RIFFING e puts out instrumental records and you don ’ t get bored listening to them . If I did one I think you would get bored . But at the same time you might see somebody like myself as being more in the band thing – Somebody growing up with an Aerosmith or Zeppelin , where you just want to be part of a band . You want to do this thing as a whole unit – as a song . I think that ’ s something Vai wants . I think that ’ s what he tried to do . He wanted to belong to a band because it ’ s something that you ’ d want . But at the same time I couldn ’ t do a record like this . That is just the sort of flowing freedom that he can do better than anyone . This song is definitely his next step , his next level . He is definitely growing , which is good . You figure with Passion and Warfare , where do you go after this ? He did so much playing and so much cool stuff . He always seems to keep coming up with more stuff . That ’ s great . ■
“ Tender Surrender ” by Steve Vai
8 GUITAR TRICKS INSIDER DIGITAL EDITION MAY / JUNE