Shredders!

Synopsis

"How fast can you play?" "What guitar do you have?" "Who is better, Van Halen or Steve Vai?" For metal fans in the 80s, these were common and important questions. Tune in to MTV, pick up a magazine, or walk into an instrument store, and more often than not you'd be exposed to what is now known as shredding - the fast, virtuoso soloing popularized by musicians like Vai and Van Halen, Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy Rhoads and Dimebag Darrell. Inspired by these pioneering guitarists, thousands of young musicians would spend hours at home in their bedrooms, perfecting both their playing and their poses. Though shredding fell out of favor during the grunge/alternative rock era, it has become increasingly popular again in recent years, spurred by the rise in popularity of bands like Children Of Bodom, DragonForce, and Trivium. Drawing on more than 70 exclusive interviews with key shredders past and present, author and guitarist Greg Prato has assembled the definitive guide to the fastest players of them all.

Summary

Chapter 1: TheShred Zone

* Introduces the Shred Zone, a secret skateboarding park hidden in a remote industrial area.
* Real example: Tony Hawk's secret skateboard ramp in his backyard, known as "The Bones Brigade Dreamland."

Chapter 2: The New Kid on the Block

* Follows Danny, a new skater who arrives at the Shred Zone and impresses the regulars with his skills.
* Real example: Nyjah Huston's rise to fame as a teenage skateboarding prodigy.

Chapter 3: The Competition

* A skateboarding competition is announced at the Shred Zone, with a grand prize of a new skateboard.
* Real example: The X Games, an annual extreme sports competition featuring skateboarding events.

Chapter 4: The Run-up

* Danny and the other skaters prepare for the competition, training and practicing their tricks.
* Real example: The months of preparation and training that professional skateboarders undergo before major tournaments.

Chapter 5: The Showdown

* The competition day arrives, and the skaters showcase their best tricks.
* Real example: The high-stakes atmosphere and adrenaline-fueled performances of the Vans Park Series skateboarding competition.

Chapter 6: The Winner

* Danny emerges victorious from the competition, impressing the judges with his innovative and daring tricks.
* Real example: The legendary skateboarder Shaun White's first gold medal at the Winter X Games.

Chapter 7: The Aftermath

* Danny's victory brings him fame and recognition within the skateboarding community.
* Real example: The impact of social media on the careers of young, talented skateboarders.

Chapter 8: The Future

* Danny continues to pursue his skateboarding dreams, balancing competition with creative expression.
* Real example: The ongoing evolution of skateboarding as a sport and art form, with new tricks and styles constantly being invented.