On the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ song “Y Control” guitarist Nick Zinnner plays both rhythm and lead at the same time. The iTunes Music Store has a video of the song performed live at the Fillmore, and there clearly is not a second guitarist. How does he do it?
Well, I used to be Nick Zinner’s music teacher during the summers, and, barring any evidence of pre- or post-production, I can vouch for the idea that he’s had a guitar in his hand s long enough to have figured out how to do it.
Actually, here is a review of the show where the reviewer is of the opinion that Nick is doing some kind of live sample-looping, and also seems to have several other ideas about young Mr. Zinner.
Here’s and interview with Nick where he says a foot pedal controls a drum machine that has synth loops on it.
Thes kids today with their fancy effects. In my day we had a Marshal stack and a Boss distortion pedal and we LIKED it. We didn’t have any damn sampled rhythm loops, we had to play the bass lines with our thumbs Hendrix style and noodle the best we could on the high strings. Damn spoiled brats with their MIDIs and their effects boards. All the musicianship is gone. You practically need a degree from MIT to operate the gear these days. Why back in my day we…[snore]
Bah! We used to DREAM of Marshall stacks with Boss pedals. When we wanted distortion, we played the notes into an air chamber, and a lackey paid off in beer would work a church organ bellows specially fitted for the purpose to screw up the sound waves. But we loved it!