Guy Tears It Up on Guitar While Surfing

I've seen guys do some pretty crazy things while playing the guitar. I've seen them destroy their amplifiers, I've seen them smash their guitars, I've seen them play with their teeth, I've seen them play behind their heads, and I've even seen them do karate. However, one stunt in particular that has just recently taken to the internet is one that really takes the cake and is almost if not the ultimate awesome thing you could do in life. The above GoPro clip shows a guy who can tear it up on the guitar while surfing.

The guitar shredding wave riding badass's name is Chris Hau, who seemed to be having a whole lot of fun while doing what was thought to be the impossible. Though he did manage to do it, Hau states in the video “It’s hard trying to do the song while surfing. There’s so many different parts of your brain trying to work at the same time.”

 Be that as it may, Hau didn't miss a note while going ape on his Fender Telecaster while riding the waves. I guess all of us guitar players have been shown what's up. Who will take up the challenge of outdoing this feat of amazing double shred?

Throwback Thursday: Surfing With the Alien, by Joe Satriani

There are many guitar aficionados with chops that will shred you from here till three days into next week. However, while flash and speed are a common skill among shredders one thing that isn't is recognizable melody and being able to use it to construct actual music that people will keep coming back to regardless of whether or not they are big fans of the electric guitar. One man who does this better than anyone else however is Joe Satriani, who burst into the mainstream with an explosive vengeance with his second album Surfing With the Alien in 1987.

Surfing With the Alien like most of Satriani's albums is entirely instrumental. It is an adventurous record in that regard. This record really shows just how much one can do with an electric guitar when it is allowed free reign and is the focal point of an entire album due to lack of any presence of vocals. A lot of the time the guitar has this outer space kind of vibe to it in terms of tonality. Though it does sound very 80's in a sense it still is quite unique from what Satriani's guitar shredding peers were doing at the time. Satch puts a lot of warmth, emotion, and real feeling into his technical prowess which in itself is no easy feat.

The title track Surfing With the Alien is the quintessential Satch track. If you have never listened to his music before, I HIGHLY advise you give this a listen before anything else. Instantaneously it grabs you by the balls and takes you for a ride where you feel like you're soaring at terrifying speeds through the solar system as though you were the Silver Surfer (as pictured on the album cover and in Marvel Comics). In between the crunchy riffs and ear worm melodies Satriani definitely flexes his guitar playing muscles with solos so quick you would think that it must be a robot playing the guitar.

If softer ballads are more your bag, Satch has you covered with his most well known and beloved ballad Always With Me, Always With You. It's kind of funny how without the use of any words Joe is able to express the feeling of love and affection in the most tender and warm ways. Everything is so melodic and easy to follow, though a few well placed guitar solos help to push the song to be everything that it can be. If you're getting married, this is actually a good song to consider having as your first dance. It makes you feel like there is nothing in the universe but you, your special someone, and the love you two share.

The odd thing about Surfing With the Alien is that although it is definitely a product of its time it is quite timeless due to many of the melodies it leaves us remembering. Even if this record were to be put out today it would without a doubt still be just as popular as it was when it was released in 1987. To this day it remains one of the major pinnacles of achievement for Joe Satriani, as many of the songs are still requested and played in his live sets even to this day. Anyone looking into Satch's tunes for the first time should start here. Even if you aren't a big fan of guitar chops/proficiency there will more than likely be something here for you to like and appreciate.

Surfing With the Alien, by Joe Satriani receives 5 out of 5 stars.

Track List:

1. Surfing With the Alien
2. Ice 9
3. Crushing Day
4. Always With Me, Always With You
5. Satch Boogie
6. Hill of the Skull
7. Circles
8. Lords of Karma
9. Midnight
10. Echo

Buy the album on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Surfing-Alien-SATRIANI-JOE/dp/B00CIOFUYW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425016449&sr=8-1&keywords=Surfing+With+the+Alien

New Whitesnake Album Full of Coverdale's Era of Deep Purple Covers

Before singer David Coverdale started Whitesnake in 1978 he rose to prominence in another well known rock n' roll band in 1974: Deep Purple. Now over 40 years later Coverdale is returning to his roots in a sense and paying homage to the band that gave him his break by having Whitesnake cover songs from each of the three albums he did with them in the first new album they have put out since 2011's  Forevermore.

This new album is aptly named The Purple Album. It is all Deep Purple covers and will have choice cuts from the three studio albums Coverdale did with the band: Burn, Stormbringer, and Come Taste the Band. These tracks will be Whitesnake's own reimagining of the classic songs and will be made heavier.

Such was the case for the single Whitesnake just released today (February 25th) Stormbringer, which was the title track of Coverdale's second album with Deep Purple released in 1975. The video is available on YouTube and features the band's newest member: guitarist Joel Hoekstra.

The Purple Album is set to be released on May 19th of this year. Personally I'm looking forward to hearing this album, but it had better have former Deep Purple secondary vocalist and bassist Glenn Hughes. Many of those tracks would not come alive as much as they do without his soulful acrobatic singing. I am a little disappointed that after four years of waiting all we are getting from Whitesnake is a covers album; especially since there is a new guitarist in the band. However, I'm sure it won't be all that long before they are actually writing again.

The video for Stormbringer can be watched below.

Whitesnake The Purple Album Track Listing:

1. Burn
2. You Fool No One
3. Love Child
4. Sail Away
5. The Gypsy
6. Lady Double Dealer
7. Mistreated
8. Holy Man
9. Might Just Take Your Life
10. You Keep on Moving
11. Soldier of Fortune
12. Lay Down Stay Down
13. Stormbringer

Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks:

14. Lady Luck
15. Comin’ Home

DVD Extras:

Lady Double Dealer (music video)
Sail Away (mix music video)
Stormbringer (music video)
Soldier of Fortune (music video)
Purple Album Behind the Scenes
Purple Album EPK

Video for Stormbringer, by Whitesnake

 

Kiss Caught Using Pre-Recorded Tracks at Japanese Concert

It's kind of sad that we have gotten to a point where it is incredibly common for artists/bands to use pre-recorded tracks for their live performances rather than just playing the music right then and there like they should. It is almost an anomaly for a band to actually be completely live. Kind of sickening in a way. At a recent gig Kiss finally got caught amongst the ranks of the mime brigade.

This happened at a recent gig they were playing in Japan. They were performing the track Samurai Son; a track they recently collaborated on creating with J-pop group Momoiro Clover Z. Kiss quickly admitted via Twitter that not all of the tracks were live and that some were pre-recorded. Their reasoning for this is because the tune has many layers to it and not all of them can be provided by just the four guys they have in their personnel.

The tweet reads:

"Recorded Samurai Son for Japan. To reproduce production here we play live with extra tracks. Nothing to hide"

I am glad that they were at least honest about it when confronted with the situation, but I think if they need extra tracks they should just hire whatever extra musicians they need and have them playing just off to the side of the stage so things don't get crowded and distracting from the main attraction. It isn't that uncommon a thing to do. At the very least it would still be live music the audience is getting instead of just a recording. If people want to listen to pre-recorded stuff they can just stay home, push the play button, and save themselves the astronomical amount of money it costs to go to a concert these days.

Speaking of the ticket fees... If a band is going to charge as much as they do for a concert ticket then they had better be actually playing their instruments and doing everything live; otherwise they are just cheating the fans who worked really hard for the money for the tickets out of what they paid to see and hear.

The video from the aforementioned performance can be watched here:

5 Songs to Get You Through the Week #14

5 Songs to Get You Through the Week is a feature I run on Young Ears, Fresh Perspective on Sundays/early hours of Monday morning where I pick out 5 tunes that I think are notable and tell you a bit about them. The point is to give you some rocking music to help you deal with your weekday blues. You can either listen to one each day, listen to them all at once, or any other combination that you feel. As long as you can get through the week without the man getting you down, that's all I care about. Without further ado, here are the 5 tracks I've picked out for this week:

1. Aqualung, by Jethro Tull

This is probably prog rock band Jethro Tull's most well known hit, and for good reason. The main riff is iconic and quite bluesy. For a radio hit, it isn't really structured like one. It lacks a noticeable amount of pop song structure and flows more like a suite. However, the end result is greater than the sum of its parts; as it is an exquisite memorable blend of guitars, piano, flute, etc. It is honestly a little baffling yet amusing that a song about a dirty perverted old vagabond could be so widely renowned and loved.

2.   Wheel in the Sky, by Journey

Since the song's late 70's release it has become quite the arena rock anthem. If you have been living under a rock and have somehow never heard the song before the intro might fool you into thinking it will be a soft song, but NOPE. It doesn't take long for the guitar to kick into overdrive and be joined by the rest of the band. The vocal harmonies combined with the driving rhythm and guitars of the tune make you feel like you're listening to the soundtrack of some kind of epic fantasy/sci-fi adventure kind of movie in a way.

3. The Great Divide, by Black Country Communion

This track has some of the best guitar work I have ever heard out of blues rock extraordinaire Joe Bonamassa. However, it isn't just for the mere shredding factor (though there is plenty of that). The way he crafts such a mysterious and almost adventurous melody while intertwining with the vocal melody and lyrics of Glenn Hughes is astounding. The bass also has this deep thick tone that holds the song together while Bonamassa is making melody and Jason Bonham is pounding away at the skins. However, it's the keys played by Derek Sherinian that add the extra arm hair raising vibe. They are layered in perfectly and augment what is already going on in a way that nothing else can.

4. Can I Sit Next to You, Girl?, by AC/DC

This song from AC/DC's first American release High Voltage is what I consider one of AC/DC's hidden treasures. If all you listen to from them is what they play on the radio then you're really missing out because this song while also being catchy also tells an entertaining story of trying to make your way with a girl while at a drive-in and some other guy then tries to swoop in and steal her right out from under you. Musically it's about what you would expect from early AC/DC, but in this case that is exactly what you want. It's swingy, loud, melodic, fun, and sure to help you get through your winter blues.

5. Bridge of Sighs, by Robin Trower

If you're looking for some atmospheric guitar music to help you fall asleep, look no further. Robin Trower has you covered. This tune while sad and soulful also has a relaxing presence that surrounds you like a thick warm blanket. To add to that experience, it also almost gives you the feeling as though you are floating through outer space in a way. It is pretty unique from the rest of Trower's guitar peers' tunes. Bridge of Sighs kind of proves that there is more to having guitar talent than just flashy chops.

Marky Ramone Has New Invention to Deal with Smart Phones at Concerts

 
Smart phones. They are quite literally a handy device that has represented a noticeable portion of technological advancement in the past decade or so. They can do a great many things and make our lives easier every day. With the advent of such a marvel however there is also a down side. It has become a major trend in this day and age for people to go to concerts and just stand there recording the whole thing rather than actually enjoying the show and the moment. This ruins the experience for other fans trying to get their money's worth and kills the vibe that the band feeds off of. However, former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone has come up with his own cheap and effective solution to this problem.

Everything is explained in the video below, which was created by CH2, a spinoff channel of College Humor. It's quite amusing, so I won't ruin any of it for you. However, let's just say that Marky's invention is so simple and genius, though you will probably want to be careful about actually using it because it could end up resulting in injury and/or lawsuit if things go wrong. Be that as it may, it is very fitting that such a solution would come from a punk rocker like Marky.

That being said, next time you're at a show and someone is ruining your good time with a smart phone, Marky Ramone has you covered. Just make sure the poor bugger using the smart phone doesn't actually know who you are.

Throwback Thursday: High Voltage, by AC/DC

 

AC/DC has been a staple of hard rock since 1973. Their first American release High Voltage that came out in 1976 helped them explode onto the scene with hits like It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock n' Roll) and T.N.T.. The American release of this album is actually a compilation of songs from their first two Australian only releases High Voltage and T.N.T.. The other songs would be later released in America on different albums and E.P.'s.

High Voltage showcases AC/DC at their primal bluesy roots. In a way all they really did was take 50's rockabilly music and turn up the overdrive on their amps and add sleazier lyrics. However, the way in which this is done really does prove that they do have legitimate talent. Lead guitarist Angus Young really could jam with some of the best in blues if he really wanted to, as he showcases some of the best bluesy guitar licks in his arsenal at the time.

It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock n' Roll) is one of the few times where you can get away with having bagpipes in rock n' roll and not be considered hipsters. It has a main riff that is instantly recognizable as soon as you put the album on. It grabs you and instantly pumps you up with its steady pounding rhythm and memorable vocal melody. Definitely a choice track for going on a road trip or a rock n' roll concert. It is also the one song from original vocalist Bon Scott's era that current singer Brian Johnson won't touch out of respect for his fallen predecessor.

The Jack although not a big radio hit from the band is still played frequently at AC/DC's concerts to this day. It is a very basic slow blues shuffle musically, but the lyrics are what really matter. They are absolutely DRENCHED in double entendre and sleaze if you are listening close enough. Although it sounds like Scott is singing about a bad poker game, he is really singing about sleeping with a dirty woman who left him with a present he would have rather not been given (if you know what I mean). Despite the subject matter, the way everything is written and said is actually quite clever in my opinion.

This is classic AC/DC at its finest. At this point in the band's career they were hungry and on fire (some times literally) and it shows through the music. Aside from the two radio hits on the album I guarantee you will find some hidden treasures on High Voltage that you probably didn't know about before. Beginning rock and blues musicians can also learn a lot from this album too, as it features many of the basics of blues and rock n' roll used in some of the most creative ways possible. Standing the test of time and not having a single bad track on it, High Voltage is definitely a classic.

High Voltage, by AC/DC receives 5 out of 5 stars.

Track List:

1. It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock n' Roll)
2. Rock n' Roll Singer
3. The Jack
4. Live Wire
5. T.N.T.
6. Can I Sit Next to You Girl
7. Little Lover
8. She's Got Balls
9. High Voltage

Buy the album on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/High-Voltage-AC-DC/dp/B00008BXJ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424412629&sr=8-1&keywords=AC%2FDC+High+Voltage