Hey RG, you are IMO right to be pissed, he was a prick, and I don't need to hear him to decide that, I don't agree he's got better chops than you (and I don't need to hear him to decide that either). He's a one trick pony who can't grasp the holistic aspect of the music/songs or get the fundamentals right, yeah sweep arpeggios sound like you can play, they have their place but are, in the end, just a little icing on the cake (and largely overdone particularly in the metal scene it seems). As I said before "look at me aren't I great
". Hey, you gave him a pedestal, he abused it clear and simple. Being a guitar player in a band (and your much more than that anyway) is much more than being able to rattle off a bunch of fancy sounding stuff you've been practicing over and over (to the exclusion of making the whole song right ie not getting the basics). I have utmost respect for you as both a guitarist and a band member, I have no respect for him as he sought to just showcase himself by playing lots of diddle daddle which quite frankly bores me. I like your playing, its got soul, you care, your not just trying to sound "fantastic" or whatever, your playing YOUR music, IMO he's just doing the metal version of Muzak. Moreover he's f*cked up completely, as in if you ever "did" want another guitar in the band (and you I know you don't), you wouldn't pick him.I've thought about this from the perspective of if you say asked me to either fill in for you or just get up and have a play with you and your band (both I'd be very happy to do opposite sides of the world and logistics aside). I would do my utmost to keep the authenticity of the songs paramount (particularly the energy (my main focus)), not overplay (hey not to say I wouldn't use my chops, but I suspect mine are a bit more honest and earnt than his
, I suspect he's just playing platitudes with no soul).I feel your hurt, and he's just been greedy (oo I have a chance, I can be a star), don't let it get to you (a platitude in itself, sorry).You keep saying he's got better chops than you, why ? just coz he's worked out and practiced lots of sweeping stuff, spare me please
, I want heart and soul not mosquitoes, sure it sound impressive (sometimes) but does it fit ? is it music ? or just fluff
no real substance (not saying it can't be good). You are comparing yourself to him, whilst understandable in the situation, there is no need. It's chalk and shit here (to me anyway), he hasn't got a patch on you, it's your band and your songs and you do them very well (not to mention you do the engineering and production
).