Nick Bowcott may have not had the notoriety of other big players, but he was there early, NWOBHM, laying the groundwork for metal, everyone has gotta love Grim Reaper
His riffs were some of the best of the entire genre. His solos were awesome, too, but Damn! He wrote some killer riffs. The Rock you to Hell album is a masterpiece.
YOU TWO MUST DO THIS REGULARLY! The charisma and chemistry is off the charts. I've loved Nick since his days in Grim Reaper!! And I'm a Sweetwater customer in part because of Nick being there.
Wow, Nick shared some really cool stories. I would love to just sit down with him and listen to him talk about his past times. Super cool that the two of you did this.
Definitely agree...and some cool riffs as well! I didn't realize that so many British bands absolutely rocked with such hard core riffs back then...they almost make many of the hair/glam metal bands sound like pop bands by comparison.
You guys should have a regular show together, just geeking out on stuff you really love. Nick's killer Grim Reaper riffs are one of the reasons I learned to play guitar!
Killer video- I love all of Nick's background and history- he's like a David Fricke or Malcolm Dome with musical talent. I love that Sykes got a lotta love here! My favorite limey!
Hello Uncle Ben & Uncle Nick. You guys are fantastic. Great chemistry between you too. I hope you both have a great 2022. Stay safe and well and keep Rocking. Thanks again. Signed John Gregory/ Zepbass from Munster Indiana.
Absolutely 💯 agree here. “Operation Mindcrime” is an absolute must to have in your catalog. Whether you’re a drummer, bass, guitar or vocalist! It’s like one perfect rock opera. Everything is tight, melodic, heavy and dripping with raw METAL. Every song perfectly placed. Just mind blowing genius.
I'm a Brit, for the American side...c'mon Ben, you didn't even play any Testament. You can't not have Testament :D Also this was fucking awesome. You need to do a 70s and 90s version with Nick, too!
Thanks Ben and Nick! Great set, you guys both rock. I’m a kid of the 80s so this is my sweet spot. A few years ago I started digging into NWOBHM and discovered tons of amazing bands like Budgie & Raven and it’s great to see them on your list. Thanks for continuing to wave the flag for 80s riffs 🤘🏻🎸 btw I started playing guitar in 1984 and still play everyday
This is so super cool. Love when Uncle Ben says “it’s like they talked about the song and hit record”. That is so sorely missed these day. Just make a run at it and see what happens. Punk had such an influence on early 1980’s metal.
You both should collaborate more often. Maybe even "metal bridge across the pond" and play a show together??? Would be great to see and hear you both riff out and dual lead everyone into metal bliss!!! God bless both of you.
Great video man! Nick is a beast! Still remember the 1st time I saw Grim Reaper on Headbangers Ball back in the day and was blown away. Great selection of classic riffs gentlemen.
Mick Mars, what a legend. Great sound and cool riffs, and I remember he was getting so much shit in the 80's because he wasn't a shredder. Well, he was laughing on his way to the bank...
Mick Mars inspired me to pickup the guitar! Came across Carnival of Sins by accident on tv when I was in middle school and heard the catchy Motley riffs and decided I needed to play.
One of my all time favourite Ratt riffs is the intro riff in Never Use Love. It has an Accept / Balls To The Wall vibe about it with a couple of perfectly placed pinch harmonics, and that tone on Invasion of Your Privacy is as good as '80s metal tone gets.
The interaction and riffs get Nick recalling the wealth of musical history inside his brain. This was extremely valuable and will inspire guitarists to check out a lot of stuff they haven't heard of, or take a second look at some bands they have forgotten about.
Iconic 80’s riff master is Nick himself. “Rock You to Hell”. I was fortunate to catch Grim Reaper on that tour in 1987. Triple bill with Helloween and Armored Saint. Nick’s crazy faces, insane curly hair all over the place, playing a lefty Jackson V I think, changed my world. Rock You to Hell is one of the greatest 80’s riffs of all time. Suck it and See. Lust for Freedom. Night if the Vampire. On and on. A criminally under rated piece of work in America. So glad I got to see Grim Reaper at their peak. Saw Steve Grimmet a few weeks before his leg issues. It brought back the memories. He’s a great dude. But it didn’t come close to what Grim Reaper was in late 1987-1988. Monster of a band. Thanks Nick! You are metal royalty as far as I’m concerned.
Well, what a fortuitous meeting between you two… that worked out well! I always love Unca Ben’s content but man…. really great to see and hear more from Nick! I only knew him from his videos at sweetwater, which is my own loss. Good riffs, guys!
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Two of my favorite YT guitar personalities on a collab effort. Just awesome! When you have two genuine, no BS, guys like Nick and Uncle Ben, the content that results is purely organic and flows in a way that has me wishing I could watch all day.
This was sick. Nick was super cool and had so many stories. I saw this was almost an hour long and thought no way, don't have time for this right now. But here I am... So good. Loved the collab and the sweet riffage!!
Ben thank you so much for posting this! This needs to be a weekly series. So amazing to see you and Nick killing it with these old school riffs. Such a cool, humble dude. I could watch this and jam along for hours. Maybe someone like Matthias Jabs wants to come hang out with Uncle Ben and lay down his favorite German band riffs? Live Podcast perhaps???
Def Leppard “On Through The Night” is def one of their best albums. Such great songs like “Wasted” and “Rock Brigade” but my absolute favorite Def Leppard song is from that record and it’s called “Overture.” It will blow you away at how developed they were as songwriters at such a young age.
Loudest Gig I went too was Pantera 98 Trendkill tour at Aragon ballroom. Favorite 80's riff was Back in black , The first things pops taught me at 11 ; )
More of this. Lots more of this please. This was an absolute treasure to have on while I was grinding through some overtime work. Now I wanna go get my guitar and try some of these.
Awesome shoutout to Raven! Fun fact: I saw a little-known (at the time) band called Metallica open for them in San Francisco on their first American tour way back in 1983.
Thanks for watching myself and Nick Bowcott talk about our favorite riffs of the 80's!!! What are YOUR favorites???
But its so good, why is it good, oh God, it's soooooooo good
The budgie stuff is so tasty
Dude you nailed the brownstone riff, that song is great
Round and round had me head banging
It is a great video format and watching your conversations together is awesome. Thanks guys!
Nick Bowcott may have not had the notoriety of other big players, but he was there early, NWOBHM, laying the groundwork for metal, everyone has gotta love Grim Reaper
true dat!!
His riffs were some of the best of the entire genre. His solos were awesome, too, but Damn! He wrote some killer riffs. The Rock you to Hell album is a masterpiece.
Can we all agree those Soldanos sound CRUSHING!
🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟
They really do!
Meh
@@mikexxx11 meh?
Yeah, but they’re using way more gain than they actually need.
YOU TWO MUST DO THIS REGULARLY! The charisma and chemistry is off the charts. I've loved Nick since his days in Grim Reaper!! And I'm a Sweetwater customer in part because of Nick being there.
Cool chemistry between Nick and Ben I hope there is more someday.
Me too :)
Ah I just ruined the 69 count of likes. Sorry about that. But I totally agree.
Nick Bowcott is so cool and far too humble! I do hope he is a guest on Uncle Ben's channel many, many more times! 🇬🇧🤘🏻
Wow, Nick shared some really cool stories. I would love to just sit down with him and listen to him talk about his past times. Super cool that the two of you did this.
Definitely agree...and some cool riffs as well! I didn't realize that so many British bands absolutely rocked with such hard core riffs back then...they almost make many of the hair/glam metal bands sound like pop bands by comparison.
You guys should have a regular show together, just geeking out on stuff you really love. Nick's killer Grim Reaper riffs are one of the reasons I learned to play guitar!
Love it!!!
Yep
I agree, and some nice stories on top of that.
Nick could have just played the riff to “2 minutes to midnight” and then gone home. Job done, no competition. Great video, guys!
On my GOD! Please make this a series! So, so good. Enjoyed every minute of this.
Nick seems like a really nice guy, thanks for all of the great content Benji
He really is, just an amazing guy!
That rig sounds great,one American band missed and underrated Savatage,Criss Oliva(RIP)
Was a Beast🤘
one of the very best
It still amazes me how Criss and Savatage practically unknown. To me the greatest ever only equaled by the first four VH records.
Killer video- I love all of Nick's background and history- he's like a David Fricke or Malcolm Dome with musical talent. I love that Sykes got a lotta love here! My favorite limey!
Hello Uncle Ben & Uncle Nick. You guys are fantastic. Great chemistry between you too. I hope you both have a great 2022. Stay safe and well and keep Rocking. Thanks again. Signed John Gregory/ Zepbass from Munster Indiana.
Amazing video. Sitting here nursing COVID-19 and this took me back a fair few years, awesome riffs lads. Keep up the great work and keep on rocking 👏
Cheers, man, get well soon!
Love Nick Bowcott´s jokes and his ultrapositive soul, loved this US/UK clash =D Love cheers
Simply Great! All! Thank You, bro!
The guitar riff intro to "I Don't Believe In Love" by Queensrÿche is bad-ass... and pretty much anything off of Operation Mindcrime.
Absolutely 💯 agree here. “Operation Mindcrime” is an absolute must to have in your catalog. Whether you’re a drummer, bass, guitar or vocalist! It’s like one perfect rock opera. Everything is tight, melodic, heavy and dripping with raw METAL. Every song perfectly placed. Just mind blowing genius.
Totally I just got into Queensryche and I love the riffs, also BOC.
Great video, really good fun and some great stories from Nick. Thanks Unca - from your dirty little scousin Billa Bob.
How Nicely to Start 2022 with this Hystorical and Musical Video Art 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
This was great! Love the back and forth. This could be a once a week show. Would definitely watch! Well done!
Uncle Ben this was a like being part of an amazing hang. You and Nick were great.!!
My band jus had the chance to open for “RAVEN” in November of 2021 in Salt Lake City UT, and they are still kiln it. Such an honor! 🤘🏼😝🤘🏼
"Mean Street" may be the best song ever written and recorded. I know, that's bold to say, but for me that song is just perfect.
Such a great vid. Uncle Ben always takes care of us stepkids and Nick Bowcott is indeed rock royalty. Loved this!
Collabs on UA-cam often come off as a bit awkward, but this was genuinely entertaining. More of this, Ben!
I'm a Brit, for the American side...c'mon Ben, you didn't even play any Testament. You can't not have Testament :D
Also this was fucking awesome. You need to do a 70s and 90s version with Nick, too!
Thanks Ben and Nick! Great set, you guys both rock. I’m a kid of the 80s so this is my sweet spot. A few years ago I started digging into NWOBHM and discovered tons of amazing bands like Budgie & Raven and it’s great to see them on your list. Thanks for continuing to wave the flag for 80s riffs 🤘🏻🎸 btw I started playing guitar in 1984 and still play everyday
Absolutely great video. Great chemestry between you fellas.
Was not expecting to sit and watch the whole thing, but I wanted to keep hearing Nick's stories! Haha. Great playing by both of you!
so much fun here, many thanks uncle Ben!!!!
Fantastic video chaps, really enjoyed watching you playing these classic riffs and some great anecdotes came out as well. Thank you!
This has to be one of the coolest guitar videos I’ve seen in awhile
This is a FANTASTIC video. Thanks. The tones you guys were getting! SICK! I could listen to hours of you guys playing riffs.
This is so super cool. Love when Uncle Ben says “it’s like they talked about the song and hit record”. That is so sorely missed these day. Just make a run at it and see what happens. Punk had such an influence on early 1980’s metal.
God I was praying for Neon Knights. That opening riff is killer!
Hell yes! Love that song, and the whole album rules.
dio was great
Ben it did my heart good to hear you drop Ty Tabor of the criminally underrated King’s X. Love the video.
What a great vid guys, Congrats! 🤘
Nick's pick slide in the title track to "Rock You to Hell!" is absolutely spectacular - loved Grim Reaper!
I love Nick. What a cool dude and I also loved the format of this one. Keep killin it, Ben!!
Oh man, what a great idea! Another hour that flew by with all the bonus dad jokes! Thanks Ben 🙂
Nice! Nick is really cool in all the stuff he does, especially when he was in Grim Reaper.
He should have played the opening riff to See You in Hell!!!!
You both should collaborate more often. Maybe even "metal bridge across the pond" and play a show together??? Would be great to see and hear you both riff out and dual lead everyone into metal bliss!!! God bless both of you.
Holy Cow - I could listen to Nick and his anecdotes all friggin day. Preferably in a pub with a number of pints.
You and me both!
Absolutely loved this video! Two super cool dudes playing sick iconic riffs and sharing great rock history - how can it get any better!?!?!
Great fun! Held my attention for the whole time. Nick has so much history, and good to see some new blood from Ben.
As an old Grim Reaper fan love to see Nick doing anything , great vid adds some more to my learn a riff/lick a day for the new year thanks
Awesome video and thanks for the shout out Nick all the best Woofer
This was so great! Enjoyed every minute of it.👍
Great video man! Nick is a beast! Still remember the 1st time I saw Grim Reaper on Headbangers Ball back in the day and was blown away. Great selection of classic riffs gentlemen.
AWESOME video! Thanks, Uncle Ben!
What a great video. Listening to 2 accomplished musicians go over their influences is must watch content. Great job guys.
Fort Wayne! Lived about 45 minutes from their as a kid and had no idea I til last year the sweetwater hq was there....now I'm about 2 hours away
I absolutely loved this! What a great idea and so well played guys! I look forward to more of this.
Now I wanna see Uncle Ben recreate the Mick Mars live rig. That setup sounds absolutely monstrous
Mick Mars, what a legend. Great sound and cool riffs, and I remember he was getting so much shit in the 80's because he wasn't a shredder. Well, he was laughing on his way to the bank...
Yeah, I always thought that Mick was underrated as a guitarist but he's definitely got some killer riffs under his belt
Mick Mars inspired me to pickup the guitar! Came across Carnival of Sins by accident on tv when I was in middle school and heard the catchy Motley riffs and decided I needed to play.
The intro to Wasted Years was the first riff I ever played!!! Great music, players, and lists!
I actually said "fuuuck" out loud at that hellbender riff. So simple but so mean
Great riffs, great history, great vid! Thanks Nick and Uncle Ben!
Half way in and loving this ❤️ Two awesome dudes tearing it up. Good shit.
This video is awesome! You and Nick have great chemistry! I’m hoping to see more videos of you two discussing music and playing killer riffs.
Thoroughly enjoyed watching this, amazing!!! Nice work Ben!
Man. Absolutely loved this.
I could listen to you two play riffs for each other all day. This is great.
Tom Kiefer and Cinderella are definitely one of my favourite bands of all time. Bought Long Cold Winter on vinyl back in 89...man, good days lol
Good choice way underated band!
One of my all time favourite Ratt riffs is the intro riff in Never Use Love. It has an Accept / Balls To The Wall vibe about it with a couple of perfectly placed pinch harmonics, and that tone on Invasion of Your Privacy is as good as '80s metal tone gets.
the choice of White Lion's Wait was excellent Uncie B. Love me some Vito.
The interaction and riffs get Nick recalling the wealth of musical history inside his brain. This was extremely valuable and will inspire guitarists to check out a lot of stuff they haven't heard of, or take a second look at some bands they have forgotten about.
Love this video. Great lists. And man am I happy to have been on that Shiprocked with you seeing Joey singing journey. And got to meet Uncle Ben.
Such an amazing time we had!
Amazing video uncle Ben! A big hug from a brasilian fan!!!
Iconic 80’s riff master is Nick himself. “Rock You to Hell”. I was fortunate to catch Grim Reaper on that tour in 1987. Triple bill with Helloween and Armored Saint. Nick’s crazy faces, insane curly hair all over the place, playing a lefty Jackson V I think, changed my world. Rock You to Hell is one of the greatest 80’s riffs of all time. Suck it and See. Lust for Freedom. Night if the Vampire. On and on. A criminally under rated piece of work in America. So glad I got to see Grim Reaper at their peak. Saw Steve Grimmet a few weeks before his leg issues. It brought back the memories. He’s a great dude. But it didn’t come close to what Grim Reaper was in late 1987-1988. Monster of a band. Thanks Nick! You are metal royalty as far as I’m concerned.
Well done! Ben, was waiting for some more forgotten US bands, well at least Riot!! Fire Down Under has some gems on it.
Well, what a fortuitous meeting between you two… that worked out well! I always love Unca Ben’s content but man…. really great to see and hear more from Nick! I only knew him from his videos at sweetwater, which is my own loss. Good riffs, guys!
This was so awesome. And it could have keep going and going....so we look forward to part 2 😁😁
The banter on this episode is brilliant, love the chemistry. Thanks Ben & Nick, thoroughly entertaining start to finish!
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Two of my favorite YT guitar personalities on a collab effort. Just awesome! When you have two genuine, no BS, guys like Nick and Uncle Ben, the content that results is purely organic and flows in a way that has me wishing I could watch all day.
This was sick. Nick was super cool and had so many stories. I saw this was almost an hour long and thought no way, don't have time for this right now. But here I am... So good. Loved the collab and the sweet riffage!!
Cool show Uncle Ben! Enjoyed a ton
What a great idea -- thoroughly enjoyed this one. Nick is a gentleman and a Riff Lord. Of course you are too Ben.
Ben thank you so much for posting this! This needs to be a weekly series. So amazing to see you and Nick killing it with these old school riffs. Such a cool, humble dude. I could watch this and jam along for hours. Maybe someone like Matthias Jabs wants to come hang out with Uncle Ben and lay down his favorite German band riffs? Live Podcast perhaps???
Budgie, RIP Burke Shelley who passed away on Monday 10 January 2022.
One point though, Budgie were WELSH (as am I) and not from England.
These kinds of videos are awesome, great exposure to new things!
Awesome content, this was a great watch.
Great video guys! Nick, you have awesome taste in the riffage! Killer playing as well!! And as Dimebag used to say, "LONG LIVE THE RIFF!!"
This video is just so freakin wholesome, love it.
Really enjoyable! Great chemistry between you!
Hey Ben, Love Vito Bratta!! Thank you!!👍😎
i just started this video, but lets not forget to salute the shredlord nick for his awesome work in grim reaper
Def Leppard “On Through The Night” is def one of their best albums. Such great songs like “Wasted” and “Rock Brigade” but my absolute favorite Def Leppard song is from that record and it’s called “Overture.” It will blow you away at how developed they were as songwriters at such a young age.
High n’ dry, Lady Strange
Excellent vid Ben, really great to see you two vibing off each other. More of this!
Loudest Gig I went too was Pantera 98 Trendkill tour at Aragon ballroom. Favorite 80's riff was Back in black , The first things pops taught me at 11 ; )
Hell yeah!!!
I cannot love this video enough!!! EPIC!!!
Great stuff here!! Would enjoy seeing part 2, 3, 4, etc of you guys honoring/playing great guitar riffs from the US and UK.
There is so much musical goodness in a heavy guitar riff, thank you both!
This was a pleasure to watch, thanks!
Love "Heaven and Hell" but "Die Young" just hits the bone for me... great job!
I'm so so glad you picked crying in the rain you sir are my kind of chap
I was lucky enough to attend Nick's lecture at the last in person GearFest. He's such an awesome dude.
More of this. Lots more of this please. This was an absolute treasure to have on while I was grinding through some overtime work. Now I wanna go get my guitar and try some of these.
Great chemistry. These Sweetwater collabs are fun!
Awesome shoutout to Raven! Fun fact: I saw a little-known (at the time) band called Metallica open for them in San Francisco on their first American tour way back in 1983.