Jump to content

[Discussion] Guitar Smashing and Instrument Destruction


ritalin98

Recommended Posts

This is sort of a poll, I guess. 

I always thought everyone just kinda went crazy for instrument destruction during a show, until I saw all these comments on YouTube videos for bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan, even Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Nirvana, all legends that all of a sudden people are trashing and calling “overrated and terrible” just because they destroyed an inanimate object. “It’s so disrespectful, give it to me” all that whiny BS. 

 

I vote badass. I understand why some don’t like it, but that’s a part of the point. And overall, people love it precisely because it’s disrespectful and brutal. It’s fun to riot and come on, who doesn’t like to destroy shit, or watch shit get destroyed? That’s why most people like it. It satisfies an aggressive desire for sadism in a typically high adrenaline/high testosterone environment. A random and epic outburst of violence. 

 

I think it’s a bit different today - I can’t imagine artists like Jimi Hendrix or Pete Townsend smashing instruments if they came about today, it’s floated up the genre ladder as rock gradually produced more aggressive genres. I would expect to see a guitar smashed in a fit of adrenaline at a hardcore show, maybe not a blues or a folk rock show, for example...though it’s all over the place. 

 

Off the top of my head, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Kiss, Metallica, Saxon, Yngwie Malmsteen, The Yardbirds, Skid Row, Nine Inch Nails, Deep Purple, Krokus, Warbeast, Dillinger Escape Plan, The Clash, The Misfits, ad infinitum, made a habit of doing this. They’re still awesome musicians anyways, and anyone trashing them because they destroy their own property for entertainment is being a pussy killjoy, imo.

 

But I can’t stand people that whine and say it’s “cliché”. Um, yeah, that’s because it’s almost as old as the guitar solo...showmanship, specifically instrument destruction, began in ‘63 with The Who (though with a few smaller, isolated acts before then) - that’s going on 60 years, more than half a century, of instrument destruction being an oft practiced staple across the rock music scene and its many, many sub-genres. Millions of bands across the word, small local ones and big, arena-selling ones have done it. It’s badass. It’s fun. It’s not supposed to be some artsy expression that “was only acceptable when Jimi did it” - it’s fun to destroy shit. Its awesome and fun and it always will be. 

 

Anyone else wanna offer their take? Is it badass or just bad?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've done it once, was much younger and drunk.. and wasn't my instrument.. ?

I do think it's really a worn out cliche. Not once have i seen someone smash an instrument and thought it was cool or badass. To me it's disrespecting the instrument, and every person who would love to own a guitar as good but just can't afford one. That said everyone is entitled to do whatever the hell they want with their stuff, just doesn't make you any cooler. In my books makes someone a bit of an idiot. I know i was back when i did it. I've never been huge on showmanship either, quite possibly because i hate all kinds of pretending. I prefer that the music does the talking. Everything else around it to me is pointless nonsense.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The smashing of instruments had its time. You don't see it often these days and I'm thankful for that. Not once in the decade of playing guitar have I thought smashing one would be fun or cool. It's just a played out trope, Spinal Tap shit, and there are more lasting, impactful ways to leave an impression on your audience.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When Jimi Hendrix did it I think it was between him and the guitar. They had a "special relationship" that almost certainly included some hate. Pete Townsend was the certified bad boy of his time. The Who were always the worst. They had a reputation to keep up. The first time I saw someone smash up their guitar on stage was in 1980. It was Paul Stanley of Kiss. I even secured a part as he was tossing them into the audience. But it was of course not his good guitar. Everybody could see that. 

My thoughts on this is that if they are your instruments, they are yours to do whatever you want with, including smashing them up. However, I fail to see what's "badass" about destroying your own property just for the hell of it. If it's a part of some greater show of message, sure, why not, but the general rule of thumb is that musicians should be careful with theatrical antics. It doesn't always play out as they had imagined it would.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/16/2019 at 1:00 AM, Requiem said:

I've been to hundreds of gigs and I can't recall anyone doing this. I think it sort of reached its apex in the 70s and slowly dwindled from there. 

It’s a specific type of theatric. Does everyone do it? No. Even in the 70s, only a handful of bands were noted to have done it, because they were majorly succesful

But it’s a fairly common practice, and has remained so since the 60s

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
On 3/16/2019 at 5:32 AM, MaxFaust said:

the general rule of thumb is that musicians should be careful with theatrical antics. It doesn't always play out as they had imagined it would.

My favorite example of this is a local show I went to about fifteen years ago where a guitarist tried and utterly failed to break his guitar in any satisfying way. It was a non-sequitur at that show to begin with, but it all came together for me as he impotently rammed the headstock down into the floor over and over with a "please, please break" expression on his face.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/16/2019 at 7:00 AM, Requiem said:

I've been to hundreds of gigs and I can't recall anyone doing this. I think it sort of reached its apex in the 70s and slowly dwindled from there. 

I have been to more than my fair share of gigs, too and no, I cannot recall any imstruments being smashed up on stage either, or that I simply found it so unimpressiv that I have forgotten all about it. 

As to how I feel about it: punk rock, hard rock and metal is energy to me and especially live, it makes me feel high. My way of absorbing this energy feels like entering another realm of exsistance...and I do this in a quiet way. For others this energy might make them feeling very energetic and some what aggressive...so rather take it out on some guitar or drumset than anything else. So yes, if this is the case... granted, I am not a musician myself... then fine by me. 

And then there are instruments...and instruments: I assume that most people would be pretty pissed off if someone smashed up a Stradivarius violin, but more relax about the same happening to a mass produced instrument. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Join Metal Forum

    joinus-home.jpg

  • Our picks

    • Whichever tier of thrash metal you consigned Sacred Reich back in the 80's/90's they still had their moments.  "Ignorance" & "Surf Nicaragura" did a great job of establishing the band, whereas "The American Way" just got a little to comfortable and accessible (the title track grates nowadays) for my ears.  A couple more records better left forgotten about and then nothing for twenty three years.  2019 alone has now seen three releases from Phil Rind and co.  A live EP, a split EP with Iron Reagan and now a full length.

      Notable addition to the ranks for the current throng of releases is former Machine Head sticksman, Dave McClean.  Love or hate Machine Head, McClean is a more than capable drummer and his presence here is felt from the off with the opening and title track kicking things off with some real gusto.  'Divide & Conquer' and 'Salvation' muddle along nicely, never quite reaching any quality that would make my balls tingle but comfortable enough.  The looming build to 'Manifest Reality' delivers a real punch when the song starts proper.  Frenzied riffs and drums with shots of lead work to hold the interest.


      There's a problem already though (I know, I am such a fucking mood hoover).  I don't like Phil's vocals.  I never had if I am being honest.  The aggression to them seems a little forced even when they are at their best on tracks like 'Manifest Reality'.  When he tries to sing it just feels weak though ('Salvation') and tracks lose real punch.  Give him a riffy number such as 'Killing Machine' and he is fine with the Reich engine (probably a poor choice of phrase) up in sixth gear.  For every thrashy riff there's a fair share of rock edged, local bar act rhythm aplenty too.

      Let's not poo-poo proceedings though, because overall I actually enjoy "Awakening".  It is stacked full of catchy riffs that are sticky on the old ears.  Whilst not as raw as perhaps the - brilliant - artwork suggests with its black and white, tattoo flash sheet style design it is enjoyable enough.  Yes, 'Death Valley' & 'Something to Believe' have no place here, saved only by Arnett and Radziwill's lead work but 'Revolution' is a fucking 80's thrash heyday throwback to the extent that if you turn the TV on during it you might catch a new episode of Cheers!

      3/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 10 replies
    • I
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/52-vltimas-something-wicked-marches-in/
      • Reputation Points

      • 3 replies

    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/48-candlemass-the-door-to-doom/
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • Full length number 19 from overkill certainly makes a splash in the energy stakes, I mean there's some modern thrash bands that are a good two decades younger than Overkill who can only hope to achieve the levels of spunk that New Jersey's finest produce here.  That in itself is an achievement, for a band of Overkill's stature and reputation to be able to still sound relevant four decades into their career is no mean feat.  Even in the albums weaker moments it never gets redundant and the energy levels remain high.  There's a real sense of a band in a state of some renewed vigour, helped in no small part by the addition of Jason Bittner on drums.  The former Flotsam & Jetsam skinsman is nothing short of superb throughout "The Wings of War" and seems to have squeezed a little extra out of the rest of his peers.

      The album kicks of with a great build to opening track "Last Man Standing" and for the first 4 tracks of the album the Overkill crew stomp, bash and groove their way to a solid level of consistency.  The lead work is of particular note and Blitz sounds as sneery and scathing as ever.  The album is well produced and mixed too with all parts of the thrash machine audible as the five piece hammer away at your skull with the usual blend of chugging riffs and infectious anthems.  


      There are weak moments as mentioned but they are more a victim of how good the strong tracks are.  In it's own right "Distortion" is a solid enough - if not slightly varied a journey from the last offering - but it just doesn't stand up well against a "Bat Shit Crazy" or a "Head of a Pin".  As the album draws to a close you get the increasing impression that the last few tracks are rescued really by some great solos and stomping skin work which is a shame because trimming of a couple of tracks may have made this less obvious. 

      4/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 4 replies
×
×
  • Create New...