Tool - The Pot - Guitar Percussion Cover

Here we have Sam Westphalen performing Tool's "The Pot" at the Australian Institute of Music.
If you enjoyed this make sure you watch Sam's other Guitar Percussion videos on our channel / aimtvsydney
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Sam is a former student of the Composition and Music Production department at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM)
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Sam Westphalen
In the absence of a drummer, Sam hits his guitar a lot in an attempt to get as much music out of the instrument as possible. His KZbin videos have reached over 3 million views with an overwhelmingly positive response. He can be spotted on the streets of Sydney, earning more than minimum wage by playing guitar and receiving money from generous passers-by. He can also write about himself in the 3rd person when necessary.
For more info on Sam and his new EP "Redboom" visit his website www.samborayjr.com Check him out on itunes and cdbaby
"The Pot" is a song by American rock band Tool, released as the second single from their fourth album 10,000 Days. The song was their first #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. In 2008, the song received a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance. According to The Rock Radio, a video was shot over the winter holidays of 2006, however, it has never surfaced.
Adam Jones has confirmed that the title refers to hypocrisy. The lyrics contain metaphors and references to kangaroo courts, the phrase "pot calling the kettle black", marijuana legislation, and finger waving. The use of the word "high" is a double entendre, referring to both drug intoxication and believing oneself to be above others, and the title itself is also a double entendre, referring both to the pot in the metaphor as well as the slang term used to refer to cannabis. Also, toward the end of the song, the line "Kangaroo be stoned he's guilty as the government" plays on the term "stoned", which could mean the capital punishment act of stoning, or another reference to drug intoxication.

[@Johnnythefirst]

Officially the sickest shit I ever saw someone do with a guitar.

[@seuthee5082]

who is better, this guy or that asian kid "Sung Hajung"???

[@zachinthehat1707]

Check out Keller Williams. The dude's been around for years and has a small dedicated following, but is mostly unknown. He's a fucking beast.

[@Johnnythefirst]

This guy basically uses the guitar as a drum kit, while he plays the whole melody at the same time. Looks incredibly complicated. Sungha is a great player, but he's much more conventional at first glance.

[@seuthee5082]

Johnnythefirst agree on that statement too

[@AaronRiegel]

Agreed! Coolest video I have seen in years

[@casondowning4102]

I walked in on my guitar watching this and it’s been trying to convince me for hours that it settled for me for who I am and the way I perform is good enough for it

[@mattlinka2002]

🤣🤣🤣 all mine look at me similar

[@nellesgaming7334]

lmao

[@jasonrejman1956]

I just heard this...and I'm not going to let my guitar listen. Ever.

[@matthewtaggart8055]

Well done.

[@silasburbank8338]

He must have been high.

[@rblfrmthewstdwn]

Silas Burbank so high

[@kingadalou]

Silas Burbank HIIIIIGH!

[@jjjr8664]

Who are you to point a finger....

[@thetonzaruberman938]

Soooo hiiigh 😊

[@FranCo-qs9kl]

so high

[@metal_mo]

Maynard: Who are you to wave your finger? Sam: Hold my beer.

[@RitaColacoNuminous]

Omg, his name is mustard + mayonnaise = Maynard

[@metal_mo]

@@RitaColacoNuminous incorrect, that would be Mustaise. lol

[@RitaColacoNuminous]

@@metal_mo okaaay, but it kinda reminds me of his name, when I think about mayo and mustard hehe

[@LornWandrr]

@@metal_mo Aah, no, don't mistake Maynard for the esteemed Dave Mustaise of Megadeth ;-p

[@metal_mo]

@@LornWandrr lol

[@that_one_momo_guy]

This is not talent nor skill, this is GODMODE!

[@rmoultonrmoulton145]

This dude is on a different planet. There's a lot of people who are really good at guitar and have been playing much longer, taken lessons, learned theory, etc and they will never touch what this dude can do. He's truly MEANT to play guitar.

[@SirSebaSeba]

He can go to the moon, with us !

[@pablo6305]

This guy makes me want to quit trying to play. His mom must have giving birth to him at a music school and he just now got to leave.

[@Dopamint]

Haha no. This is a lot of hard work, not "raw talent" or some shit like this. Please do not disregard the amount of time and the level of commitment this man has put into practicing and developping his touch on the guitar. It is kind of disrespectful imo

[@LawLinternets]

That guitar is going to be sore in the morning.

[@mkfanforever58]

lol

[@ryanjackson7453]

His fingers will still be perfect.

[@drainmudvayne27]

LawLinternets yeah nice one, 2 years on and still a great comment, hehe ;)

[@AWAKEN_MEDIA]

Lmao still a golden comment...

[@MarioCola]

This was such a mismatch for the guitar

[@robertidonotsharemyfullnam496]

I guess now we know why the new tool album won't come out ever, cause they are trying to compose something this guy can't play with two hands and one guitar ^^

[@hahnsmantra7276]

Robert idonotsharemyfullname Lmao !!!!!!

[@IsbeidyBei]

LOL

[@beyondtheimage]

hahahahahaaa. nice one!

[@sethappleton7628]

awesome hahaha

[@baronsonics]

After each new song they test they bring this guy in to see if it works or not.

[@irfanmyg]

Whatever string company he uses should jump on this and just say: They didn't even break after this.

[@jharris9178]

SirfanMS elixer strings my friend! best strings on the market

[@Bryan-T]

Wow. Playing the vocals, drums, and guitar tracks at the same time. Dude's nice.

[@hamptonrogers4517]

Don't forget he's doing the bass lines too

[@ToggleSwitch13]

This kicked untold amounts of ass

[@spitfire999999]

One person got close to the exact amount of ass that this kicks, but sadly count not finish the number in his lifetime. RIP in Peace that guy :P

[@andreaskarlsson5217]

Westtwoooodd you took the words out of my mouth

[@michaelpage2245]

Now let's see this guy play Rosetta Stoned

[@captross07]

Jesus! Is there such thing as "Compound Carpel Tunnel"?

[@BirdUpFR]

Voodoo Child ticks and leeches

[@TonyGonzales]

Glad I wasn't the only one thinking this.

[@tet2122]

Shit the bed

[@boseifrit5480]

Aka broken wrists. Polyrhythms man

[@GabrielNardinMusic]

The scratch "scars" under the bridge of the guitar tell you the long practice hours his guy should have had to become this amazing of the instrument. If by any chance the guy who played this is reading this comment: Congratulations, this was sick.

[@alecbonner8918]

Thats the brand symbol.

[@bastienmillecam3183]

That's a Maton, it's the brand logo "M". John Butler uses this brand

[@GabrielNardinMusic]

@@bastienmillecam3183 I know the logo and the brand. Tommy Emmanuel also used it, I wasn´t talking about that. I clearly used the words "scars" and "under the bridge" not on the pickguard. Look in the opposite direction from the strings and you will see the marks I talk about.

[@edweimer7903]

I'd love to see him sit down with Tool and play this for them. I wonder what their reaction would be?

[@IanAberbach]

Ed Weimer Maynard would scoff the rest would be hyped

[@GRYNGE7]

Ian Aberbach lol exactly. Maynard would walk out, Danny "The Chad " Carey would be smiling and calling this kid BRO

[@blushingfrieza]

@@IanAberbach lol this comment is still funny and probably accurate.

[@deliriousmysterium8137]

"Cool bro now write an original."

[@stefanjackson8203]

I wonder if any of Tool have seen this, I hope they have and are as blown away by it as we all are. Great stuff

[@arminbasha]

I bet he uses his guitar instead of talking

[@YBCEsko]

Armin Basha underrated coment.

[@Patchess]

“What do you want for lunch?” *intense strumming* “One meatball sub coming right up”

[@ccchannel8909]

@@Patchess 😂😂

[@infidelcastro3515]

Comment of the Year

[@ConorCantCoast]

He does seem to be the quite type.

[@SDSOne]

If Tool let this genius open for them everyone would show up 2 hours early.

[@FMXIAN]

Who needs a bass or drums? just play all of them.

[@juanchoalimana1054]

Ian Kitterman incluso la voz!!!

[@OfTheOldWorldband]

This is what I imagine it would sound like if Victor Wooten played guitar. I am blown away!

[@vagranthought]

It's like whole band just fused into one person...

[@nanduspieterse2209]

Joshua Adams Well said

[@geeleeggan]

dude blows me away while reminding me to practice more

[@daveoh13]

as both a guitar player & tool fan, i am impressed... bravo...

[@redwhiteblue100]

Its almost like we switches back and forth between lead and rhythm parts of the song. and he really hits all the aspects and still has room to add drums. fucking phenomenal

[@stasdekka7842]

Jesus Christ. You know that Tool has specific rhythm hard to play expecially with this percussion things. What a skill bro.! Why the fuck there r not billion views? pay attention! this is masterpiece

[@strife5858]

why is adam sandler so good at tool....

[@foreignlawyer2528]

Okay, so I'm not the only one who thinks he looks like Adam Sandler.

[@serjsidey7348]

He's like a love-child of Adam Sandler and Zack de la Rocha.

[@MrBunksauce]

I thought he was gunna sing a song about a lunch lady there for a minute.

[@matteopellegri8913]

This is nearly the most amazing thing I've ever heard

[@davieduckett]

Matteo Pellegri Dude is gifted beyond words, but most amazing you ever heard? Not knocking him, but the first time I heard Tool play it I was more amazed

[@attilameszaros1123]

I offer my soul to this guy

[@attilameszaros1123]

I seriously do

[@idani881]

WHAT THE HELL This is awesome!!! I thought he was using a looper when you didn't O_O

[@digurgel]

Yeah i know! This is mind blowing

[@kc8639]

Dear people giving this the "thumbs down" - what do you need to hear?

[@BirendraGabadamudalige]

IKR. smh.

[@yeartyhety8586]

his timing is all over the place...granted he is amazing...but speed isnt everything

[@Nicolas1909_]

They must have been out their mind.

[@puikinsh_]

I gave thumbs up JUST BECAUSE i'm jealous of how good he is

[@shrimpsizemoose]

were you completely unable to recognize this song due to that?

[@MrTamendez]

Anyone outside my apartment watch out! Because I'm chucking my guitar out the window.

[@ginoportolesi406]

MrTamendez hahahahaha same

[@hersh4700]

I don't care what anyone says. This is alien level talent. You cannot teach this to people. Sam Westphalen...whoever you are, you need to teach me how to play the guitar like this. Just. Wow.

[@pwnedshift1]

time to burn my guitars

[@MrRockIsAwesome]

Lmao

[@blehlast3639]

bro mine need burning too after seeing this

[@alexinioful]

It's time to threw my guitar from the bridge

[@v5u7sulh2]

time to play more!!!

[@deepandjon]

Jimi Hendrix beat you to it by seeing the future! 😋

[@haoestrelalp]

Amazing, I love Tool

[@conspireality44]

this is slowly becoming one of my favourite songs ever, I can't stop listening to it. Incredible work Sam, really well done!

[@bubblesthemonkey6615]

How the fuck does he get that many sounds to come out of one instrument? Guy’s on some next level shit.

[@carlhitchen2879]

Wow fuckin wow!!!!! This guy is in a complete different league!! He's on a different planet, not many in the world capable of playing like that.!!!

[@Dhieen]

he can play bass, guitar, and drum at the same time... hahahahah

[@theanonymousmrgrape5911]

Don't forget vocals.

[@milltenn1422]

Dhieen HE. IS. TOOL

[@aleliporace]

I have no words to describe your talent Sam Westphalen. It´s very difficult to express in words the feeling i got when i heard this. Unbelievable.

[@carolynoconnell715]

sam is what being alive on this earth is all about!!!!

[@jennboyermusic]

yep. added to the favorite guitarist collection.

[@tgallant15]

Blowing my mind...insane!

[@KingAlpaca]

I really miss this guy.

[@imalright2837]

Where is he now?

[@morganfarlie]

+David Dwayne I just checked his FB page and he posted in December about traveling somewhere. So he appears to be alive...but not very active on social media. I AM HOPEFUL HE GETS TO IT...because holy CRAP is this guy talented!

[@bennyray979]

+Morgan Carlie He will be back, I went to school with him, He's an introvert, and will likely be conjuring up some brilliant idea!

[@morganfarlie]

+benny shimano that is GREAT news. It fascinates me that so many talented and intriguing people are introverts. I eagerly await his next work, as he certainly has the interest of this fellow guitarist!

[@YukonDemon]

My favorite fingerstyle/percussion acoustic guitarists: Tommy Emannuel, Ewan Dobson, Callus Graham, and now this guy... Just awesome...

[@YukonDemon]

Callum Graham... For all the correctors out there... Whoops.

[@peterdanner2336]

Simply incredible. The ability to express nuances in tone in the way the original does while still maintaining all the other elements. A whole different level for damn sure.

[@orijimi]

I've just realized that have spent far more time listening to this video this year than I have spent listening to Tool's entire catalog in the same period of time.

[@frog382]

+KevinG Errm i dunno, the best band ever created?

[@morgott13]

That makes u a moron

[@jscottvillanueva1172]

Love a lot of things about his playing, cause he's great. But I love love LOVE his vibrato and bends!

[@didosification]

I've been watching this dude for a while. He had me at Pantera and Slayer covers, pretty nice you know? Talented guy n stuff. Then this shit comes along...and I AM BLOWN AWAY, period!

[@misscommunication6270]

Please don't ever delete this. I will never stop watching this.

[@boomer8201]

This makes me happy :)

[@silentbobvg]

I really do love you Sam

[@jenonovak]

i was going to say exactly the same thing..

[@OK-wm6qr]

Silent Bob? :L Chronic doesn't speak

[@silentbobvg]

Daire Coburn *technically* I'm not talking, I'm typing ;)

[@OK-wm6qr]

*Nods furiously along with J*

[@ShortP1089]

im so amazed by how he always keeps on playing the singers voice too! as if the percussion and guitar/bass combo wouldnt be enough :D very well arranged.

[@rufusonemamzaho4011]

my relationship with my guitar will never be the same after watching this kind of playing

[@leonrider313]

3:50 He starts to set his guitar on fire

[@vtenort]

There's some amazing talent out there. I smile and feel good inside every time I see and hear young people carrying the torch, putting their stamp on it with new creative energy and skills. Yes! That's my final Answer. :-)

[@hugocapelobl]

oh jizus!! i freaking love this band, song and this guy did every single part! incredible!!!

[@kevinkeys6792]

somebody please give this man a medal.

[@oniwhitewidow4991]

To all 28 haters....this is what "talent" looks and sounds like. Keep drinking that cold bottle of Hatorade :)

[@justinchancellorlegod8057]

OniWhite Widow no this is what practice looks and sounds like

[@zachpak6579]

I pretty sure hatoraid is always warm.

[@dfhellraiser4td]

@@justinchancellorlegod8057 this goes far beyond practice. This is a level of inventiveness very few humans possess.

[@321321Arturo]

damn that melody

[@maleforthedragon5177]

That was probably the most legendary shit I will ever see. Period.

[@andystojek2305]

THIS is what I missed out on wasting my time with anything and everything else than picking up my guitar all day every day. DUDE, this is LITERALLY more exciting than the original!!

[@jesseversluys2757]

his thumb must feel like cement

[@yackyfishbone3143]

Cemen

[@felipefrango]

Damn, had my jaw dropped for the entirety of the video. D:

[@augustgreig9420]

This is the way the acoustic guitar was meant to be played in my opinion. It is how both classical and blues guitar are played. And as for the percussion, this is something I always found it very natural to do when I was playing some songs that whee written for a band with an electric guitar, and I have original compositions with percussion in them. This is the only Tool cover I have ever liked,and they are my favorite band since like 1996.

[@Rupamforever]

year after year I keep coming back to this.

[@kevinlong4657]

Can you tab this for me? JUST KIDDING. Awesome though, wow.

[@wishuhadmyname]

Now that I think about it, Maynard Keetan's voice sounds a lot like an acoustic guitar. Wait, that's wrong. Acoustic guitars sound like Maynard Keetan's voice

[@Forbelicious]

Or neither.

[@10thlevel80]

its keenan dont mean to be a spelling nazi but the more you know :)

[@LolindirElros]

Forbelicious Or both.

[@Forbelicious]

LolindirElros Naah, neither

[@milltenn1422]

wishuhadmyname Keenan. Keenan with an n

[@LenneTyler]

Amazing job! I always look forward to Sam's stuff.

[@JoseManuel-ue7en]

This dude's from another galaxy, officially the most sick thing I've seen someone perform

[@JasonZimmerman1980]

Amazing as always!

[@WitchDoctor87]

What the fuck! This is AMAZING!

[@progressivas]

I watch this every day. Blown away!

[@chrisbyrne1335]

This is just incredible. Could never tire of watching these video. Bravo Sam

[@phillagettie]

Dude - just...... god!

[@papajake3]

The dynamics and finger strength he must have calus on top of his calus

[@strickendvs]

ABSOLUTELY love it, inspiring

[@conspireality44]

utterly impeccable just love the tones he gets on the bends

[@discusdog]

I got nothing......Oh wait "For sale one guitar" After seeing that what's the point...lol just blown away again ....amazing

[@calebcrist1857]

This guy is hacking

[@christinavaely8869]

that was the BEST Pot cover in the history of the pot!! omg!!! that rocked my world! THAT WAS GOSPEL!! I got a feva and the only prescription is more TOOL!!!

[@dominoscr]

Wow! There are really no words. Fantastic will have to do. Thanks for sharing!

[@thomasdanielsiii2307]

Sick!!

[@anlbaysal6047]

My first reaction to Lateralus cover was “wtf dude”, and I’ve just watched this cover and I will burn my guitars..

[@lovelightshining4444]

This is my guitar hero! And has been for a decade ~ Rippin,,, it up~ Sambo style! Blessings 🎶🎵🎸🔊🔉🔈

[@linkamus]

This video should have 10 million views.

[@UndeadSasuke34]

well, those were 5 minutes well spent

[@TSE_WOODY]

looks like Maynard crossed with Adam Sandler

[@davidjenson1570]

Well, that was an incredible performance! The guy is awesome!

[@strickendvs]

incredible, keep the tool coming !

[@Mindrex327]

Why does this guy NOT have a Record deal for covers??? Really?

[@SkullScoper]

copyright, or either tool will get half revenue or something since it is their song.

[@vincentbar484]

TurkeyRaider well. If they got written consent from the creators, they wouldn't need to pay royalties. I think.

[@SkullScoper]

Credit Onion yeah

[@subikshrestha4284]

I cant even count from 1-10 as fluently as this 😂😂

[@lateralus9244]

His attack is so aggressive on the strings that the strings literally resonate out of tune sometimes. However, there is no one that does better and more technical acoustic covers of tool than this guy. I absolutely love watching and listening to him play.

[@prestonlewis7980]

this might be the most badass thing I've ever seen

[@JarOfMoMack]

If we lived in the fucking Matrix, this kid would be the "one".

[@si_quest]

what do you mean "if"?

[@bdragon254]

instantsurgery lmao ikr

[@Jason_Abadi]

This dude uses guitar string would from a combination of hair from the beards of Chuck Norris & Stannis Baratheon.

[@wishuhadmyname]

No, the strings are made from Maynard Keenan's own hair. Where do you think it all went after he shaved it?

[@bdragon254]

Stannis doesnt have a beard.....

[@Jason_Abadi]

He's got one growing at the end of season four.

[@bdragon254]

Jason Scott ;) barely.. little nubs

[@Jason_Abadi]

I'd bend the knee to those nubs

[@vulgarresponse]

This is just amazing. Nothing short of that.

[@thebigguy1955]

PLEASE, enter one of the "Got Talent" competitions! America's got talent or any of the others - you are amazing and deserve recognition for your skills.

[@rickyderby]

Adam Sandler

[@AgentFlea]

+Ricky LOL

[@ares6949]

made me snort hahah

[@kristianduvall7326]

+Ricky Doppleganger.

[@lavacape]

+Ricky CAN'T UNSEE

[@rickyderby]

lavacape you're welcome

[@b1ak3m]

When I hear someone play like this...I think: I never really knew how to play guitar.

[@michellependergrass8479]

Ive played guitar for iver 20 years and this is the most amazing thing ive ever seen. I dont even knkw how hes doing half of the shit hes doing.

[@errebnacion7584]

A fan of Tool, and now a fan of Sam. Keep up the great effort and passion, may life tread lightly with you Beast.