I forgot how great Nuno Bettencourt is...

GeeJay

I remember hearing Extreme's Pornograffitti when I was about 13, and it just blew my mind. It was absolutely the album that made me start playing guitar.

I haven't listened to Nuno much in the last few years, but I've been listening to a lot of him the past week and just forgot what an absolutely astonishing player he is.

The first two Extreme albums are definitely worth a (re) listen if you haven't heard them before, but I found a really great video of Nuno playing some of his licks which I really enjoyed  The riffs are great, and some of his string skipping / tapping in the solos towards the end is amazing (there is a track list with times in the comments).

bingefeller

Waiting For The Punchline is great too, best tone out of a Fender amp ever.

His picking is amazing to watch, especially when he hits full tilt.

Legionreturns

I just had a proper flashback! Saw Extreme at Wembley arena on the III Sides to every story tour and they were immense. I remember the European tour they were supported by Thunder, but for the UK leg we got Stone Temple Pilots. As far as I was concerned that was an upgrade, but I'd have been immensely happy either way and many of my music loving younger friends are insanely jealous of some of the gigs I went to. That one was among them. 

And III sides was also an excellent album which I still listen to. 

Kebabkid

Nuno's a fabulous guitarist and has so much pump in his playing, particularly when it comes to his rhythm work. He reminds me of EVH in that respect but then both started their musical journeys on drums.

Seriously considering getting down to Brixton tonight to see Extreme and The Dan Reed Network. That should be a superb gig and the past shows I've attended for both bands were always top drawer.

Can you believe the guy is 51????

EDIT: @Vibetronic - I'm going to the gig!!!

dindude

Agree, Nuno is one of those who is off the chart good - I played Porno to death when it came out, still a bit partial to it now and again these days.

Vibetronic

he's amazing - just seen them in Bristol. Sounded to me like he was pretty much going straight into an amp (although I know he uses a Boss multi-fx too) - really loud and powerful and he has fantastic control. @Kebabkid - go if you can. DRN were great too, and Extreme's set was 2+ hours - really good evening. And no, he doesn't look anywhere near 51!!

kennedydream1980

Love Nuno’s playing, it’s as good as it gets for me. Just been listening to 3 sides again recently. Forgot how good that album was. 

Downloaded the recent live album (Pornagrafitti live 25), great from a playing perspective, but Nunos tone is so bass heavy it’s unreal, it’s taking up so much low end it’s completely swamping the bass guitar.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who went to the recent UK live shows if this was the case. I imagine if it was it wouldn’t be a very pleasant listening experience.

robinbowes

He's a great player, for sure, but the sound on that vid is shockingly bad. Almost unlistenable.

R.

bingefeller

Kebabkid said:

Nuno's a fabulous guitarist and has so much pump in his playing, particularly when it comes to his rhythm work. He reminds me of EVH in that respect but then both started their musical journeys on drums.

Seriously considering getting down to Brixton tonight to see Extreme and The Dan Reed Network. That should be a superb gig and the past shows I've attended for both bands were always top drawer.

Can you believe the guy is 51????

I think he stopped ageing some time in the late 1990s / early 2000s.  

Kebabkid

A mate got a last minute call to join a friend's band last night and they ended up supporting Nuno's God Daughter and niece, Maria Bettencourt. Apparently, she's got a cracking voice and Nuno's brother, Luis, was on guitar and was no slouch and Nuno was in the audience.

Sounds like a very musical family.

dindude

Kebabkid said:

A mate got a last minute call to join a friend's band last night and they ended up supporting Nuno's God Daughter and niece, Maria Bettencourt. Apparently, she's got a cracking voice and Nuno's brother, Luis, was on guitar and was no slouch and Nuno was in the audience.

Sounds like a very musical family.

Yeah but imagine playing guitar and having Nuno as your brother - no pressure or expectations then!

Vaiai

I saw Extreme in Glasgow last week - Nuno was on fire - he really is one of the best - and damn does he look too good for 50! The band were amazing - super tight - great set with some nice breaks for acoustic sections etc 

Kebabkid

Just saw them at O2 Brixton. They were on top form and the band's really strong.  

They all played really well but Nuno was just incredible!!!

2 X Marshall cabs on stage but I couldn't see a head. Sounded big, loud with lots of bottom end. Some occasional flange, chorus, trademark dotted delay for 'that song' and some other delay settings.

They encored with "We are the Champions" and "Decadence Dance"

stratman3142

robinbowes said:

He's a great player, for sure, but the sound on that vid is shockingly bad. Almost unlistenable.

R.

I thought the same thing. The sound on that specific clip is terrible. He usually has a great tone, so I can only presume it was the fault of whoever recorded it.

He's a phenomenal player and, in addition to his great technique, what sets him apart is his inate sense of groove, time and feel.

lustycourtier

bingefeller said:

Waiting For The Punchline is great too, best tone out of a Fender amp ever.

His picking is amazing to watch, especially when he hits full tilt.

Probably my fave extreme record, but it doesn’t get much love! Really organic 

FarleyUK

Such an awesome player - amazing feel and technique! Unfortunately, when I try and learn one of his solos, I just end up frustrated and give up.....

DLM

I'm convinced the only person who loves Nuno more than me is his mum.

Cols

Kebabkid said:

Just saw them at O2 Brixton. They were on top form and the band's really strong.  

They all played really well but Nuno was just incredible!!!

2 X Marshall cabs on stage but I couldn't see a head. Sounded big, loud with lots of bottom end. Some occasional flange, chorus, trademark dotted delay for 'that song' and some other delay settings.

They encored with "We are the Champions" and "Decadence Dance"

From where I was standing I could see a couple of gold-fronted amp heads behind the cabs.  Possibly his signature Randall NBKings, but more likely a brace of Marshall DSL100s.

Any idea what happened with More Than Words to cause Nuno to abandon his guitar?

Kebabkid

@Cols - I think they had an early curfew and that pissed him off, although they did come back on and do 2 more songs but yeah. He just threw it to the ground??

They weren't on for 2hrs but others have said that at other UK gigs, they played for over 2hrs and he also had an issue with Live Nation and payment.

I was on the right hand side in front of the Marshalls and so I couldn't see behind them. Although Pat Badger had the Ampeg cabs, I was told he was going into a Sansamp. Decent bass tone apart from when he used the Hohner Violin bass.

Just moving to the support band for a minute, Dan Reed Network, I thought Brion James' sound from the Kemper was pants!

Vibetronic

Kebabkid said:

I was on the right hand side in front of the Marshalls and so I couldn't see behind them. Although Pat Badger had the Ampeg cabs, I was told he was going into a Sansamp. Decent bass tone apart from when he used the Hohner Violin bass.

Just moving to the support band for a minute, Dan Reed Network, I thought Brion James' sound from the Kemper was pants!

I'm pretty sure I saw Marshall heads behind stuff, but I wasn't looking in particular so may be wrong. Whatever it was it was very chunky. 

DRN are one of my favourite bands ever, but I agree the guitar tone wasn't the best; very harsh from what I remember. Still loved their set though!

bingefeller

I'm pretty sure Nuno is back to using Marshalls now.  Maybe if Extreme head to Nashville Premier Guitar will do a Rig Rundown.