Pearl Jam's Mike McCready Teaches You How to Play "Alive!" Solo | Shred with Shifty
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- Опубліковано 8 лис 2023
- Host Chris Shiflett starts things off with a discussion on the musical context McCready emerged from. “If you didn’t have this punk rock background, then you were looked down upon,” remembers McCready. As he explains, his upbringing was less punk rock and more Cub Scouts until he picked up the guitar. He and PJ rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard preferred the likes of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, and after Gossard caught McCready shredding Stevie Ray Vaughan licks at a party, he phoned him up to start a two-guitar band. “I could only do what I knew how to do, which was play leads,” says McCready.
A major turning point came for McCready when he witnessed Muddy Waters’ performance in The Last Waltz. “It seemed like he could do more in one note than I was doing with all these thousands of notes,” he says. The observation led him to give up shredding and move in an emotion-driven, blues-rooted direction.
That spirit drives the soaring solo on “Alive,” which McCready cut with a 1962 Japanese Reissue Stratocaster, a Tubescreamer, and a Marshall JCM800. McCready reveals how Jimi Hendrix’s sounds on “Machine Gun” influenced his own performance. After the lesson, McCready answers questions about how “Alive” has changed over the years, Eddie Vedder’s punk-ish rhythm playing, and why he smashed a Strat onstage last year.
Best of all? Shifty finally gets a proper “guitar store lick” from his guest.
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Producer: Jason Shadrick
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Special thanks to Chris Peterson, Greg Nacron, and the entire Volume.com crew.
Watching Mike McCready NOT know the Alive riff is my favorite thing in the world right now!
so crazy! hahahaha
That blew my mind! Never once asked his buddy, “Hey what’s that diddly you’re playing?”
or even sat bored enough in a hotel room to go on Ultimate Guitar lol.
30+ years of ‘Alive’… Zero f’s given by Mike McCready 😂.
This and he can't remember the solo parts, classic
😂 Same here
I was thinking the same thing!!
Chris: "Can you play that really slow for the young kids at home that want to learn that lick?"
Me at 42 years old watching this with a guitar in my hands: "thank god he asked that"
seriously - 39 over here haha
43 y'all!
Great comment! I'm older than you and that still made me laugh out loud! Good luck with your playing!
YES! SAME! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Hey, I AM a young kid at heart 😁
50 here. I would still call myself a kid tho…
One of my favourite quotes is from Mike McCready. "If a song doesn't need a solo I won't play one. But if a song DOES need a solo, I'll f**king go off!"
Absolutely! BUT, the solo needs to fit the song.
P00
They say you never should meet your heroes. They weren't talking about Mike McCready. Seems like a humble regular guy.
Same as sambora. Met him multiple times and he's the coolest cat.
The “Alive” guitar solo is a rock & roll guitar masterpiece.
No.
@@a.nelprober-rl5cf Yep
That he doesn't remember anymore.
Funny how he has to be told what the Solo was.
THAT'S Rock n Roll
@@c.h.r.i.s2253that’s most extended solos. Most guitarists don’t play their extended solos note for note, they just remember the highlight runs and fill in the blanks.
one of the all time great solos. no doubt about it. legendary.
The nineties were a scary time for musicians and the fans. We lost a lot of the grunge guys pretty fast and I'm grateful Mike is still here with us in 2023, being awesome.
Mike McCready is the reason I started playing guitar at 16.. Alive is the first song I learned, but when it came to the solo, it was like a handful of notes and then back to rhythm. 30 years later, finally learning the solo.
yeah man, I was 15 and hearing Alive made me want to play guitar, and that was the first song I learned. Same exact thing with the solo too! Keep playing!!
PJ is my reason for picking up guitar almost 30 years ago as well. I got super stoned with my buddy and played him the first few bars of the Alive solo. He's cracking up and I'm getting irritated. He finally blurts out "It sounds like fucking Van Halen dude!!!"
One my fondest guitar memories for sure❤
Same. We should form a band! I'm actually in 2 bands... Here in Seattle! Come join us y'all 😁
The Mad Season live DVD. McCready owned the stage. Pulling out his inner Hendrix and SRV intensity.
Mad Season is the shit!
ABSOLUTELY!! I LOVE MAD SEASON!! 😊🩷🤟✌️
Yep, ABSOLUTELY THE BEST music to come out in the last 35 years, PERIOD!!
**Gotta admit, EVERYTHING Layne has done is tops since the night I got to see them open up for Van Halen back when I was 19yrs old!!!
Mad Season and Temple of the Dog everything Mike touched he made it better.
@@ScottMcdonaldMusic ABSOLUTELY!! THE ONE AND ONLY MIKE FREAKIN MCCREADY 🎸🔥🩷😊🤘✌️
Seeing Mike live is something all guitarist should try to do. The best I’ve ever seen live!
He really does soar live!! I agree with you!!
I love how he always looks straight up when he is soloing.
When he's on he's unreal but I've been and some shows where he just seems lost.
On his day though he really does go to another planet. Just a pity the band as a whole have such weak and thin tones these days.
Had the luck to see them right before Ten broke when they were opening for RHCP. He blew me away. Whole band was amazing, but Mike just stands out. Very underrated.
Charlotte NC 2013 Mike ripped a solo on the song "Black" ... it was out of thos world.
Mike McCready is a gift to our generation. Comes across as meek and humble but really is a Titan of modern day music.
This is true. If you told him where he ranked on best guitar players in the world, his reaction would be "Really? Why?"
Um yesterday music. Unfortunately that is.
Absolutely insane that rock fans are calling music from 30 years ago "modern music"
a titan?? 🤣
@@ianmason2003try again your insult hardly even makes sense after one read.
Whether it's metal or grunge or rock, us boys love a great guitar solo. I remember we all dug Mike because he tapped into Hendrix.
I'm never gonna be Mike McCreedy, but I swear this series is something i've just sorely needed in my musical life. I historically do not shred at all, I have no guitar moves, but because of how yall break things down i'm starting to learn some. I've never particularly felt 'fluent' but connecting ideas between videos and also practicing other things, i feel like i'm peaking over a wall I've stood on the other side of for literal decades (been playing since 15 and i'm about to turn 40). I started playing guitar on Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Offspring, but there have always been those tricks and great sounding licks/solos that i've been literally too afraid to try and play poorly. Patience and your positive attitude are helping a ton man. Seeing how the minor pentatonic stuff hits in common on some songs, some of the similar bends, double stops, arpegiating (sp?) etc. mechanically work, its like its being demystified and making it attainable as a goal for me to become more fluent in my playing. KEEP THIS SHIT UP IT'S THE ABSOLUTE BEST.
Very overlooked as an amazing guitar player. They called Pearl Jam 'grunge' but Mike is in there going bananas on those songs. Ridiculous chops. And a good dude too!
I just love this episode. Pearl Jam has been, actually it still is, such an important part of my life. I'm blessed to see them live in Argentina in their first tour here.
It's so awesome to hear how humble and honest Mike is
That's because he is brilliant he does not need to show off, unlike talentless people. My favourite guitar player of the last 30 years.
These videos are awesome. Mike is incredible. He looks like he’s channeling from the gods when you see Pearl Jam live. Be cool to see Jerry Cantrell on one.
The 'Alive' solo was probably my first truly big milestone as a teen in the 90's in terms of like, "Wow, I can actually play guitar". Took me several months to learn all of it, as I had to get a bunch of techniques into shape to put it all together. But it's also probably one of the best things I ever did as a guitarist as that solo is basically a Bible for basic pentatonic soloing. Also kinda hilarious that even Mike is playing a lot of these parts wrong! lol Though it's understandable when they weren't pre-written solos, necessarily.
Great to see Mike getting some airtime such a gent, Stone is well worth a hang too - the grooves he lays down are awesome.
This is probably THE one we've all been waiting for. PS. We'd all buy a Foo / PJ 4-hour show tour too, but you already know that. Side note: Evenflow = 1 part jazz, 1 part blues, 2 parts caffeine
"Caffeine" lmao
5 parts caffeine when played live 😆
Exactly@@FlankinspanK
Even Flow is the best song they play live in my opinion. Its familiar but a lot different than the record and man do they rip on it.
Check out the version from Chicago in 2000. Possibly the best one of all@@jfiery
Hugely underrated guitarist
No he is a B leaguer
@@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle 😂 nice
@@shaneharrington3655 just promoting reality
He is in his own way, as are all great players, etc. I think Stone Gossard is a bit underrated because Chris and Mike don't know how to play his simple riff from "Alive". Stone really does have a weird style that i love.
eh he's rated about right
Gosh Chris Shifty is easily one of the most underrated guitarists, in the world. His licks are indescribable.
Too bad his band isn't that good.
His talent is wasted in the Foo Fighters. It's like having a sports car and never getting to drive above 25 mph.
His brother is/was bassist for Face to Face. Big Choice and their self-titled are the best albums he's on.
To me, Mike McCready is our generations Hendrix! He was on fire 🔥 this summer! ❤🎸🤘
That's because he copies Hendrix note for note. How he's not called on it more is astounding. Complete rip-off artist, even his effects.
nah Frusciante is. lets be real. McCready was something for about 2 years.... but he was never anything that special
Summer = Mad Season. Wish Layne was still around, Above was an incredible album especially for Mike
@@coldacre Show me your riffs.
@@deansley174note for note? Example please?
Not even a Foo fan, yet i really love this Chris guy, excellent player and such a good interviewer.
I really like listening to his conversational approach and the insights into different players.
Seems like every one has a podcast, but his is exceptional.
thanks for watching!
yes!
Dude cut his teeth in punk bands for years before joining the Foos. My favorite band he is in is actually a punk super group Me First and the Gimme Gimmes back around 95
Mike is one of the coolest down to Earth guys ever and a kick ass guitar player. When PJ played Greenville SC around 2016 I ran into him while he was walking around downtown checking out the city. He had time for whoever wanted to talk. He was so nice and gracious and they absolutely killed it on stage that night. Wish I could afford his signature Strat. Definitely one of my guitar heroes!
McCready easily one of my favorite guitarists
Mike isn't mentioned enough when it comes to legends of rock guitar. I could listen to the "live at the Gorge" boxset over and over again just for his amazing improv alone.
Because he’s not
@@RK_peace lol, sure buddy. More than 85 million records sold. Definitely not a legend. Troll.
The guitar player from one of my favourite bands, interviewing my favourite guitar player about my favourite guitar solo of all time. Tears in me eyes.
Mike has probably never played Alive the same way twice since he recorded it. Every live solo for him is totally in the moment.
Watching these 2 guys exchange blues licks (via zoom even!) is like hanging out with my buddies playing guitar in my garage back in high school. I love it. Like thousands of other kids, the 'alive' solo was my first solo I learned. And I still know it! What a HUGE influence.
Chris showing Mike how to play his song is hilarious. Mike is an amazing guitarist and in the early 90’s he led me to SRV.
What a delightful conversation! I felt like a fly on the wall!
I’ve been waiting for this episode, Mikes a huge inspiration.
Thanks Mike and CHRIS you guys made the music that is the soundtracks to our lives! You both continue to inspire me!
McCready is a legend! One of my all time favorite guitarists!
Love all the early stuff but the solo in 'nothing as it seems' specifically on the touring band 2000 VHS is my favourite of his solos.
Agree!!
Pearl Jam and especially Mike McCready were the heroes of my teen years - love the interview, he seems to be a real nice and funny guy. Great to have the Jam still around in '23!
I've always loved Mike McCready's playing, but this video has just made me love the guy too. I saw Pearl Jam at Hyde Park a couple of years ago, and Mike was just incredible (as were the whole band). What a cool dude and an amazing musician.
God I love the sound of a Strat! Nothing sounds like it. Even when he’s doing that little “Couldn’t Stand the Weather” lick in kind of an offhand manner. Those single notes are so awesome. There’s nothing like it. Even from Strat-inspired guitars. Nothing Strats like a Strat.
I own two myself. I have a 2019 American Elite HSS in olympic white pearl and a 2019 Pale Moon Ebony (limited Guitar Center run, my friend said it's the guitar you bring to help you in a bar fight cause it just sounds mean). I play both every day because that tone will always make me come back. If you don't get it before you find a good strat, you will after.
@@IamtheFerryMan 'before you find a good Strat' is the key point here. I have a USA Deluxe with custom shop pickups. I then bought a Charvel which is far more Stratty.
@@ukcryptolondonbased2953 I owned a 2015 Mexican strat for a while. It sounded great, just wasn't inspiring for me to play. That has more to do with how I've gotten a lot better at setting up a guitar for the feel I like than anything else.
@@IamtheFerryMan I rely on other people to set up. I took the US Strat to a very prestigious place, did the whole plek thing, and installed some boutique 'vintage' pickups on it. It sounds lifeless to me. Even before plugging it in, the Charvel sounds brighter and just seems to resonate more pleasingly. I guess they're chunks of wood in the end, so there will be differences
Several people have already said it, but...yeah...Mike was a huge influence to me. SUPER under-rated.
And man can he shred some Hendrix, too.
Massive influence 💪
Mike is a criminally underrated guitarist.
Chris and Mike. My two favorite guitarists together at the same time. Thank you for bringing this to us, Chris! You and Mike have been an inspiration to my life as a musician!
Like... imagine sitting there playing these solos with the famous guitarist that wrote the song you love..... WHILE ALSO being a famous guitarist. And I'm totally feeling this as I grew up in this scene during this Era .... it was an amazing time. Love this one!!
Some of my favorite Mccreedy solos are from Mad Season. So 🔥🔥🔥
Yeeeeeesss!!!!!
McCready’s playing was a huge influence for me. I remember getting the “Ten” guitar book and learning the “Alive” solo when I was 17. Back in ‘95. I had the cd a few years earlier then I took up guitar a few years later. Love Pearl Jam, so glad they’re still releasing stuff.
Love him. Pearl Jam is the best band ever, Mike is the soul of the group.
McCready is an influential player for me.
What a great interview, looking forward to one with Stone in the future? Such a great dynamic between Stone and Mike on the early albums. Would have loved a bit of chat on his work with Mad Season. Mike's playing on Yellow Ledbetter to me is my 90's guitar song, like Little Wing (SRV version), Sultans of Swing, Voodoo Child (Slight Return) are for their decades and one of my most listened to songs ever. Thanks for the interview.
One of the main factors that started my obsession with guitar was Alive's solo.
Not only made me an intantaneous Pj fan, but started my desire to get an electric guitar. Even when I knew I'd never be able to play that solo like the man himself.
Mike's 1959 burst is the Alive's guitar. And for me his 59 Strat will always be Yellow ledbetter's Strat.
Ledbetter's intro is the most iconic 4th position Strat tone ever.
Same
I hear that. I realized I needed a wah, uni-vibe and an amp with reverb. Shaped the following couple of decades of my playing
@@Liverastic I was 8 years old in 1992. So I didn't knew about guitar pedals.
But Alive's solo made me think: "This is EPIC... I NEED a guitar".
These is the most Spinal Tappy video ever. Love these. McCready and Shifty together, two of my favs.
What a great interview....as a teenager who wore out multiple copies of "TEN", I adore their early music. Mike and Stone are the GOAT.
Me too, I had 6 Ten cassettes before I moved onto CD’s . I didn’t flip it over for a few months because I was entranced by the first side. It was like finding a new album when I finally flipped it.
Thanks for doing this
I've been waiting for this episode! Thanks Shifty!
learning how to play Alive together with Mike, priceless..
that really opened my eyes, why i like the way mike plays. because it is a srv, jimmy h. and ace mix all along. and that is brilliant.
I love this series so much! Great interview Shifty!
It is so mind blowing that Chris played with Tony Sly in No Use For A Name…
This is awesome. What a great interview. Thanks Shifty.
This was awesome, seeing McCready forget his own riffs is worth the view alone. Chris is freaking so down to earth, amazing. Love McCready with Mad Season and would love a whole interview on that Shifty. This Rocks, Mad Season Please
I’m just 2 years younger than Mike. I was stuck in the hair metal shredder stuff and I didn’t understand the “Grunge” movement when it happened.
Fast forward to today and I definitely miss this era!
This could be my favorite interview ever! Thank you
You always ask the best questions. Such a great podcast Chris! You rock!
The interview 🤯 just amazing 🤘🏼
So great. Such an amazing interview. Never imagined I would see this, straight from Mike!
Mike is pure gold! Great chat, Chris! Loved it!
He is so right. In PJ he provides the main bluesy contribution (Nirvana lacks of that... even when I love Nirvana).
But there's also metal, punk and an influence of so many bands, like The Who, the Beatles, Tom Petty, Dylan or the Ramones.
SRV it's Mike's hero. That explains a lot.
I love Pearl Jam.
Love this Shred w/ Shifty show!! This and Rig Rundowns are best guitar content on YT. MORE Please!!!
Finally, this is the episode that I was waiting for!
I literally just started to learn how to play Alive last night and then i find this in the morning its magical. Mike Mcready is my favorite lead guitar player from the 90's. And the visceral way i react to this solo is why. And when you hear it live and he goes off and the band lets him rip the solo's even longer its so amazing. Like seeing SRV himself.
Chris and Mike are everything I love about musicians!
Every time I hear this solo I always get SRV vibes. It's awesome.
Mike was my biggest influence in the 90’s he was one of a few that still solo’d.
My first time here and I am beyond happy that I stopped by. Much gratitude to both of you. Your authentic, honest, and egoless conversation made me feel as if I was sitting there with you. I don't play but leave feeling like I learned something because of your exchange. Been a PJ fan since the beginning. Look forward to revisiting after this episode. Thank you again!
Such a treat to watch this. Basically the conversation I've always wanted to have with Mike McCreary and now it feels like I kinda got to. What a cool dude!
Danny Gatton is not on this Rolling Stone list of greatest guitarists and that’s all you need to know about how valid it is. Their critics wouldn’t be able to rank a good guitar player if one walked up and hit them in the face with a Tele.
Great shred lesson! Love the insights about the creative process and gear! Thanks for doing this!
One of the greatest guitar solos of the last 40 years, however he wants to play it. Seeing them live brought tears to my eyes.
First time watching Shred with Shifty, what a good time! Cracks me up that dudes don’t remember how to play their own solos, and have a hard time when doing it slow and deliberate. Very real, thank you and see ya later, for sure
Always great to see Mike!!! Been journeying through your solos / music with bootlegs since the mid 90s. Appreciate and love your stuff McFREAKENCREADY!!!
I love this show I hope it goes on forever. Thanks shifty 👍
Music is one of my biggest loves and as a live shows fan,with all respect to all bands ive seen Pearl Jam is the band that makes me feel more part of the show.
You guys have this special thing.
Thank you for all the great music.
🤘🤘
I'm so glad Mike is still enjoying guitar, it makes me happy
Yet again… thanks for that Chris… and Mike.. so great
Mike and Stone ...you guys peeled our our foreheads back. Just magical.
Thanks Mike and Chris you guys are legends!🤘🤘
Two great guitar players and great show. Thanks 🙏
14:03 (did you get into the 80s riffs? Breaks into van halen).. Mike has always been an amalgam of every uncle/dad we had, the kiss bedroom, the musical influences and the non pretentious attitude and appreciation for the greats of classic rock. Not to mention his inherent gift from the universe that made him one of the greatest guitarists of a generation. His contributions to what made PJ powerful can't be overstated.
I was learning the guitar in my early teen years and mostly gave it all up until I heard the Alive solo by Mike. Rejuvenated my love for learning and it has been an incredibly satisfying part of my life ever since. I am so grateful to you both for your contributions to the music and culture of our time. Thank you Chris for your channel and all that you are giving to us continually in your music.
Mike is the everyman's guitarist capable of legendary moments. Easily one of my top 5 guitarists {as part of an essential duo having Stone}
Alive is now an anthem-that is the word I feel he's looking for....
The Comfortably Numb of grunge.
incredible interview
His work with Mad Season is not just some of my favorite material of his but all together. That live show he absolutely brings it .
This was so enjoyable. Mike is the best.
Lesson folks: two modern rock guitar icons both telling you the iPhone Voice Notes contain acorns and garbage; but get it in the phone while it’s fresh, get the vibe-the feel-capture the groove of the riff / idea / motif while it’s fresh; you’ll have a few great things to work with and tons of flotsam to laugh at.
You know, something clicked after he mentioned Ace. I was immediately drawn to Mike’s playing when they 1st broke out. You had this new genre with heaviness & punk etc, yet this familiar thing in the midst of it. Such a great mixture. I didn’t connect the dots until just now.
Man this is so good!!! Just sucked me in, really boosted my appreciation for Mike!
Thank you for sharing this amazing video.. and thank you to Mike McCready for doing this. The beginning where you talk about doing leads at a time when it was a shunned art is exactly what drew me in to Pearl Jam. I remember being bummed that my metal heroes where becoming things of the past for a genre that didn't even care about guitar solos. Along comes Mike McCready and completely changed it for me. What a great video this is.
Such of great guys, such of great episode, I really felt so identified, love it, thank you so much!!! 🤘
Mike freaking McCready!!! MIKE MCCREADY!!!!!!!!!!! Heck yeah 🎉
Love these two guys ❤
Have been a PJ fan from 2000. Mike is in my top 5 guitarists. Love his blusey solos and everything else he can do.
Chris Shiflett thank you for being a great host! Shred with Shifty is great. Keep them coming! Sounds like we need ✨Ace✨ to Shred with Shifty. Thank You Mike McCready for the interview!
I love these guys and lucky that I will be seeing them live in UK this year!!!!