Tooooo kind Michael. Thanks so much for digging into this one. You're so passionate about great music, we're humbled to be a part of your channel again.
Ian is one of the best guitarists over the last 25 years, not to mention one of the best vocalists as well. He's humble and just an amazing musician overall. I wish I had 10% of his skills. He should be playing arenas like the Foos.
Big Wreck is criminally underrated. I’ve seen them live a couple times over the last few years and they never cease to amaze me. She couldn’t understand it, but I made my wife drive 4 hours with me to go see them last year, halfway through the set she leans in and goes “I get it now”. They’re simply unreal.
Ian Thornley is one of the *best* electric guitar players on the planet. And he can get those guitar sounds live also, while singing... and he has a great voice. Writes interesting songs, leads a tight band. Massive Talent, Cubed!
How Big Wreck aren't one of the biggest rock bands in the world is beyond me. Ian's tone is amazing, but so are those vocals! Thanks for showcasing them again Michael.
They are awesome! Its the media that doesn’t push / support rock in the last 20 yrs. They prefer pop, hiphop, country etc. plus these guys aren’t douche bags looking to be caught doing or saying something ignorant or stupid by the mass media. So they stay a talented best kept secret, that love making excellent music. Maybe they are better off for it in the end(?), but we fans always want them to get more recognition for a job well done and attain financial rewards for talent. (Meanwhile Drake - among many others -can mumble half heartedly any piece of crap and be a millionaire 😩) Another great heavy melodic rock band in the same boat is AlterBridge. Great vocals, guitar and songwriting talent, great musicians, great albums and songs, etc etc etc.
I agree with you. Ian Thornley could be the best guitarist on the planet right now, plus he writes great, superbly structured, rock songs and has a killer voice. Canada’s most underrated band.
Did I just crawl out from under a rock? I've never heard of these guys. Ian's vocals are incredible, dare I say he is filling a huge void left by Chris Cornell if that is possible. I'm blown away and a new fan.
Their catalog is deep and wide! LOTS of influences masterfully crafted! Enjoy the ride! Here is a playlist of their latest 5 songs.... ru-vid.com/group/PLXv_ECFUO-1GmAYH6SQF_g2YnD3PNjped
I thought the same when i first heard of them! 😂 seriously though, Ian could Totally nail a tribute to Cornell with soundgarden if they ever felt the urge to do so.
@@GabeHelma To have those vocals and be one of the top (top on my list) rock guitarists out there is unbelievable. And he's Canadian! And you can catch shows without needing to take out a second mortgage. I've seen them several times now, and they never fail to impress. I'm 56 now, but every time I take in a show I turn into an 18 yr old again, and I love it.
Chris Cornell did leave a void as a vocalist and even though Ian Thornley is probably tired of the reference, I’ve always loved the raw unfettered velocity of both Cornell and Ian’s voice.. it’s raw and pure.. my ear candy all day 🎸😎🎸
Dude......just about had a stroke when I saw this. I must confess I'm both those Davids and I hit you up on all the social media you had...and yes I emailed you. Wasn't intended to come from two separate accounts. All that aside your music theory is top notch. I couldn't wait to see your face because I knew this would hit you hard and give you that stink face. And yes, Ian has ALL the tone and I haven't heard anyone touch him on the tone side of things. My little brother lit up like it was Christmas. Listen to "The House" for the best lead work on the album and thank you soo much. You made my year.
Definitely a Steve Vai "Bad Horsie" vibe going on here and to that I say Hell Yeah! The heavy Chuggin' that seamlessly slides into the slide section of the riff is masterful. Which leads to a soulful southern rock, blues, and then the Robin Trower vibe kicks in an ultimately goes right back to the Vai "Bad Horsie" vibe! Very well crafted, very well done.
As you point out, the Big Thing with Big Wreck is the stupid-heavy verses and the absolutely soaring choruses. They are just geniuses at this. And Ian's slide playing is world class.
I love how enthusiastic you are discovering all the nuances of big wreck. It's how I feel every your time I listen to them.... sometimes I'll listen to a new song of theirs on repeat for several days straight
Most underrated band of all time. So glad to see you giving them some juice here. I do agree that Ian consistently has awesome guitar tones... all of them... the layers, the light stuff, the heavy stuff... it's just stellar.
Thanks for covering these guys! I will never, ever understand how they aren't more famous, especially in the US. I've seen them in person half a dozen times, and they are absolutely this good live.
The track and riff to me has a mixture of sound that reminds me of the southern sludge of Pantera and Stone Temple Pilots; Dead and Bloated, from their first album, Core.
I was NOT expecting you to pull up Ian Thornley. Holy shit...he's my favorite singer for decades now. Big Wreck's albums are the fantastic. ....all of them. "The Oaf" was one of my favorite songs of all time.
Oddly enough, both my fav Big Wreck songs were singles off their overlooked 2nd album... "Inhale" was amazing and the way "Lady Like" starts with the banjo and the instruments gradually settle into the main riff always gets me.
They were very early on, like '93-94, influenced by Kings X. KX was the gateway to grunge for me too! ru-vid.com/group/PLXv_ECFUO-1GmAYH6SQF_g2YnD3PNjped
Was a fan of them for years but then I saw them live back in 2010……That show turned me into a diehard fan. Michael do yourself a favour and see them live. I’ve lost count after seeing them into the double digits but it’s truly an unforgettable and addictive experience. The band is very tight and the solo sections are jaw dropping. When you see the ear piece come out, you know it’s game on. Hope to see you react to some more live clips of the band. There is some gems deep in catacombs of youtube.
He’s an absolute monster. I’ve never seen anyone live who can actually improve on their studio versions. Seen them live three times and my jaw just drops every time. He can go from wicked filth to pure pristine clean and sounds great everywhere. This band is TIGHT.
Hey DJ .Dunzie. Give Porcupine Tree live a bash. Tons of stuff on RU-vid. Watch live from Tilburg or Arriving Somewhere But Not Here to see and hear a band improve on their studio recordings. Start with Fear Of A Blank Planet. Tell me what you think. Cheers mate 🏴👍🇬🇧
No band in the last ten years has been putting out music as good as Ian and Big Wreck. He absolutely has the best tone in the game and his feel and taste is incredible . And thats just the guitar playing . Dude is one of the best singers in the game . And the song writing is unreal
Thanks my friend!!! Ian Thornley is by far the most under-rated musician on this earth. He's my main influence. Not only are his guitar skills out of this world but his vocals are just as good. Thank you for covering him. The whole bands amazing
I first found out about them through Michael's video on Ghosts and have not put them down since. Just incredible all way around. I love that they can be both heavy and delicate, sometimes at the same time.
So, you've heard them all huh? No chance there's some kid out there in bum fuck "Merika who's even more underrated and yet just as good? Alrighty then- we'll get the memo out as soon as possible. Right now, we're working on Bob Jones who swears he's America's number one dad- got a shirt and a coffee cup and everything- looks legit.
It is CRIMINAL that these guys have been so under the radar for asl long as they have, Ian is the freaking man!!! And as far as time goes, I cannot think of anyone who has a better lead tone than him, slash might be the closest and it’s still not near the level of Ian’s🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼 thank you Mike for all you do to inspire us to pick up the wood and wire!!!
I think I saw Bev. W headbanging in the front. Lol. I've been with these guys since 97, and they never disappoint. Met all these guys in Buffalo at a show one night. They always hang with the fans. A class act. Most underrated band of all time. Hoping they come back to the states again very soon.
I think you’re right Michael, this guy is so technically gifted but it’s also how he uses it. The arrangements and production of the tracks is top drawer
HUGE Big Wreck fan...and especially of Ian. His playing is on another plane, always has been. Did you know he was actually Slash's first choice as frontman for Velvet Revolver, but Slash wanted him to only sing and unstrap his guitar. Ian passed, and rightfully so. He's an otherworldly singer, but no way in hell do you just sweep aside those guitar abilities!! Pure taste, and class, and attention to detail...all while making it feel and sound as if he's walking a musical tightrope. The epitome of controlled chaos. And yes...TONE GALORE!! You want your jaw on the floor, just watch the Big Wreck Dunlop Sessions. Starts w/ Overemphasizing....where he'll make you question if Derek Trucks really is the king of the slide. Then Skybunk Marche will just flip your lid completely. It's prog, it's fusion, it's avant-garde, it's shredder rock. What is it? It's completely badass is what it is! LOVE LOVE LOVE that you are finding your way on the BW bandwagon Michael. As a fellow Marylander who has only been blessed enough to see this band once after decades of putting their stuff up there w/ my most beloved bands of all time, I'll be looking for you next time they come around Michael. Cheers, Dan
He was one of the first singers that was asked to audition for the original Velvet Revolver lineup. Turned it down because he didn’t see a need for 3 guitarists in the band. Look it up. Interesting rock n roll history.
It's interesting that Paulo is in this video. I really hope he comes back full time, they would be back to a five-piece. The best. Ian Thornley, Chris Caddell, Paulo Neta. It would be the ultimate tribute to Brian, who was amazing in his own way.
No one sounds better than this! Just saw them live for the second time last week and I’m still blown away by the performance! Highly underrated band! Sooooo creative I LOVE Big Wreck!
Ever since I heard The Oaf back…oh late 90’s I think. I have been hooked on Ian’s sound and abilities. He stacks so many different styles into his songs. All while making it seem effortless. Some of the songs like overemphasizing, Broken Hands, A Place To Call Home just to name a few, of so many. Have unbelievable crunch, tone, sustain. This to me is what makes his work solo and Big Wreck simply amazing. I believe Ian is one of the greatest guitarists of our time. Please keep shedding a light on what makes him and his works so special.
Mistake and Inhale are another pair of tones where you're just slammed with this absolute wall, and the first time you hear it live is almost life changing
I had not played guitar for 27 years...then I found Ian Thornley and Big Wreck and now play everyday. He/they are my biggest influence by far. Great video, Michael. Love your enthusiasm.
Being from Toronto I was lucky enough to catch Thornly numerous times just seemingly pop up randomly at venues across the city. He's such an incredible musician. Some really intimate acoustic stuff too which was always special. But seeing your appreciation for another local powerhouse in Chris Caddell. We had a sweet little venue out here called the Orbit Room he would regularly play at, in his band called Horshack. You should check his stuff out. Orbit Room had some special talent rolling through regularly and was always a great vibe with some serious talent. Miss that place.
oh Jesus that riff is GREASY and SICK. The tone is STELLAR and the vocals and vocal melodies are insane. My neighbors are not going to like the volume level I have this weekends Big Wreck deep dive that is going to happen now! 10/10 would recommend and share!
Ian Thornley is such a creative guitarist. I also like seeing Chris Cadell playing rhythm, he is a talent himself, plays for Sass Jordan, Colin James and his own project The Wreckage. I mean this whole band....damn...it just doesn't get any better......
I've been a fan of Big Wreck since I first saw "The Oaf" on MTV in 1998. Their debut "In Loving Memory Of..." is one of my favorite records of all time. In fact, the last time I discovered a band that had me that excited was in 1987 when I discovered Y&T. Such a shame we lost Brian Doherty in 2019.
As far as rock and heavy rock, Ian has the perfect combination of melody, phrasing, touch, tone, technique and originality. Always inspiring to listen to.
I remember seeing Dream Theater on the “Awake” tour, with Big Wreck opening up. We were all making fun of their name before they hit the stage. We were all eating crow by the time they were done. Blew everyone away! Great band…
I saw them as an opener at a festival, and even being pretty familiar with their studio songs, seeing them live absolutely blew me away. they crushed the main event.
WTF? was this? Wow, again..eyes opened to an artist. Tone & Riff: absolutely sick (love to see the signal chain for that tone "please don't be a modeler")
Michael, I'm sure that others have already mentioned this but its worth repeating. Andertons did a really great interview with Ian a few years ago where "The Captain" sat with him and walked through all his gear and tones. It is totally worth the 45 minutes of watch time.
Ian Thornley whether he's with Big Wreck or when he did his thing with Thornley is an absolute legend and his music is generational. I saw Thornley back in the early 2000's in Regina and it's a toss up between Tool and Thornley as to the best concerts I've witnessed. If you ever have a chance to see Big Wreck or Ian Thornley, take it.
I totally agree Michael. I loved this so much because the expressions on your face as you're listening to Ian play is probably exactly how I look when i'm listening to him. He's just amazing for so many reasons. I love me some Big Wreck :) His tone, his musicality, phrasing, not to mention his vocal ability are just utter perfection and bring a smile to my face every time I hear them.
Love the whole composition. Parts of the solo make me think of Steve Via playing drunk in a blues dive. In a good way😁. Steve Via needs to relax more. New fave Big Wreck.
One of the great things about channels like yours is to learn about new music outside the bubble of bands you listen to. Never heard of them before, but damn they groove. That riff kicked my ass.
Love them. When I saw them at Rocklahoma years ago he fried a stack and the rolled a new one out without stopping and just fired it right back up. It was awesome!
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Thornley studied jazz music at Boston's Berklee College of Music in the 1990s, and formed the band Big Wreck in 1993 with classmates David Henning, Brian Doherty, and Forrest Williams. They soon relocated from Boston to Toronto and eventually signed a US record deal with Atlantic Records. Their 1997 debut album, In Loving Memory Of..., was a significant hit that year on rock radio in both Canada and the United States.
Big Wreck is just a treasure trove of crazy sexy music. They're a very musically intelligent band. Everything is so thoughtfully put together to achieve some really, really unique sound. Ultra memorable band, and of course Ian is just a world class human all around. for an equivalent (not better) guitar tone?? Maybe someone like a John Angus MacDonald from The Trews, even Neal Schon from Journey? They have these monsterous, transcending tones...and Ian belongs right there.
I bought this bands first CD when it was released back in the 90's and it had a permanent home in my car for a few years. I had no idea they were still around writing new music.
Their catalog is deep and wide! LOTS of influences masterfully crafted! Enjoy the ride! Here is a playlist of their latest 5 songs.... ru-vid.com/group/PLXv_ECFUO-1GmAYH6SQF_g2YnD3PNjped
Big Wreck are starting to put together a really serious catalogue that matches up with just about anybody. They've long surpassed their Canadian alt-rock contemporaries. The amazing thing is that Ian's voice, though it seems maybe a touch more weathered than it was, hasn't lost an ounce of range or power in over 25 years. I can't think of another vocalist who's been around that long and belts like this who can say that. Cornell was still a great live singer before his death but had lost a lot of his high end, Vedder is a shadow of his former self and has been for a long time. And somehow, as impossible as it seems, Ian is improving as a guitarist. He's always been a beast of a guitar player but in the last 3-4 albums he's blowing everyone away.
Just their first album has enough amazing songs to get many other bands into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! The world's introduction to Big Wreck was The Oaf, no other band would have the balls to drop that as their first single and the first song on an album.
The guy has to be the most underrated vocalist/musician in the business. I tell EVERYONE about these guys and fervently support their shows. Just saw them for the 7th time couple months ago.....and will be again!! And a huge YES...his tone is amazing and he has such a great grasp on using effects.
Best guitar tone hands down. I got to see them live in 1998 and fell in love as soon as I heard that massive guitar. Overemphasizing is one of my favorite guitar solos all these years later.
Big Wreck - Such a fantastic band. The first time I ever heard them was when I lived in Canada for a year back in '00-'01. Saw the video for "Inhale" on MuchMusic and immediately had to look them up. I was surprised to learn they'd already been around a while, but none of my friends (we're all musicians) had heard of them, either. I ran right out and picked up "The Pleasure and the Greed" and was floored by the pure musicianship on that album. GREAT band. In a perfect world they'd have been hailed as the next Soundgarden and selling out arenas around the globe.
The tone is Suhr Hedgehog. Been wanting one of those forever. I have a hedgehog tone on my Quad Cortex and I love it, but I bet the real thing is just creamy!
go and watch the video Suhr recorded with him as guest. Pete Thorn said he quickly chose pedals and adjusted them on the fly and his tone was just out of this world. My thought on this is it might be hours and hours of experimenting with effects in the studio. The guys hear a sound in his head and can replicate it with the exact setup needed. What a singer, great guitar player as well.
I agree that Ian has a great tone...I love it. I can't argue that it is BETTER than a lot of groups in this type of music. Alter Bridge - both Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti - have GREAT tone and the musicality of their songs is top notch.
They are such a great live band! I keep trying to get them to come to Minnesota more often. Only been able to see them live once, but I immediately wanted to see them again!
Thank god I've got to see Ian and the boys live last week, and they played this song too, such a great musician man! I was completely stoke to see they performing live for the first time, awesome!
Just found your channel a few weeks ago.... thankyou for taking the time to share your passion. And this is a wonderfully filthy tune... I hadn’t heard it and I like it alot.
Follow up - Concert in STL was amazing and Ian, Chris, Dave and Sekou could not have been nicer. Hearing them live was life changing. Fighting serious GAS. Want to get the Ian Thornley Sig Surh Roughneck - but I know it’s still going to sound like me - AHAHAH😆
I still remember when I first discovered BW around “That Song” time. Ian has always amazed me, with his ridiculous playing and his awesome vocals. And yes, his tone has always been monstrous (kudos perhaps to Suhr for some of that? IDK). Beyond all of that, however, is the writing and all of it together. It’s always been pure magic, with every album and EP another step forward. All of it has brought me so much joy and bliss and inspiration over the years of my life. Thank you BW for making the world so much brighter!
Micheal it would be hard pressed to find a guitar player with all the tools,sound and ways to emote through guitar playing than Ian. Been listening to him since 97 and have still can’t seem to find another guitarist with his gift. So many awesome guitarists out there but he is something incredibly special. So happy you and your audience see what I see. Keep up the amazing work Micheal!
Michael, thank you for responding to our requests! You have incredibly insightful observations. Thank you for confirming the “danger” in Ian’s solos that I have always heard! There is edge Ian treads in his solos where they take unexpected turns and nearly disassemble! And he pulls them back from the brink! Filth and edge amidst beauty is where Ian shines most! I am not a musician, but listening to you confirms my layman’s impressions! Anyone who has followed my drooling over this track since Ian posted the “Riff Challenge” vid on Instagram knows what I think of this track. THIS is Big Wreck at it’s epic finest! F&C is inarguably the BIG DOG in this collection. The opening tone of the Mississippi Fred Suhr vid is the genesis for me. So powerful and menacing. Chills from the baddassery of that tone alone! It sets up that performance that only hints at what swamp metal might one day be. F&C is that track. Fade up on that slide, and let your spine shift to that woozy groove. It has a blooze swagger in a grunge tone. Darkest tonnage Ian has ever played. And I do mean tonnage, as in weight. When I heard the Instagram clip, I could not believe that sound came from an unproduced cell phone snippet. THAT riff touched something deep in my DNA. The final recording captures it magnificently! The vocals flow in that gritty trench dug by that groove. The lyrics, written during pandemic lock-down reflect some deep emotions about compromise and consequences. Dark and menacing. Then the skies open up! The clouds part and rays of sunshine light the day! That unmistakable Hammond organ peaks in first and the triumphant slide pulls along this FreeBird/Stairway/Layla level chorus. I cannot put my finger on where it’s roots are from but this chorus is just goosebump-making tear-inducing bliss! I have LITERALLY heard this track a thousand times and as I write this I am crying and bumping. Ha! The menace and glory of the verse chorus pairing is just fantastic song-craft! The darkness of life in the music business and the pursuit of success vs the glory of the creation process of making music, following your muse and listening to that voice in your head that spurs you on. The mystery of that pull and tear, that confidence and panic in the birth pains of delivery of the musical child. GOD this hits on so many deep themes. Again written in the throes of a deadly pandemic. Life, death, manipulation, coercion, comfort..... fear and cowardice. At least that’s my take. Plus any song that has the words “Mighty Buk” in it gets kudos from me. Hahaha! Something else about this track that stands out to me. Have you ever noticea that Ian creates these highpoint chorus that grabs you to the core and then drops it only once, and then never again in the song. Such a tease! Alibi is the perfect example of this. That “Well I said I was Gonna... Too loud for silence” super chorus section PLEADS to be repeated. Nope. Well in this chorus in F&C FINALLY showcases a MEGA hook to satisfaction. Again and again! Then comes the breakdown. That punch you in the chest bass and drum combo lays a bed for a tight rizzy solo. It feels all Alice in Chains with a jazzy loose to ripping solo. Tight, quick, in and out and then.... A stripped down chorus with an almost bell toned organ bed and slide swells. Couple that with some high floating careening Ian’s echoing the lyrics and it’s a heavenly cleanse that Sekou CRASHES out of and that avalanche fill tumbles out into the warm sun of the full chorus. “So what do you tell yourself”... OMG! There is something about that line. Those words. The way Ian’s tone and inflection squeezes some deep emotion in me. In Might be the End, from demo to the final on Tiny Pictures, the way he pinched some of the lines made a DRASTIC difference to me. The demo had an emotion that was lost moving to the final. It’s REALLY subtle, but it makes ALL the difference in my hearing. Well, “So what do you tell yourself” NAILS it PERFECTLY! Ian must have thought so too because this shows NO cowardice in repeating this absolute nuclear gem of a refrain. The spiraling layers of Ian that I am hearing on the preview of the final that’s been posted has me looking forward to the Hi Def digital/CD in the coming days. There are vocal runs after vocal runs the likes of which haven’t been explored since Breakthrough with Myles Kennedy. Like Sekou described it to Ian. This track is the one that when the chorus hits makes you lay back in your seat, head back, arms limp, splayed to the sides, leaving you just stunned with a single tear sliding down your cheek. Couldn’t have said it better myself. THIS is a GREAT ONE! Maybe the best one. Just may be. Here is the actual live debut of the song…. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wIoUTcMXW1I.html
Michael, you are so very correct about the tone... It's so nasty. The only one that came to mind when you asked who's in that realm currently for this kind of music... Mr Cantrell is the only one that I could think of.
Michael thanks for doing your sessions on Big Wreck/Ian Thornley interview. What a discovery of such an amazing musician and his group. As a drummer I always get a lot out of your eye for the details, your enthusiasm, your insights about playing in bands, and your many comments about drummers and rhythm sections. Keep bringing your joy and thank you!
Glad you have discovered what I’ve believed for nearly 25 years. Ian is a rock monster! I like heavy rock…but Big Wreck is just the perfect mix of full out rock and melodic music. Love them!
Wonderful. Closest thing I’ve heard was Stone Temple Pilots … the most solid/fluid/thick live guitar sound I’ve ever experienced … it was overwhelming and transporting. So glad to hear this … so many unpredictable twists as you said.
