[The Horrible Esthete]

I've neither seen nor heard Gord play electric.

He only stands there strumming when he does play, and it is always virtually inaudible when he does.

I don't see any reason for him to plug in just to...strum....inaudibly.

Like Skippy suggests - I have a hunch that the guitar is mostly a device by which Gord can 'busy' himself without engaging in 'antics'.

[Tthip]

I do not believe Gord has ever played guitar with The Hip - but he did alot on his solo tour.

[nhaste]

He definitely played guitar on Twist My Arm in London 2004...

Nick

He played guitar on Twist My Arm? I didn't know that. Mind you I haven't seen that song live since ARA '97 I think.

I have no problem with Gord playing guitar on an album or live. The problem that I have is that his guitar, especially live, is so low in the mix that you can't hear it...so what's the point of playing it then?

[skippy the wonder dog]

Like Skippy suggests - I have a hunch that the guitar is mostly a device by which Gord can 'busy' himself without engaging in 'antics'.

Further to that, it's not surprising that he would play less in the current shows, if you think about it.

This is a few select dates, rather than a full-on North American tour in which you play three cities in four days, take two days off, etc. Lots easier to have energy when you're doing a few shows than at the tail end of a long tour.

[pipe77]

I knew this post title sounded familiar. Of my few posts over the years, this was one... :wink:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://hipbase.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3091">http://hipbase.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3091</a><!-- m -->
Don't worry, I'm not the search police...

[HipFan1]

You know it's cool that he likes to play guitar, but I think there's no question it's a better show when he doesn't, no offense Gord. He's just way more animated and exciting to watch when he doesn't stand still playing guitar. It also often gets completely lost in the mix and you can't even hear it, so what's the point?

That's exactly what I thought, he's definately a lot tamer when he has the guitar. But like I don't think there's any purpose of him using it in songs like Vaccination Scar, buit songs like Wheat Kings and Bobcaygeon are good songs, and Thompson Girl(haven't seen it live but I think it would be good with him playing acoustic in it.

[screw_ball]

I'd have to agree with everybody here that there's absolutely no use in having three guitars onstage, though I'm a firm believer that Gord is a genius and can do whatever the hell he wants.

[craigd]

SKIPPY said - The point is that when he's playing it, he doesn't have to dance around like a lunatic, all the while thinking: "I'm over 40 these days. This is starting to hurt."

I agree.. His guitar is not in the Main Mix but in his stage monitor.
To take a break from the antics, and showmanship.
It helps him focus in on his singing.

[Detrious]

During the London show he broke a string, and was obviously concerned about his guitar playing to change instruments.

So if he takes it so seriously, then I suggest that it possibly isn't just for show or a rest.

D

[patiodweller]

What songs has him on guitar in the actual recording studio? (As I recall, Giftshop and Ahead are the only 2 music videos where he is playing guitar, is that a correlation?) What's the difference between the 2 guitars on stage (why use one for It's A Good Life and a different one for Vaccination Scar for example?) What's the entire set list of songs that he does guitar on? (help me out here, New Orleans, Boots, Twist My Arm, Wheat Kings, Daredevil (wasn't this the first song ever that he played guitar on (Day for Night Tour?)), Puttin' Down, Bobcage, Lake Fever, Vapour Trails, Good Life, Use it Up, Chagrin, Springtime, Vaccination, Gus, If New Orleans is Beat, You Are Everywhere...)

[nhaste]

This is what I've seen him play guitar on:

New Orleans
Boots
Twist (not on current tour)
Wheat Kings
We'll Go Too (not on current tour)
Lionized (not on current tour)
Daredevil
Scared
Thugs
Gift Shop
ABAC
Springtime (not on current tour)
700 FT
Fireworks
Chagrin (not on current tour)
Escape (not on current tour)
Bob C
Membership
Putting Down
Freak Turbulence
Lake Fever
Use It Up (not on current tour)
Are You Ready? (don't know on current tour, anyone?)
Good Life
Dire Wolf
Heaven (not on current tour)
Summer (not on current tour)
Gus
Nashville
Scar
Joe
Everywhere
Makeshift
Mean Streak
Copenhagen
Ocean

There's probably some more songs he's played guitar on, but I've never seen them live or on DVD etc. So if anyone can add to this list, that would be great.

Nick

[craigd]

Detrious said - During the London show he broke a string, and was obviously concerned about his guitar playing to change instruments.
So if he takes it so seriously, then I suggest that it possibly isn't just for show or a rest.


If I had a guitar on stage I would want ALL the strings on so it looks like it works.
Gord's a professional. Remember.. it's all good.
If I broke a string I'd be concerned too.
The latest post on <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hipfans.com">www.hipfans.com</a><!-- w --> states he had a bad night fighting his guitars.
Hmmm let's hope this thread hasn't thrown him off !! LOL

[HipFan1]

If I'm not mistaken he does have a spare one on stage now does he not, and if he does break a string the guy with the cowboy hat hands him the spare one and takes the one with the broken stings.

[Killer Whale Tank]

No guitar is better, as a rule.

But don't tell the poets what to do. :lol: