Testament's Alex Skolnick - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
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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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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.
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"..
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.
I'm glad Skolnick is with Testament where he belongs, and not with Ozzy.
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.
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 ?
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.
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
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
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
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
Alex has such a chill, cool guy vibe
I thought his silver streak was fake, but I guess not.
Adem Ferati yes same until now.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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 is like the ray romano of metal here....great people great interview \m/
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
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!
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
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.
His hair streak is so badass. And he looks like the most genuine dude in life.
This guy proves that metalheads Are the best people
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.
such a nice guy. one of many reasons hes my role model
The silver streak question was totally Spinal Tap.
One of the fastest metal guitarists out there right now. His riffs in Testament are killer.
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
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.
Is it me or does Alex look like Chuck Schuldiner?
DyslexicGod He does. In the music video for electric crown especially
He has a lot of similarities to chuck.
Both Alex and Chuck are Jews. They could be related.
@@tylerdees4850 Both are extremely talented guitarists
@@arvindshastry1178 yeah there both amazing.
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.
sooooooooooooooouls of black
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🤘🏻
Alex Skolnick is one of the best guitarists in metal. He is amazing to see playing live. Has to be seen to be believed.
Alex, did you forget you were in Savatage in 1994?
jasper426 Indeed it is...
@@white_wolf2112
I try to forget about it often. Savatage was a great band, but that album was... not my favorite.
Gutter ballet was such a great album
YEAH! ANOTHER SAVATAGE FAN!
"I looked like I was in Motley Crue..." LOL, love it!
Gotta get one of the guys from Metallica on this. James would be the best to get on here!
Skolnick is a beast.
One of the best thrash guitarists ever and all around guitar players period.
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.
These rock greats for the most part are very humble and self effacing. I always find that amazing.
-Graham: *delicately presents the show and extends hand to Alex*
-Alex: *slaps Graham's hand* My pleasure!!!
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
super awkward interviewer...every time (the host)
Alex is one of my top 5 favorite guitar players of all time, right up there with Steve Howe and Ritchie Blackmore.
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.
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.
one of the best shredder in rock n roll
Apart from his musicianship, he's an extraordinary gentleman.
Skolnick is awesome
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.
not only is he one of the greatest guitarists in metal, the grip on that handshake was immaculate
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.
Into The pit ! Yeah !!!
Alex Skolnick RULES!!!!!!! ROCK ON!!!!!!!
I'm kind of disturbed after seeing the babymetal poster between the slayer one and the maiden one...
why? they're a good group shit even halford jammed with them.
I'm with u sick of baby metal.
Dont worry, their hype will go away pretty soon, just like Dragonforce or.... Limp bizkit.
Vic Rattlehead hopefully Vic. I think the re-emergence of thrash wil make them fade away.
They have a live band backing them now. The band Kami band are actually amazing in their own right but they used to sing to a tape in the earlier crap they did. But ya go away.
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.
I've met Alex once in the Netherlands. Very cool humble guy!
Seeing them live with him rocking guitar was one of the best shows I have ever witnessed
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.
Damn I hate when a host rushes the guest.
Dude we're here for him.
Lol that fuckin' handshake man! *SSSSSSSSSMACK!* lol talk about nerve damage.
LOL dude he's done the samething to me it was a great handshake. it's like his signature handshake xD.
Unbelievable guitarist and has Rogue hair. I knew he was a mutant.
I got to hang out with Alex in 1987 in Bridgeport CT when he and Testament were touring with Exodus and Slayer
Our buddy Chris from FRISCO was like best friends with the entire band and Alex was my age at the time of 17 with his hair at its ‘ longest he ever had it
We looked like brothers and hit it off when I brought up my personal pal RICK DERRINGER and how he loved him and PAT TRAVERS PAT THRALL and LESLIE WEST RONNIE MONTROSE and all the guitar slingers including ROBIN TROWER AND JOHNNY WINTER
Alex even taught me how to get Robins’ exact tone on DAY OF THE EAGLE
using EDDIE VAN HALENS’ half step down tuning with a fucking 50 watt tuned ROLAND JAZZ CHORUS CUBE AMP and Strat in mid pick up position
At our friend Wayne’s place he Eric Chuck and the two I always forget and the next time I saw them was New Haven Ct opening for Slayer 88’
Insane show
Three years later I’m waking up at my HOT HOT HOT SO VERY VERY HOT LIKE THE CHIC IN THE AWESOME FILM “””THE STONED AGE””” Stacy who had ten yrs and the hottest body ever on me who was great friends with everyone from fucking Aerosmith to Zebra all wanting what only I was getting
The first time Chuck Billy called and she gave me the phone while she was naked and putting on her panty less leather mini skirt fishnet stocking black stilettos and 80’s classic shorted leather jacket wearing her teddy under it and Prell commercial hair like Cheryl Ladd’s
I got to talk to Chuck about an up and coming band called PANTERA no one north of Dixie knew of yet and before long Stacy had Phil and Vinny calling her and I had to lay into Phil that she was taken and only all mine
So go DOWN on big Vin bro ’
At the time what drew her to me was of course how fucking handsome and well built I was albeit a up and cumming ranked TKD TOURNAMENT FIGHTER WHERE I EXCELLED BETTER THAN I PLAYED MY GUITAR
I DRESSED AND LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE STEVEN SEGAL IN HIS HARD TO KILL /ABOVE THE LAW days and the broads ate it up
Prior to that I was a total muscle head that looked exactly like GUITAR GOD AND SLINGER MY PAL 🎸RICK DERRINGER 🎸
WHO I’m still tight with but then the older chicks that grew up in the 70’s like I did that sang the entire AEROSMITH NO MORE NO MORE song being AEROSMITH’s ABSOLUTE GREATEST SONG EVER PERIOD EMBODYING EVERY FACET OF AEROSMITH MAKING THEM EXACTLY AND ALL OF WHAT THEY ARE
THE GREATEST COOL ASSS PANTY DROPPER HAIKU COOL AS SHIT LYRICAL DRIVEN WITH GUITAR 🎸 GENIUS QUANTIFYING ALL THAT-THEREOF WHAT DRIVES AEROSMITH INTO THE SEXUAL FORCE OF 70’s COOLNESS ONLY DERIVED OUT OF THE GREATEST DECADE EVER GIFTED TO MANKIND
THANKYOU FATHER
Coolest guy to talk guitars with! (Be ready for a loooong conversation if he's got time to kill...lol.)
Funny that Sharon wanted him to be Zakk Wylde...lol.
Hell of a cool guy.
I jsut fucking loved how neither one of the two dared to say Sharon's name!! XD
It's hilarious / sad that they fired Wylde then Sharon wanted the next guitarist to be a clone of him...... if you want Zakk Wylde, keep Zakk Wylde!
Alex is a great guitar player and a nice guy!!!!
I’ve read pantera 101 by Rex, does testament have something like that?……..anybody?
funnyly Alex' dog ad piece of music sounds really awesome..has some QOTSA feel..
More humble than many in the thrash community even despite his upbringing. Awesome.
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...
Great interview with a great guy/great musician/great guitarist/heavily influential player.
I had an Ampeg guitar amp!! Stereo, twin chorus and reverb! Fairly rare amp !
I love seeing Alex go crazy when he shreds and taps because it looks like he's tying the strings like a shoelace
Kid born to genius parents grows up to be a musical genius. The apple does not fall too far from the tree.
As usual Ozzie has one major PROBLEM.....sharon!!!!!
Most metal guys are so humble and down to earth. Except Kerry King.
ITS BACK! WIKIPEDIA FACT OR FICTION IS BACK!
God I'm so glad to see Alex do this hopefully we can get the rest of the Testament guys in this.
who was the only one person that didnt congratulated him in the Ozzy Tour ??
His wife ???
Pretty sure he was talking about sharon. Only person I can think of that's a she and its not suprising
Alex is amazing! Great guitar player and great human being! 🤘🏻🤘🏻
He's my biggest influence to play guitar
The name change was such a stroke of luck, Testament is such a better name.
Alex Skolnick......... is the BEST, it really got me down when the rest of Testament did not agree with him in '93/'94 on being more melodic & having more harmony & this really (as "the music channel" put it) : caused "dissension" in the band & to me "The Ritual" 1992 was the BEST album Testament did or ever will do & Alex was right & i agree with his style of melody & harmony.
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.
I’m surprised savatage didn’t get brought up
Want to see Robb Flynn for Machine Head in this show :/
Just watch his PC rants instead
That just got uploaded yesterday
So when Alex is older and has grey hair. Is he going to have a single black streak?
I know he was talking about Sharon Osbourne 😂
I had no idea that Alex was Jewish let alone that the band Meshuggah was named after the yiddish word for "Crazy".
The solos on Souls Of Black are absolutely amazing!!!
Electric Crown is killer too!
10:58 - It’s funny that no one has to guess who he’s talking about.