Nuno Bettencourt on his final visit from Eddie Van Halen while recording Extreme's 'Six' | Interview

In this interview, Gi's Jonathan Graham catches up with Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt to talk about all things Extreme. In the interview, you'll hear about the new Extreme album 'Six' that drops in June 2023. This is Extreme's first new full-length release since 2008's Saudades de Rock.
Throughout the interview, Nuno talks about the approach to making the album and shares some stories about being visited by Eddie Van Halen, and why Brian May respects him as a player. There is a strong message for guitar players in this interview about the importance of playing for the song and how Nuno only functions as a great guitarist inside a great song.
Intro - 00:00
Why did the new album take so long? - 00:15
"It's Gotta Mean Something" - 02:11
"You Are what You Eat - Influences on the Album - 03:36
The Fans Expectation - 07:25
The Rock Star Era and the Soundtrack to Life - 08:56
Is it a Hit? Releasing Music in 2023 - 11:59
Nuno is Out for Blood - 13:`18
Rick Beatos Breakdown and the Physical and Emotional Connection - 14:10
The Importance of a Solo INSIDE a Song - 18:45
Playing with Feel and Fire -19:26
We're Starved for Guitar Moments - 22:39
Brian May Can't Visualize the Solo - 23:13
Guitar Player Lists and the Heir to EVHs Throne - 24:36
Nuno on Working Alone and a Visit from Van Halen - 25:25
Have the Balls to NOT Play - 27:48
The Fans are the Most Important - 33:00
#nunobettencourt #extreme #guitarinteractive
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[@mikelucarello7310]

Dudes , if this guy doesn’t inspire you than you’re dead! I’m not just jealous of his ability but his passion for what he does. That is the definition of success

[@davidsant5729]

The most interesting rock guitarist out there, no contest!

[@guyverguyver6]

Amazing interview Jonathan. Nuno is a total legend, so cool to hear him speak so freely about his inspirations imo

[@GuitarInteractive]

Thanks for checking it out. The new album is superb.

[@adneria]

This was the coolest fucking interview. I love seeing Nuno get the love he deserves.

[@johnfletcher948]

Nuno is SO humble and cool. I met him and he was the real deal kids. They opened for Cheap Trick in Corning Ca.

[@TheLookingGlassAU]

Nuno this is what I felt when I heard Rise. I thought "this reminds me why I started playing in the first place". The solo made me tear up, not because it was so good (though it is), it was because I felt like guitarists had been relegated to the back seats in music today. You played your solo like you were says, I'm a fkn guitarist, and the guitar can do this!! It's like everyone born since 2000 have never heard a guitar sing. I hadn't heard a guitar sing like that in a long freekin time. PS Gary's vocal on #Rebel is a new level for him, you guys have really matured, but you still have that thing you had at the start. You gave us back a reason to be proud to be a guitar player again. I felt 16 again when I first heard He-Man woman h8tr. PSS I'm an Aussie, and I noticed that "mate" you said in this interview :) I loved Baby Animals.

[@GuitarInteractive]

You'll love the new album!

[@Fulltondano]

A conduit. Love love love love his passion and humanity. He MEANS to live.

[@Thedesertguy75]

HE is so right about it all. To make an album for the fans is when you are dead............Do what sounds good to you first. Great interview

[@chrisc9935]

Such a awesome interview.so honest .from the heart ❤. Love how humble Nuno is and the nice story of his mom making pancakes for fans and he ate with them . such a great 👍 story .Nuno I loved your playing style since The 1900s Bill&Ted's excellent adventure made me buy the 1st EXTREME album learned different playing styles palm muting , harmonics, tapping because of you ! When I saw you guys live (Reading Pa Aug/23) it was listening to the Tape,CD album pure perfection TY for your music 🎶 I would just press auto reverse on the tape and play it over & over again TY TY TY

[@michellegiardinobast7471]

Great interview. Nuno is so talented. Listening to him talk with this excitement is what a kid needs for inspiration. He could teach kids because he would be super motivating. ❤️

[@krissifelicetti4807]

As long as the kids are not very young or we would need to duct tape his mouth since every other word is Fxck 🤣

[@fabianpinos2778]

Amazing interview!! Nuno is not only a virtuoso guitar player he is much more than that... putting real meaning in his music and play with heart and true enjoyment and be able to communicate that to the world, to the fans... worths!! gracias Nuno, obrigado!!!🤘

[@ksenijajemensek6126]

This is the beat in-depth interview. I’d listen to Nuno all day. ❤️

[@GuitarInteractive]

Thanks for checking it out. Glad you enjoyed.

[@ac0pt]

Very well done interview! És um orgulho Nuno!

[@Century_Road_Official]

Out of all the podcast/interviews happening with Nuno currently, this was one of the more interesting ones. He’s clearly all in and very passionate about his role in the BAND, so his story telling is excellent, but there were a bunch of soundbytes and stories some of the others haven’t touched on yet, so thank you!

[@laloutre9106]

Great interview, thank you!

[@vicksinn]

Rare and a greatly done interview! Even Nuno mentions it in the end. Thanks so much for this.

[@GuitarInteractive]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment 🙏

[@6stringjim767]

great interview thanks for sharing

[@GuitarInteractive]

Thanks for watching

[@ChrisFromAcrossThePond]

Great interview, my fave guitarist/band

[@GuitarInteractive]

Thanks for watching

[@DavidWilliams-rp3rx]

I'm new here and that almost felt like Mickey Anthony interviewing Perry Farrell - (!) - but my internet is baad tonite and the picture is not great. Neither are my eyes. Just messin'. What a fabulous interview; Nuno knows how to talk and what he says is honest, lean, revealing truth. EVH's visit during the cutting of the Rise solo is a real OMG moment. You really couldn't make this stuff up - surely that tale will go down in the annals of music history.

[@chrisbarclay]

Love this guy. Been lucky to hang with Nuno. I just shut the fuck up and listened. He is so funny and astutely wise.

[@ianmurphy6824]

Great interview. You did a great job and got some good stories out I hadn't heard like the mum one at the end 👍🤘

[@johnfletcher948]

Mom knows best Nuno!

[@mikeyroberts1252]

Nuno. If you read this......your attitude and take on this....being hungry for it....wanting ti do it right....remembering what it feels like to be a teen....20s...... The spirit of rock. Surprised rebel isnt doing as well as banshee. Glad you're playing it live. Hope there's more of rise and rebel in the album, and nect album. Needs that edge...that pep. Thst attitude, but still melodic. Recipe for success. Nobody wants to see their bands aging....playing slower...dropping half a step....lacking energy. You guys are doing it right. Winger is doing it right. Billy Idol is doing it right. Don't lose that. Don't water down and slow down like Def Leppard (favorite band, seen them 11 times). Remind each other of your hunger...say hey guys, let's do the next album within 3 -4 years. Song for love would be a good kind-of ballad to play live. I know you can only slaught about 12 songs, with 3 new ones.,..king of the ladies was good. Idk. Sorry for the rant. We're all fighting father time. Keep fighting.

[@johnfletcher948]

VH SECRETS 1982! King Edward playing solo for the song kids!

[@streetmansam5073]

Great interview Jonathan, flowed well. What we’re the 2 questions you were going to ask Nuno at the end before he told the story of eating breakfast with his fans coz his mum told him to!!🤣🤣 Love Nuno’s passion!!

[@MrVladalv]

True words have been spoken

[@craigbanta57]

Loved Nuno since "kid ego" then pornograffiti came out and a new guitar hero was born..made rhythm playing interesting and as important as the solo during the heyday of the gtr Olympics. Eddie did it in the early 80's but Nuno hammered it home.Made me get my rhythm playing together 10 fold.. actually saw AIC open for them at Toads Place in New Haven CT..great show..AIC went over everybody's head though..6 months later,the rest is history..met him after the show.. totally cool which was refreshing..so humble. That's the secret to it right there..thx Nuno..see ya soon!

[@BobbyHarrisonGuitar]

Brilliant interview! Could’ve benefited from a bit more swearing though!

[@GuitarInteractive]

😂😂

[@jefflevesque5316]

Thanks for the energy injection Nuno. It's funny, Nuno didn't think his Bach bits were very interesting. Ooooof.

[@AnonContributor]

The wall of platinum behind him. Geezuz!

[@giancarlozavattinart9898]

Nuno looks always 25 years old.

[@tailgunner6948]

Freedom is not back yet!

[@gajogrande]

“You are what you eat” is such a curious view on music, it’s interesting respecting the ones that that inspire you, when these days everyone is so scared of being accused of plagiarism.

[@f0t0]

I mean, what do you say.

[@gingerology]

Does he have to keep fuckin' swearing?

[@bheinlen]

I have LOTS of spaces in my playing; happens every time I get to a spot I can't play or don't know what to play. It's not very amazing though. I don't think I'm doing it right.

[@GuitarInteractive]

As long as you're playing, you're doing it right

[@wavular]

56??? Guy looks 15!