Heh, funny you should post that, its what I generally use as an example for why I hate converge :P

I really do believe this is a different strokes kind of scenario, lol

I'm sure it is. Not that I have anything against them, It's just not for me.

I would like to nominate coldplay. They steal everyone's songs. Viva La Vida being there latest in a line of about 3 or 4 stolen songs. Its basically the equivalent of Vanilla Ices Ice Ice Baby.

Joe Satriani stole the riff off somebody else as well, does he suck as well?

I agree, maybe not for the same reasons, but I definitely agree.

No, he's overrated, but he doesn't suck.

The list of successful guitarists he's instructed alone disproves that theory.

Steve Vai
Larry LaLonde
Kirk Hammett
Andy Timmons
Charlie Hunter
Kevin Cadogan
Alex Skolnick

Most 'guitarist' based acts, like Satriani or Buckethead, are tiresome to me. We get it, you're great at technicality and guitar solos! But are you a good songwriter? The only ones that shine through to me are Hendrix and Santana.

If it helps any Buckethead plays bass on most of his record as well :)

I kind of agree with you, but kind of don't. On one hand, yes it gets annoying watching someone shred, shred, shred. On the other hand, technical ability is a prerequisite for being a great guitarist in my book. You need not only technical ability, but speed, dynamic, a feel for the song and mood, soul, and songwriting/creativity. There's also some intangibles that factor in, like energy and the ability to draw off the musicians around you and create group cohesion. I respect many different guitarists, for different reasons. But I don't think it's fair to say all shredders are boring, because plenty of them do really cool things in their own way.

I have always felt all the greatest musicians had a great balance between the two. The obvious example being Hendrix. Imo the best soloist ever to play the instrument, but also a fantastic song writer. I think any good teacher would tell a student to give lead and rhythm equal time.