The Controversial Rise of Polyphia (The Truth behind Polyphia's Come-up)

This video took me weeks of editing and dozens of hours to make. I appreciate all of you guys’ feedback and appreciation of the video! While the band is far from perfect, they’ve tackled numerous hurdles to be as big as they are. You don’t have to fit a mold to be a successful artist PS: Polyphia is NOT a Christian band, it was a joke they ran with for a few years. And it does sound like I said "Joel Satriani" but I'm aware his name his Joe. The controversy surrounding Polyphia was based off of their perception. They made a few remarks during their come-up and people on the internet really hated them due to their "outlandish" sound and arrogant image. Type in "Polyphia controversy" and you'll find it but I couldn't address it all in the video

I opened for Polyphia, Intervals, and The Contortionist back in 2014. I talked to Aaron, Anup, and everyone in The Contortionist quite a bit before and after the show. Out of everyone at the show, Polyphia legitimately seemed like the only ones who just wanted to play and be done with it, and they didn't really care for chit chat after the show either. They played great, but it was a bit of a downer to feel that awkwardness with musicians that you look up to, and even share the same age with. About 8ish months after that, I met them again at NAMM, and they were way more talkative and upbeat. I even mentioned the show we played, and how they seemed pretty out of it off-stage. They ended up expressing how they were feeling crappy during that string of the tour, and that things were just not going the way they wanted. It made me realize that, despite their booming popularity and status as "guitar gods", they were not in the best space or position in their careers for touring. I feel like that served as a good experience for me, because it broadened my view of how start-up Progressive bands really live on the road, and what they have to sacrifice physically/mentally to just get out there.

Tim is nice as fuck, I used to have lessons from him. I showed him these maple board J. Customs that just came out (he bought a blue one) and before he did, he asked me which colour I wanted to get in order to make sure I didn’t miss out on it (there was like one of each for sale). Great teacher too. Best advice for guitar I’ve ever heard came from him - focus on nothing other that what you’re HEARING. Don’t determine whether you’ve nailed something based on where your fingers are. Sounds obvious but it works wonders when you truly focus on it

I don't see any controversy with Polyphia. They're all exceptionally good musicians creating music that's a joy to listen to.

Not only the guitar riffs are good, they also have an absolutely incredible drummer

I wouldn't go as far as to say they're a household name. Every time I mention the band polyphia to somebody, whether they are friends, family, coworkers, classmates, peers, or strangers, it is rare anyone will say "yeah I know them." They are still a very niche band in the broad scheme of things, tho they have become popular in modern metal and the progressive guitar scene. They're probably only a household name to people familiar with those genres/groups of musicians.

Not too sure what’s controversial to their rise but they really did well and definitely mastered their niche which pushed their pop status.

I only discovered Polyphia yesterday and, to me, they are the greatest band I've heard in a couple of decades. This is IT. How did I miss this until now?

I'm 73 yrs old and have to say 'Polyphia' has woken musical joy where I thought it no longer exists. great band all the way through!

With bands like this still putting out music, there's never been a better time to be a guitarist, especially if you like instrumental music, it's got a fanbase that's been steadily growing and growing.

I've read that Tim comes up with all of the guitar content but I feel like Scott doesn't get nearly enough praise for his playing ability. Regardless of who writes it there's no doubt that just being able to perform the material alone is worth a lot of recognition. Same goes for the rest of the band.

I'm a much more recent Polyphia fan, but I have to say. All it took was the first 90 seconds of Playing God to make me fall in love. I'm also a native Texan so when I heard that a local band was gonna be playing near me, I rounded up some friends and went and OH. MY. GOD. It was like nothing I've ever heard. The entire crowd was LOVING every second of it. Everyone was so into it that they came out for THREE ENCORE SONGS. As I crowdsurfed during G.O.A.T, I knew that I struck gold with them and I'm not planning on leaving this fanbase anytime soon. The absolute talent of all four of them is incredible and Clay Aeschliman is probably the best drummer of all time at this point (yeah, that's right. I said Clay's better than John Bonham and Neil Peart)

I’m 73 and when I heard playing God it blew me away me and my wife love that song going from classical to rock to bossa nova and one song is amazing listening to He also plays and sounds like Al DiMeola from the 80s. I hope he does more songs like play God style, me myself took up guitar 66 I could never play like them , we enjoy making Covers here on YouTube with my Guitar Teacher if you press my picture here, you can see we just have fun at our ages.age just dig it man !!

Every time they release a song I'm always like "how can they one up this one" and then they release G.O.A.T. and then Playing God. Legit just insane musicians with an infinite level of talent at this point. Their Album "Muse" was my in with the band back in 2014 with Sweet Tea being my favourite song to to show people. My parents loved that album. Polyphia will always have a special place in my heart.

I discovered them with Playing God and it's been the biggest slap to the face I've ever had. I never heard something remotely close to this and the fact that there's no singer and you get to enjoy just the melody is awesome too. Also, heavy guitar riffs have been done and done again and having that "acoustic" sounding guitar play is something really fresh

I've been listening to Polyphia since 2013 when Scott followed me on Twitter and asked me to hear their latest work (Inspire, back then). I remember I even asked "oh, the band doesn't even have a vocalist?" And that's how I was ignored by one of the greatest guitarists of today. 😅 Even so, Polyphia has become one of my favorite artists of all time. It's amazing to see their popularity growing like this.

As a guitarist/ multi-instrumentalist, I get bored easily about what I listen to. To me, Poliphia is a breath of fresh air and becoming essential listening very fast

Great video! Really like that you included Chon to compare the personality of both bands. I agree 100% that Polyphia's personality has a lot to do with their success today. When it comes to music, I feel like Polyphia started writing their songs differently right after their first tour with Chon. I'm sure they hung out during both tours

As a 50 year old, I grew up listening to instrumental music like Joe Sastriani, Steve Morse and Tony MacAlpine so im definitely loving this

I just discovered them a year ago from a comment on YouTube of someone said they underrated. I typed them in YouTube and 3 hours later I was a superfan. Going to see them live in April. 🤘🏻