Ben Eller

Greg Koch welcomes YouTube guitar sensation and touring musician
Ben Eller (Uncle Ben) to the Gristle fire for a conversation that
meanders from lighthearted Waffle House tales to profound
insights about musical authenticity.

Ben shares how his guitar journey and popular YouTube channel
were born from simple boredom - first as a homeschooled kid with
time to kill, later as a guitar teacher with creative energy to
burn. His candid "This is Why You Suck at Guitar" series emerged
from the thoughts he couldn't express to frustrating students who
never practiced. That unfiltered honesty resonated with viewers,
launching an Internet teaching career that complements his
diverse performing life.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when they explore how
our earliest musical influences create the foundation for our
tastes. From Ben's childhood memories of Van Halen's "Eruption"
to Greg's transformative experience with Hendrix's "Electric
Ladyland," they agree that understanding "where your clock
starts" is essential to respecting diverse musical
perspectives.

Perhaps most compelling is their mutual admiration for guitarists
who communicate mastery without technical flash. "The hardest
thing in the world," Ben notes, "is proving you're a supreme
sorcerer without even breaching 16th notes" - a pointed
commentary on today's "Instagram shred post era" where technical
fireworks often overshadow musical substance.

Ben offers golden wisdom for creators navigating online
criticism: "Don't take criticism from someone you wouldn't take
advice from." His ability to maintain positivity while
acknowledging the gifts and challenges of internet fame reveals
why his teaching connects so deeply.

The episode concludes with Ben sharing exciting upcoming
projects, including a riff-focused solo album, potential metal
ventures inspired by his recent stint with Mastodon, and
comprehensive instructional courses revealing his "hidden Guitar
Illuminati wisdom." 

Ready to chew some genuine musical gristle with two authentic
guitar voices? This conversation delivers wisdom, laughs, and
inspiration in equal measure.