Andy James no longer with Kiesel???

[MaxOfMetal]

Idk, I didn't see a lot of Spector Chris Kael basses or Jason Hook Explorers out there.

More than any current BCR Ironbirds.

 

[USMarine75]

I remember him years ago teaching the different style videos on LickLibrary and Maybe Hal Leonard? That and the EMG promo videos. is what I have in my mind. He's an accomplished player. Not sure where people get that he's average. The vitriol for 5FDP might be rubbing off a bit...


IMO he deserves all the success that may come his way. For the size and style of 5FDP I actually can't see how he's not with Ibanez or Jackson.

Totally agree. I'm shocked he hasn't landed a bigger endorsement deal. Especially when guys like Martin Miller, Tom Quayle, and Rick Graham all have Charvel or Ibanez sigs.

I took a couple Skype lessons from him back in the day. Ridiculous player and a super nice guy.

Fun fact - you can't unsee it, once you realize he rarely uses his pinky on his fretting hand.

I guess I disagree with most around here because I think what separates him from most supershredders is that I think he's a good song and melody writer.



I really loved his old band...

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Totally agree. I'm shocked he hasn't landed a bigger endorsement deal. Especially when guys like Martin Miller, Tom Quayle, and Rick Graham all have Charvel or Ibanez sigs.

I took a couple Skype lessons from him back in the day. Ridiculous player and a super nice guy.

Fun fact - you can't unsee it, once you realize he rarely uses his pinky on his fretting hand.

I guess I disagree with most around here because I think what separates him from most supershredders is that I think he's a good song and melody writer.



I really loved his old band...

If he wasn't in 5FDP I totally see him moving onto Ibanez or Charvel like all the other instructor-type guitar players.

But yeah like I said before; Zoltan has a huge stake in BCR. So he was probably able to offer AJ some good stuff I guess. Zoltan did the same with their bassist; got him to ditch his sig Spector deal for BC Rich basses.

 

[MetalDestroyer]

Fun fact - you can't unsee it, once you realize he rarely uses his pinky on his fretting hand.

He did a few gear demos for Blackstar and EMG on youtube back in the early 10's and teenage me decided that if this dude didn't need his pinky neither did I. Took me years to fix that one lemayo

 

[NoodleFace]

Totally agree. I'm shocked he hasn't landed a bigger endorsement deal. Especially when guys like Martin Miller, Tom Quayle, and Rick Graham all have Charvel or Ibanez sigs.

I took a couple Skype lessons from him back in the day. Ridiculous player and a super nice guy.

Fun fact - you can't unsee it, once you realize he rarely uses his pinky on his fretting hand.

I guess I disagree with most around here because I think what separates him from most supershredders is that I think he's a good song and melody writer.



I really loved his old band...

off topic but the first time I saw Rick Graham play I was absolutely mesmorized. He has the smallest amount of movement I've ever seen

 

[Mathemagician]

He did a few gear demos for Blackstar and EMG on youtube back in the early 10's and teenage me decided that if this dude didn't need his pinky neither did I. Took me years to fix that one lemayo

I def noticed he did that early on. However I had a teacher that demanded I use my pinky thankfully, lol.

 

[gh0styboi]

off topic but the first time I saw Rick Graham play I was absolutely mesmorized. He has the smallest amount of movement I've ever seen

Graham is a machine. One of those freakishly talented dudes like Guthrie Govan where they make you feel alternately super inspired or like just quitting...

 

[tryintoshred]

Totally agree. I'm shocked he hasn't landed a bigger endorsement deal. Especially when guys like Martin Miller, Tom Quayle, and Rick Graham all have Charvel or Ibanez sigs.

I took a couple Skype lessons from him back in the day. Ridiculous player and a super nice guy.

Fun fact - you can't unsee it, once you realize he rarely uses his pinky on his fretting hand.

I guess I disagree with most around here because I think what separates him from most supershredders is that I think he's a good song and melody writer.



I really loved his old band...

Wow. Skype lessons eh? If you don't mind me asking, What did you learn? How did he teach? And how much did he charge?

 

[tryintoshred]

I just think it's funny that he keeps taking massive stepdowns

ESP is one os the sexiest companies with the best roster of guitarists

Then he goes down to Kiesel, which so much more amateur and with a bad reputation

Then down to BC Rich... yikes

Why he went to kiesel. Hear it from the man himself. ()

And why he left from Kiesel is purely a money thing. BC Rich can offer him a much bigger pay cheque than kiesel.

 

[USMarine75]

Wow. Skype lessons eh? If you don't mind me asking, What did you learn? How did he teach? And how much did he charge?

This was over ten years ago and I think it was only like $100 per lesson? I remember one of the lessons being on note choice and trying to actually say something with your lead lines, not just running scales from note to note. Thinking of your lines as vocals, repeating motifs and then building off them.

Some other great guitarists I think anyone can learn by taking lessons from are Guthrie Trapp, Josh Smith (Flat V guy not Northlane lol), Rick Graham, Martin Miller, and Tom Quayle. They all have a great way of teaching stuff that transcends any one particular genre. Besides, I definitely recommend learning outside your specific style.

 

[tryintoshred]

This was over ten years ago and I think it was only like $100 per lesson? I remember one of the lessons being on note choice and trying to actually say something with your lead lines, not just running scales from note to note. Thinking of your lines as vocals, repeating motifs and then building off them.

Some other great guitarists I think anyone can learn by taking lessons from are Guthrie Trapp, Josh Smith (Flat V guy not Northlane lol), Rick Graham, Martin Miller, and Tom Quayle. They all have a great way of teaching stuff that transcends any one particular genre. Besides, I definitely recommend learning outside your specific style.

That sounds amazing. Thank you for answering.

 

[drmosh]

He's a great player. Regardless of the "meh" band he's in. Dude has to eat, and they pay the bills. Making a living in music is hard.

FFDP is not something I can relate to at all. But I am just happy Andy is getting a good paycheck (I hope). Probably tough for him to be in the spotlight now

 

[groverj3]

FFDP is not something I can relate to at all. But I am just happy Andy is getting a good paycheck (I hope). Probably tough for him to be in the spotlight now

It's like people complaining about Jeff Loomis in Arch Enemy. A metal band that he can actually earn a living from playing in. There aren't many. Though, I actually like Arch Enemy.

 

[gh0styboi]

FFDP is not something I can relate to at all. But I am just happy Andy is getting a good paycheck (I hope). Probably tough for him to be in the spotlight now

Always a fan of rational, pragmatic thought. People tend to assume that everyone favors the starving part of artist when the starving artist bit should ideally be a phase. I'm not a FFDP fan either, but am I really gonna shit my pants about a guitarist joining a band that can provide him a decent - or even good - living? Why? By all accounts he seems like a nice dude. I'm happy for his success even if I don't love the band.

 

[DiezelMonster]

"Custom Gunslinger 12 string made for Mitch Harris of Napalm Death" - Page 14 of the 1998 catalog

https://guitar-compare.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1998_B.C.Rich_Catalog.pdf

That is indeed the catalog I have! I couldn
t remember, I have so many lol

Thanks for finding it.

 

[soul_lip_mike]

Andy James is a sick guitar player. Love his instrumental albums.

 

[Esp Griffyn]

Graham is a machine. One of those freakishly talented dudes like Guthrie Govan where they make you feel alternately super inspired or like just quitting...

Rick is one of those musicians who posses absurd levels of talent. I wish he'd put it to some use, instead of making the occasional 15 second TikTok clip or reposting old videos from years ago. I know he's had some challenges with alcohol and he's struggled since the death of his brother. I remember that period where he was apologising for being on the piss one day and livestreaming drunk the next.

When I first found Rick, he was shredding in the gym and on the guitar, then he seemed to get back on the bottle and his output went downhill. I always wished he'd beat his demons, he is a monster player and I'd love to see him making some real music, but I guess it will never happen. He's like the grandmaster, sitting in the dojo talking about how good his skills were. Imagine if he had motivation and enthusiasm like Guthrie, imagine the music we might have been able to experience. Such a waste.

 

[mpexus]

He's like the grandmaster, sitting in the dojo talking about how good his skills were. Imagine if he had motivation and enthusiasm like Guthrie, imagine the music we might have been able to experience. Such a waste.

Ever though that maybe him doing that is the reason why he is still here and didn't do other drastic things? Mental Health is a BITCH and people fight their Demons the best way they can. Most certain what he is doing is what keeps them off his mind. So that alone is not a waste by any means.

 

[drmosh]

Ever though that maybe him doing that is the reason why he is still here and didn't do other drastic things? Mental Health is a BITCH and people fight their Demons the best way they can. Most certain what he is doing is what keeps them off his mind. So that alone is not a waste by any means.

Fucking amen. Rick is honest and needs love, what he did in admitting his problems in public is tough. I wanna hug him

 

[tryintoshred]

Andy James is a sick guitar player. Love his instrumental albums.

He's got a new one out. Its called Fury from above.