Testament's Alex Skolnick - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?
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- Опубліковано 16 сер 2016
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Testament legend Alex Skolnick sits down with Graham Hartmann for a round of 'Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?'.
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One of the most underrated guitarists in metal and all round nice guy.
dont think he is underrated, but yes, he is very talented.
+TheMrdarkflame he's pretty underated as is testament.
@Anthony Laker: Underrated by whom? He is well known in the metal scene and everybody knows what a great musician he is. Technically he is one of the best out there and that's not a secret. People know his love for jazz, so I'm sure he made some friends in that field. And outside the metal/rock/alternative world? Well, who cares? They can go and listen to Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears. They don' t have to know one of the best guitar players and certainly they don't have to rate him, because they don't know anything about music. Underrated? Absolutely not!
+Cica Glisa all i was saying is that he doesn't get the recognition he deserves, Alex was mentored by the same guy that taught kirk hammett, now everyone knows who he is because he's in Metallica . Alex on the other hand for a lot of people they have to discover testament before they can appreciate his guitar work....i was one of those fans
Now in a head to head i think Alex is the better guitarist: musically, technically, speed and ability to play different genres, and to top it off his solos are phenomenal the fact he doesn't need a wah pedal to make a solo look attractive. Speaks volumes
So compared to a lot of other big name metal guitarists i think he is underrated because his ability is up there with the greats but not everybody is aware of him.
Testament as a whole have always been underrated. Eric Peterson is a god himself...he's the main songwriter in Testament, writes great riffs and is just as good a lead guitarist as Mustaine. He wrote some of Testament's best albums when Alex wasn't even in the band anymore.
alex once took the time to answer an email i sent him. he wrote me back 3 pages. one of my favorite guitarists. awesome guy. thanks alex!
FingerblastSkoldude@yahoo.ca
Ииан Маккензии he’s still never responded to my email. And I’m a top fan. Facts smh
What did you ask him if you don’t mind me asking.
i had lunch with Alex skolnick at a small jazz club about 22 years ago
He handed me a white guitar pic in 2010 after he played over the wall in BB kings in NYC that was my best musical moment ever.
That silver streak is a badass
I got that silver streak too, but less cooler than his :(
+Carlos G. “Sharlee Aviles” Avilés Gutierrez I got one too, silver streaks unite
me too
wish i had one
I had special tickets for a Testament show years ago. Thought I was allowed to got backstage and talk with the band. Their manager said that wasn't in the package but Alex was ok with talking to me. That was great.
It is incredible that Alex Skolnick has no ego what so ever . He is a very humble and respectful guy. There are guitar players that are amazing ,but they are arrogant and have huge egos. Alex Skolnick in my opinion is one of the greatest lead guitar players ever. It is so awesome that he is a really laid back kind of guy. The grey hair streak looks very cool on Alex. He has always had it ever since I can remember. He had so so much wisdom for guitar playing already in his early 20's that his hair turned grey.
Read his book Geek to Guitar Hero, one of my faves. He tells his story from child hood on through leaving Testament in the 90s and gives a clear reason why he is so down to earth.
Alex has such a chill, cool guy vibe
What Alex doesn't realize is that the grey streak is indicative of his ability to adapt other mutants' powers.
Or drain the life out of normal folks.
He would lose pretty much all his powers if they did a movie about him though
Children. Cool band
That streak is actually a really rare mutation - it's like a birthmark but in your hair, and instead of extra pigment, there's no pigment. My middle school algebra teacher had it.
If you really pay attention many metal musicians are super smart and intellectually inclined. Makes me appreciate metal even more.
Definitely
mje19Dmetal musicians and.people that like it get a bad rap and have been for years. Fuck the people that think that stuff though... they just dont get it
he is rather an exception in the business, by the way he is far too clever to play thrash metal
Most thrash metal guitarist are accomplished jazz musicians. If you strip the distortion from Alex's playing, he'd give Wes Montgomery a run for his money. Alex is a great jazz player.
@@KingKull1971 Are you sure ? Can you just name me a few of those accomplished guitarists ?
I'm glad Skolnick is with Testament where he belongs, and not with Ozzy.
I got to meet Alex after a show in October 2008 on a small club tour. He hung out with us, played pool at a local pub and openly talked with us.Really sweet, down to earth guy. One of the nicest human beings you'll meet anywhere.
13:53 That is the best damn handshake i've ever seen.
+Zim Babwe lololol
0:15 is even better lmao
Ben S I fucking felt that slap. Jesus Christ.
Totally!
That's pawn star handshake hermano
Some of the best guitar solos of all time were on practice what you preach and souls of black. Alex has a unique mix of phrasing feel and technique that only a handful of guitarists can accomplish.
I agree. I think his best solos are on Souls of Black, although I don't think it's their best album, I really like Alex's solos on that album the most.
@@shawnofeons yeah Souls Of Black solo is definetly my favourite metal solo of all time
One of the greatest guitarists to ever live. Listen to his leads on The New Order immediately.
The legacy and New Order are crushing!
Practice... has some sick leads and a bunch he did live recording with the band in the studio. Sins of Omission is killer.
I think Souls Of Black has his best leads. Face In The Sky, The Legacy, Seven Days Of May...every damned solo is amazing!
@@Walamonga1313 . Souls of black is my second favorite album. Souls of black is a great guitar album. Kick ass guitar solos by Alex skolnick. Saw that tour twice. They opened for slayer
Both bands killed it. Especially TESTAMENT... alex skolnick is a guitar God. 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Walamonga 1313 yes!!!! Malpractice.
His hair streak is so badass. And he looks like the most genuine dude in life.
i remember a FEW years back when in the space of 1 year i saw Alex at a festival with Testament, with TSO, and with his jazz trio in a tiny bar, where we had the honor of having a post gig beer with him and chat for about 10-20 min (time just kinda passed as i remember) but the point is...3 completely different gigs and he held his own in each, plus he is a really nice guy
But does he practice what he preaches?
Dude u got the best user name and profile pic😂😂👍👍
If he didn't, that would be "Low".
Harry Rub
Oh hell yeah
Of course he does. It's part of his "Legacy."
And his daily "Ritual"..
How can you not like this guy!? Sounds like he a came from a very good, intelligent, almost "proper" family (if that makes sense) but he followed his passion which was thrash metal and guitar playing haha! Then he grows up to be a world class musician who crosses over from metal to jazz and everything in between and does it in a super humble down to earth manner! Definitely a great musician to model not only as a player but how he handles himself! Big fan!
Alex Skolnick is one of the best guitarists in metal. He is amazing to see playing live. Has to be seen to be believed.
One of the fastest metal guitarists out there right now. His riffs in Testament are killer.
Its awesome to see how genuinely into the convo Alex is. He seems like such a lively and fun dude to chill with. He's also definitely up there with the top shredders
not only is he one of the greatest guitarists in metal, the grip on that handshake was immaculate
Many people don't know this, but Alex is one of the fastest guitar players in the world as i heard, but instead of being a show off he is focused on making an playing good music which makes me appreciate him even more.
"I looked like I was in Motley Crue..." LOL, love it!
One of my fave of all times,i am lucky that he played after Criss Oliva.I was already a fan of him before he joined.Handful of Rain is an underrated masterpiece.Note that he had a car accident while listening to Sirens loudly in early 80s.A decade later he replaced the composer of that song after a fatal car accident.RIP Criss Oliva,long live Alex🤘🏻
this guy is like the ray romano of metal here....great people great interview \m/
Alex Skolnick looks like he could be Adam Jones's father
they both play les paul aswell
and both are silverburst
And the weird thing is that Adam Jones is three years older but looks younger! Haha
@@aldoluissi8765 wow! Hahah
talented gem, sadly underrated, one of the best guitarists even Beyond Metal genre
I dont think he is underrated at all. He is a legend in the metal genre.
One of the best thrash guitarists ever and all around guitar players period.
Seeing them live with him rocking guitar was one of the best shows I have ever witnessed
He's my idol since I was 12. He's a great guy we met through a student of mine & he talked a lot to me about playing,performing and all kinds of music. I'll always love and admire him.
dude, please do one with eric patterson? its such a shame, most folks doesn't even recognized his work & contribution..
Maddoxx x Agreed.
Petersen?
@@guyinpajamapants6892 Peterson
I do !
Superb rhythm guitarist
YES YOU'RE BACK!!
Now for Jason Newsted?? Geezer Butler??
Jason is doubtful. When he disbanded Newsted after only putting out an EP and a full album, he kinda dropped off the earth. Last thing I've seen from him is when he was on Scuzz meets which I highly recommend watching
yeah ive seen the scuzz one, one of my fav interviews. He does open up about a lot but this would be cool too
Look up Forbassplayersonly.com for a recent and very interesting interview.
This guy proves that metalheads Are the best people
such a nice guy. one of many reasons hes my role model
Thought his silver streak was dyed, didn't realise they happened naturally
it is, he had it even on his 20s
Bride of Frankenstein.
Dyed
It's like one of those big facial birthmarks, but in your hair, and instead of extra pigment, there's no pigment. My middle school algebra teacher had that.
my mom has one right at the crown of her head like he does: hers is more at the center rather than over to the right like him. i can't remember if it's a birthmark or a mutation, though. very interesting and striking - it was honest to god the first thing about him that caught my attention
While working for an arena in South Carolina Trans Siberian came through several times. Alex was very cool and when i mentioned to him that he had given me a guitar pick the year before...he said "here have some more" and gave me a handful of picks. Very nice guy.
No doubt about it Alex is one of the best guitarist out there & i have never met him but would love too because i am hearing lot of people say that he is really a nice guy, he is one of my favorite guitarists. Alex just has that original sound.
What a nice guy, one of the guys that you'd want to just listen to tell road stories.
Check out his book. Great stories.
Alex is one of my top 5 favorite guitar players of all time, right up there with Steve Howe and Ritchie Blackmore.
One of my favorite guitarist, I've met him a couple times and been to a jazz show of his, holy fkn shit he is truly a brilliant guitarist. And one of the nicest guys around and such a class act.
anyone else ever notice that killer bands like Testament who have some of the best musicians usually go thru band members quite often...its because when you have that much talent under one roof heads and egos are bound to clash
Yeah but I think the current lineup is going to stay till the end of the band.
I was a drum tech at a show Testament played in Chicago area many years ago and early in the day when everyone was getting things rolling (literally) there was Alex just getting his stuff together and I approached him and had the coolest chill conversation. Such a class act!
These rock greats for the most part are very humble and self effacing. I always find that amazing.
one of the best shredder in rock n roll
Skolnick is a beast.
I've met Alex once in the Netherlands. Very cool humble guy!
Alex is amazing! Great guitar player and great human being! 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Great interview with a great guy/great musician/great guitarist/heavily influential player.
The silver streak question was totally Spinal Tap.
Brotherhood of the Snake....another great Testament thrash album they are always on a roll!
I agree. And Dark Roots of Earth is one of their best.
@@aaronbayley6083 Dark Roots of Earth slaps so hard, dude. My personal favorite Testament record.
Good work Gruhamed, your interviewing has come a long way 👍🏼👍🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
Metalheads are the most laid back people
A ton aren't, lol?
I mean most black metalheads aren't expect a few
@@grimlockthe1823 As a black metal enthusiast I can sadly confirm your statement.
Except if you’re Ghaal or any church burning enthusiast
Do fact or fiction with Annihilator!!
Or just Jeff Waters!
Jeff is Annihilator lol
Why
@@guyinpajamapants6892 He is main founder of the band, he is the only original member of the band and main songwriter on every album, he recorded all lead/rhytm guitar and bass parts on almost every album, he is currently also a lead singer and he sang and wrote lyrics on, if i am correctly, four of their albums... He even programmed drums on one album.
Fantastic guitarist and he's so humble! What a legend!
I had an Ampeg guitar amp!! Stereo, twin chorus and reverb! Fairly rare amp !
Just an amazing guitarist. I already loved him for his testament shit but after listening to Alex skolnick trio, I was able to really appreciate his ability. Such an underrated player. Very excited to see him play in person this October
He wrote return to serenity.. he's the best guitarist in the world
i got lucky enough to meet him when i was in high school many times as he was at the time playing locally with his jazz trio and living in the city at the time. he actually had a great price at the time actually an unbelievable $50 an hour or half hour for private lessons at his apartment. my friend Vinny and several others of us would make it an almost weekly event to go see him at this local venue/ restaurant in Belleville NJ called the Grapevine bistro. of course being teenage metalheads and completely obsessed with his solos we'd always try to discuss metal and if hed teach us and in true jazz master form he'd say he didnt do that stuff anymore and "didnt remember even the technique behind it. regardless Alex must be the most laid back humble and friendly m usician I've ever met and at the time Testament was about to play at Birch Hill night club in Old Bridge NJ. After alot of pleading on many peoples part He decided to come to the show and during the show enough yelling at Chuck and Eric got the band to realize it was Alex in the crowd and they called him up to join the show and we quickly realized all that stuff about "not having the technique anymore etcwas an exaggeration. soon after i took my younger sister to see him play at Izod center with Trans-siberian Orchestra and he recognized us and was cool enough to come down off the stage and put one leg up on the arm of the chair and started and started playing one of his solos from the track they were playing and said hi. Years later some contact mustve grown from that night at the Birch Hill as He's now several albums back and as amazing as ever although I'd love to see him with TSO again. the way he is able to shift the use of Mixolydian mode away from clasic rock and give it such an incredible amount of creativity in thrash and heavy metal as well as his amazing jazz and improv skills overall schoarly mastery of theory and the guitar in general as well as a love for teaching is beautiful. Alex Skolnick is a gift to music in general but for me especially to metal where his knowledge and creativity is up there with a select few like Marty Friedman. Alex is just an overall great personable and friendly guy
I love this guy. When I was a teenager, Alex thought me greatness, what it means to invest quality in things and find your own way. Testament was at the peak of their creativity on Souls of Black and Ritual which are my fav albums. It's a shame what fallowed it's actually way behind them. Even after Skolnick's return, I have to say.
alex and graham having a good laugh warms my heart aw
Alex Skolnick - one of my favourite guitarists of all time. Top bloke and a top player!
Love Alex, great player.
Apart from his musicianship, he's an extraordinary gentleman.
Great player. Great humble guy.
Alex looks like if Chuck Schuldiner would reach that age. Very down to earth guy though, and an excellent guitar player.
Carlos G. Avilés Gutierrez yeah. The resemblance to Chuck is weird.
He also reminds me of Blackie Lawless for some reason...
Alex in the electric crown music video looks so identical to chuck.
Both Alex and Chuck are Jewish. They could be brothers of another mother.
I've noticed this as well quite some time ago.
Finally, the one thing that i've been waiting for.
-Graham: *delicately presents the show and extends hand to Alex*
-Alex: *slaps Graham's hand* My pleasure!!!
More humble than many in the thrash community even despite his upbringing. Awesome.
Alex is a great guitar player and a nice guy!!!!
One of my favorite guitarist been listening to testament since new order days. Alex inspired me to play guitar for now 30 some years of playing. Testament was way underrated metallica to me was second class to these guys.
1988, The New Order,
"Alex When are you going to law school".
Shreds then bails to study jazz guitar.
Dog show ? Compositionally, an achievement.
Great interview.
'been waiting for that one in a long time :D
The solos on Souls Of Black are absolutely amazing!!!
Electric Crown is killer too!
Met him back in 2013 really great guy!
Alex is such a phenomenal player!
...and he's a fan or Saint Rhoads too!
Skolnick and Friedman are now my best guitar players
You think Jeff Loomis is a nice genuine guy until you hear Alex start talking and realize He's the kid of guy that would not only give you a ride to the airport but also help you buy the ticket too.. good for him being such a nice human being.
Great interview...nice to see someone call out Sharon when it's due...
💕❤️Alex❤️💕 an amazing guitarist and sweet humble guy:)
I didn’t know much about Alex but the more I learn the more I like and respect him. Dude is a badass
I could listen to Alex for hours.
Alex Skolnick RULES!!!!!!! ROCK ON!!!!!!!
Wow... Alex is Easily one of the coolest and most interesting Wikipedia fact or fiction guest
Alex looks like such a fun dude! and he is a great guitarist
Amazing guitarist!
Skolnick is awesome
She wanted me to be Zakk Wydle more or less lol such a classy dude didnt mention her name but we all know who it was ;) skolnick is 1 of the last guitar gods left
God I'm so glad to see Alex do this hopefully we can get the rest of the Testament guys in this.
What a cool dude...one of my favorites \m/
Alex you have brought much joy to my life I love Testament I loved it when it was Legacy you guys are awesome you never sold out you never caved you never gave in to the pressure I'm making some lame-ass album just to press a vinyl
He's my biggest influence to play guitar
How have I not heard of this guy?!
Top guitarist and composer, no doubt.
I love seeing Alex go crazy when he shreds and taps because it looks like he's tying the strings like a shoelace
I like how he's both cool and nerdy at the same time.
Like Alex, cool guy. Great guitarist. Love Testament.
His voice is so warm and round
recently, over on instagram, i told him i love his voice (it's not often i hear someone's voice and i'm like "oh my god, i could hear them talk for hours.") and he kind of took it to heart, too, because i mentioned it to him again out in the open and he liked it. absolute sweetheart of a man 💜
Hell of a cool guy.
So I think imma start learning some Testament riffs they sounds like fire
I jsut fucking loved how neither one of the two dared to say Sharon's name!! XD
So good