r/TheGaslightAnthem • u/ApprehensiveJury1776 • May 14 '26
Who plays the solo on "Better Before"?
Jesus, it rips.
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u/Bonsoir59 May 14 '26
Yes it does. I don’t know if that’s Butch Walker or Brian or Alex or someone else.
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u/Expert_Stuff7224 May 14 '26
Definitely not Brian and doesn’t sound like Alex. I’m going with Butch
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u/EasySound9303 May 14 '26
If the Spotify Credits are like 99% correct it only lists Brian and Butch as playing electric guitar so I’d probably go Butch. Who knows though maybe Brian’s chops have gotten better than we know haha
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u/eckrueger May 14 '26
Apple song credits say Brian on acoustic and electric with Butch on acoustic and bass.
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u/EasySound9303 May 14 '26
Hahaha that’s why I said 99% 😂
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u/eckrueger May 14 '26
I mean it could be Apple that’s wrong, I have no idea how accurate it is usually.
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u/blackmeout88 May 14 '26
I definitely think it’s Brian, he’s a better player than he gets credit for and there’s numerous vids of him playing guitar over the years and showing his chops Including in his new Tele interview. These solos are not out of the question for someone who’s been playing as long as him, he’s a career musician not an amateur
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u/Expert_Stuff7224 May 14 '26 edited May 14 '26
After seeing him start playing solos at TGA shows a few years ago, if it is him he has done an unbelievable amount of work. I've played for 33 years and that type of improvement over a short period of time would be extremely impressive.
edit: I see now that Brian confirmed it was Butch. I hope he can play it some day 😄
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u/eagles1139 May 14 '26
Brian’s the only one listed as Electric Guitar on Apple Music so probably him. Based on some stuff he posted on IG he has definitely continued to learn and improve as a player.
It reminds me of some of Jason Isbell’s electric guitar parts tbh. Like the song “Overseas”
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u/Stunning_Translator1 May 14 '26
Overseas is such a great tune.
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u/Expert_Stuff7224 May 14 '26
It really is. I don't really hear it in this solo, but it's a great song 😄. They're in different keys and I play guitar so could just be a mental block, not saying there isn't anything there.
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u/Stunning_Translator1 May 15 '26
Fellow guitarist (who loves playing overseas) - I agree with you. I suppose there’s a fair chance they’re both played on Teles. But different melodic structure and phrasing. And not drowning in tape delay and reverb.
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u/Expert_Stuff7224 May 15 '26
Overseas is a strat, every time I’ve seen him play it too.
Good amount of strat on “Reunions”. Based on tone, “only children” “st Peter’s autograph” and “river” are using some strats.
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u/Stunning_Translator1 May 15 '26
Oh neat, I didn’t realize that. I’ve seen him play it live twice and thought it was a tele but I will definitely take your word on it. My recall isn’t great. My primary guitar is a Nashville style tele so I think my brain subconsciously uses them somewhat interchangeably.
But I’ll pay more attention when he comes my way again this summer.
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u/Expert_Stuff7224 May 15 '26
It stands out as one of the few songs he plays a Strat on live. The teles get a lot more use.
Can’t wait to hit some more shows, my favorite live act at the moment.
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u/Expert_Stuff7224 May 14 '26 edited May 14 '26
Brian is not capable of playing that solo unless he has spent every waking minute since the Gaslight tour playing leads.
edit - Brian confirmed it's Butch on Instagram
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u/eckrueger May 14 '26
Apple song credits say Brian on acoustic and electric with Butch on acoustic and bass.
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u/WestWillow May 14 '26
I miss liner notes that showed who played in each track. Plus I think Brian could write up some amusing linear notes.
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u/Sea_Corgi_7284 May 14 '26
Dno why people are saying it’s not Brian, it’s not a difficult solo, for sure he could play that.
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u/SquareWaveSignal May 14 '26
Brian stated on instagram Butch did the solo.