Best modern rock guitar player?

[Radical Activist]

Poll question: Best modern rock guitar player?

I thinking about new players within the last 10-20 years.

Let me know who I left off the list (although it will probably be the wrong answer). B-)

[Bennyboy]

1. Trey Anastasio.....

GOD.

Warren Haynes GOD
Derek Trucks GOD
Jimmy Herring GOD

[Radical Activist]

3. Ok, I added Trey.

[Bennyboy]

2. Carolyn Wonderland

Cindy Cashdollar, Shelly King just to name a few ladies from Texas who kick serious ass on guitar....

[AsahinaKimi]

4. No Brian May?

disapointed... :(

[taterguy]

5. May's career began over 30 years ago

Not very new

[old mark]

6. John Frusciante - a great player to my taste, although Jack White is more

original and inventive.

There are some very good ones out there, but these 2 are exceptional.

mark

[RandomThoughts]

7. Should have Mark Knopfler up there also.

Great Guitarist.

Why Worry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_03uXQiz6eY



AC/DC Thunderstruck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvoeeq-BH4w

[guitar man]

8. Warren Haynes snd

Derek Trucks ;)

[Bennyboy]

11. GODS the both of them...

Warren, when you think about it, was not only the guy who replaced Duane Allman in the Allman Brothers, but now he plays Dickie's parts after Derek joined the band. Not to mention he has been the main "Fake Jerry" guy for some number of years in a lot of the Grateful dead projects (That is until now).

So in reality, he has filled in for Jerry Garcia, Duane Allman and Dickie Betts. Not to mention his best work is with his own band, Gov't Mule. I was at the Deepest End concert and with all the guests and all that, I could not take my eyes or mind off Warren's playing. Simply the greatest guitar performance I have ever witnessed.

Derek, in addition to playing Duane Allman's parts flawlessly wit the Allman Brothers, also plays with his wife Susan Tedeschi, tours with Eric Clapton and has a band that stretches the boundaries of music with it's many varied influences such as African music, jazz, and otehr world music styles.

[guitar man]

32. Oh now I'm jealous

I've seen Govt Mule live a couple times but to be in attendance at The Deepest End....man, what an experience. :crazy:

Warren plays anything he wants and always pulls it off, whether it's his own music or anything he wants to cover. And the guests that come play with him, you never know what phenomenal talent is going to show up and sit in....that speaks volumes.

[Skittles]

9. Tom Morello's mom was my favorite high school teacher

yes INDEED

[Radical Activist]

17. His mom came on stage for a concert I saw.

He performed as the Nightwatchmen for a show to benefit an educational fund. His mom introduced him to hilarious affect.

[Skittles]

53. OMG she was awesome

I adored her - I took her "African Studies" class - yes :D

[eyepaddle]

10. Hmmm, interesting question. of these my personal fave would be Trey, but I voted

for Tom Morello because I think his skills and recorded output are the most varied/innovative.

He's sort of rare bird, a noise guitarist with a solid foundation of conventional skill who then went exploring. I'd sum that up as saying "no short cuts." He isn't just noodling, and he isn't just screwing with the knobs on his effects.

But having said that, I just never really like Rage Against the Machine all that much, and Audioslave, well, anything with Chris Cornell in it turns me off pretty fast.

I haven't listened to Phish all that much in a few years, but once upon a time it was a daily occurence and wow, could Trey just go.

[mitchum]

12. Nels Cline

[Bennyboy]

13. I saw him this summer and WOW...

Very interesting. The sonic onslaught was unreal...Seriously incredible.

[Common Sense Party]

14. I watched "It Might Get Loud" the other day and I have to say...

Jack White is a doofus.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

16. But... but.. but...

He's so EDGY!

Truth be told, he's got some got some cool licks (e.g.: "Icky Thump"), but he's a better songwriter than guitarist.

[Common Sense Party]

22. He was okay on the guitar - more proficient than The Edge

But he was such a self-absorbed twit with his whole ultra-pure-super-white-kid-playing-the-Delta-blues-shows-my-authenticity schtick.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

23. We'll have to agree to disagree on the Edge.....

but that's cool.

[Common Sense Party]

24. We might not disagree. I actually love the Edge's work.

I'm just saying that as a straight guitar player, he isn't the most natural talent in the world. He stated as much in the documentary. What I think he's BRILLIANT at is using his different electronic effects, delays, etc., to create amazing soundscapes and evocative melodies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ilEvbl3Vv0

Jack White basically slammed the Edge repeatedly in the film (though not to his face) as White pooh-poohed electronic effects and extolled the virtue of raw simplicity.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

25. You're right. I was hasty and misunderstood you..........

I grew up listening to the Edge and I can count him as an inspiration to my own playing, in fact he was primary in my picking up the guitar in the first place. As a straight-on guitar player, you are correct, he's not the most talented. But the sound he created, especially from the Boy to War period was transformational for guitar sounds to date. I think I read somewhere in the Lounge (maybe even from you) that he and Will Sergeant were some of the most inspired guitar-ing to come out of the 80's - a sentiment on which I totally agree.

As far as Jack White's behavior in "It Might Get Loud", I also agree with you. I'm starting to think that he really gets off on the whole "l'enfant terrible" schtick he's got going. I'm not going to take anything away from him for his songwriting talent and prolific amount of work he does. It's just that I think he takes himself too seriously.

Sorry again for the presumption about the Edge. I kinda get defensive because I see alot of folks dump on him as a hack guitar player.

[Common Sense Party]

26. Yeah, reading some of the YouTube comments about him, I see you're

right, people dump on the Edge big time.

I guess I never knew the extent of his usage of pedals and effects until recently, but I really don't care. I think he does masterful work. I mean, I didn't care when Jimmy Page or Randy Rhoads or any other rock guitarist used extra distortion or feedback to get certain sounds that weren't "natural." I guess it's like saying: I don't care if a painter uses all organic, natural paints or uses some synthetics, I just care that she paints beautifully. It's the end product that matters to me.

My favorite U2 album was, is, and always will be The Unforgettable Fire, and I know that's chock full of electronic wizardry. It doesn't matter--it's beautiful.

People that call him a hack are morons or jealous, I think.

[SoxFan]

27. That might have been me

Comparing The Edge and Will Sergeant to "Guitar Face Heroes" is a goofy exercise. Their playing style has never been about "proficiency", wailing, or "chops". It's about sonic textures and the creative use of sound.

Probably the only people who seem to bridge the gap between virtuoso playing and atmospherics are Johnny Marr and, to an extent. Mark Knoepfler.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

31. Have to agree w/ you on Johnny Marr...

What a great talent he has. I like how he can bridge the gap between genres so easily. If you compare songs like The Smiths' heavy "London", and his afro-pop/ju-ju playing on the Talking Heads "Nothing But Flowers", you might think they're not the same player. Johnny Marr has been a long-time sleeper fav of mine. But, like the Edge, I think alot of folks can't get past the outspoken personas of the lead singers of their respective bands and throw the guitar players under the bus.

[Radical Activist]

36. I think that made the movie.

Seeing White have to jam a little with someone whose style is so different yet still great in its own way. They share an amazing creativity in how to use the instrument.

But my eyes bugged out most when Jack White showed the riff to one of his songs (I forget which). Page picked it up quickly, and in my opinion, made it sound better than White ever did.

[Bennyboy]

18. Tom Morello can shred that's for sure...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JChuUgio_8g

One of my all time favorite guitar solos.....

[eyepaddle]

20. Yep. That song pretty much says what I was talkning about--just much much more eloquently.

:thumbsup:

[CrownPrinceBandar]

15. Josh Homme.

[mtnester]

21. He is a sleeper! I was impressed when we saw him play

during a concert with Them Crooked Vultures...he made it look easy.

[Bennyboy]

19. I think Dweezil Zappa deserves recongnition...

So far the best guitar performance of my year. He shreds like Frank, and that ain't a bad thing.

If you haven't seen Zappa Plays Zappa you owe it to yourself to go to a show. Incredible band and Dweez just rips. He rebuilt the way he plays to do this and channel his Dad. And he nails it. He plays more than Frank Did actually now because he doesn't screw around and do stage antics or conduct the band like Frank did.

[kayakjohnny]

38. I agree about Dweezil. I've not seen him live yet, but I know his playing.

And he very much channels his dad.

Thanks for mentioning him here.

And I envy you for seeing a live show of his.

Cheers.

[sharp_stick]

28. I'd put Joe Satriani on the list

maybe reaching back a bit for your 10-20 year limit.

[Radical Activist]

35. Yeah...

There's no doubt that he's a great guitar player but I was thinking post-80's. I can't take anyone associated with 80's hair metal seriously anyway.

[Twillig]

39. Are you saying Satriani is

associated with 80's hair metal?

[Radical Activist]

41. Well,

I was thinking he played with David Lee Roth, but that was Steve Vai. He does keep popping up in bands with that crowd though (Hagar, Vai). I'm not generally a fan of his style or most of the people he's credited with influencing.

[Twillig]

43. Who is he credited with influencing?

Since you didn't know the who he played with...

What is his style, what would you say? I don't know if you'd know.

[Radical Activist]

49. Just because I mixed him up

with someone similar who he played in a band with (Vai and Satriani were in G3) doesn't mean I don't know anything about the guy. I don't like his guitar playing or the style of most people he plays with. No matter how skilled they are it's still irritating to my ears.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satriani

[Twillig]

37. The list should be under 40 years age.

'Cause, as is my theory, all the best guitarist are over 40 or under 20 years of age. Hell, Frusciante and Corgan are over 40, and well, I'd take Frusciante any day over Billy C.

But they can't play like Satch, Vai, 50 yrs +.

Or be in the ballpark of John Petrucci or Paul Gilbert (40+)

Not that I don't think they are great or good musicians.

But, for instance, Beck (not Jeff) plays guitar and is a genius, but he's no great guitarist!


I don't know what to think of Jack White. Do I want to hear the music of some guy that intentionally wants to look like death warmed over in a stupid hat?

Get off My Lawn!

Satriani is my man. Petrucci is his wingman.

[Radical Activist]

40. haha

"Do I want to hear the music of some guy that intentionally wants to look like death warmed over in a stupid hat?"

Are you referring to Slash?
Or Keith Richards?

[Twillig]

42. Slash--at least--is tanned in a stupid hat.

Keef just happens, in that picture, to be wearing a stupid hat. And doesn't intentionally, necessarily want to look like death warmed over. Matter of fact, he looks like Death himself.

Jack White?


What a douche. (strictly on a looks-alone basis)

[MilesColtrane]

29. This guy rocks. ...just unconventionally.

http://www.timmiller.addr.com/Trio/1%20Untied%20clip.mp3

[MilesColtrane]

30. A bit more in the rock vein...

Guitar solo at 3:00

(He is playing everything and singing on this.)

http://www.jimitunnell.com/TheButterfly09ruff1.mp3

[flvegan]

33. Morello is running away with it. As it should be.

He rules.

[Radical Activist]

34. I'm surprised Dan Auerbach isn't getting votes.

I voted Morello, but after that it's a close call between Auerbach and Jack White.

[MiddleFingerMom]

44. Eric Schenkman of "Spin Doctors" impressed the hell out of me live...

.
.
.
.
...as did their drummer, Aaron Comess (who made me think
of Neil Peart).
.
.
.
Schenkman could have been Eddie Van Halen -- he was
THAT intense and simultaneously THAT relaxed. I think
he was grinning the whole show.
.
.
.
The other two guys?
.
.
.
Meh.
.
.

[MrSlayer]

45. Matt Pike of High on Fire crushes all these guys.

Unless you meant modern rock as a genre. There are at least 30 Metal players from the past 20 years that slaughter everyone on this list.

[vi5]

55. Seconded....

..I can't tell if he meant modern day rock guitarist as in "guitarist currently performing/writing/playing/recording" or "modern rock" as a genre. If the former, then to you point none of these guys qualifies. If the latter than.....Trey Anastasio? Modern Rock? Yeah, no.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

46. I'll echo the Warren Haynes recommendation, and...

...raise you a Joe Satriani for good measure.

Satriani:

1). Rose above the LOATHSOME school of "shredders" that were popular in his early years. He rocketed right past Steve Vai, who...sorry to say...is still a wanker (heavy riffs but NO FRIGGING SONGS, just Dorian scales at lightning speed)...

2). Is one quarter of Chickenfoot, a band which offers up Sammy Hagar's best work in DECADES, and is BETTER than anything he did during his Van Halen years. Better band, better songs, better, better, better.

3). And like Warren, he seems like a decent and humble enough guy, which is saying a hell of a lot considering the talent each man possesses.

When the band appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Satriani presented Conan with the guitar he'd just been playing, it was a CLASS ACT. O'Brien was visibly moved and Satriani seemed to take great joy in the moment.



:toast:

[Twillig]

48. Probably the nicest guy in Show biz.

Joe's a soundstriker, and leans liberal, of course.

http://www.bryanreesman.com/blog/2010/05/29/joe-satriani-talks-solo-album-new-chickenfoot-songs-politics/

Imagine being ambushed at a skate park with your son in Colombia and having this amount of patience with a fan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GROWF6kSxwE

[Xipe Totec]

47. Not modern, not rock, but still beautiful

madredeus lisbon story guitarra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCTr7qE5_Gw

[Kat45]

50. My favorite new(er) guitarist is Joe Bonamassa

Though he's blues, it's close enough. (Plenty of rock guitarists play lots of blues.)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn09Xn9JF5s&feature=related

[Radical Activist]

54. I saw him open for BB King

and it was an enjoyable show.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

51. Wata from the Japanese metal band Boris.

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

[retread]

52. Greg Koch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-P8V01FL70&feature=related

[Zavulon]

56. How can you tell?

Seriously, people fill out these polls based on the guitarist's recorded work, which in many cases is a lousy barometer. The lowest guy on the poll might be able to outplay the hell out of everyone else, but unless we know these guys personally we have very little way to be sure.