10 BEST GUITARISTS: Flosi's truth will set you free!

5 influential players out of 10: They helped change music as we know it, pt. I

Flosi performing live

If you are in any way initiated, or even slightly familiar, with Icelandic rock music, you will know the name HAM. A completely idiosyncratic, unique to Iceland and the world, HAM really isn't a band like any other. Their sound is not easy to describe. It's almost entirely their own. Heavy, commendable and frighteningly focused. Anchored by an insanely, no-bullshit, tight as all living hell rhythm section that relies heavily on one Flosi Þorgeirsson's innate talent for dynamic strumming, down-stroking, feel and timing.
So, the guy knows a thing or two about a thing or two when it comes to playing and appreciating recorded guitars, plus, being the experienced heavy rock lifer that he is. Few months ago he sporadically posted, to his facebook wall, a guitarist after guitarist that were his favourites. The criteria being a simple one: The player had moved and inspired Flosi at some point in his life. I asked if I was allowed to translate his picks and publish them on Halifax Collect. Of course I could, was the reply. So without further ado, I give you five (five more, next week) of Flosi's favourites, in no particular order.
(Expose yourself to some HAM at the end of this post)

ANDY GILL / GANG OF FOUR 

 His harsh and merciless guitar sound is one of the key identifiers of Gang of Four. The guitar playing is so ridiculously funky and wonderfully chaotic. Andy Gill has had an enormous influence and story has it that Red Hot Chilly Peppers' Flea once asked him at a party: "Why haven't you sued us yet?" Gill himself says that Wilko Johnson (Dr. Feelgood) is his biggest role model, and one can hear it.
Main guitar: Fender Stratocaster.

EAST BAY RAY (Raymond John Pepperell) / DEAD KENNEDYS. 

One of my all time favourites. Along with Biafra it was was him who so clearly defined the bands sound so unequivocally. He's clearly influenced by the surf rock guitar playing of the 60s. He's really at his best on Fresh Fruit for Rotten Vegetables, the band's first album and its highlight comes via "Holiday in Cambodia." The intro and the song's riffs... Pure genius.
Main guitar: Fender Stratocaster.

GLENN TIPTON & K.K. DOWNING / JUDAS PRIEST 

Ok, few years ago I probably would rather have had mentioned AC/DC's Young brothers and or Slayer's King and Hanneman if asked about my favourite metal guitar duo. But now Downing and Tiption get the honours for being great pioneers that, to this day, remain criminally underestimated. Judas Priest was the first pure breed metal band and Tipton and Downing laid down the blueprint with their harmonised playing and riff interaction. The guitarists often play the same lines or trade solos and their inspiration comes across as something from classical music rather than blues. Judas Priest forged Heavy Metal.
Main guitars: Fender Stratocaster / Gibson Flying V / Les Paul / SG / Explorer.

LEE RANALDO & THURSTON MOORE / SONIC YOUTH

The guitars let out anguished wails while they are being swung around the room, slammed against the floor etc. The masters of noise are here. One shouldn't be surprised that the pair took fondly to Fender Jazzmaster guitars. Between the guitar's bridge and nut there's an enormous space, more so than on other guitars. When one hits the strings their ringing is bell-like in nature, but it's somewhat out-of-tune and sounds like something out of a horror flick. Add to that tons of guitar effects and pedals, abuse the hell out of that whammy-bar, and you've got yourself a direct connection with the humans' tormented soul. This is the sound world that Ranaldo and Moore have totally mastered. Furthermore, affix melodies and rhythm and you've got yourself Sonic Youth, one of rock's most influential bands.
After about three minutes of this song, the guitars assume all authority. Beautiful madness.
Main guitar: Fender Jazzmaster.

BILLY GIBBONS / ZZ Top

I've long adored ZZ Top and I often feel that Gibbons has something many other blues rock players don't. He's hardly a pioneer when it comes to this particular style of guitar playing but he just does it so well and with such great feel! Each and every tone is so alive and with tremendous character. He never showboats nor does he overdo anything. Blues guitar playing can be terribly clichéd but you'd never detect any of that in Billy Gibbons work. He really knows how to pull this off. Below's a great live recording where he plays the riff and slides as well. Magnificent.
Main guitar: Many types throughout the ages but Gibson Les Paul is always within reach.


Now enjoy Flosi's guitar playing and his band HAM.




*** Flosi plays guitar in HAM and Melrakkar (Metallica cover band). He studies history in University of Iceland and works with paraplegic children. Find him on twitter (here).