Henry Rollins Chats With Guitarist Steve Vai | In Partnership With The Sound Of Vinyl

[@rottingcorpse6565]

Rollins and Vai the crossover we didn't know we needed.

[@myguitardidyermom212]

I'd pay good money to hear vai a Rollins Band joint

[@enricocavallo4386]

And then it turns out they both love Tom Waits

[@patrickkeenan6331]

This is BY FAR the best Steve Vai interview ever. Henry's questions were intelligent and curiosity-driven.

[@WeDontWantYourWar]

yes. nothing more to add but yes.

[@gtrguy3237]

Yes. Not the same questions. Awesome.

[@torreznor]

Yes indeed!

[@commentfreely5443]

vai looks strangely fat. the yngwie diet.

[@WeDontWantYourWar]

@@commentfreely5443 They both look great for 60 .. lets not be too harsh.. Vai is not fat at all, I think its the way he is seated and the lighting.. ;)

[@Jopeymessmusic]

Why isn't this a longer interview? These guys are ace.

[@trevormarcray]

Exactly my thoughts! We want more!

[@istillsuckatguitar]

@Joe Passenger If you're talking about Vai, he's been married for 30 years and has two grown children.

[@sebbach3747]

@Joe Passenger loser af

[@felsal20]

No, that Varonica Vaughn is one fine peice of ace. I know from experience! Me and her got it on! Whoah!

[@Jopeymessmusic]

@Joe Passenger Oh, I'm not up to date with terminology at all then. I only meant like it's a great interview, good vibes between them. I had no idea that "ace" meant anything else.

[@wolfgang4136]

Henry Rollins is a great interviewer. He’s absolutely sincere and genuine.

[@manuelpuente7336]

I can listen this guy for hours to end and never get bored ... I don’t like black flag tho ... Steve vai is a god

[@DanielVerberne]

I've long been aware of the existence of Henry Rollins and I knew him from punk days and as a spoken-word guy, but he seems an energetic and confident guy.

[@alexanderwilliamson7431]

He learned from all the young journalists he used to bully I guess.

[@honus20]

Vai is the best guy ever. Met him at the 20-year celebration of the release of his signature guitar and he treated me 10-year old kid like a king. Have always loved his music and will love him forever for how he treated my son.

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

Great guy...very cool

[@deangilberry4844]

Unlike many well known people, he's a truly great person.

[@minorthreat8240]

“I don’t have cars, I don’t have an expensive guitar collection....I got a system brother” - Steve Vai

[@manuelpuente7336]

Wow, Tom waits, Vai’s favorite artist ... never seen that coming

[@urbanwizardsacademy9730]

Go out and get bone machine

[@UMAMIMAMU]

Just won SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many brownie points in my book.

[@wesforehand278]

I did. Frank loved Waits. Waits opened for Frank often. Frank was his mentor.

[@te9591]

@@urbanwizardsacademy9730 i recommend "Rain Dogs".

[@kookle658]

the black rider is excellent by Tom Waits

[@theodery2712]

Mad respect for both these legends. I remember the 80' s when they were both in the prime. Now their wise elders elucidating musical spiritual wisdom.

[@jonathanwright8802]

He got into Frank's circle for transcribing Frank's impossible guitar solos when he was 18!! 18 years old. Frank was so impressed he gave him a job, then saw Steve's playing and put him in the damn band. Vai is one exceptionally talented genius. A true music savant.

[@dssembler7922]

he auditioned, there is an interview where he mentions all this.

[@Jaggedknife11]

These guys were the 2 opposite ends of 80s rock and yet they come together here and show their similarities as wise and thoughtful men.

[@duarteestelita7257]

great point ! These are 2 of my fav humans. I dont listen to their music all the time....but i listen to THEM, everytime i can..cos i really think they master the art of aging and sharing wisdom. And... u know.. what COOL guys!, man. ;)

[@Dweezil1996]

Man, really wish this was longer and that Steve could swap and have questions for Henry. Deeply respect both these gentleman.

[@SecretEyeSpot]

"Your Music has so much Music in it" That in itself has to be the best compliment to an instrumentalist..

[@TheSaintedOne]

Steve is the kind of person who taps/pats/embraces you when you're talking to him. We need more people like him right now.

[@blakehafling6995]

Wait a sec... Lemme get this straight. The guy who spends a large chunk of every day perfecting his craft finishes a set where he puts his whole body into it celebrating a milestone in his life didn't give the couple who crashed the party the love and admiration they think they deserve? I think Steve might have thought you to be a jerk.

[@blakehafling6995]

@@thefog7067 regardless of your personal feelings you are still a jerk for what you did. And when you post to a public forum expect the public to reply. Have a good day!

[@kevindemattia]

@@thefog7067 Unfortunately, celebrities and rock stars can't always be "ON", they can't always be charming, gracious, humble or happy to interact with fans. It's not as simple as, "We love you, Steve Vai! We've been following your career since 19__ ! We own everything you've ever done! We named our son Steve after you! Now please recognize me as the amazing super-fan that I am, and reward all my years of fandom by being genuinely ecstatic to see me, and want to talk to ME, and take a photo with ME!" The guy gets off the stage, probably had a crazily complex long-ass day and night, he's probably tired after giving 110% on stage. If you met him at a different time, under different circumstances, I'm sure he'd be the most awesome, gracious person and you'd have an incredible encounter. But life is all about timing, and I'm positive you simply caught him at a not-ideal moment. Like I said, he's fucking human, and we can't all always be happy-as-fuck to see everyone all the time. This is kinda like the people that leave a negative Yelp review: there can be an amazing establishment, where people have worked and slaved for years to make it an awesome spot. And one customer has ONE (perceived) bad interaction with a staff member, and they write a 3 page Yelp thesis on how shitty the establishment is, how they shouldn't be in business, how dare they, blah blah blah. I've met a bunch of celebrities/rockers multiple times, and sometimes they were in a great mood and we had a great convo, other times they were in a "I don't really feel like talking/interacting" kinda mood. Give ole Steve another chance!

[@blakehafling6995]

@@thefog7067 if your butthurt over my opinion maybe not share your jerk actions on a public forum. Also, throwing your wife under the bus is a jerk move, ya jerk

[@thefog7067]

@Ittybittybabybubbies the3rd That's spooky ! Glad you had such a cool experience with Steve though 🙂

[@shawnmcvey7789]

When Steve Vai mentions Zappa Henry gives him total heart eyes emoji 😍

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

The FZ re-issues on vinyl by Bernie Grundman are awesome!

[@loafersheffield]

Made him drool upon his dork And gave him a wanking Very silly. Please forgive me. I could't resist. Zappa fans will get that reference.

[@bobjenkins1757]

@@loafersheffield ....and eat the banana !

[@bbtb785]

Solid explanation by Vai regarding the difference between discipline and passion in respect to his talent.

[@PatrickJWenzel]

I don't know why I'm always so surprised by SV's insights. He explains things exactly as they are and in a way that I personally find very easy to translate into areas of life that don't necessarily involve music. He's simply a great mentor and I appreciate his wisdom dearly.

[@maxtalbert8519]

God rollins is such an amazing interviewer he listens hes obviously a big fan of steves and they both clearly have massive respect for each other damn this was awesome hope there's a part 2

[@eb972]

HR knows more about humanity than most. Rollins for President!

[@BigStevie]

Amen, Unfortunately the people of The USA couldn't handle his COLD HARD TRUTH.

[@silvamorphisphaeble7863]

BigStevie93 Shades of President Donald Trump!

[@TIRABATERA]

This interview should be waaaaaaay LONGER!!!

[@linnovate360]

" I think the greatest tool is knowing how to listen " Excellent fundamental statement about life, not just music. Coincidentally, earlier in the chat, I was noticing how good Rollins is as a listener. He let Vai open up as a person, and he listened.

[@ambush1242]

Steve's backyard analogy to mixing was great. Another great Rollins interview.

[@bro7269]

Dallas, salad. Check out “The Art of Mixing” by David Gibson. The whole book is based around the concept of mixing within a cube (basically a room). It’s a very visual book on how to pan instruments left to right, front to back and up and down. It’s very good.

[@tonepoet]

I thought this as well, super interesting way to think of this concept.

[@pseudosun]

so glad henry interviewed steve, instead of someone who'd ask something like "how does it feel to be a rockstar?"

[@bullfrogboss8008]

This is totally something Henry would ask as well

[@godsinbox]

'people who are famous, go insane'

[@scottperrin9655]

These are 2 of my favorite humans, I never thought these guys sitting down for something like this...incredible. If Mike Patton popped up from the behind the board I would have had an aneurism

[@poppycock6572]

Two amazing artists. We are looking at probably the two best examples of aging well in this industry 👏.

[@joshuabrunetti2001]

this really needs to be 4 hours longer

[@honigdachs.]

Oh man. Two legends ... and two very articulate, thoughtful people who really have something to say.

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

''Passion And Warfare'' still blows my mind. When it came out it changed the game. Also I am English and I adore Henry Rollins. Zappa said to Steve ''keep your publishing'' which Steve didn't understand at first however this is the reason he didn't sign with the label for Flexible. Great advice:)

[@BigStevie]

Frank Zappa method: Think It, Do It. Simple.

[@markdemell3717]

That's how my golf game improved ,Jack Nicklaus said ,visualize and do it .These guys are now buddies ,chemistry was there ,take care every one.

[@magicrobharv]

This is an interview that should be used as an instructional video on how to conduct an interview. Henry Rollins is spot-on in his questions, not rambling but directly focused on asking the perfect question that we want to know the answer to. Fantastic interview ! I wish all interviews, on any subject, where this good.

[@TyCetto]

Two really great personalities FIGHTING to be the nicest! Love that kind of fight!

[@earlofcockgobblingshire3666]

Henry is an amassing interviewer. He excels in everything he does. 10/10

[@StellaShebaofficial]

I loved Steve forever and then the internet showed me that he is also a great guy. Thank you internet.

[@tked970]

Henry, bring Glenn Danzig for next episode. That would be epic!

[@ericdont1459]

"your music has so much music in it..." -Henry Rollings

[@greenchilaquiles]

Surprisingly profound

[@pseudosun]

fastest 13 minutes of my life. Just let the tape roll, and let them talk.

[@scottonanski4173]

Henry looks totally blown away by just being in the same room as him. Man, could you imagine being a musician and getting to pick Steve's brain?

[@tommyt1971]

It's always so cool to hear Henry talk about vinyl. He did a spoken word thing in Dublin in 2016 where he talked about sitting next to Lemmy on a private flight and bugging him about old Hawkwind singles and LPs -- Henry got hardcore asking Lem about the paper they used, the alternate cover designs.

[@StahlsBlues]

Henry and Steve. Absolute treasure. My love to them both.

[@simonstevens8434]

"listening is hard", so so true. Most of us just "hear", most of the time.

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

Steve Vai is such a balanced beautiful human. Love his interviews. Love Henry too, he’s just real as it gets.

[@JbfMusicGuitar]

Didn't realise how much I'd wanted too see these guys interact until now. Would happily listen to hours of that!

[@mauricedorreboom5388]

If ever the phrase "kindred spirits" would apply for any interview it is this one. HR is an amazing human being.

[@nicholastotoro7721]

Henry is literally sitting on the edge of his seat, like he's genuinely interested and curious about Steve's answers and insight. You can't get better than that.

[@tobymcgroby8967]

I love it when the interviewer actually has the same passion for the things that the guest has. Great job Henry, you guys look like two best friends

[@jtron9k]

I love the way Vai talks with his hands. It's one of those things where its obvious why he is so expressive with his hands while he talks, but still fascinates me every time I see him talk.

[@mojopin70]

I like Steve Vai a lot. He is a beautiful person and a huge talent.

[@chrisniess1274]

Two of my heroes in the same room. Mind blown 🤯

[@MaikiRiot]

Henry lights up one he starts taking about vinyl. He has always appreciated music in such a different level.

[@arrieta2009]

One of the BEST Vai's interview!

[@themadmattster9647]

Vai's work with PIL is also interesting and underrated.

[@jonesy2111]

Probably his best stuff up there with Roth and Zappa

[@LLCoolJeanLuc]

"Sonic integrity" is such a great phrase.

[@RobertSlover]

this interview has single handedly helped to like steve vai. his style of music is not my taste, but the conversation about the micro details of composing and active listening to music was wonderful. now what made me love steve vai is he said his favorite musician is tom waits!!!! mine too.

[@MaW-j1o]

Literally one of the best Vai interviews I’ve ever seen. Such great questions, and interactions…

[@Jaymzmiller]

Steve Vai is an alien for sure, he's barely aged in 40 years.

[@Deauxtje]

Botox in his forehead helps

[@dankauffmanmusic]

Steve Vai loves Tom Waits..... never would have guessed. And I have Flexible on vinyl.... and it's great.

[@ponzo1967]

Steve meeting Frank was a match made in an Italian heaven. Love how Steve picked up that little slice of passionate insanity Frank had.

[@PrinceWesterburg]

If there's an hour of this then please, please upload it!

[@Aaron-zh4kj]

I was so excited to experience an interview from two very different worlds of music I both love. I only wish it was longer.

[@itsfine5818]

When he said he likes atmosphere I knew instantly where he was going. Tom is my favorite as well for that reason. Put on Rain Dogs and close your eyes, it will take you to a different world that he designed.

[@tdz69]

Damn. I was waiting more for Henry’s questions than I was for Steve’s answers! What a fantastic interviewer! Looks like Steve really enjoyed it as well.

[@craigbarnett5077]

I remember buying Flexible and Flexible Leftovers in 1986 through the mail along with a Steve Vai Light Without Heat t-shirt after hearing The Attitude Song on one of those Guitar Player song page. But the thing I really wished I had kept were the 10 or so photocopied guitar lessons of weird, quirky things that looked like they were typed on a Commodore 64 computer. Surprised Rollins didn't ask about Steve's Roth days. Henry was always a huge DLR fan.

[@matkamoon]

Two smart guys , different backgrounds. Could listen to them chat all day ..

[@braddsn]

Henry's brain is built around music...what an inspiration.. the guy knows just what to ask and talk about. Fantastic, doesn't get any better!

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Great interview! Steve Vai is such a knowledgeable and inspirational person, in addition to being a musical god! All this and being interviewed by an equally knowledgeable and inspirational Henry Rollins! What's not to love? :)

[@thatonedude1003]

Great interview!!! I love how intently Rollins listens...he almost looks angry!!

[@frankrandall8875]

Damn, 'Bone Machine' was the first Tom Waits album I heard and it's my favourite to this day. Absolutely nailed it.

[@TeleCarlitos]

I know of Tom waits but never listened to his music. So I should start with Bone Machine?

[@danielmiller9925]

@@TeleCarlitos I'd start with Rain Dogs, but Bone Machine is pretty amazing too. It's just super weird, but with Tom, weird, is good.

[@deanl0]

Dan Mil.>> Rain Dog was like a best of..really but it was is 8th. studio album and Keith Richards was also on that album.

[@megazoned3973]

Carlos Riollano dude! Bone Machine!!!!! Ugh. Get some headphones, lock yourself in a dark room and listen to it immediately. Let it take you away to a land of broken speakers and concrete chicken coops.

[@brianmiller1077]

@@TeleCarlitos Bone Machine and Mule Variations both have great range in the type of songs.

[@sunburststrats]

By far best Vai interview ever! Amazing job Mr. Rollins

[@LaurieValdez-zk3dy]

I ❤ them Thank you very much GOD bless Everyone

[@37Dionysos]

Heads up young artists! (10:30) where Vai talks about the "standard deal" he was offered---a big 10g's and .25 CENTS per album sold, for work that wouldn't exist without him. (Imagine the record company's profit!) So he worked really hard to arrange his own distribution and now he's splitting 50-50 with business pals. In short---YOU must stand up for the value of your own work, or any business slob will take it from you. Tech is now on your side, corporations need you more than vice-versa, so GO FOR IT!

[@apegrasshoplizard]

Food for thought ....

[@airwindows]

That's also what broke up the final Zappa band iirc… bass player was also Frank's straw boss, all the players absolutely stellar but didn't like each other, and it came out that they'd been demanding different money, NOT 'favored nations' status. I'm not sure if it's the bass player, drummer or who was getting paid more. Probably someone with a lot of other duties like that bass player/surrogate Frank. And when they confronted Frank demanding equal pay, he went 'see ya' and goodbye band. As far as the 'record company deals', Steve Albini has a famous essay on that subject too.

[@youngzombie6342]

Mr Steve Vai, you always surprisess me. Don't know how he does it, but he does. Each interview. Amazing man and guitar player, of course.

[@tch8787]

Why isn’t this a weekly show I loved the podcast all the great stories...miss the old ifc show too Henry Rollins is a great interviewer

[@gussygoro2469]

Steve's an unabashed genius. I'm glad he was around to look up to when I was a boy.

[@arthurbehrman5130]

Thank you Mr. Rollins! If there’s more of this, we’d love to see it. Also, please do a spoken word record with Steve providing sonic atmosphere.

[@FlashframeFilms]

2 of my fav artists on earth, Henry going all the way back to his Flag days, and been watchingv Steve going just as far back, when he 1st went out on the road at 19 with Frank.

[@mark_fox_music]

Vai is such a cool guy. Very interesting hearing his label setup. I have done two deals 50/50 split and its always worked best for everyone. Its the way!

[@Mr666Flake]

2 of My Favorites having a Conversation about Music, this is Epic!

[@raygunromance772]

Two of my favorite musicians and thinkers having a convo. Love it.

[@wolfgang4136]

Rollins is a very real and articulate man. Vai is just so deep. Great interview!👍👍👍👍

[@ohraisins]

Man this is so cool! I never thought I'd see Henry interview Mr. Vai! Great stuff!

[@sombergirl2886]

This was a fantastic interview Mr Henry Rollins needs to be the one to interview all musicians

[@NojusLive]

Wish this interview was much longer, such a deep understanding and respect there, amazing insights

[@dougf8180]

Another great interview. Henry’s passion gets the guests excited. Takeaway: Profound mutual love for Tom Waits (agreed). Steve Vai discouraged by records being cast from digital source. Most Agree.HELP : I’m Henry’s age, back into vinyl and been torched by new vinyl purchases like this. How Can You Detect This? , what is the trick to steer away from these ‘new’ pressings? !!!

[@adderon]

Don't buy reissues, buy the original pressings. A lot of reissues are released by labels other than the one that originally released the recording. Most use digital processing in the reissues and if it's an album that was made in the last 20 years it probably has a digital workstation source like ProTools

[@jeffc1753]

Since it’s a hot selling point and something enthusiasts look for, if it’s remastered from the original master tapes it will be indicated in the record notes...or is often the case for older music I should say.

[@andrewz.3432]

I never thought I'd see the day that these two would ever be in the same room. Great interview.:)

[@Cocobeankf]

This is like watching your cool cousins from 2 different sides of the family finally getting together for a hangout!

[@fulltonesmusic]

What a great conversational chemistry these two have... could have watched hours of this.

[@Marleystrummer]

They could be brothers

[@americanpancakelive]

Absolutely love this- LOVE THIS. Two sweet guys who are passionate about life and what they do.

[@MarkSixbey]

I saw Steve at a club in San Diego in 2005. Really awesome show, great band.

[@BuzzcutGtr]

I've only gotten seriously into Tom Waits in the past year or so. To hear these two monsters talk about how Waits' music can affect you and affects them? Whole new level of appreciation for both of them.

[@droppeddots11]

part 2 please!! know u have more of this! Pearl of the day. Love.

[@johnbharris]

What an excellent interview! I think HR and SV could chat for an hour or more and it'd be fascinating.

[@thehumandrive]

Man this is such a good interview! Legends!

[@stub2022]

Henry's a wonderful interviewer.

[@simonstevens8434]

Was never a Black Flag fan, but then I discovered Henry Rollins the racounteer, telling stories, doing interviews like this. Big fan. Oh and a shout out to Steve...

[@jasonlieberman4606]

They come from such different worlds, from which people could easily fail to respect the other, but these two are wise enough to see the greatness of both of each other's roots, and I wouldn't be surprised if they already did so when they were just kids on the scene.

[@mattbroiler]

I just listened to my Steve Vai's Flexable 12 and 10 inch vinyl on my Pioneer receiver and turntable SO DOPE

[@crisprtalk6963]

Discipline and passion....... Really enjoyed listening to Steve's thoughts on this.

[@calibre18517]

Great interview, Henry. Thanks for keeping your own youth and passion.

[@ryanlopez8976]

Great interview 👍 S Vais explains Passion vs Discipline 👏 spot on

[@218maryland]

These videos are so damn informative and fun to watch. Keep em coming!!

[@aLr_boosh]

For being so short it was a really great interview! Boosh!