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Editor's Choice
We asked John to choose the songs that helped him become the player he is today, that he thinks could improve your playing. We couldn't tab them all - but we managed half, and here's his best list of recommendations in full.
Joy Divison - "Shadowplay"
The Germs - "The Slave"
Iggy & The Stooges - "Gimme Danger"
Fugazi - "Last Chance For a Slow Dance"
Blind Blake - "Southern Rag"
Bow Wow Wow - "Orangutang"
Led Zeppelin - "Can't Quit You Baby"
The Smiths - "Back To The Old House"
Funkadelic Pastiche
Rock and funk have rarely sounded as good as with Funkadelic - George Clinton's more rocky and psychedelic band after having founded Parliament (he moved freely between the two during the 70s). This example demonstrates guitarists Eddie Hazel and Lucius Ross rhythmic riffing using the A minor pentatonic (A C D E G) 'blues box'. Use your bridge pick-up, a moderate amount of crunchy distortion and make sure it grooves hard !
Chili Peppers Synth Pastiche
This mixes up John's playing on Parallel Universe with Flea's sequencer like playing on Right On Time (ie repetitive 16th notes in octaves). It not only sounds great alongside the complimentary bass line (almost exclusively creating thirds), but its constant alternate picked 16th notes with string skips and palm muted, is a good picking technique workout. Add a moderate amount of phaser effect and a touch of delay to a mild overdriven tone, and you'll end up with quite a 1970s Giorgio Moroder like synth part.
