“That might be stupid coming from the son of Eddie Van Halen”: The surprising opinion Wolfgang Van Halen holds about guitar solos
While some rockers opt to show off their chops through excessive guitar solos, Wolfgang Van Halen is with many who believe they’re not always a necessary ingredient when crafting killer track.
Despite Wolfgang’s father, Eddie Van Halen, being renowned as a solo master, Mammoth’s upcoming record, The End, features a few tracks without solos. “Whenever there is a song that doesn’t have a guitar solo people are like ‘Dude? What?’,” he tells SiriusXM. “[But] it’s more about the song and how it is crafted altogether. Not everything needs a guitar solo.”
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Rather than compromising on his vision to force in a meaty, shred-heavy solo, Wolfgang is more satisfied when a track feels correct. He labels himself as a songwriter first and foremost. “The ‘songwriter’ leads more than anything,” he notes. “I think that what makes me happy. What brings me purpose with Mammoth is writing the songs.”
He’s aware some people might find his stance surprising. “That might be stupid coming from the son of Eddie Van Halen to say,” he notes. “But, for me, I get [the] most joy from crafting the song, piece by piece.”
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Of course, that’s not to say Wolfgang’s forthcoming third release is totally solo-free. “There are definitely more guitar solos,” he confirms. “But, again, that is not what it is about for me. But [they are] there, and I am going to give my A-game!”
Wolfgang’s band, Mammoth (formerly known as Mammoth WVH), recently dropped the first taste of The End. The Spell highlights the Wolfgang’s multi-instrumental talents – and it’s one of the new tracks that does feature a guitar solo.
While some may raise an eyebrow upon hearing Wolfgang’s views on soloing, Wolfgang is actually following in his father’s footsteps. His father voiced similar views in his later years, telling Guitar Player’s Jas Obrecht that he was well beyond his years of shredding in 1991.
“A lot of people just do all kinds of crazy shit,” he said. “Sure, that’s fine and dandy when you’re young… playing as fast as you can doesn’t really hold much water for me… To me, a solo is to highlight song. It’s not to show off.”
“What’s important to me now isn’t how fast I can solo,” he continued. “It’s the whole picture… the whole band thing, the songs… that’s what’s important.”“
The End will be released on 24 October.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
