KISS [keep it simple stoopid]is a maxim I have recently been thrashed in the head with…..reacquainted with and forced to deal with.
My best friend is a renowned shred master,with a world wide following with several major thrash releases under his belt which he solely composed from the late 80's and is about to revive his band and career with a ridiculously heavy and brutal album with over the top rhythms and insane solo playing.
He spends ZERO time on ANY gear message boards and laughs at ALL gear heads in a fun loving way.He spends ALL of his time writing,composing and demoing when he is not working full time to support his family.
We both agreed a long time ago that tone is in the head,heart and hands and is COMPLETELY SECONDARY to creating timeless classic music in ANY genre.
The tones and production coming out of his demo studio are as good as if not better than….ANY CURRENT major metal releases.
Under nit picking microscopic scrutiny his unmastered "demos" are indiscernible from professional productions by brand name bands and producers.
I am stunned at the quality and consistency of his intensely heavy guitar tones and production.
All of this recorded at night after a long days toil at a shitty day job with a decent 3-4 guitar arsenal, none of which are more than 500.00 dollars at retail and a FUCKING LOWLY NON GAS UNWANTED UN SEXY peavy valve king combo.
Yup thats right a fucking valve king,something very few on this board would have the balls to post in their "gear signature".
So when i see all the guys on this board playing RATT or DOKKEN covers or bark at the moon with 15,000 dollars worth of gear or with their cover bands at local bars or in their basement I have to laugh and say-"hey good for them"
and then think…"what a fucking joke" but as long as they are having fun who cares?
Nothing wrong with hoarding gear ,whoring gear or "fretting" over the nuances of the latest CAMERON ccv drama or the differences between the multitudes of incredible "boutique"high gain amps now available to the common jerk,but damm in the end it's about shedding and shredding,theory,hard work and putting in time rehearsing and recording ,and gigging.
Of course to each their own and your mileage will vary and this is in no way shape or form a troll post or a dis to the denizens of GAS!
None the less you can squeeze the sickest tones and inspiration out of nothing if you have to….provided that you are a talented creative soul with vision and drive.