Velcrome: sorry don't understand your meaning. If you're referring to my nickname, it's pronounced Art-an-iss, not Art-ane-iss. I certainly hope you aren't deliberately trying to find enemies, because it's not a nice thing to do. Been there, done that, grew up, don't do it anymore.

Oops, keep forgetting. Zach, have you made any sales yet? Hope it all goes well for you.

Well I'm going to have to leave you here this Thursday night, because it's 7PM, I'm hungry and I don't have my (after hours) access card with me, so if security turns up, I'm in trouble.

mikesb - I'm not sure...I haven't heard No Doubt's It's My Life. I remember reading a review of the album that that song is from in my school's newspaper, though. I remember that the review specifically mentioned that it was not a cover of the Bon Jovi tune...so I guess it's an original.

I'd love to see pictures of your guitar. Let us know when you have some online.

Everything's cool as long as you don't sell them. What shows do you have?

Austin: Tournament sounds awesome :-D

My prediction for winner would be Always with me... but there are so many other classics!

mikesb - my first watershed moment was van Halen.. prior to him I was well into UFO [with Schenker], Lizzy, Judas Priest, Yes, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Led Zep.. etc.. all of these have great guitarists.. but there was nothing in there that was 'not not do-able'.. I struggled with Yes and Genesis but I guess that's because my fingerstyle has never been my strong point.. but I was having some success... the first time I heard EVH I just didn't know where to start.. it was like some kind of majic.. at the time there were no internet forums to talk to more experienced players.. hardly any books and mags.. little to no tab.. I just had to listen real hard and work it all out for myself.. I had to discover tapping and legato on my own.. but the improvements to my ears and technique problem solving were immense... these days everything is spoon fed.. so there are lots of newbie players that are fast and tidy.. but they can't think for themselves.. I think that solving at least some problems yourself is so very good for you...
back to my story... lol
so after a few years I begin to crack the EVH style.. and then Blizzard of Oz turns up...
technique wise this was mostly more of the same but what blew me away was the application... a whole new compositional twist... and also legato was largely displaced by alternate picking.. so yes I learned new things but more to do with approach...
I'm feeling pretty good about myself.. then Malmsteen turns up... the difference this time was me.. at first I was completely blown away... then I thought a little more.. "jeez Clarky.. if you can crack EVH and RR then you can crack anything.. it's just a matter of patience, commitment, effort and time..".. 6 months later I was deeply familiar with his style... I eventually manage to get down Marching, Trilogy, Odessey.. I used to play all 3 albums back to back.. and play along to every song..
then came Vinnie Moore, Night Ranger, Journey Satch, Vai and DT...

Yoda - how many stage-worthy electrics do you have.. do you have a nylon accoustic.. and can you sight read...

I have both books of Well Tempered Clavier.. some beautiful music in there... a very very cool Bach tune on electric, with distortion and the full-on shit is the Italian Concerto.. another that works well like that is the prelude from suit IV for Lute [BWV 1006a] - which is the one I was messing with last night...

years ago I managed to get my hand on the full orchestral score to The Four Seasons by Tony Viv.. I spent months learning all of the principle violin parts for all four concertos and applying them to electric guitar [full-on dirt etc].. some of it is really hard.. really fast.. and to play along with a 'period' orchestra you have to drop tune to Eb [like EVH, Malmsteen etc].. playing all that along with the orchestra is very very tough.... can be done though... and learning this is not for the feint hearted.. it should carry a health warning... and eye protection must be worn [as you start splintering the neck.. lol]...

so - brave guys... shredders that think you're "the dogs bits"... if you can sight read.. try the Four Seasons and the prelude from suite IV.. alternate picking all the way...

if you can make it through to the end without a mistake and pretty much at the intended tempo.. then you're a better player than I...

and you'll have tons of technique issues to solve along the way... so you emerge out of the other end a seriously better player.... and that's the truth...

been there, seen it, done it, pulled my hair out...
grew it back... and pulled it out some more..

michelle - maybe you could try an electric fence...

but then it'd feel quite interesting every time you sit down..

I seem to have trouble finding Satch albums :(

I tried looking in the biggest msuci shop I know and all they have are multiple copies of "Surfing With The Alien" which I already own.

I'm not 18 yet so I can't get a credit card to order albums off line, although I have found a website that seems to be very good at providing the UK with Satch's cds.

Great online shop

What Satch album would you recommend I buy/look for?

Yoda - I also need to know what you use for backline and signal processing?

i.e. me... I use Marshall 8008, two 4x12 cabs, digitech 2120 and a Sansamp...