Okay I'm getting pretty tired now...

Fear Factory's new album is a bit good!

What's your favorite FZ record and why?

...mine's gotta be "Roxy and Elsewhere" because of "Village of the Sun/Echidna's Arf" but the whole thing is so much fun.

What's your favorite FZ guitar solo?

At the moment I have three: "Watermelon in Easter Hay." (Did anyone else here notice that the tune, virtually the whole thing, plays over the closing credits of "Y Tu Mama Tambien"?? I think it suited the film pretty well.) My other favorites today are "Stinkfoot" from "You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore vol. 2" and "RDNZL" from "YCDTOSA vol. 5."

What's your favorite FZ recording featuring Steve Vai?

...mine are "What's New in Baltimore" and "Strictly Genteel" but all those tunes on the disc from the Secret Jewel Box Set are wonderful.

I think that the live solo in What's New In Baltimore is one of the finest things I've ever heard on a live recording. His play suits the song beautifully. I like most of Frank's stuff, although some is extremely hard to listen to. I especially like the diversity on Them or Us and Steve's playing was at a very interesting period. Maybe I'd say that 'cos I got those albums at a certain time in my life and they hold memories for me. Also Absolutely Free is amazing! I think that Steve's stint with Frank Zappa's band was a very important part in his career. He has even said this himself in interviews. I'd say that without Zappa you probably wouldn't be enjoying Steve's diversity today. I've been a Zappa fan since the night my friend played the Overnite Sensation album for me. I went out and bought my own copy the next day. The day after that, I bought the other 5 Zappa albums the store had in stock. Listening to Frank and Steve, and seeing their amazing live performances, has been a guiding force in the way I look at the art of making music. They set no boundaries, and they tear down any walls they should happen to come upon.

Zappa was a true genius. Whether he was composing, performing or directing other musicians, his vision was always there. Even if others couldn't fully comprehend what his vision was, you could tell by looking at Frank that he knew exactly what he was looking for. One way or another, he was going to realize and accomplish everything he set out to achieve. For the most part he did.

This is the part of Frank that I see the most of in Steve, and his approach to his music. This is the part that I think Steve is the most glad a little bit of Frank rubbed off on him.

mari - a jam with me?.. let's see what we can sort out...

'cos I've got absolutely no idea of what she's going on about.. lol..

Prez, my fave FZ is a bit of a cheat, Overnite Sensation and Apostrophe on one CD!!!

Phy3, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Joeman, it wasn't me...I think... lol! Could have been ? Who knows? lol!

SOTD - Monkey Business by Skid Row

Ovation 1:I,m so knackered from work,so sorry i cant post more,trying desperately t stay awake,Have t send Ron an mp3 of Siempre A tonight at 1am my time.Workload just now is just ridiculous,i,m so unbelievably tired.Thought i had a window t finish up things last weekend but got the work call *sigh*

I,ll be back when the batts are in full charge,lol,

laters bro

Michelle:Those little chinese hat shrooms have a message for all,looks like your little flying friends should have opted for em,lol

laters darlin

VFRrocker:Yip dude,i have moved on,still love the occasional trip in good company though,lol,i know y understand

Alexandrecaetano:MR FRIENDLY MAN OF THIS PLANET-If i can i,ll be in Portugal this Aug,if not,well i guess its just a matter of time,i,ll look forward 2 it,It will happen,in time given breath

laters A.C.

Death Cube K:Y know,my grandmother RIP,used t say,many people mistake kindness for softness....her reply simply...kind i am...soft i am not,she was big in shape but bigger in heart a la Shawn Lane,Charlie Parker etc etc,need i say more! Your cool by me dude,regardless of what the anti-fat fraternity shouts,your music kicks ASS! Keep believin in you ol bro

Zenfish:A world without Joe pass,i cant imagine,or the Great Tal Farlow, i could go on & on,i,m just picking up the scraps,dead or alive,its all the same in music dont y think?As Janis Joplin would say "Its all the same fuckin day man"lol

Clarky:Y want a gym,want my job?lolol.

defitely stuart hamm

bisonette is good, but hamm whoops his ass

extremist is undoubtedly the best satriani record ever. Plus, i never got what was so "genius" about Frank Zappa. Whats the genius here? Simply because everyone says so?

Cuthbert thanks for the advice man and it's always cool to see someone who has some sense and can also put humour into their speechs! I'll check into that permit thing with my parents and I'm still deciding on what I want to be. And I have NO dreams of being a rock star. hmmm...

dragonchild, hahaha, oh "scrote-pouch" is brilliant! I'm sorry, I feel bad, and I promise i'm not taking the piss. no, the word is 'scrotum', but I think "scrote-pouch" is so much better! I'm gonna write to the dictionary people and see if they'll buy it!

Glad you enjoyed the EJ show buddy.....please, feel free to tell me more!

a composer is one who composes... pretty simple really. anyone who constructs music...

frank zappa was a genius. the quantity of high quality material he put out is astonishing (about 2 records per year). He would write for any type of ensemble in any style and still sound the business. His lyrics ranged from disgusting to hilarious, as did his actions.

He was a very opinionated, but witty man. He picked up such immense talent to play in his band (recognising talent in others is a trademark of a genius).

yet he didn't connect with society quite in the same way as an average person. ask people when knew him if he was a gnius and they will say yes.

genius is massively overused these days. the only alive musician that i know of and think has a genius mindset is jordan rudess, but i may be wrong there.

There's nothing to be praised about being or not being a genius. Wagner was a genius but one of the most despisable men to have lived. it's not their fault they are a genius, and it's no-one else's fault that they aren't. A genius is not just a very clever person (apparently anyone with an IQ over 130 is a genius... i don't buy this), a genius is a completely different mindset...

JAZZY - For me a songwriter is more associated with popular music. A composer is more like John Williams (the Bach,Beethoven of our time), where your composing for an orchestra, symphony, or smaller combinations of these instrumentations.

SLANSHROOM - My first memory, hmm. I was four. I got my first guitar for X-mas. It was a short scale acoustic. Iplayed that guitar for eight years untill I got my first electric (a Les Paul copy) I still have both of those, The acoustic is soooo beat up it is basically unplayable. My father-in-law keeps telling me to "Get rid of that thing." and I politely tell him to stick his opinion up his ass. Your first time is the one you remember your whole life.

JOEMAN9 - Being that you're underage you may want to look into volunteer work. One thing I did as a young tyke was learn some old standards (increasing your musical knowledge and understanding) and play at some of the rest homes. The people loved it. They would sing along and some would dance and it gave me a good feeling that i was able to bring a smile to someone's face. There are always places looking for voluteers and it is also something that you can get academic credit for and looks great on college applications. Hope that helps.

Mr Slanshroom Chordboy Roy has put his new tune up on the secret page. Joe - Please check this out. You'll like it - honest :o)

The tune is Siempre Amor and is at CHORDBOY ROY SLANSHROOM'S SIEMPRE AMOR

Hope you like it

Ronnie

JOE What'ya think? I gave you some of this stuff on CD once - look on the bus! :o)

civgeek; once upon a time classical music was popular music. I mean, Steve Vai is called a composer sometimes. Isnt he popular music though? Songwriter is a modern word. Composer just makes the music sound too serious...

Music is entertainment. Entertainers shouldnt be taken too seriously, at the same time it can be serious stuff!

civgeek I got my fist guitar for X-mas. A fist guitar?? That should generate some interesting sounds lol.

962 If you get lucky with those dictionary guys I want commission from the book sales lol.

Mayhem Hey bud, I'm doing allright, how about you? Summer is coming on strong here up north, who can be gloomy in these times??

trutina I've been listening to Fire Garden today, I know it's your favorite Vai album and it truly rocks. All the melodies are so intricate and full of different layers. It's beautiful and powerful at the same time. What's your fav track? My favs varies, but at the moment it's the suite that fascinates me. It's phenomenal.

Noppa I have only 12 days left to G3! ;)

SOTD: Fire Garden Suite

Hey Joe!

Me and some friends are really looking forward to you're June 23rd Gig at the Clyde in Scotland, UK! I hope you play Always with me, Always with you. If you do it would probably be the best day of my life haha. my friend let me listen to a couple of you're songs about 2 weeks ago and im seriously hooked, went right out and got the '03 CD good work lads! Looking foward to buying you're newest CD. Anyways - I'm gonna run! .... greets to Gbloke whos coming with me on the 23rd! see you then Joe!