazier, his former drummer, playing with Eddie Money the other night- Frazier was so solid it was incredible. Vai sure knows how to get some good drummers.

[da cheese walks]

I saw him in concert in Nottingham!

I never realised how good his usual drummer -Jeremy Colson- is! He is so technical but at the same time, Punky!

Best Punk drummer of all time I must say!

man i think the most punk thing about colson is his appearance...he played some damn funky stuff the other night...and he can surely lay down a heavy damn metal beat....great stuff!!

i preferred Donatis stuff however...but Colson was still a genius...

[Drum-Head]

Theres actually a DVD out called Steve Via Live in Astoria that features, Sheehan, Donati, Weiner, and MacAlpine as his band.

In my opinion that was the best line-up Vai ever put together. They really had the Passion and Warefare vibe going - if that makes any sense... He got living gods to play in the same band!

[mikei]

In my opinion that was the best line-up Vai ever put together. They really had the Passion and Warefare vibe going - if that makes any sense... He got living gods to play in the same band!

I know! He certainly doesn't let his ego get in the way. MacAlpine is a much better guitarist than Via from a technical perspective. He is faster and cleaner. Via just has that "feel" that you are born with.

Other guitarists might be intimidated to play with MacAlpine. However, Steve is a great technical guitarist in his own right. MacAlpine is just a freak. Paul Gilbert and Yngwie might be the only technical shredders better than MacAlpine.

[Drum-Head]

I know! He certainly doesn't let his ego get in the way. MacAlpine is a much better guitarist than Via from a technical perspective.

True and I think it's a great thing that Vai took him! Mike Keneally did a wonderful job too with Vai.


Paul Gilbert and Yngwie might be the only technical shredders better than MacAlpine.

Hum... I'm personally not convinced that they are better than him on the technical aspect. For instance their sweeping technique is far behind MacAlpine's... But anyway that's not really important to me - it's more about the music.

[mikei]

True and I think it's a great thing that Vai took him! Mike Keneally did a wonderful job too with Vai.




Hum... I'm personally not convinced that they are better than him on the technical aspect. For instance their sweeping technique is far behind MacAlpine's... But anyway that's not really important to me - it's more about the music.

Wow, another shredder!

Gilbert's is definitely better. He is the best picker in the business. His hand is a machine. Tony's picking is good, but even on his instructional DVD, his picking hand is far from Gilbert.

Gilbert doesn't usually sweep pick as the notes get jumbled due to the chord like structures used for at least part of it. Gilbert uses insane finger stretching and string skipping to play his arpeggios. Playing them this way (which is WAY more difficult than sweep picking) takes some of the inherent mixing of notes and keeps each note clean.

Gilbert is by far the most advance technical guitar player that has ever lived. He is absolutely as close to a machine as possible. However, he does lack for feel.

[Drum-Head]

In any case regardless of one's technique, I'm musically speaking not that much into Gilbert (I preferred his Mr. Big days) and I honestly can't stand Yngwie Malmsteen. If I had to name a guitarist that I find the most interesting to me it would have to be Mattias "IA" Eklundh. His playing and songwriting is just a breath of fresh air in my opinion. Oh and he's a fan of Vai!

Back to Vai, anyone got a hold on his new album? If that's out yet... I forgot when it's due.

[da cheese walks]

Vais best lineup was with Billy Sheehan,McAlpine,Donati....i agree...

i prefer Donati in Steves band...hes got a much more progressive and kind of intricate sound, that suits the Vai band, compared to Jeremy Colesons harder and punkier stuff...but saying that theyre both extremely fine drummers....

Sheehan is absolutely great....one of the finest bassists to ever have lived...most definitely...however Bryan Beller is a lot more technically adept...

McAlpine is a virtuoso....he got publicity with the Vai band...now hes doing his own stuff and its immense....if anyones heard it...the man is a one man band of craziness...

on the other guitarists thing:Yngwie is a twat....have you ever watched on of his instructional videos??

no....ill post a link...there not instructional,but just sheer wankery....its kind of like: "Hi,i can do zis really fast,however you cannot because you are crap,so i will play iz really damn fast and scare you"

however Paul Gilbert is an absolute genius....my favourite guitarist by far....Vai is amazing....but Gilbert has the skills,the slight moment of wankery yes,but the humour and the insane riffs to balance it all out....genius...

and Mattias Ia Eklundah is brilliant....have you ever heard his piece:"the road less travelled"....it used to sing me to sleep as a 16 year old ragamuffin with horrible insomnia at 5 o clock in the morning....

[Drum-Head]

You got what I don't like about Malmsteen - his music and attitude seems to be all about him, him and him again. For instance if anyone got the G3 with him on it, his performance with his band came out a pure wankery and he ruined the jam with Vai and Satriani. I think it's a shame because he does have talent (understatement!) One thing he did that I loved though was he cover of ABBA's "Gimme Gimme" that was great!

I have nearly all IA's work and I love all of it, I do have a preference for what he does with his band, Freak Kitchen, though. The pop meets metal meets crazy solos approach is genius! The man is just crazy! I've had the chance to meet him a few times and he's just as crazy and funny in real too.

My issue with Gilbert is that his band work is just well... normal even cheesy at times. He is funny and all, but it just doesn't come out in his music, at least in what I've head of his material...

[ermghoti]

You got what I don't like about Malmsteen - his music and attitude seems to be all about him, him and him again. For instance if anyone got the G3 with him on it, his performance with his band came out a pure wankery and he ruined the jam with Vai and Satriani.

I was at the Boston show, the last stop on that tour. Watching the video, I was impressed with YJM's restraint in the jam, if that tells you anything.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

I have the original G3 CD with Eric Johnson and that's pretty reasonable. Nobody goes massively over the top. I'd like to hear the performances with Robert Fripp, but apparently he got heckled; which is a massive shame. Even though Fripp can easily out-shred either of the other two guitarists (yes, he really can, listened to 'Fracktured' or 'Fracture') he chose to do his soundscapes instead. Which is a bold decision in G3. The crowd didn't appreciate it. I know that I would be sitting in awe if he ever did a soundscape in front of me. I currently have some recordings of a set he did called 'Glass and Breath' and it's just beautifully minimalistic; an hour of about three notes.

Gilbert's a good guitarist, but his music leaves me absolutely cold; just like Malmsteen.

[da cheese walks]

I have the original G3 CD with Eric Johnson and that's pretty reasonable. Nobody goes massively over the top. I'd like to hear the performances with Robert Fripp, but apparently he got heckled; which is a massive shame. Even though Fripp can easily out-shred either of the other two guitarists (yes, he really can, listened to 'Fracktured' or 'Fracture') he chose to do his soundscapes instead. Which is a bold decision in G3. The crowd didn't appreciate it. I know that I would be sitting in awe if he ever did a soundscape in front of me. I currently have some recordings of a set he did called 'Glass and Breath' and it's just beautifully minimalistic; an hour of about three notes.

Gilbert's a good guitarist, but his music leaves me absolutely cold; just like Malmsteen.

Yeah man the G3 thing with Fripp was crap...i mean he was playing crazy good an the stupid crowd starts booing...man what the hell?!But Vai started tellin them to shut the hell up!haha!

Ah....all the rest of you,unlike me, seem to have a disdain for Mr.Big and Extreme and things like that....haha...i love Gilberts music....his own stuff,his racer x stuff,Mr.Big stuff....oh yeah!

[Drum-Head]

Ah....all the rest of you,unlike me, seem to have a disdain for Mr.Big and Extreme and things like that.

No disdain here - I dig Nuno's guitar playing and Extreme. Mangini did a great job with them live! And I still got the videos from Mr. Big in Japan, the Gilbert and Sheehan duo is plain killer. It's more Gilbert's present work which music-wise just sounds like classic rock that doesn't move me. Personally I like it when something sounds "different" which is why I turn to guys like IA with Freak Kitchen, or Bumblefoot.

[Wegadrummer]

I like Vai, I also all of the G3 dvds.. Did some of you know that Colson only was a lonely punk drummer that audition for Vai`s band some years ago? Pretty cool.

[That Guy]

I have heard that he does a little Halo tribute/solo in each of his shows. Did he?

[jonescrusher]

I have the original G3 CD with Eric Johnson and that's pretty reasonable. Nobody goes massively over the top. I'd like to hear the performances with Robert Fripp, but apparently he got heckled; which is a massive shame. Even though Fripp can easily out-shred either of the other two guitarists (yes, he really can, listened to 'Fracktured' or 'Fracture') he chose to do his soundscapes instead. Which is a bold decision in G3. The crowd didn't appreciate it. I know that I would be sitting in awe if he ever did a soundscape in front of me. I currently have some recordings of a set he did called 'Glass and Breath' and it's just beautifully minimalistic; an hour of about three notes.

Gilbert's a good guitarist, but his music leaves me absolutely cold; just like Malmsteen.



Yeah, I went to one of the shows with Fripp opening a couple of years ago. Very disappointing. Not knowing much of the music of King Crimson I was hoping at least for some minor revelation. Just soundscapes. Impressive, but more for the real enthusiasts.

[da cheese walks]

I have heard that he does a little Halo tribute/solo in each of his shows. Did he?

Vai did the theme music for Halo 2, sometimes he plays it in his solos....he didnt this time...!


Fripp can get carried away sometimes....hes in an astounding band,with immense players,music,and ideas....but some of his own stuff can get a little weary...nothing against his stuff,and sayin that ive never seen him play live,which could change my mind,but from what ive seen/heard....


and yes Nuno is some guy....have you ever seen the Guitar Wars DVD from like 2004 i think it is?correct me if im wrong...with Nuno,John Paul Jones,Steve Hackett,Paul Gilbert etc.?(Pat Mastellato on drums too)...its damn good...some really nuts stuff goin on there...

i think readin back over this thread of mine,that i have a thing about guitarists...im a drummer and have my set drummers,but from hangin round with my guitarist and bassist who are both like this,i think its rubbed off...haha.....

[Drum-Head]

And yes Nuno is some guy....have you ever seen the Guitar Wars DVD from like 2004 i think it is?correct me if im wrong...with Nuno,John Paul Jones,Steve Hackett,Paul Gilbert etc.?(Pat Mastellato on drums too)...its damn good...some really nuts stuff goin on there...

i think readin back over this thread of mine,that i have a thing about guitarists...im a drummer and have my set drummers,but from hangin round with my guitarist and bassist who are both like this,i think its rubbed off...haha.....

If that's what I think it is then yes I have seen some of it and it was a real fun watch!

About having a thing for guitarist and guitars, same thing here! I even sit down and watch guitar instructional videos lol. I got the virus from my dad who is a guitarist, so I grew up on Van Halen, Slash, Marc Knoffler, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Brian May etc. haha. :)

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Yeah, I went to one of the shows with Fripp opening a couple of years ago. Very disappointing. Not knowing much of the music of King Crimson I was hoping at least for some minor revelation. Just soundscapes. Impressive, but more for the real enthusiasts.

I guess you just worked out what I am. An enthusiast...

[mikei]

I have the original G3 CD with Eric Johnson and that's pretty reasonable. Nobody goes massively over the top. I'd like to hear the performances with Robert Fripp, but apparently he got heckled; which is a massive shame. Even though Fripp can easily out-shred either of the other two guitarists (yes, he really can, listened to 'Fracktured' or 'Fracture') he chose to do his soundscapes instead. Which is a bold decision in G3. The crowd didn't appreciate it. I know that I would be sitting in awe if he ever did a soundscape in front of me. I currently have some recordings of a set he did called 'Glass and Breath' and it's just beautifully minimalistic; an hour of about three notes.

Gilbert's a good guitarist, but his music leaves me absolutely cold; just like Malmsteen.

Gilbert lacks in feel. But technically, he is as close to perfect as one can get.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Gilbert lacks in feel. But technically, he is as close to perfect as one can get.

It's the feel that I look for. It also helps that Gilbert has absolutely enormous hands.

Personally I find Fripp much more interesting; his body of work is so utterly diverse when compared to even Vai, one minute he'll be playing technically complicated music so utterly abstract it makes the mind boggle, the next he'll be sitting behind his tape machines. I just appreciate musical diversity as well as feel, which I think Fripp has in bundles.

[mikei]

It's the feel that I look for. It also helps that Gilbert has absolutely enormous hands.

Personally I find Fripp much more interesting; his body of work is so utterly diverse when compared to even Vai, one minute he'll be playing technically complicated music so utterly abstract it makes the mind boggle, the next he'll be sitting behind his tape machines. I just appreciate musical diversity as well as feel, which I think Fripp has in bundles.

I haven't heard much of Fripp. I will definitely check him out.

I was a huge shred guitar fan in the late 80s. Gilbert changed when he went to Mr. Big. He tried to incorporate feel into his playing. Just didn't work. Part of Gilbert's problem is also his sound. His amp is DRY. No effects at all. There is no reverb or delay on his leads. Not many could play like this.

He should have just stuck to his guns and continued to shred. Nobody could touch him there.

As I got older and matured, I started getting into Vai, Eric Johnson and SRV. All virtuosos on their instruments, but with more feel.

I am still a huge Gilbert fan, but only of his Racer X stuff.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

I know this is turning into a vehicle for my Fripp obsession, so I will stop going on unless anybody asks questions.

With regards to Fripp, probably the most 'balanced' work he's ever produced is the first King Crimson album 'In The Court of the Crimson King.' Most of his playing styles and moods are expressed there, although the soundscapes came later, the basis for them exists on a few tracks. That's probably the best place to start. If you like the soundscapes, go looking around on www.dgmlive.com and see what you can download, there's sometimes free live downloads on there, maybe I could send you the one soundscape I have, but it's three large files.

If you like the 'shreddy' side of Fripp, the three 'classic' mid-70's King Crimson albums are probably the best place to start. 'Larks' Tongues in Aspic', 'Starless and Bible Black' and 'Red'. There are some really great compositions on there, namely 'Red' 'Larks' Tongues in Aspic' Pts. I and II and 'Fracture'. But all three of those albums are balanced. Then he went Electronica in the 80's with Adrian Belew after working with Andy Summers in the late 70's. Then there's the 'League of Crafty Guitarists' project, the Soundscapes and recent King Crimson. All three of which are VERY different.

[jonescrusher]

I guess you just worked out what I am. An enthusiast...


'Aficionado' seemed too poncy, 'geek' seemed too hurtful :D

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

'Aficionado' seemed too poncy, 'geek' seemed too hurtful :D

Geek would, however, be accurate. May I also suggest Nerd and Bookie.

[jonescrusher]

'Poindexter' is a personal favourite.

[da cheese walks]

It's the feel that I look for. It also helps that Gilbert has absolutely enormous hands.

Personally I find Fripp much more interesting; his body of work is so utterly diverse when compared to even Vai, one minute he'll be playing technically complicated music so utterly abstract it makes the mind boggle, the next he'll be sitting behind his tape machines. I just appreciate musical diversity as well as feel, which I think Fripp has in bundles.

however it is a pretty biased opinion!i agree with you man...Fripp is a genius....however i find Gilbert both heavy with technicality and feeling...and he does put feelin into his music...but as your opinion is yours,mines mine.....!

I think even Gilberts later work had feeling...listen to "Viking Kong" and things like that.....great great stuff....Mr.Big did have feeling,granted it was a piss-take type of feeling,but they did have it.....Mr.Big made sense in a lot of ways!

and MFB....man your scaring me now!haha!

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Well I haven't listened to anything but Racer X, so I'll have to take your word on it. I'm not a big fan of shredding, so I doubt I'll be into much of his stuff anyway. But whatever floats your boat, it's all good.

Why would I scare you? I'm lovely unless you're my ex-girlfriend and you turn up at the pub where I like to frequent for no apparent reason when I'm just trying to have a quiet night out with my mates...