I thoroughly enjoyed this song. I wish there was youtube when I was younger instead of having only magazines. You can really teach yourself to listen to great music and find even more. When I was a kid I used to search for everything and most people shared music as great as this. I don't know many people into it and most who are tend to argue a lot. When I mention something, insteadof turning me onto something else, I often get hit up about "how I know less". Grow a mind, don't shut it down
@keeponfda Pandora is great...I've found out about a number of great musical artist through that site. Then again, I could say the same thing about YouTube.
either the crowd didnt cheer cause there faces got blown off or there just ass holes...but simple people like listening to hits with vocals more than shred,shame...but if I was there I would be off my rocker cheering this guy on,killer riffs.
their all in shock with their jaws hanging open thats why its quiet!. Mike is still an underrated player and unknown to most. His debut album is a must have for guitarist of any genre.
You do if you appreciate music. When people say they' love music', I take that with a truckload of salt. People who truly love music are able to find emotion and something to love in more advanced forms. I can barely stand simple music, because there's no feeling left.
@Raakiszh that's your opinion dude. I truely love music but this "advanced form" of music does nothing for me(clicked on this by mistake). I appreciate the talent it takes to pull this off but for me less is more. For me you don't need to hit a million notes per minute to create emotion ya just need to hit the right ones.
@Raakiszh Interesting. I disagree to an extent. All music is emotion, it's just expressed differently. If a song is based on 3 chords, I can feel the emotion. If a song goes through 47 chord changes, I can still feel the emotion. That's just me personally, though. I love minimalist music. I love contemporary classical. I love prog rock especially. Btw this guy FUCKING ROCKS. I haven't listened to guitar music in a while and this is a nice reintroduction.
@Raakiszh ...What you have said here makes no sense at all....Bartoks' Rumanian Folk Dances on piano alone sound simpler than some Steve Vai stuff and yet are packed with feeling.....It's the poetry effect isn't it? The simpler something is the more expression can be got into and out of it if the player and the listener are the right people for the job.
@fendermac Of course music can be beautiful in all kinds of forms. I personally listen to all kinds of music, because as long as it's GOOD, it's good. I do not, however, believe in the much too basic concept that "the simpler the music is, the more emotion it can convey". It's all relative.
@Raakiszh there is no such thing as "simple" or "advanced" music. its cliche to say this but im sure there are some wes montgomery licks that may be less technically demanding than say a rusty cooley lick. however, if the technical lick is melodic nonsense or doesnt make a clear defining statement then which one is better? besides its all subjective anyways
@ThrashIsBack123 Now now, that comment is over two years old... besides, I've never ever been a fan of mindless "tweedely doo" shredding. All I'm saying is that I can't stand it when people hear guitar players like MLF and can't understand the melodic and rhythmic brilliance but instead choose group him and others like him with the likes of Chris Broderick, MAB and Rustey Cooley. I listen to most kinds of music, but I need to feel that the musician put his heart and soul into it.
@Raakiszh valid point. they get no where the amount of respect and attention that they rightfully deserve. but great music can be simple to complex in form.
@Raakiszh this music is simple. im not putting it down for that tho. the player is very skillful but is playing simple music at speed. just compare this to the complexity of an orchestra for example.
Best guitarist to come out of Omaha! He was way ahead of his time. He should be a household name. I believe this track was on his Yamaha sponsored CD and featured Jeff Pilson on bass. Great stuff.
I don't think the audience is cold. I think this is record straight out of the Mixing Console. I recorded a gig with this once and that's why u don't hear the audience.
same on them...and pity for michael lee...he is one of the most underated guitarists...he hasnt got only a unique style he has soul to his playing too!!
This is the best , gotta love those country style banjo roll amplified by a Marshall Stack , So much coming out of the GTR , his hand is barely moving in the positions on a scale of 1 to 10 this is the shit .
Certo Um dos melhores e criativos guitarristas de todos uns tempos .Melhor epoca q existiu de guitarristas fazem falta q pena hoje vivemos no meio de tanta musica e musicos ruins esse fazem falta.
He is some shredder/blues/country pickin speed guitarist. A freak...in a good way. Jason Becker's idol and he is one damn hell of a good player. Once voted for "Best New Talent" in the 90s and once hailed as "Most Influential Guitarist" by a guitar magazine.
Mike wouldn't know me from a hole in the wall, but we both were at Horace Mann in 9th grade. He went to Northwest afterwards and I to Burke. I used to hang out with a girl named Chris Saitta, and she used to date Mark Zavon from JRZ System. I also ran into Mike at the old Rach Bowl in Omaha watching George Lynch play. Small world, isn't it?
I saw Michael Lee with Ronnie Montrose in Portland a few months back...no one plays like Michael Lee.
TheShredMasters 1 month ago in playlist Liked videos
this is so sick.
BlueRedBlackSilver 1 month ago
30 years i've been at it, now i feel like a first year again,...and i'm cool with that!
IETCHX69 2 months ago
This guy is awesome. There is amazing technique in this tune.
Octoguitarian70 5 months ago
I thoroughly enjoyed this song. I wish there was youtube when I was younger instead of having only magazines. You can really teach yourself to listen to great music and find even more. When I was a kid I used to search for everything and most people shared music as great as this. I don't know many people into it and most who are tend to argue a lot. When I mention something, insteadof turning me onto something else, I often get hit up about "how I know less". Grow a mind, don't shut it down
TheGoddessCaroline 6 months ago
Stupid audience wouldnt know music if it hit them in the head I guess haha.
1000Yep 9 months ago
No room in the industry for firkins...
SeattleMonster86 10 months ago
Sounds a bit like Hot For Teacher by Van Halen.
Xcorgi 11 months ago
Kirk Hammet Disliked this video 6 times!!
Jorthy 11 months ago
1.) About to blow my brains due to horrible audio
2.) Audience must be deaf
3.) Amazing talent
4.) Found this guy thanks to Pandora -- "Night of the Living Shred" radio (Joe Stump)
5.) I hate you 6 Bieber fans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
keeponfda 11 months ago 3
@keeponfda Yo bro! ;D Nice comment, haha! You have an exelent form of humor and a good point or two as well! ;D
Malteboy777 10 months ago
@keeponfda Pandora is great...I've found out about a number of great musical artist through that site. Then again, I could say the same thing about YouTube.
badfinger848 10 months ago
Found this guy by accident. I've only listened to a few of his stuff so far, but I like what I'm hearing.
For me, music is whatever I need it to be in a given moment. Complicated, simplistic--it all depends on what my gut tells me I need.
lordmahan11 1 year ago
this guy is the best whammy barrer ever!
gudjonsveins 1 year ago 4
either the crowd didnt cheer cause there faces got blown off or there just ass holes...but simple people like listening to hits with vocals more than shred,shame...but if I was there I would be off my rocker cheering this guy on,killer riffs.
ShadowForWar 1 year ago
Hails from Nebraska. :D
My uncle used to work with this man at a Russo's Guitar Center when he was still a local project.
Nilephan666 1 year ago
Great guitar job man
i apreciate this job
and souds realy great
bad recorded... but.is ok ok
moimoiac 1 year ago
insane technical ability. reminds me of a twangier vinnie moore. MLF is so underrated.
Mockingbird5150 1 year ago
6 biebers fans watched this. Seriously.
18Kiko18 1 year ago 22
@18Kiko18 Amen!!
randyana 1 year ago
@18Kiko18 shut up an please dont make dumb comments like that.
algor123 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
please join the new fan page of michael lee firkins on facebook if you are a fan; we need more people
rockguitar82 2 years ago
I thought this might be a cover for Tom Petty's Runaway Trains. Not.
Where are all these superstar prodigy whatever players coming from?
Oh well, sensational Mr Firkins
Jewelrydude 2 years ago
WTF?
Purrkins 2 years ago
This reminds me a joke:
1. The lion tells a joke and everybody laugh-the turtle just blinks.
2. The jiraffe tells a joke, everybody laugh- the turtle just blinks.
3. The monkey tells a joke, nobody laugh, but the turtle cryies laughing.
4. The turtle is questioned why is laughing, -"I think the lion's joke was very good"- he say.
It seems the people in this video took more than 5 minutes to understand what just happend before their eyes.
Prodicochea 2 years ago 5
their all in shock with their jaws hanging open thats why its quiet!. Mike is still an underrated player and unknown to most. His debut album is a must have for guitarist of any genre.
dagoelius 2 years ago
what happened in the end? was that tune recorded in a studio with a row of puppets standing in front of the stage?
tubeschaude 2 years ago 3
seriously, there shoulda been some cheering!
trimidium 2 years ago
god that pisses me off when u nail a song perfect, and ur like fuckin A right, and then you finish, and its completely silent like that
kGmusicpage 2 years ago
Seriously! That's just crazy that it was that quiet after he was done!
xpaddy01 2 years ago
Great playing, great hair, great shirt...I love the 80es.
theblindoc 2 years ago
and i love you
ajmosvi 2 years ago
songs awesome
Monkers52 2 years ago
yeah
royares 2 years ago
these technical guitar players can be
Ohh wow
but might not be the tunes you listen to all that much
griftereck 3 years ago
Listen to 24 Grande Avenue.
D0g63rt 2 years ago
You do if you appreciate music. When people say they' love music', I take that with a truckload of salt. People who truly love music are able to find emotion and something to love in more advanced forms. I can barely stand simple music, because there's no feeling left.
Raakiszh 2 years ago 21
@Raakiszh that's your opinion dude. I truely love music but this "advanced form" of music does nothing for me(clicked on this by mistake). I appreciate the talent it takes to pull this off but for me less is more. For me you don't need to hit a million notes per minute to create emotion ya just need to hit the right ones.
Hallucination 1 year ago
@Raakiszh Interesting. I disagree to an extent. All music is emotion, it's just expressed differently. If a song is based on 3 chords, I can feel the emotion. If a song goes through 47 chord changes, I can still feel the emotion. That's just me personally, though. I love minimalist music. I love contemporary classical. I love prog rock especially. Btw this guy FUCKING ROCKS. I haven't listened to guitar music in a while and this is a nice reintroduction.
Tengent 1 year ago
@Raakiszh really. and nobody today has a unique sound quite like anyone from MLF's time. But look up Red Fang and tell me that isn't some good music.
CyValkarion 1 year ago
@Raakiszh ...What you have said here makes no sense at all....Bartoks' Rumanian Folk Dances on piano alone sound simpler than some Steve Vai stuff and yet are packed with feeling.....It's the poetry effect isn't it? The simpler something is the more expression can be got into and out of it if the player and the listener are the right people for the job.
fendermac 9 months ago
@fendermac Of course music can be beautiful in all kinds of forms. I personally listen to all kinds of music, because as long as it's GOOD, it's good. I do not, however, believe in the much too basic concept that "the simpler the music is, the more emotion it can convey". It's all relative.
Raakiszh 9 months ago
@Raakiszh wisely said
IETCHX69 2 months ago
@Raakiszh there is no such thing as "simple" or "advanced" music. its cliche to say this but im sure there are some wes montgomery licks that may be less technically demanding than say a rusty cooley lick. however, if the technical lick is melodic nonsense or doesnt make a clear defining statement then which one is better? besides its all subjective anyways
ThrashIsBack123 4 months ago
@ThrashIsBack123 Now now, that comment is over two years old... besides, I've never ever been a fan of mindless "tweedely doo" shredding. All I'm saying is that I can't stand it when people hear guitar players like MLF and can't understand the melodic and rhythmic brilliance but instead choose group him and others like him with the likes of Chris Broderick, MAB and Rustey Cooley. I listen to most kinds of music, but I need to feel that the musician put his heart and soul into it.
Raakiszh 4 months ago
@Raakiszh valid point. they get no where the amount of respect and attention that they rightfully deserve. but great music can be simple to complex in form.
ThrashIsBack123 4 months ago
@ThrashIsBack123 I wholeheartedly agree.
Raakiszh 4 months ago
@Raakiszh this music is simple. im not putting it down for that tho. the player is very skillful but is playing simple music at speed. just compare this to the complexity of an orchestra for example.
pixiesmasher 1 month ago
holy crap... never heard of this guy.. hes in with the greats in my mind.
right up there with morse, lane, etc.
possibly govan too.
shellshocker1911 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
don't forget jason becker:)
musicalfatality1234 2 years ago 2
Best guitarist to come out of Omaha! He was way ahead of his time. He should be a household name. I believe this track was on his Yamaha sponsored CD and featured Jeff Pilson on bass. Great stuff.
lordpeekaboo 3 years ago
sweet pacifica 1221 !!!
aintnaive 3 years ago
He was good but nowhere near the best on shrapnel
PhiyukYu 3 years ago
WEEDLY WEEDLY WEEEEE
Snailfought 3 years ago
what a load of crap!!! Not even close
bakerj02 3 years ago
Is that crowd alive or what?
tkojams 3 years ago 2
that is insane
nikklaszeta 3 years ago
that one special riff he does with the chickenpicking makes an illusion of him using a delay pedal, wich he DONT.
He`s awesome!
CobHatecrewNor 3 years ago
I don't think the audience is cold. I think this is record straight out of the Mixing Console. I recorded a gig with this once and that's why u don't hear the audience.
xdarrenx 3 years ago
terriblemente bueno ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
exxorudolf 3 years ago
the audience is so f...cold with him!!
same on them...and pity for michael lee...he is one of the most underated guitarists...he hasnt got only a unique style he has soul to his playing too!!
inkve 3 years ago
Japanese audience. They can be weird sometimes especially if its the first time they are hearing said artist.
Devilbat 3 years ago
Quite unique and impressive.
DTM1864 3 years ago
On MY planet, called Earth, he is a very impressive guitarist.....silly extraterrestrials...
thatickla 3 years ago 4
so Congrats......
michael lee firkins just ate your soul...and your family...
what are you going to do next?
GO TO DENNYSLAND!!!!!!
JESUSFREAK040 3 years ago
Wow, incredible...
Wylligr 3 years ago
Amazing!!! but sad that the audience is so quite.Can't they see that he is not from this planet? at least make him feel welcome.
cemusicman 3 years ago 3
shit...this is the second vid of him ive seen and im blown away... way havnt i heard of him b4?
JayBird018 3 years ago
when his album came out in 1987 he blew everyone away
chu71 3 years ago
His first album came out in 1990 and was recorded in 1989.
brosaguitar 3 years ago
god damn !
kudillo 4 years ago
This is the best , gotta love those country style banjo roll amplified by a Marshall Stack , So much coming out of the GTR , his hand is barely moving in the positions on a scale of 1 to 10 this is the shit .
McMinnManiac 4 years ago
Mike is so COOL!!
toddevans1 4 years ago
Certo Um dos melhores e criativos guitarristas de todos uns tempos .Melhor epoca q existiu de guitarristas fazem falta q pena hoje vivemos no meio de tanta musica e musicos ruins esse fazem falta.
nationface 4 years ago
Killer performance; but the audience is comatose; who slipped them downers?
Gregorypeckory 4 years ago
jesus h christ ur right there standing still like dead cattle.
staticvanthrax 4 years ago
So, what you just said is that Gregorypeckory is right THERE standing still like dead cattle?
shotogeek 3 years ago
he's firkin great...
5starcomment 4 years ago 2
this thread = punned. Well played sir.
emrxsteelmech 4 years ago
hes so good, he can even play neoclassical (jason beckers end of the beginning has michael lee firkins playing, check it out)
COBfan696 4 years ago
of course he can play jason baecker songs.. hes the idol of jason becker,,,, thats why jason becker let lee firkins play his songs for him..
bastardtorogi 4 years ago
Who is this musician? Can anyone give me some background please?
tbonedrumcam 4 years ago
He is some shredder/blues/country pickin speed guitarist. A freak...in a good way. Jason Becker's idol and he is one damn hell of a good player. Once voted for "Best New Talent" in the 90s and once hailed as "Most Influential Guitarist" by a guitar magazine.
KhidirD2K 4 years ago
saweet player 5*****
PROGNUT777 4 years ago
i heard mike cut off all his fingers blender accident
on his left hand in a tragic blender accident!!
smurfsex 4 years ago
hhahaha no such news. he is still out there..
KhidirD2K 4 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
download the complete video here:
w w w.0 n l y s h i t.m u l t i p l y.c o m/journal
OnIyShiT 4 years ago
gotta love michael!!
thelycandraven 4 years ago
hey if you guys can get a hold of mike, can you tell him to get some transcriptions of his songs up id love to buy them and try to learn his style
shredder777 4 years ago
I have this backing track performed by Dave Kilminster of Guitar Techniques Magazine from years ago.
AncerG 4 years ago
5stars none less
05rsx 4 years ago
I think we all dated Chris Saitta!! LOL
screaminstevieb 4 years ago
Love Michael Lee Firkins ...^..^ ( ) //// Thanks !
gabrie166 4 years ago
I love alot of his stuff,...but whats he doin now..?
xtremelixx 4 years ago
AWESOME. I have always loved his playing.
danyeo 4 years ago
Got to see this all the time, we used to
hang out together back in Omaha!
stevebruckner 4 years ago
Thanx for posting. Michael is such a talented guy...
bumblesouth 4 years ago
A fellow Omahan doing the guitar world proud! He is a very, very gifted player. Very unique, and that is saying something in the guitar community.
derekthetitan 4 years ago
You know Firk? We is bud's!
stevebruckner 4 years ago
Mike wouldn't know me from a hole in the wall, but we both were at Horace Mann in 9th grade. He went to Northwest afterwards and I to Burke. I used to hang out with a girl named Chris Saitta, and she used to date Mark Zavon from JRZ System. I also ran into Mike at the old Rach Bowl in Omaha watching George Lynch play. Small world, isn't it?
derekthetitan 4 years ago
Who didn't date Chris Saitta! I introduced
her to both those guy's (when I was dating her)
Pretty Damn Funny!
screaminstevieb 4 years ago
Sure do! Just talked to him a week ago, he's about
finished with the new CD!!
stevebruckner 4 years ago
The kid can play!!!
namnoiz 4 years ago
True master of the guitar!!!
Thank you very much for uploading this!!!
JohGordon1 4 years ago