Periphery - It's Only Smiles (Guitar Playthrough)

Mark Holcomb's official guitar playthrough of 'It's Only Smiles' from the album Periphery IV: HAIL STAN - out now on 3DOT Recordings
Purchase or stream the new album now at periphery.net
Filmed by Vanessa Ochotorena
Mark Holcomb proudly uses PRS Guitars, Seymour Duncan Pick Ups and Pedals, Fractal Audio, D'Addario Strings and Dunlop Picks.
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Site: periphery.net
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[@26CW128Jake]

Who knew 7 strings could sound so happy yet so heavy at the same time!?

[@maxfidyk4754]

"It's not about size, it's how you use it"

[@jasonlovesmusicreacting882]

Drop C does wonders.

[@maxfidyk4754]

It's not drop C, it's drop G# on 7 string

[@hcaz5818]

Guess you haven't heard Kadinja

[@firmans12]

@@hcaz5818 kadinja sucks tbh. Sounds too robotic

[@Xaeldaren]

I heard my mother died four days before Hail Stan was released. You all have no idea how much I've played this song since and how much solace I've been able to draw from it. Thank you.

[@SoRryMm]

stay strong brother, we're all with you here

[@Xaeldaren]

@@SoRryMm Thank you.

[@Cognitoman]

Life is tragic, but we don’t have to make it hell. Edit: coming back 3 years from when I wrote this and the words still hold true, my best friend died of an overdose then 6 weeks later my dad died unexpectedly and was found laying dead in the kitchen... like is tragic but we don’t have to make it hell.

[@xyglrox5869]

Sending good energies your way. Stay strong, stranger ✊

[@bloodyoneiric9641]

Lost my elder brother feel your pain, stay strong.

[@joshuasalgado4694]

Mark is flexing extra hard with all those prs guitars on the wall lol.

[@baraldobumpa3447]

I was looking for this comment, I wanted to make it

[@levig-man4103]

Custom....custom made babeboy

[@jacklewington2118]

But picks up the cheapest one 😅

[@mrwigglebutz5061]

Dude that's like a solid 50k. My mouth dropped...😱

[@lexgatesofficial255]

@@jacklewington2118 not too sure about that man🙈 it's still his custom made sevenstring with custom build bridge and stuff.

[@houseatlantic8973]

Never knew the Jake solo was that easy!? It’s all in the hips 😱

[@Koreyisadumbfuck]

ooga booga chaka agrees

[@travislee9662]

Elishawan Johnson you should definitely still warm up and stretch a little first before attempting 🤪

[@Shenaniman]

Hips and nips

[@pfff1]

I profoundly wish to hear this song for the first time again...

[@Drewid84]

I just did and had tears in my eyes within a minute

[@noice7381]

I need that Jake Bowen gif on my screen forever

[@snowyfrog7727]

me three

[@matthewramroop]

Song title: "It's Only Smiles" Mark: Doesn't Smile

[@jessenicoletta4160]

we were lied to

[@JeremiahFernandez]

i mean, it's only smiles

[@bran8961]

Mrak is always smiling inside.

[@breckenphillips6517]

Mark’s play style is so unique and distinguishable, with all of the slides, pull-offs and ringing notes. As soon as the track starts you can tell Mark wrote the song, and for some reason most of my favourite Periphery songs have ended up being written by him. Smiles, the Way the News Goes, Scarlett, etc. Something about his play-style just inspires me, I love it

[@emanuelstude4912]

Yes, i love this style of guitar. Scarlet was the first song i heard from periphery and I've been in love with them ever since, especially the songs written by Mark. I actually think this style of guitar should get a name. For ex polaris song relapse also has this style of guitar, also novelists frs album c'est lavi (I'm swedish i probably butchered the spelling there) heavily features this style of guitar. I therefore think for the people who like this style of guitar it should get a name of its own instead of going under progressive metal which in general is much heavier than this.

[@HugoStiglitz88]

But racecar is the best. Also who wrote all new materials? Mark plays how I wish I could tho lol

[@etsells44]

​@@HugoStiglitz88 iirc, racecar was jake and anm was an old bulb demo

[@piotrwillow6440]

he is just a session guitarrist for Misha Mansoor's band Periphery (previously known as Bulb) where 90% style and compositions are Misha's so if anything is unique here is Misha's genious.

[@theflipper404]

@@piotrwillow6440 Yeah a lot of dudes forget that Misha helped Mark write the Haunted Shores stuff. If people go back and listen to a track like Breeze by Bulb, you can really see Misha is like an insanely creative guitarist.

[@brycemartinson9739]

I'm not ashamed to admit that even right now I'm blasting this parked in my driveway trying to not let things get me so far down when I already feel farther and farther than other days. Music is something that words can't even come close to being a remedy. I'm broken and the music covers the squeaky parts of me

[@TheWhills]

Much Love, Brother. I feel it too. Hang in there.

[@bmeds413]

I always love how melodic Mark Holcomb's progressions and arpeggios are. What a musician.

[@akasegaonkar]

I like how he casually plugs in the guitar like its an everyday jam, and absolutely NAILS the playthrough.

[@horse_dog]

well I mean I’d be pretty disappointed if he plugged the guitar in then bombed the play through of a song from the band he’s in lmao. (this is obviously a joke, Mark’s playing is really impressive)

[@dannystumpf321]

Well i don’t know if I would call it “bombing” the play through but at 3:51 on the slower chugs the audio doesn’t sync up, by like half a second... and a few other parts. But that’s just food for thought that maybe this wasn’t a live performance..

[@akasegaonkar]

@@dannystumpf321 you're right, good observation. But I'd guess, he probably just cut that part out, because till around 3:00 ish, the audio and video are perfectly in sync.

[@alfcahya]

@@dannystumpf321 guess its the video editing part.. but who knows. after all its his guitar riff parts anyway.

[@bakedbean1232]

Honestly I would wager pretty much anything the audio was all pre-recorded and then just played over for the video. Still dope tho.

[@austina369]

This song just seems to sound better amd better every time I listen to it lol

[@humanvaibhav]

What an amazing guitarist! He should audition for Periphery!

[@sirspookybones1118]

Officially endorsed by Periphery too which is nice of them to appreciate good fan covers

[@Lol-pb9bx]

Uhh hes in a band it's called one direction

[@rogerbatista6472]

I heard he is making his campaign as a Nickelback guitarist by now and filling their music with good quality guitar solos

[@human6310]

@@rogerbatista6472 Unfortunately he was found missing today. Last seen in his car with his hair and beard perfectly shaved and left in his car while his clothes were found 6 miles from the parked car.

[@staatsanwaltschaftemskirch4709]

@@human6310 his bodily remains were found last week at some haunted shores

[@KeyanHoushmandLive]

Me after 1642 consectutive days: That 7 string SE model is coming any day now, just you wait

[@chickenpermission1656]

Amen

[@dougcronkhite2113]

I'm buying one the moment it becomes available.. HAS to be soon now! :P

[@masensmith4226]

He has plenty of 7s, there's gotta be a reason he picked THIS one...

[@spartan_xbox7169]

@@masensmith4226 because he gets revenue lol probably not the reason though

[@iMatty_2]

Today was the day my dude! prs just announced its out. 2 finishes

[@tallicafu]

I think I'll just smile through it ALL FOR YOU. Permanent chills from this song.

[@BodkinArrow]

same, i cant listen to it without getting the feels

[@kalisto_2007]

I just discovered periphery, and i've never wanted to hear so many songs for the first time again like i do right now.

[@SublevelsMetal]

His playign style is so unique, i love how he voice those chords in a prog metal song like this, thats superb!

[@bramlatinson871]

My best friend passed away couple weeks ago. He was my roomate and we built a music studio in my basement. He never had to ask but he always did and the good memories with it hold so deep. He was a jazz player but also a rockstar and opened for some known bands. He always ripped on my musical taste but was so proud of the miles I crossed to achieve my sound. He was very supportive like my rock. A big brother and he had his final siezure. Now the studio is empty of sound and laughter. This song is a very relatable emotion i feel to when it hits in waves. I still will carry the torch and continue to evolve and learn. Music is all I have left now

[@drawn5865]

Mark's riff always hit different

[@KEOSOUNDS]

Man, that ending with the chonks and the beautiful lead progression is the kind of thing I live for

[@Swing_Twice]

The evolution of this band has been so incredibly fun to watch and experience over the years. This song is a great example of serious growth as artists.

[@aoa0i2u]

"Hi there its Mark, just casually demoing my new signature prs se 7 string guitar"

[@dylantower2726]

I need one of these in my life

[@zahinzk]

wait has a seven string version of the SE been released?

[@bradbattista]

Pretty sure this his custom PRS 7 from the Maryland custom shop. Not an SE model.

[@MaximumLevelAudio-BrianKnop]

@@bradbattista I want one of those 7's in an American PRS so bad. I talked to the head of the custom shop at NAMM, and they're just so far out of my price range. :-( I'd do 3-4K for a USA PRS 7 in a heartbeat though.

[@jasonharkinmusic4186]

@@bradbattista this 7 is definitely an SE. You can tell by the solid birds on the fretboard, the curve on the body is not as awesome and the core models and in a couple frames you can see the headstock say SE under the Paul Reed Smith. And it has a gloss headstock which the usa models dont have I believe.

[@zombiblitzen3899]

This gives me hope that there will be an SE Mark Holcomb 7 string at Winter NAMM😍

[@metalman9572]

If you havent gotten one yet.......get one......I promise, just get one.

[@mathias6423]

It is just insane to me how good these PRS SE guitars sounds for the money. I think a lot of people blindfolded trying out 5 PRS guitars from different price groups would have a really hard time picking the SE guitar out as the cheapest one. As always, props to Mark for playing his SE guitars live and out in public. Not many artists that plays their cheaper signature guitars publicly, as a matter of fact I can not think of anyone that plays their imported/cheaper signature version as much as Mark Holcomb does. So creds to him! It sounds like a million bucks as well!!!

[@DeathBringer769]

My favorite Periphery guitar player at it again ;)

[@tymtrppr3]

I remember seeing you play this riff on Misha's birdfish and thinking how sick this riff was. Glad you finally made it into a song 3 years later.

[@ibnufasya6408]

Can you give me the link to the vid?

[@ibnufasya6408]

@Rener Abano thank you. That guitar looks weird.

[@spoompls42069]

Now we just need a drum-through of “CHVRCH BVRNER”...

[@guylumalfaro3176]

you're not wrong xD.

[@BionicleSaurus]

YES PLEASE

[@kamronconover3779]

OmegaLuma PLEASE

[@MrNickoOD]

bro yes

[@clonetrooper576]

YES

[@lefebvreplourde6793]

One of the most beautiful composition ever from Periphery. I listen to this song and sing along everyday thinking about my father who passed away before I became the men im now. Solace is huge with this song. Lifetime love to Periphery and their beautiful members.

[@niclake13]

I love that you do these; I always manage to pick up on some intricacies that I miss just listening to the album. I think it'd be super cool if the 3 of you got into the same room & recorded one of these, or had 3 separate videos you could link up w/ the same play-through to see how everyone's parts are different.

[@BrandonofRedemption]

Nic Lake would be cool if they did a split screen with the whole band.

[@samuelkilik8233]

yep we need this

[@DangerDMA]

Yes!

[@tempuramonster]

Might be hard if they live far away from each other. But it'd be great to see a playthrough with all 3! Heck, might as well just make a live studio music video. Lol

[@nothingtoseehere93]

They did that a while ago with all new materials

[@JacobMartin]

Yesss been waiting for more playthroughs! This is so sick

[@heatvision186]

Yes! Ive been waiting for a playthrough of this song, the guitar parts are so well put together

[@DarkVileScream]

I love metal when it has such nice harmony to it. Periphery is amazing at fusing the two into masterpieces

[@nixenze]

One of my favorite track from the album. I'm so happy to get to see the playthrough. Thank you Mark!

[@mistakenintegrity]

Holy carp! I love what you’ve done with the tone here! Each note and string sounds like it’s on its own, yet together. Beautiful!

[@geraldlobster7695]

I literally listen to just this song all the way too and from work. Really gets you in that optimistic mood.

[@igorfb618]

this song means a lot and will always be special for me. thank you guys so much and thanks to Mark for a perfect playthrough.

[@NoahWolfe]

Such a beautiful guitar, beautiful tone, and beautiful riffs. It truly is only smiles.

[@youtubechannelyo188]

It was only smiles until the Jake GIF, then it was laughter 🤣

[@jbasti227]

Lmao saw this comment a few seconds after it popped up. Made my day.

[@zackfreeman3985]

I always come back to this video. It's so beautiful, thank god mark started playing guitar in his life.

[@IsaiahStewartJazz]

I've been a fan of Periphery for 10 years!! They are always so awesome!!!!!

[@thetruth4654]

This is one of my favorite Periphery song, it`s so beautiful and Spencer vocal performance, is both very sad, and so powerful aswell, it really feels like someone who has gotten beaten down by life and that they are surrounded by so much sadness, but they still manage to have a deep and profound love for life regardless.

[@AndyDuckala]

I'm not sure how one song is able to draw out such strong emotions of immense joy and intense sadness. Thankyou Periphery for writing a song that genuinely makes me tear up almost every time. It really is only smiles in the end//

[@AscensionUSA]

This song just hits me a certain way, especially chord progression in the chorus. I get extra chills.

[@BierMeister360]

I always keep coming back to this vid, always

[@TheRockstarr33]

I would actually love to hear a vocal "playthrough" of either It's Only Smiles or Satellites! Great work on this one, Mark!!! :D

[@skithesmallestpp343]

Victor Borba does an amazing vocal cover of both, actually. I don't think he's well known, but he does an amazing job imo. Worth your while

[@andromeda6463]

TheRockstarr33 would recommend checking out victor borba- dude’s voice is as close to Spencer’s as I’ve ever heard , his covers are phenomenal

[@chrishendricks5211]

Tristan Maloney has got the best vocal cover of this song on KZbin. And it only has 56 views. It should have way more!!

[@antispectrum000]

That is the catchiest riff I’ve ever heard

[@odin9353]

Gorgeously done

[@dbfx4014]

This is the playthrough I was waiting for!

[@12breacher82]

Jake’s soloing technique is amazing 🔥😍🤘🏻

[@ddawsonn]

I strongly feel that we’re in some kind of guitar renascence. Everything’s progressing and getting way more technical which is really cool to see.

[@tubadude07]

I love how I can almost tell you plays the solo in a Periphery just by hearing it. Shows how much i listen to these guys.

[@natureandguitars8983]

It's great to see such an amazing musical song played, its even better to see what a master piece it really is.

[@Avalenor]

Instant like after I saw the guitar collection...

[@daylightdelirium3701]

Love the new Periphery album, especially this song and Reptile. Our guitarist wants one of those Holcomb signature PRS so bad! Also he's a huge Bears fan lol

[@jackobrien7135]

amazing loved that rich tone and deep sounding chorus loved it

[@eetfukouijaaa]

Mark's riffs are always top notch man.

[@SothorosDjents]

“Mrak, you have way too many guitars.” -said no one ever Sick play through!

[@Mrchickenterian]

Oneday I will quit my job and start practicing guitar for 8 hours a day. Then I will play like mark.so happy tunes yet so heavy.

[@themanwithamission]

Man, this song. Thank you Mark, and thank you Periphery. ♥️

[@gabrielfrancois7262]

I love this band and this song so much. For me, there will never be another band that tops Periphery.

[@LoveEmbodiment]

Every time I hear this song I go back to that feeling of what it took for me to move on after loosing someone I loved really much. And every time I sing this song my heart sent the wish of reunion against all odds. It is a song of defeat and that’s what brings so much solace cuz it is only when we surrender to what is (the loss of a loved one) that we learn to live with what was left (memories). And that’s something that’s ours.

[@ericwisel4015]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="103">1:43</a>-<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="114">1:54</a> is the greatest thing ever

[@Athenascars]

Exactly my thoughts.

[@timeslowingdown]

Man u should listen to the band Wide Eyes if you like that part, they write a lot of similar licks to that

[@anjoesatriani]

such a masterpiece song, masterpiece riffs, masterpiece everything!

[@frogginbullfish8777]

I could honestly watch Mark play guitar all day long. He's got such a unique style.

[@dopeymetalbud]

Who dislikes this??? You gotta be insane to not see how gorgeous this is. Open your ears plebes.

[@Captain-Mayday]

He absolutely nailed this guitar cover.

[@RavnerRavner]

thank you mr holcomb. the holcomb prs is the best guitar I have ever played. i love everything about it.

[@lliivviill]

Mark l hope all is going well with you and your loved ones. I still come back to this video from time to time. To me it seems to be one of those reference things that you remember when and where you were at the time. I took three of my 4 girls with me to Philly last September. You killed it 6' in front of us all night. Great gathering to remember. Great song to remember.

[@armedfl7250]

I need that guitar solo by Jake Bowen gif

[@johnester8421]

I really hope this means there's a 7 string signature on the way

[@lucavitale7469]

I needed this in my life. Thank you.

[@ryzorzen]

absolute sucker for smooth slides between the tapping, sounds like magic

[@thachatimmy4723]

!!!!!! I like this song // 7 string prs se ohhh!!

[@lahijanxe8215]

Nobody : Me : Do you like PRS Guitars ? Mark : <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1">0:01</a>

[@citypunk326]

finally, been waiting for this one a long time

[@jpower1414]

Very dank playthrough, thank you.

[@nickc4849]

*watches video* *contemplates selling 7 string* ... *googles tabs instead*

[@SoChilledOutGuy]

I like how the Axe-fx says “Mrak”

[@denniskoore]

Man, this song is pure gold

[@Shindaroo]

This is the best instrumental ive heard in a lonnngg time my dude, love it

[@bigbrownhouse6999]

How tf does spencer write vocals to this

[@CozyCatte]

Waiting for that "haha you play good, you should play for Periphery" joke : ^)

[@japrapetroz3437]

Beautiful sound.. Fantastic!

[@Alex25CoB]

I love you guys, best band for ever 😍 this is my favorite song from the new record !! Much love from Austria

[@RedSkyWhisper]

Ok, now I know I need to save money for my 3rd Mrak Signature PRS SE

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="114">1:54</a> I am not a perfect PERSON!

[@KeyanHoushmandLive]

There's been times where I've despised you, but this comparison to Hoobastank has really topped it off

[@taz2807]

@@KeyanHoushmandLive hey its the guy that makes some shitty songs sound less shitty with djent. Thank you for your service

[@PatrickLawler]

Omfg I ruin this song for all my friends because I sing these lyrics at the same spot! Thank you for validating me!

[@jordynpenner9105]

I've always thought the same thing haha

[@the1111machi]

Oh damn.

[@Gary_W]

This playthrough made my day. Thank you 😊

[@Not_Sure_2505]

Such a fun riff to play!

[@louis_cgf9206]

I clicked faster than Mark can play

[@QuietSnake-xs5vx]

that's all we're good at im afraid

[@Possiblyabandaid]

b.s.

[@Nedwin]

comment of the day!

[@akasegaonkar]

THANK YOU! Now please do a playthrough for Satellites, pleeaaasseee

[@ryanjbeattie]

I agree however I feel removing the vocals would be a tragedy

[@scottreid3540]

soooooooo badass. thank you guys for making this music. its inspiring and keeps me moving forward when I feel like giving up

[@billiemack64]

PRS guitars are simply amazing. This thing sounds great. These riffs sound great.

[@davidlindsey5363]

I could watch him play that first riff on loop probably for the rest of my life and have no qualms

[@wasianwonderer]

Don't think I've ever clicked a notification this fast

[@komamusica88]

Love it!!!

[@dmythica]

Absolutely epic

[@ephilbin]

A friend of mine had this playing in his car, and during the intro, I started singing "You would not believe your eyes, if ten million fireflies..." I'm no longer friends with that group of people.

[@Haduj-the-Lion]

that made my day :').

[@akasegaonkar]

Understandably so.

[@jcassler1969]

Is this a pre-release video for the new MH SE 7 string? :)

[@DingDongDaddyFromDumas]

It must be so satisfying having the amp change your tones and effects for you as you're playing

[@noxiouspanther4796]

God yes! Been waiting for this!!