Steve Vai's first concert with Alcatrazz: Suffer Me

[kidsTeachGuitar2kids]

I was at this concert and we totally had expected Yngwie. Was it the Pomona Valley Auditorium? We were really mad and felt ripped off during the first song. We were 16 years old and I think it was one of my friends that yelled the loud "You Suck" during the quiet part of the song. Unfortunately, it got worse with people throwing pennies at Vai and calling him hateful racist names. I then realized that we were there to see and hear music and that people needed to calm down and quit acting dumb.

[AetroyayorteA]

non musicians have no clue, they have no idea that there are entire networks of guitar swap assholes that make bootlegs and barter licks, it used to be via Varney and Shrapnel records contacts. There are many victims of this bullshit that have had their style, licks, riffs, songs ripped off by assholes like Vai etc... and never get credit for their own shit. Vai took lessons, and studied... but I'd still say 99% of his so called style is somebody else's shit. Paul Gilbert is another massive con.

[AetroyayorteA]

Vai is a punk, ripped off many of my licks via bootlegs, even copied my guitar paint job for his Jem bullshit guitarist, basically this is what he really sounds like, crap. Take away the wah pedal, harmonizer and you get this crap. I still have my original black Aria guitar that i painted with fluorescent yellow, pink and green paint, i painted the pickups too and the headstock, long before he copied it. Wind machines for his Farah Faucet poses etc, he's a punk, chump.

[GitarStu]

@AetroyayorteA LOL!!! Thats the funniest post I've read in a while!

[Neurontis]

Guy's gotta make a living.

[TheBabina1996]

steve vai is bastard..shiiit

[tatemalmsteen]

Malmsteen can play almost anything after only one listen. he needs to edit his solos a little though.

[SuperGuitarZone]

If steve had blonde hair he wold look like ken from street fighter

[backerdeath]

グラハム、随分声出てるな

イングヴェイとやったメタリックライブが悲惨すぎたから、凄くよ­く聞こえる

[777wanabe]

'YOU SUCK' at 1:03. lol

[DukeStarbuckle]

What is the definition of a "Video"? Is it a still photo with music behind it? Just curious.

[tatemalmsteen]

Malmsteen and Vai are both living legends. There is nothing one could play the other could not. Which ever one you like more is completely subjective.

[metamorphosis67]

@tatemalmsteen 100% wrong. Vai can play a TON of shit Yngwie couldn't play without practicing for weeks. Yngwie's classical shit on the other hand, Vai already knows how to play that stuff just by knowing his classical scales & by being in Alcatrazz.

[tatemalmsteen]

@metamorphosis67 How do you know Malmsteen would have to practice for weeks to play Steve's stuff? Vai and Malmsteen are very good friends that have a lot of respect for one another. I'm certainly not going to argue about who is better. I love them both.

[Drag4401]

well, i definetly don't like alcatrazzz, been wondering about'em 4 yrs

[bartg1000]

Btw, I was talking about Yngwie, not Vai:p

[bartg1000]

I think ppl thought back then that he was going to be greatest, most groundbreaking player ever. Didn't really happen. I'll always dig the guy, but he's basically been releasing the same album over and over again since '85. if you have one his CDs... you pretty much have them all.

[joeylodes]

"where's Yngwie?" haha!

Obviously they had NO idea who was on that stage in front of them

[333RoCkSkAtE333]

it makes me laugh how this idiots complain about who would become the greatest of men and guitarplayers on earth! i mean THE UNIVERSE!



[marcoperezpsl]

Unbelievable! I mean, Yngwie can play fast, really fast, and he fills everything up with those fast arpeggios that make his playing fit in every song, but he's predictable to say the least. Steve Vai can do amazing things with his guitar too, but the important thing is that he knows where he wants to get, and he gets to surprise you with a different phrasing, a different mood... I don't know, I see them miles apart, and Vai is ahead. These people just didn't want to really hear him play.

[rulerwithcounsel]

@marcoperezpsl Wrong. These over indulgent, ego-driven 'flash' guitarists destroy songs with bloated pompous solos that would make Ritchie cough up his toast.

[TheLydianRocks]

@rulerwithcounsel You mean blues players? They seem to be the culprits for ego stroking in this day and age. Go to any pub and hear the same scales and see the same stupid faces.

[rulerwithcounsel]

@TheLydianRocks Thats true, nothing wrong with a good solo in the context of a good song ie Brian May, Blackmore, Page etc

[slashsdevil]

Steve and Yngwie are amazing, some of the best. But I'd say people like Guthrie Govan are music more musically fluent than either Steve or Yngwie.

[funkster007]

@slashsdevil Anybody can become more proficient or skilled on an instrument, but to compose great music is a rarity. Govan's not even in the same league as Malmsteen or Vai in that department.

[MrYngwie88]

both steve and yngwie rules, but you know no one can touch yngwie

[mondotrasho666]

i saw this tour,,,!!was this show filmed at Prekin's Palace in Pasadena California???

[johnrx1]

Steve Via is the best replacement guitar player in rock history. Those guys were All monsters. Also, he is easy to like. To my surprise, he is good friends with YJM.

[DominusLuna]

This is a pretty damn cool concert song to enjoy the way it's done. It's not Yngwie but so what.

[FrankSalazarJr]

this was interesting... do you have video?

[benno369]

Vai, in my opinion, is a more tasteful guitarist...but Yngwie fitted this band a lot better. Vai did the right thing in joing the DLR band instead. the albums he did in that band are kick ass!

[rideon77]

I don't understand so Much this Steve vs Yngwie thing, c'mo...they're both icons, let's talk about the Graham's super-human performance...a mix of power, soul, and melody...This guy had an unique voice...the most incredible voice I've ever heard in my life

[fabss7]

Yngwie's music they all sound the same, same scales and modes and patterns, Steve Vai is always looking for innovation, I love both guitarist, but in this band I have to say that yngwie's technique fits better.

[Nevigo]

@fabss7

+1

[mnmmmmmm]

Vai is a monster of guitar BUT... Yngwie is still the best and has the balls!!

[shredmaster100]

wow the audience knows fuck all about steve vai and they are having goes at him hes 1million times better than malmsteen the swedish meatball and doesnt have to trick an uneducated audience by playing 1million notes a second and if anyone dont think hes better check out the film crossroads the solo at the end that steve vai plays on guitar makes him a legend and ps yngwie sucks

[ConcussionOfficial]

@shredmaster100 you're the first one who understands

[GameJourney]

How did this fucking piece of shit ruiner of the Nation Anthem make it.

[GameJourney]

Yep Steve Vai sucks anus. Always has."I play the little slidey lick oh yeah"

[suckafreeze100]

@GameJourney YOU KNOW WHAT?!?!?!?! YOU SUCK

[rejapgee]

@GameJourney Hey, GayJourney: listen to 'Them Or Us' and 'Flexable', then go lick Malmsteen's scalloped neck - just make sure you're wearing your gimp mask while you're doing it!

[ekobeke]

steve vai actullay sucks,,,,, then ,,,,,and even now a days to !!!!!

[rickyjshiznit]

@realmsceo -_- first of all, fuck you for doubting the awesomeness that is frank zappa. second, his solo music is just as memorable and good(if not better) as everything he did with david lee roth.

[guitarsrme13]

Hahahah I guarantee they know who steve vai is now...

[ratalomej00r]

esta mejoor con malmsteen :)

[PhilosopherOnWeed]

Why did you suffer me? ''I don't know...WHY?!'' That was freakin funny.

[Guitarczar68]

what a massive bunch of tools, Steve Vai sucks? morons.

[chhrriissss]

Well, Steve vai is a great guitarist but I think it just didn't suit to that kind of music stuff, I mean I'm happy that vai didn't a yngwie clone but yngwie was just a beast back there in Alcatrazz and I preferd him, but don't misunderstand me Steve vai is great, too but just other kind of music !!

[enos218]

To even thngs up a bit,i bet Yngwie could not replace Vai in his band.They both have their strengths and weaknesses.Vai was brave but maybe a little misguided to do this,at least he stuck to his own style and did not become a ingvay clone.They are both amazing,in their own way.

[PabloDarioLi]

@enos218 Yes, I agree, but I can listen to the full YJM's discography, however, I can't listen a single Vai's album, I get bored, I know the guy is technically amazing but his music sounds boring to me, I can't say the same about YJM, quetstion of taste I guess.

[mitchellvanvliet]

I really wanna know who that guy was shouting like that.. and i also want to know how he feels about it now.. haha

[TimmieTunes]

Both Vai and Malmsteen are masters but I think Vai is more versatile.

[verbotenco]

@TimmieTunes You got that right. Yngwie hasn't really grown up since Rising Force in 1984 ;(

[Resetonedw]

@verbotenco actually he did some kick ass albums! but in like the 90' he became a ego monster and changed his violin tone for a comercial metal one... but that a lot of people has tryed to copy his signature tone and his style from the 90 onwards.. also he ran out of imagination in a lot of albums, but those still have some good songs like capricci di diablo, leonardo and blue! there are more good songs but u can count them with the hand finger's..

[PabloDarioLi]

@verbotenco are you serious? or have you suffererd from permanent hearing loss?

[TimmieTunes]

Both Vai and Malmsteen are masters but I think is more versatile.

[davluc1]

yngwie is fastest vai is better in creativity and everything else in my humble opinion. but that just my opinon .

[TimmieTunes]

@davluc1

Yngwie does more speedy riffs but Vai has his moments as well.If you're talking speed you'd have to throw Steve Morse,John McLaughlin and Al DiMeola into the mix.I don't think there's anyone Steve Morse can't emulate.and the MR. SHOWMANSHIP and impossible guitar stunts award goes to Vai.

[KakviBRE]

Vai better than Yngwie It's funny .. lol ... YNGWIE IS BEST FOREVER !!! YNGWIE GUITAR GOD !!!

[orbithesun1]

The myth of Steve Vai exposed. The most over rated guitar player, of all time!!

[Baroqueandroll07]

vai es una mierda

[PowerGuitar]

Malmsteen only play his style of music. Steve Vai can play EVERYTHING.

[kranen1]

@PowerGuitar But why play anything else when you've already got a style? It's not like people wanna hear Yngwie plays fusion or jazz. THat wouldn't make any sense. Vai also has his style, and his only playing his style aswell.

[TheJamescastle]

@PowerGuitar i imagine vai playing mariachi  O.=

[governorgilf]

This is an awful song no matter who plays it. The crowd comments are pretty hilarious, though. Who would have ever thought Steve Vai would be heckled? Not anymore! Like one poster said here, Vai needs to do more metal, because when he does he's the most dangerous man on the planet!

[CuriosityRoads]

Where can I find this whole concert? Bonnet sounds incredible.

[kenuzy1]

Bonnet's voice sounds amazing and Vai as always is incredible.

[ricaard]

I love Vai, but think Malmsteen is best at doing Malmsteen music. Didn't like it, my own opinion...

[miltas83]

these guys cant be compared ...different styles....maybe vai is a better virtuosso than yngwie but nobody plays better and with more passion in this song than yngwie ;)

[Metallian]

@miltas83

Aye, two different styles, two different players. I prefered Steve Vai's solo of Suffer Me to Malmsteen's solo, especialy the one from 1985 (Power Live?). On the other hand Steve Vai's Hiroshima Mon Amour solo from the same concert sounds mediocre but when Yngwie plays it it always sounds great. Yea, two different styles definitely.

[IbanezDaemon]

@Metallian One of the few posters here that knows what they are talking about.....Two Players...Two Different Styles. You can't compare Vai and Yngwie!! Who Cares?? They are both amazing in their own right!! 

[SweetFire96]

Here's an idea for ya... "why need to be King since we are all blood brothers".

(Yep Maiden influence)

[SweetFire96]

What if Vai and Malmsteen act like ya'll towards each other ?!

Ya'll dweller's in/of the underground!

Bloody Armchair hero's!

Never see they acting all "ayatollah" towards potential friends who don't give a fuck and like what they want anyway! But better to drop dufuses like in here. Choosing side's siting in camps.

"Like baby's, making noise, don't know what to do!"

[SilverTounge85]

Hardcore Malmsteen-fanatics are morons, plain and simple. For me Malmsteen is just another guitarwanker that liked to dress in the same clothes as Blackmore, have the same hairstyle, playing his signature strat, often copying his playing, mixed with boring guitarwanking. Oh, and did I forget to mention that he copyed Blackmore's difficult attitude and personality as well? ;)

Overrated? Yes, most certainly!

[yngwiemalmsteen8]

ignorant and idiot peolple, vai is a supreme profesional guitar player and musician!!!!

[toliveevil]

vai said this gig was a success even though the negative response.... 'no one left'

[NisseEricsson]

Haha, some idiots just told us that Steve Vai sucks? I guess they burn in hell now.

[FREAK9364]

00:00 "Where's Yngwie!"

00:04 "Nothing you can do will sound like Yngwie!"

00:15 "I want my money back!"

1:03 "You suck!"

5:47 Why did you suffer me? " I don't know... WHY?!"

[nolan067]

@FREAK9364

Steve Vai is better than Yngwie!

[rideon77]

@FREAK9364 haha! Thanks!

[WhatSayestThou]

@FREAK9364

Dude's drunker than shit LOL.

[Nevigo]

@FREAK9364

The fat outspoken swede is finito. ;)

[thestormbringer1999]

Thanx for posting....this recording is amazing.... i am an Yngwie's fan but I respect an admire Steve..... they shouldnt be compared..... they are both amazing guitar players!!!

[joescout]

steve earned his stripes hear baby any musician that has to go threw a whole night with a hostile crowd is not fun. this is steve becoming a man

[stitcha123]

and steve is now a respected guitarist...........

and lamesteen is a fat idiot.

[EpictheEpicest]

@stitcha123 lol hahaha I agree, malmsteem is ok but he's nothing like vai.

[MrMetalbucker]

@stitcha123 You got it all WRONG! No, Yngwie is The TRUE METAL Guitarist(Ever Heard Some of Yngwie's Rhythm Skills?) and Steve Vai, True Is A Respected Guitarist ALMOST as Much as Yngwie, but the Difference Steve Vai's Got "FALSE~METAL" Disease. lol

[stitcha123]

@MrMetalbucker vai never professes to play metal, hes a rock guitarist. yngwie? oh dear, name who hes played with again?

[MrMetalbucker]

@stitcha123 Exactly! "FALSE METAL" Indeed, Dont get me Wrong, I Like Steve Vai, I Just Prefer His Heaviest Shit, and Wish He would Play Harder Shit More Often, or Come out with "Harder Rock/Metal" Steve Vai, Because when He Does, He's SCARY Good!

[stitcha123]

@MrMetalbucker i wud agree with this. erotic nightmares riff anyone?

[nolan067]

@MrMetalbucker

Yngwie is a drunk, washed up, shredder.

Steve Vai is a god of creating music.

[aintnaive]

were is yngwie !!!!! lol the idiot don t know already that yngwie left the band

[Stomperization]

lol the idiot is suffering, ha ha ha

[Stomperization]

cool, thanks for posting

agree, the 'you suck' is hilarious...

if only he could of seen into the future

[ActingTurbo]

Great preformance. I would've loved to switch places with that idiot screaming.

Still, i can understand their disappointment.

[Axeman89]

lol why did you suffer me?, I don't know why? 5:47

[jrjacques]

Awesome singing!

[dudefrombarrie]

@jrjacques I aggree, GB was nailing it big here. if that's your last name it's mine to ...M Jacques.

[nec550]

1:04 "You suck!", lol

[stitcha123]

@nec550  hahahahahahahahahahahaha.