Punk Rock Simplicity

Im a lead guitarist. I like to focus on stuff like shred, sweep picking, scale study. But when I hear cool simple songs like Brain Stew by Green Day, which is so goddam simple. It makes me sit back and think about what to do to make a hit song.

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Permalink Reply by Kendrick Irvin on February 1, 2010 at 10:16pm

Where does this story come into play in this discussion?

Permalink Reply by Kwasi Jelani Atiba on February 2, 2010 at 6:00pm

yea. I heard a lil mars volta. creative.

Geoff said:

Dude, have you listened to The Mars Volta? They're all about crazy creativity. You can go crazy on a song and you can make it as simple as a song like Brain Stew.

Permalink Reply by Soulcraft on June 30, 2010 at 7:54am

Shred, sweep picking and scale study will get you NOWHERE. Learning how to write a good song is key. I can play all that wild style guitar theatrical stuff but I only use it if it's necessary. I love Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, John Pettrucci and all those geek nerd guitarist but honestly none of those guys could write a good memorable song to save their lives. They're so swallowed in technique and formality that it keeps them from being creative. Honestly it's disgusting to hear a guy masturbate on a guitar for a song that's just background to his weedele woo woo wahhhhhh. His cool appregios, trills, harmonies and whatever else are lost on a song that's basically elevator music kind of bad. If you want to learn about writing passionate songs, you have to go the simple route. Listen to some old folk songs from the 50's and 60's: Woodie Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and the heavy as hell Neil Young. Of course Motown can give you a winning formula on how to make something catchy with groove. And master Jimi Hendrix even with his 6 string assault was at the heart all about simple but effective song structures. All the best songs are simple. Look at the ABC's and Twinkle Twinle Little Star. Both songs have the exact same melody, up the scale down the scale, everyone knows it and nobody forgets it.

Permalink Reply by Sticker-aka Danny Lopez on August 10, 2010 at 3:24pm

There are literally tens if not hundreds of thousands of technically great guitar players, shredders and what-not...most of them will end up working in music shops across the land and basically go nowhere due to the fact that QUALITY ART is an expression not an exhibition. the heart of a "hit" is content not packaging (unless you're looking for Pop fame) Fancying it up with sweet licks is great and can definitely complete a piece but it shouldn't be the foundation. Queens of the Stone Age is one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite, band. I consider them post-punk rock and roll and they have a great balance of the two. technically advanced but with meaning. In my opinion though, mansions and fancy cars isn't what punk rock is about, neither is writing a "hit" for the masses. i don't see anything wrong with wanting financial security and some nice things but i think we all need to look past the fleeting and fading glimmer of material possessions. See the world instead.

Permalink Reply by Sticker-aka Danny Lopez on August 10, 2010 at 3:35pm

I agree. George Lucas once said, and I'm paraphrasing, "special effects are great and everything but the storyline and character development are what makes great movies." of course he said this WAY back during the making of the original Star Wars (eps 4-6) then he went against all that and paid millions to digitally smear shit on our eyes and faces. I wish i were more technically sound and capable but i wouldn't trade it for my humble lyrical prowess. Leonard Cohen (referred to as the Canadian Bob Dylan) is another example of a great old school singer-songwriter. simple but often times mind blowing. At the Drive-In and Mars Volta are great too as stated by others. good luck to all

Soulcraft said:

Shred, sweep picking and scale study will get you NOWHERE. Learning how to write a good song is key. I can play all that wild style guitar theatrical stuff but I only use it if it's necessary. I love Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, John Pettrucci and all those geek nerd guitarist but honestly none of those guys could write a good memorable song to save their lives. They're so swallowed in technique and formality that it keeps them from being creative. Honestly it's disgusting to hear a guy masturbate on a guitar for a song that's just background to his weedele woo woo wahhhhhh. His cool appregios, trills, harmonies and whatever else are lost on a song that's basically elevator music kind of bad. If you want to learn about writing passionate songs, you have to go the simple route. Listen to some old folk songs from the 50's and 60's: Woodie Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and the heavy as hell Neil Young. Of course Motown can give you a winning formula on how to make something catchy with groove. And master Jimi Hendrix even with his 6 string assault was at the heart all about simple but effective song structures. All the best songs are simple. Look at the ABC's and Twinkle Twinle Little Star. Both songs have the exact same melody, up the scale down the scale, everyone knows it and nobody forgets it.