The genius of John McGeoch (with a look at an underrated Armoury Show song...)

[@brendan1522]

Thankyou for keeping alive John's memory, for me just the best guitarist ive ever listened too , he was sooo inventive yet so humble of the God given talent he was blessed with...Brendan

[@chriss1492]

I would love a post-punk course! I gravitated towards the “classic rock” bands i.e., Zeppelin, Who, Stones, during that era, and looking back, I feel that I missed out on some great guitar playing. Im in my 50s now and really enjoy it when you feature Post-Punk pieces.

[@sj_-_]

Me too. Also in 50s. Easy to find detailed tutorials on classic rock songs and techniques. Less easy to find detailed stuff on indie/alt/post-punk styles and techniques.

[@acpg]

Yes, I obviously love a lot of the classic rock stuff too. But I think the post-punk period was a fascinating time for the guitar - lots of unique players really trying to push themselves and do something totally different.

[@JudeMontague]

I agree I would like to see more as I want to develop a more personal style so it's inspiring to see what other people did who were pushing the guitar in this time

[@65BigNorm]

@@acpg Probably an obscure one but would love to see you do Sin in My Heart by the Banshees. McGeoch gets some extraordinary sounds out of his guitar on that!

[@paulmundy8312]

Totally agree. I get really annoyed that post- punk gets overlooked by so many outlets who just concentrate on classic rock or blues. Thank god Adrian @ ACPG recognises this & so a post punk course would be brilliant to watch & learn from

[@gunnerjenson]

Hello again. I have just bought a 1977 Yamaha SG 700 and have sat here learning this song with you. What a great player McGeoch was and I feel blessed that I saw him in the Armoury show. I do as well, believe it or not, have the album so I'll learn some more. Maybe I'll start an Armoury Show tribute act although I'm not sure anybody would come :). McGeoch and Stuart Adamson were the two best new wave guitarists for my money. Thanks again.

[@davegooner2]

I'd love you to have a look at John McKay, McGeoch's predecessor with Siouxsie. The Scream in particular is a fabulous album and McGeoch re-used a number of JM ideas, drone notes and unusual chord shapes in the Banshees.

[@MarleyBu]

Definitely a hint of Skids. I saw the Armoury Show in Dundee. They were No Bad 😊

[@georgecurtis160]

Love it, my favourite guitarist ever

[@Barry101er]

Magazine-what band. Every band JM was in was really something-a great time for music. Such a singular player.

[@VostoxVI]

One of my favorite songs and guitar players. My favorite McGeoch-era was while he was in The Banshees but, a close second is The Armoury Show. I was so gutted when I found out he passed away. I couldn't believe it. He and his playing are both iconic and legendary. I recently did a 'In memoriam' video of _'Castles In Spain',_ dedicated to him and in tribute to Russell Webb (as I myself am a bass player). Thanks for putting the "spotlight" on John McGeoch and for highlighting his playing and his music. He desrves it and rightfully so. Great upload here as well with awesome playing by you, as well as a great channel with great content. Nod in your direction... 👍👌✌️

[@xmasholiday]

Brilliant stuff. I can't believe Castles in Spain wasn't huge and the Armoury Show never amounted to much

[@Cl4rendon]

I can hardly express how grateful I am for you covering his stuff. That book went under my radar too, so now I just ordered it! Thanks again.

[@kevinfitzgerald4561]

Heard his solo on “Shot by both sides” a few years ago and I was transfixed. What a great player.

[@Tuatara587]

He blew me away when I first heard him play the Light Pours Out of Me. He was way ahead of everyone at the time, regardless of being post punk or not.

[@raybrash375]

Great to be reminded of how many great bands John lit up. I remember seeing the AS in a pub in London. Amazing.

[@andybuchan9362]

Post-punk course sounds like a great idea. Hope you look look at Tom Ashton, of the March Violets.

[@mistersharpus6085]

Reading ‘The Light Pours Out of Me’ now and it’s brilliant. Thank you for the suggestion and for the incredible content you provide. It’s invaluable for punk and post-punk fanatics like myself.

[@isaacnoroncaasi]

Thank you for encouraging me to try again with this band. I am of the opinion that McGeoch lifted all the bands he played with.... However, when I first tried to listen to The Armoury Show many years ago I gave up after a couple of songs. I thought they had aged badly and relied too much on certain clichés of their era. However, this tutorial made me suspect that if I scratched the surface I would find pure gold. And I wasn't wrong. This song is huge and I've been playing it on loop since yesterday, but the comments on another youtube video led me to "Sleep City Sleep" and now I can't stop listening to it either. I think it's even better! I'm afraid that the album will disappoint me, but just for the sheer enjoyment that these two songs have given me, it will have been worth giving them another chance.

[@robhooworth6738]

Great stuff as always. Huge McGeoch fan and the book is very good. Post-punk course sounds interesting. I know he went off in a different direction, but Billy Duffy's Theatre of Hate and early Cult work has got to be worth a look. I will even put a shout out for Charlie Burchill on the first half a dozen Simple Minds albums.

[@bassthing68]

Oh well done on "Castles In Spain", very well done.

[@orwellsgoatatemyradishes4358]

Adrian,I hope Paul Fox of the fabulous RUTS will be featured in your post punk look back.

[@alihart]

When you do Stuart Adamson, as you surely must, please try to include One Decree - B side of circus games and terrifically difficult (for me)

[@thedoc1210]

just reading it and loving it. I am a Mcgeoch nerd. I think he is channelling his inner Stuart Adamson on this one

[@ians3056]

Yes! I was hoping Adrian would do this song, it's made my day. I remember buying the 12" single of Castles In Spain when it was released and loving it. The album was one of my favourites, along with The Crossing by Big Country, back in the '80s.

[@LWilloxMusic]

Looking forward to getting the book (should be coming in the post soon). Chuffed to see Castles in Spain here as well, going to enjoy learning this one, thanks!

[@thevarietyvideohub2208]

He was also a nurse. which makes him a double hero!!

[@paulrose3439]

The book brought a lump in my throat at the end. Great read. Five thumbs up for great song.

[@LucasAB1990]

I didn't know this John band existed. It blew my mind this song and the whole album. Thanks for the lesson song, I look forward to more songs from John bands.

[@philh27]

Another great choice to break down Adrian. I saw the Armoury Show many times both before and after the album and this great underrated song went through many changes, not all for the best it must be said. You are right that the album sounds very dated in terms of production, but if you can hear past that there are plenty of gems and classic McGeoch on there. So happy that he is getting the wider recognition he deserves. A genius.

[@danielhoffheins2068]

Adrian, you're the best of the best. I'll be looking for that postpunk course--easily my favorite five years of rock music.

[@terrytlse]

I am a John McGeoch admirer as well. Thanks for this demo.

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

You should cover the ruts guitarist paul fox, the late great Paul fox, rip foxy and malcolm. What a band they were, they were going to be huge. So sad

[@PetefromSouthOz]

Great stuff Adrian. I am also a John McGeoch nerd and still have the first three Magazine Albums (vinyl) I got when they came out. Had some Banshee albums on cassette but sadly, they are long gone The band I was in in 1981 did a cover of Song from under the Floorboards. I did your Lead Guitar course, so count me in for the Post Punk course as soon as you offer it. Cheers

[@rswindol]

Magazine was amazing. I play bass and Barry Adamson is still one my all time favorites.

[@ourkid2000]

Loved the way the bass goes in this song as well as the guitar. Definitely underrated.

[@cubistblues]

Amazing. I've been devouring this book all week, was just working out the 'Permafrost' solo before I went bed last night, and then I wake up this.. the mind meld continues, lol.

[@GregDixson]

Good to see McGeoch getting some recognition thanks to you, and now the book. Seen quite a few articles circulating about him recently...praise well overdue. You're right though, outside a small circle (of probably guitar player admirers) he is relatively unknown. Its only through your channel I really found out more about him, so thanks to you.. eager to read the book now

[@inphatmoi]

Have you ever checked out the Generation X album “Kiss me deadly” (or “Gen X” as they were for that one album). McGeoch contributed to a lot of tracks and I think it’s a bit of a post punk hidden gem. It’s not clear exactly which tracks he had the most contribution to but “Poison” and “Heavens Inside” sound very McGeoch-y.

[@secallen]

The riff on Heavens Inside is also the guitar break on Israel with the Banshees!

[@melrupinski88]

He played guitar on every song except the first two on the album (Dancing With Myself and Untouchables), which were done by Steve Jones. Interestingly, that’s similar to Kaleidoscope by Siouxsie and the Banshees. McGeoch played on almost all the songs before he officially joined, except for 3 played by Jones.

[@mightyV444]

Yeah, he's great 😃 Consciously I had heard (of) him for the first time in '85, when he was in The Armoury Show and when they were doing their 'Rockpalast' live TV/radio simulcast, which got me instantly hooked on them, also due to the style similarities to other bands I was fond of at the time, like U2 and Big Country. I'd known Visage already several years earlier but hadn't known that John had been involved with them, too. I quite often play some of his guitar parts from the great song 'Waiting For The Floods' , whenever I have a guitar in my hands 🙂 And I'd auditioned for a band 12 years ago and had practiced 'Spellbound' , among several other songs from different bands, and practicing those guitar parts had been rather tricky - I found out only much later that it's apparently in an alternate tuning! 😅 Very cool there are people like you out there giving John the credit he deserves 😉👍

[@Loner2012AT]

Been watching your old videos for a while. Great work and think you do a great job working everything out. John McGeoch is my favorite subject so need to check the book out. Subscribed for more!

[@jeanlikkewaan5605]

More McGeoch has brightend my friday,Cheers!

[@alejandrohualdez5550]

Brilliant. A true guitar hero. Can't wait to read it!!! Keep up the great work.

[@unfair_potato]

Your tone and mix for this is just amazing! The content speaks for itself. Great video

[@dowaliby1]

Some 40 years later, it's still fresh! Both the song and riffs, and Adrian's playing.

[@CrypticusOfficial]

Thank you for this! I have been long obsessed with this song & it's amazing structure.

[@shakeynineteen-sixtyfour1559]

Adrian you are the man! My favourite KZbinr playing a song by one of my favourite guitarists. I have the deluxe version of book on order and ordered the McGeogh 1000 guitar from Eastwood last April. I blame your videos for the guitar being sold out when I went to buy it… The Armoury Show should have been huge and had the success that U2, Big Country or Simple Minds had. I have no idea why they didn’t make it. It’s also a mystery why the album isn’t on streaming services. I bought it on CD as lost my vinyl version but hopefully the book might lead to it becoming available as it has so many great tracks on it. Love your lessons Adrian (am a Patreon), is there any chance of looking at a Big Country track in the future? Or maybe Head On by JAMC, I think that would be right up your street!

[@Clockeman]

Oh dear God...a post punk course... you're my hero. JM is THE post punk guitar hero. So important.

[@basilclay6363]

Always wanted to learn this!

[@someguy999]

Glad to see you return to some post-punk guitar! I haven't been able to find many lessons on it apart from this channel, so I really appreciate it.

[@LightFromADeadStar]

John McGeoch should get more credit, he easily was the best guitarist the banshees had

[@buteforce]

Had the original Waiting For The Floods LP vinyl release and purchased a 2CD release with extra tracks a few years go. Excellent tutorial!

[@joydivisionboy1]

McGeoch is the Jimmy Page/Richie Blackmore/Jimi Hendrix of our generation (mid 60's born kid), Waiting For The Floods by AS is a classic album, as is the Magazine/Banshees/Visage and even PIL stuff he did, Greetings from Australia.

[@graemerogers3237]

Looking forward to the course. Nice trousers.

[@robjamessolo]

My favourite band was Magazine and love the albums - especially Parade off Real Life - what a band and great to see someone covering this genius - armoury show also great - saw The Skids a couple of years and Richard Jobson did Castles in Spain in memory of JMG

[@brianhowarth5565]

wow. was skids fan and armoury show. heard them play this recently in dunfermline. superb

[@whssy]

Jobson was a lucky man to be in bands with the two greatest Scottish guitarists of all time.

[@evilvespa]

Always a fan of your work. Thanks for your contributions. That Eastwood McGeoch sounded great! Looking forward to the Post Punk course. Your taste in that stuff has always been great.

[@brianpomeroyfilms]

Know one would have expected this! Look forward to reading the book. Did you go to the event in Walthamstow? Last week? Walthamstow Rock and Roll Book Club are putting on some great events and book launches including Paul and Steve Hanley

[@perigee1275]

I was in a band that opened for Magazine in 1980 at the Showbox in Seattle. I was already a big fan and was familiar with almost all of the guitar parts. I saw John McGeoch backstage sitting next to Dave Formula and asked him, "How many shows have you guys played so far?" He just glared at me with bloodshot eyes and didn't say anything. Howard Devoto politely answered, "About 40".

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

I shall be buying that book ASAP, Mcgeoch is an underrated genius and has always been one of my favourites. Magazine along with The Chameleons and The Sun and the Moon are my favourite all time bands closely followed by The Blue Orchids and The Damned. Cheers Adrian for keeping him alive. ❤ Like deployed 👍 😎🎙🎸✅👍

[@miyavizim]

Any mentions of The Chameleons immediate brings attention to your other favourite bands I've not heard of!

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

@@miyavizim The Sun and the Moon is the band that Mark Burgess and John Lever formed when the Chameleons split. Reg Smythies and Dave Fielding formed a band called The Reegs, a really good band. The Blue Orchids was formed by Martin Bramah, the very original Fall guitarist. The Damned were the First British punk band to release a single and album. They were also the first British punk band to tour America and they are still going strong today. 👍😁

[@robbauer6466]

I like like-minded souls…! The Chameleons: so great…! Perfect combination of two guitar players..

[@garyb.4187]

I've always loved this song.I still have this album somewhere on cassette.

[@pkflash2004]

Great video. I remember when this song came out and there were definitely high expectations of The Armoury Show. I learnt the main riff at the time. It was fairly reminiscent of his riffs in Magazine. I read somewhere that this riff and the one from Life Pours were influenced by the riff from Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate!

[@pisynth3784]

DUE, YES!!!! I flipping LOVE this song, and this entire LP. Brilliant.

[@pisynth3784]

That should have been DUDE but DUE is more enigmatic. Or something.

[@malcolmhead2852]

Fantastic Another great song by the great mcgeoch Keep them coming!

[@dms8504]

Doesn’t hit you straight away due to its unusual song structures but this is such an epic song and criminally underrated. So glad you did this track and band Adrian and you were spot on with all you had to say about the band. One of mcgeoghs best imo. Can you please do another underrated classic of his ‘Seattle’ by PiL? Also, did i imagine it or did you previously do 'The Light Pours Out of Me' and have since deleted it? 🤷‍♀

[@chuffa1130]

Thank you for repeatedly showcasing and mentioning John McGeoch, I agree he doesn't get enough accolades for the impact that he's had on indie guitarist,

[@Steve_ATL]

Thanks for another great tutorial. Love this song.

[@Bruisewillies]

I'm not familiar with post Banshees McGeoch at all and had never heard this track so had to go and find it. And what a beauty it is! I thought it seemed quite sparse at first, but in context it works so well!

[@Damnation3729]

Nice, I am heard this in a long time, gonna have a go at learning it tomorrow, keep on rocking!

[@gunnerjenson]

Do you ever pay for anything? Yes, I have read it, great book. Great guitar player. I was lucky enough to see Armoury Show, Digbeth B'ham. He played a White Gibson SG custom three pick ups.

[@edsohovocals]

Another book recommendation: 'Goth' by Lol Tolhurst. I'm only halfway through but good so far.

[@clairethompson8536]

Yes to post punk and thanks for the heads up on the Mcgeoch book!,

[@farmduck2762]

Good luck finding an old Yamaha SG1000 at a good price. They've held their value very well. The Eastwood version is currently out of stock but they have a batch listed on their December production schedule.

[@lescouse]

What a tune!

[@mrmikev1]

Looking forward to the post punk course!

[@DanHunterSportsWriter]

Brilliant video mate! Im quite new to being aware of John McGeoch, and thus far his playing on The Light Pours Out Of Me has really impressed me. Might he have been an influence on the playing of Johnny Greenwood? That same knack of producing abstract unconventional but stunning riffs.

[@DanHunterSportsWriter]

I did a bit of research and apparently a 10 year old Jonny Greenwood was obsessed with McGeoch's playing on The Correct Use Of Soap.

[@SirSneakerPimp]

The Armoury Show were great! From The Skids ashes came The Armoury Show and Big Country!

[@seansixfive]

Great to find some post punk guitar tracks. Far too much blues and rock being taught. Any news on the course you mentioned at the start of the video. I’d love to rewind and go back and learn a bunch of tunes from that era.

[@jeffmurray6219]

John was really well known at the time as a creative and amazing guitarist.

[@fabiopunk1661]

Too difficult for me Adrian but I enjoy nevertheless watching the lesson. Great idea that of a post punk course. I subscribe already now!

[@childofzoso2790]

Have you done any Geordie Walker / Killing Joke videos? I would love to learn Geordie Walker songs / chords / techniques. Keep up the great video lessons!

[@dahliafiend]

Yes to the post punk course!

[@1weewebb]

Sadly, the Armoury Show section of the book The Light Pours Out Of Me is less than it should be. John was never a friend of Richard's and Richard was never a friend of John's. Russell Webb.

[@irenesierra6876]

Post-punk, I'm in. Can't wait

[@tonyfafa9790]

Love Castles in Spain 😁

[@jasonjackbill]

I remember this song from my childhood sadly its not even on spotify

[@bertsbooks2505]

Lucky enough to have seen him do this a few times around 84/85. It never quite happened for them somehow. What happened to bands bulldozing hillsides for their album art!?

[@luisfernandoenrique]

Amazing, thank you!!

[@arthurveldhoen3932]

The forgotten post-punk guitar greats. McGeoch, Tristan Garell-Funk, Dave Fielding, Stephen Fellows, Mark Long, Gary Marx... what a time to be alive.

[@sadie376]

You're right that John McGeoch isn't as well known as he should be. Hopefully this will change in time.

[@spicealbert4904]

Adrian - not sure if you've seen it, but Rick Beato's just done a video on (pretty much) 'top 20 bands with 2 guitarists who noodle a lot'. But he didn't call it that, he called it, 'TOP 20 TWO GUITAR BANDS OF ALL TIME'. I'd love to see your take on his title.

[@seanwholey6190]

How are you digging that guitar? Sounds great! I've been eyeing it lately but they're out of stock. The Yamaha Sgs are usually pretty beat up but expensive. Would you say the quality compares? Thanks!

[@jazwiseman]

Great video - I'm a McGeoch nerd too :)

[@Warp75]

McGeoch was brilliant & here’s hoping for some wider recognition.

[@annettesomers7463]

Amazing riffs love it and love ❤ that yamaha guitar!

[@secallen]

It's a tribute copy made by Eastwood. They do lots of repros like that.

[@danielhoffheins2068]

Adrian, I just figured out your next full-song cover that's just screaming ACPG: "I'm Your Man" by Richard Hell & the Voidoids. Quinetastic.

[@chriscanty2804]

Good riff Adrian, but looking forward to the post punk special, unfortunately I have all the Armoury Show songs on my iPod and can't listen to them as you say, it does sound very dated, but anything off "Soap" would be great, especially "Floorboards". For me John's guitar and the whole bands playing on that Magazine album is brilliant, some Keith Levine PIL would be good too

[@martinhudson5210]

Hi Adrian,great lesson,could you please mention your efx chain? i want to get something similar,an overdriven sound that is great for chords and does not sound grunge/heavy metal etc and would like some pointers.Don't forget Alan Rankine from The Associates in the post punk guitar series.Thanks!

[@roberthuffmann8204]

Any chance that you could do We Can Be Brave?

[@olivercornford8353]

Could you take a look at ash Bowie and Dave brylawski from Polvo? Amazing guitar playing but I’ve never had much luck dissected and learning any tunes x

[@nickspearience]

McGeoch and Marr. That’s all I need

[@regularnimnule9715]

Cracking choice. How about Monitor next?

[@jeffmurray6219]

Thanks!

[@duaneulman9915]

Thank you