Riff Retrospective: Extreme II: Pornograffitti

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Its time for a brand new Riff Retrospective with your buddy Uncle Ben Eller! Extreme II: Pornograffitti is one of the greatest guitar albums of all time, thanks in part to Nuno Bettencourt's AMAZING funk metal riffs! So much Van Halen-inspired goodness, with killer grooves and melody. This record changed my life, and i'm gonna tell you why after i take you on a guided tour (with TABs!) through its SICKEST RIFFS! If you've just watched ‪@RickBeato‬ 's Nuno Interview, this is the perfect followup! Lets go!
Gear:
Suhr Modern Swirl, Suhr Modern White Tiger
Bareknuckle Holy Diver, Seymour Duncan JB
JHS Ratpack
Marshall 2203X JCM800 reissue
UA OX
What album deserves a riff retrospective next? Let me know!
#rickbeato #nunobettencourt #vanhalen

[@BenEller]

Thanks for watching my Riff Retrospective on Extreme II: Pornograffitti! Grab the tabs and exclusive tone shaping video here: www.patreon.com/posts/84101228?

[@BenEller]

And let me know what record you want to see on the next Riff Retrospective!

[@JazzIIIIB]

Would love to see more Avenged Sevenfold on your channel. The Stage has so many amazing guitar work.

[@aerosmith7175]

@@JazzIIIIBYES maybe even the new album🤘

[@diegourena4575]

Def Leppard's Hysteria

[@satchrules101]

@@BenEller Dude ur swing feel is absolutely Amazing!

[@shanepomeroy5608]

My grandma bought this album thinking all of the songs were going to sound like “More Than Words” after hearing it on the radio 😂

[@user-nu7xx7pc1d]

😂😂 that was every girl did back in the days!!

[@j_freed]

Someone's grandma was trying to buy this in the record store, and seeing if she said "no, these are nice boys!"

[@kojam1]

😂. Samething with Mr. Big and To Be With You. Local top 40 station here had a contest and gave away tickets to their concert. Some soccer mom won tickets. I remember wishing I could have been there to see the look on their faces when PG is tearing up guitar solos! 😂😂

[@Win7ermu7e]

As someone who was in university when this came out it cuts me deep that you are referrring to your "grandma" here.

[@sVieira151]

The best thing about this album as a guitarist is when you play just about any riff on this album you can't help but smile. You can see it with you as well, despite clearly trying to concentrate for the video. The riffs are absolutely infectious.

[@Samurai78420]

I can't say it enough, Ben, but again I been playing for nearly 40 years, and I seriously wish I had you as a resource when I was learning. You've become one of my favorite guitar players ever. Your delivery is just impeccable. You're inspiring a whole generation of people that are fortunate enough to discover your channel. I can play like a mfker, but when I need to break out of a rut, you're the guy I go to. You've definitely had an impact on me and my playing.

[@RobbieFitzgerald]

I really dont think Nuno gets enough love. Even among guitar players, he doesnt come up often enough. Thanks uncle Ben.

[@charlesthomas9294]

I've gotten to meet Nuno twice. Once in '91 at a small clinic he put on, and again in 2016 before a Generation Axe performance with Vai, Wylde, Malmsteen and Tobasi. Both times he was an absolutely humble, generous, and kind presence. One of the greats!

[@stgibson2810]

When I was 17 years and had all the time in the world, I went in my bedroom with the Pornograffitti tab book and the cd. Practicing day in, day out, that book launched me from being a beginner to an intermediate player. I couldn’t tell you what a major pentatonic is, but damn it I could play He Man Woman Hater. I agree Ben, it’s the most influential album of my life.

[@bodine1231]

Every song on this album is amazing. I've been trying for years to nail the He Man Woman Hater riff and still can't do it, Nuno makes it look easy!

[@larrycrabs5995]

Agreed. The notes of the riff are simple, but putting it all together like Nuno is hard.

[@algor8541]

Nuno mostly plays it with hammer ons. It's all about precision and having the sweet spots of fingertips near the nails hammering the low strings

[@j_freed]

@@algor8541HAND tone is extremely underrated, EVH had extremely strong hands and his touch created the loudness of his playing more than the gain or what type of amp he was using. Eddie just sounded like Eddie. I think a few like Nuno and George Lynch really get that.

[@algor8541]

@@j_freed exactly, it's all about the touch. And EVH is the king of that. And Tim Pierce mentioned that Eddie had light pick attack. Yet he had a lightning fast springy attack, massive and thick tone ever paired with a really precision timing and even a really great swing feel. It's all about the way you pick notes and precision(not effort) of both hands. EVH inspired Nuno and all 90s rock players, but it's actually Holsworth who originally inspired Eddie with that light touch and yet great attack thing

[@dusty3913]

Nuno is the perfect combination of his influences; the inspiration is palpable. Not a copycat…has his own thing. He manages to combine killer, inventive playing with excellent songwriting. Hole-hearted (and ELP’s From The Beginning) made me want a 12 string.

[@RaptorV1USA]

100 %

[@cristianlopez_8486]

Extreme and Extreme II both made me really fall in love with Nuno's guitar playing, specifically his rhythm playing. Lord almighty can that dude keep a solid groove and make every riff feel fresh. Nuno is neck and neck with EVH when it comes to rhythm imo.

[@Jthecake]

Best album they every had. Nuno is a riff monster , my favorite guitarist .

[@garettn8631]

The huge sound in the chorus for "Song for Love" is awesome!

[@SuperEgo19]

I bought this on day one when I was 17. Heard More Than Words what felt like months before it hit big. This album changed the way I played guitar forever.

[@thebubonicj]

He’s the king of writing riffs that are as fun to play as they are to listen to. That ascending 3rd is almost like a rule with him. It’s like he said whenever I’m tearing off a lick, anytime I hit the minor third I have to roll up to the major no matter what.

[@jimhomon7175]

That interview with Rick Beato was jut great. I listened to the entire thing. Their conversation was such a refreshing look into the love of music for musicians. Nuno was so humble and honest. So, excited to hear the rest of Extreme's new album!

[@Mahina-Kekoa]

I love how just happy and bright he is in the video, really shows how much he loves this album

[@johnwortham1595]

THANK YOU for giving Pat some love for his bass work!!

[@srubel59]

Outstanding work! I didn't realize I was waiting for YOU to make learning these riffs easy for ME. I was 30 when this album came out and I knew right away this guy was something special. At the time I was deep into my fusion period, (post head banger rocker), and Nuno smacked me right back into funk rock. A timeless classic album from a rare guitar god.

[@cmikesmith664]

I’ve never played an album more than this one. This made me an Extreme fan for life.

[@eriktorsteinhansen]

It's been almost 30 years since I've listened to this album. Thanks for reintroducing me to this great record.

[@dwightdeon2421]

This album is what got me interested in playing guitar, back in the day. It's so f-ing good.

[@oldmanriff7633]

Nuno was absolutely the evolution of EVH (Dime was the other one). Nuno wasn't copping Ed's licks so much as his feel, y'know? That right hand swing. I would *love* too see you do a riff retro on Waiting For the Punchline; I didn't really get it when it was released (I'm old) but since then it's grown into my favorite from them. Super stripped down & raw & killer.

[@bhouse92101]

I love how Ben starts each riff with "this is one of my favorites from the album". So true!

[@nunocrames4787]

By being Portuguese as Nuno, and by having the same first name, and by having azorean roots too, I’m so happy (and proud) to see the reach of Nuno’s musicianship like no other Portuguese musician ever did!

[@shiningwizard202]

Fun facts about the album: that’s Janet Jackson’s voice on the intro to Money and that’s Dweezil Zappa ripping that outro solo on He-Man Woman Hater. Do III sides next!

[@BenEller]

That’s Ms Jackson?!?! SAY WHAT?!

[@shiningwizard202]

@@BenEllerNuno did some guitar tracks on “Black Cat” while recording Porno. He apparently got her to hop on and do a little sample. Cool stuff!

[@javierlemusen]

Also I've noticed that at the end of Get the Funk Out, they shoutout different songs from the album. I hear: Its a monster and decadence dance. If someone can identify the 3rd, I'd appreciate it.

[@matthewberke6104]

@@javierlemusen Another one I hear is He-man Woman Hater.

[@shiningwizard202]

@@javierlemusen the 3rd and the 4th are Money and Pornograffitti, I was addicted to that lyric book lol

[@x--LeethaL--x]

That first behemoth you're playing is one of the most beautiful axes I've seen!

[@scarem84604]

Have loved Extreme and Nuno since I first heard them back in 1989 with Kid Ego. I was immediately drawn to his playing. Such a great video, Ben! I will be watching this one a few times!!

[@michaellnbnj]

Same! Heard Mutha Don't Wanna Go To School Today in 89. Instantly drawn into the guitar sound/playing. Fan ever since.

[@Tom-gr4em]

Impossible not to grin while playing those riffs!

[@sirtogii5216]

Right! Saw these guys live with my son a couple of months ago after seeing them at a festival like 30 years ago. Since I took up playing the guitar 1,5 years ago I had to rebuy this record just to have it in the car (an old heap with a CD player...) and experience the insane riffage that's going on. Now I see uncle Ben has devoted a whole video to it! Patreon here I come, deserved!

[@eigengrau1]

This is one of the Albums wich got me into playing guitar

[@phatfil77]

One of my favorite albums of all time! I remember telling people about it, trying to convince them it wasn’t full of songs like More Than Words. 😂 “no seriously dude. You’re not gonna believe how badass this record is..”

[@metalboy5150]

That's me. To this day, I mention this album, and people are like, "Yeah, More Than Words, I'm sick of that song, " and I'm over here all, "No, you don't get it, this album is f***Ing KILLER, just LISTEN TO IT!" And they're like, "Meh, I dunno...." Jesus. 🙄🙄🙄

[@DesMoinesHomeDeals]

Thanks for doing this. Nuno is my Guitar Hero and Extreme is the most underrated rock band ever. People have no idea what they are missing.

[@DutchManticore]

I love this album so much I bought it on LP. I´ve never even ever owned an LP player. The outro riff of `When Im President` has been my ringtone for close to 20 years.

[@underfeed]

amazing breakdown of the most underrated guitar player to walk our planet. This album, like you i had it on loop for 3 years during art school, changed my playing of guitar forever! thanks, Ben!!

[@hyperbolekid]

Nuno grease is critical to vibe and feel! 🔥👍🔥. Da GOAT!!

[@jasondorst13]

This album (and band), never got the recognition that was deserved.

[@andrewthornton8059]

Hi Ben - great video - you’ll be pleased to know that I saw Extreme in 1991 on the Pornograffiti Tour in Bradford, U.K. - Nuno Bettencourt was phenomenal - possibly one of the best gigs I’ve ever attended - a truly manic gig - in a small venue. Amazing guitarist and an amazing album. You’ve completely nailed it, my friend !!!!

[@connormorse9191]

Nunos playing reminds me of what Cory Wong said about your picking hand being like a motor that keeps on running, emphasising everything with your fretting hand it's so cool

[@CyberDocUSA]

Bro, it's 2:30 am east coast, Richmond, VA, I'm drunk, stoned, and laughing my ass off while simultaneously amazed by your skills and knowledge. Your sense of humor... even my girl loves your vids (yeah, she plays also). Keep on rockin the free world, bruh.

[@radioactive6string]

One of the best videos I have come across ever! It’s got me glued to my guitar, and I can’t stop. Thank you!

[@BenEller]

Thanks so much!

[@user-su6ey5wz7j]

"A guy playing a riff and suddenly fell down the stairs" is a perfect and hilarious description!! Hahaha 👍

[@poundtacos4006]

I had this on cassette before I even learned how to play! Thanks Colombia House!

[@dustinwicksell9025]

Love this video - Nuno is criminally underrated, and always has been. So cool to see him getting recognition and great to see such a deep dive into a bucketful of amazing songs. The only song that would have made this record "more better" is "Am I ever gonna change" - but that should be a video unto itself. Awesome content as always Ben!

[@dragons_red]

No he's not, he's well know and loved by anyone who plays

[@GnRmike]

Amazing job Uncle Ben! Extreme II is a masterpiece; riffs for days! Love that Suhr guitar btw as well!

[@bluewater3783]

1:12+ You Offer High Praise! for Rick Beato's "Nuno Bettencourt Interview"--and well-deserved, too! Thank You for being there, Ben--Musicians like you and Rick Beato offer so much to The Public... :)

[@larrycrabs5995]

An underrated gem from that album is Suzi. Awesome riffs on that one.

[@JJohnson616]

Happy to hear some love for Pat too ❤

[@napesdrk1174]

The last few weeks i have started to cover this album and using backing track's i play Nuno, so much fun, challenging and jezz rewarding too when listening back. Love you did this, and cant wait to the new album

[@LivingBlessed]

Loved this video. Among riffs on this album. Just incredible playing by Nuno.

[@brunolevasseur]

Nuno is da man ! 1st known album for me "3 sides to every story" , "Pornograffitti" is a must. Good shot, ben! 🙂

[@mattjns]

Geez that TONE uncle Ben!!!! 🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@OnlyAson]

0:32 that smile on those squeals is infectious

[@jeffpodrug8942]

I'll be honest. I didn't buy this album for over a year!! I didn't hear anything else, but More Than Words and Whole Hearted!! What an idiot I was smh.. NB is one of the most underrated guitarists in the world. Way to go, nailing this stuff, Ben!!💯🎸🤘❤️

[@LuisGarcia-sr8eh]

I got the Pornograffitti album cover on my wall in front on me everyday just to remember that guitar playing is the best thing that ever happened to me. God bless Nuno

[@richbean]

Awesome stuff Ben!! Thank you for sharing all that. Same here. I am still in awe and listening to Pornograffiti over 30 yrs later. \m/

[@flatlander92]

absolutely my favorite, desert island album for sure. wall to wall awesomeness. loved hearing you gush love on this album and Nuno.

[@michaelgiordano6490]

I remember seeing extreme on the porno tour backing up ZZ Top. Barely any one was there for them but I was. I went from the 19th row to about the 5th and they played the album! Jaw dropping!!!

[@dankas7470]

Nuno was a god to me when I was growing up and this album is an absolute killer, but for me personally "3 Sides..." is their masterpiece. I remember not rushing out and buying it when it first came out because I had read a negative review and I didn't want to be disappointed after loving Pornograffiti so much, Finally a friend took the plunge and bought it on cassette and It just blew me away, Warheads, Peacemaker Die and Cupids Dead, then rounding out the album with the Rise and Shine suite. I guess it just hit me at the right time in my life.

[@chancecgbdingle5438]

Mine was 5150. I was playing guitar for 2 years before that. I thought this was impossible. Then live without a net came out on mtv around 89. I recorded it on vhs tape and that was it for me.🙏

[@tkd4uandme]

Killer album, killer band. Hugely influential to so many people. Love it!

[@PerryCodes]

Love that blue and pink Suhr!

[@gcrauwels941]

Outstanding. You have inspired me to pick up my guitar today. Cool, didn't know you are from Morristown. Right up the road from here in Greeneville. Nuno and Ed's percussive sound is where it's at for me.

[@greganders1]

Awesome vid Ben...thanks! Seeing Extreme in September when they tour Melbourne. Can't wait!

[@Imnotaloser69]

I remember asking you to do this a few weeks back! Thanks Uncle Ben!!

[@chadr2843]

Just wanted to make sure somebody acknowledged your awesome t shirt. As far as Nuno, he had and continues to have the same effect on me like he did you….

[@ivorlongshot]

The first 'solo' I heard from Nuno was the opening to Mutha & I was blown away with the speed of the Arpeggios, next was play with me, I had just started playing, I almost stopped there and then, ever since Nuno has created some of my favourite solos, his riffs aren't to shabby either.

[@sotirios6882]

Awesome breakdown n playing Ben 🤘. Nuno had a very percussive right hand. Props to him for giving his recognition to EVH. Along with him being one of his biggest influence n inspirations. Also his mention of Queens guitarist Brian May. His 2 biggest influences. Everyone go check out his interview with Rick Beato. For sure one of Rick's best interviews in my opinion. Like Ben said at the end of this video " Less Clickin More Pickin"

[@christian-van-e]

And to think that Bettencourt was only 24 when this album was released, blows my mind.

[@davereith54]

Watching you smile whilst hitting those pinchies in Decadence Dance was the best part of my day!!! LOL

[@TBRNashville]

One of the best rock albums ever. I made a stencil and tagged all the bridges in my small town when it came out. There lasted about 20 years. Lol. Also it’s PorNAWgraffiti! 😂😂

[@richieismyhero]

Thank you uncle Ben, it is an awesome album. So many great guitar parts on the album

[@felipevalli]

Fantastic video, uncle Ben! The best! Keep rocking, dude!!!!!!!!

[@nesaiamon8727]

Love playing along with this album! (what I can play anyway) it's just so much fun

[@tonycannata7241]

Thanks for bringing this album up Ben, forgot how GREAT of an album this was!!!!!

[@AlexanderScholten]

Amazing stuff - Again. Love you passion for the greats on guitar!

[@tjacobs33]

Saw Extreme multiple times back in the day, one of my favorites in large part due to Nuno. One time was in an Atlanta bar called the Cotton Club, couple hundred people, sitting at a high-top table drinking long-neck Buds about 5 feet from the stage...King's X opened and next was a band I'd never heard of, touring in support their 1st album, called Alice in Chains. Suffice to say, that show was memorable.

[@aerosmith7175]

YES BEN. What an album every song is a banger thanks so much

[@chrisstephenson3695]

I'm stuck on your channel brother, the guitar lessons lessons are second to none. .....you might be my favorite guitar youtouber plus Ola England very informative thank you

[@marklar75]

I have that magazine issue imprinted in my memory I re-read it so many times. You could say "I remember it well"

[@kevinholm9572]

Loving the attention Nuno is getting... it's been over 30 years of waiting for the world to catch up with his genius. Someone please tell the '91 version of my brother to, "SUCK IT!" : D

[@chuckn3579]

Always like your videos. I'm always impressed with the tone accuracy and the riff accuracy. I'm an 80's guitar player. Wish this video stuff was around when I was learning. So much great information for learning guitar.

[@db9692]

Great video! SO Many riffs! That album is insane. It's also the best album to test out new speakers and set up EQ. I still have that magazine to this day!

[@mitchmalik8963]

Thank you for the in-depth lesson, sensei.

[@phenderson20]

Ben, that may be the best guitar tone I have ever heard

[@BenEller]

Thank you!!! Can’t mess with the classics!

[@dlemmenes]

Great video! I've always felt that the groove at the end of "When I'm President" was a head nod to Van Halen's "Growth " on Women and Children First.

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

I bought the tab book for this album not long after it came out. While those books are notoriously inaccurate there was enough there to get me in the right direction and I remember learning so much about rhythm playing. Up to then I had been obsessed with lead (like most new players). Nuno and Reb Beach were a godsend for rhythm playing. ... Also, that blue/pink Suhr is making me vibrate! 😉

[@rickfennell7849]

Damn bro. That tone is spot on. My favorite album 🤟🤟👍

[@DVincentW]

Micheal Hedges. His version of All Along the Watchtower is great. Excellent video and observations!

[@CaseyFraysier-b7q]

Killer video!! Would love to see a Riff Retrospective of III Sides to Every Story

[@leif.erikson9721]

You can learn so much from this album, Nuno sounds like EVH without sounding tacky like most 80s guys who copied his style

[@JeremyWard101]

Found this album on my parent's entertainment center and fell in love. My favorite song is Money (In God we Trust). The solo inspired me to play guitar. Nuno is my guitar hero.

[@hayno7066]

Totally agree with you about this album’s importance. Been trying to nail Nuno’s playing ever since. I have that Vai cover magazine too 😊

[@FireoftheGreeks]

Dude, it takes the magic out of it to see someone other than Nuno playing all these riffs LOL!

[@ShaunFloyd-ky9nk]

I remember buying this on the day it was released. I had 'discovered' Extreme on the Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure with soundtrack and was just blown away by Nuno's playing and became an instant fan. It's been a long minute since I've heard the album and have forgotten just how impactful it was. Hearing these riffs brought me back to driving my beat up Datsun D-210 banana painted hatchback and blasting this cassette in the cheap ass Kraco stereo system in 1990. Luckily I worked at a radio station and was able to take my CD copy and play it on one of the players when I was done with my air shift so I could truly hear the quality of the album. Thanks for this video Ben. The more I watch these, the more I want to buy a guitar and see if a 52 year old can learn how to play it.

[@ChristopherBown]

The blue/pink Suhr is the thing dreams are made of.

[@bilbocarter7732]

Uncle Ben is KILLING IT!!!!! This and the Youthanasia rundown are just hittin' on all cylinders for me. Keep up the great work!!!!!

[@jamesallanburruto]

Nice name drop! Andy Wood. lol You are a great player Ben and thank you for your in-depth analysis of great guitar parts.

[@BenEller]

Thanks! I play in Andy’s band and on his records. Stay tuned for a new release soon, I just finished all my bass tracks!

[@Zed1984US]

I love to completely crank this album. Thanks for encouraging me to add some of these riffs to my vocab.

[@ibzmav]

Thank you, Uncle Ben this is one of the best videos you made \m/

[@eddiejr540]

I hear ya Uncle Ben…those days before the intraweb when I would sit for hours moving the needle back on a record to figure out a song…it made me the player I am today…for better or worse 😳