With hundreds of thousands of youtube views, the man known to many as "stsanders" or simply "shreds" is a downright internet phenomenon. Possibly the best heavy metal jokester since Rob Reiner directed Spinal Tap, Santeri Ojala is enough of a guitar demi-god to emulate his favorite metal solos -- badly. But in artful kind of way that only a true metal fan could achieve. We were recently lucky to chat with him about his youtube controversy, guitar heroes, and what's in the future for the shredding satirist.

Chief Magazine: You started playing guitar when you were 17. What kind of music or musicians were you trying to emulate at that point?

Santeri Ojala: Mainly rock music—Metallica, and stuff like that. Just as all other rock 'n' roll kids here.

Even then, metal was a passion? You didn't want to be, maybe, a singer/songwriter? Bob Dylan?

Not Dylan. It was more like metal at that point. I could mention a couple if you like.

Sure!

Vai, Satriani... Actually all the guys I've parodied....

And did you think, at that age, that music was what you wanted to do with your life?

Nope.

Was it art? Or something else?

Still don't know what I'm gonna do when I grow up.

Me neither.

Art maybe. And maybe learn to type.

It's okay. We'll take care of all that.

Okay.

You'll be articulate as hell.

Great.

Your website is one of the coolest I've ever seen, by the way, and it's still under construction! What is it going to have when it's completed?

Lots of animation and other audiovisual content.

So, Shreds was just a happy accident?

Well, not exactly. That's what I usually do. Crazy stuff. It was my first time to publish
anything.

And the first Shred was of Vai correct? Any particular reason why you chose him?

Yes. He is the most expressive artist—meaning his facial expressions. Had to do him.

Yes, he really "feels" the music.

Yup.

Did you know then that you had Internet gold on your hands?

Not until I did Metallica Shreds and got many responses—after a month or so.

When you did "One," right?

Right. Or "Uno."

And it was all pretty much positive response?

Um, yes and no. It was debated. Metallica is so sacred to some people

I know. Especially themselves.

[laughs] I would have loved to see Lars' face.

Oh, I know! I can only imagine how much he would have squirmed.

It even had the Napster hint in the upper corner.

Yes, the Napster was a genius touch. So, your YouTube account has been suspended. Can you tell us anything about that without getting sued?

I can tell you some artist is notoriously touchy about his stuff.

I'll just guess as who that is....

There is a "complain here" button in YouTube. Anyone can push it.

Well, I'll just ask my next question. Does Steve Vai have a sense of humor? In an interview, he said he liked what you did, but a lot of people think he was the one who complained.

I haven't talked to the guy personally, so I can't be sure. But I'd like to think he gets the humor, you know, being Zappa's disciple and all.

Yes, but he's so serious about music, who can say?

True.

You've said it takes an hour or so to do one of your parodies. Can you tell us a little about the process?

Choose the victim, watch carefully, try to figure out what he seems to be playing, and then play along.

And are all the "victims" people whose work you respect and like? Or did you pick some people you think are bad players?

The Shreds are based in respect. I've listened to them all.

Tell me about this live performance in L.A. Who invited you to play?

Jimmy Kimmel. I was told he loved the videos and wanted me to perform live with Slash.

And were you playing side by side with Slash?

Yes. At the end of the show Slash was called to the stage, and we shredded together.

That must have been pretty intimidating.

I kept my eyes open...

So, the first video I saw was the Jake E. Lee solo with Ozzy. Could you actually play that solo "correctly"?

I chose that one because I used to play along with it a decade ago.

Is there anything too complicated even to mock? Are there any Shreds' projects you'd like to do but couldn't play fast enough, etc.?

I had to build some speed so that I could mock Y. Malmsteen because speed is his trademark.

Yeah, the Yngwie parody is an absolute masterpiece. How many instruments did you have to play for that?

Let me think. I'd have to watch that one, 10 maybe.

It seems like there's an entire orchestra.

Yes there is. It has to look real.

The first videos seem to be more raw, just you on the guitar, but the newer videos seem more polished. Is that a deliberate choice?

Yes, I liked the idea of people getting confused.

These last few, it's very hard to tell the difference.

So I succeed.

---

---

I've seen at least one video by someone else, trying to do what you do. Have you seen any parodies of your parodies that you like?

I've seen couple of others, but I don't know. I like mine better.

Well, they don't have the shredding pedigree you do. Besides, it was your idea.

True. Anyone can play bad, but how about convincingly bad?

Well, that's what's so great about them, your bad playing is better than a lot of people's good playing. I was amazed.

Nice.

The newest parody I could find was of Finnish rock/pop star Anssi Kela. Did he agree to the Shreds treatment?

Yes, Anssi loved the Shred treatment.

So, on your website, are you only going to have content by people who agree to be Shredded?

I was going to, but now I don't think that will do any good.

Why not?

It takes away from the idea of mocking.

Yeah, it feels very rebellious right now.

Besides, I only got a permission on one clip.

You got rejected by other people?

No, haven't actually asked anyone else... Maybe I should ask! I just assumed...

Well, I guess that would defeat the purpose.

Yes.

Is there going to be a Shreds DVD, or some other bootleg material?

A Shreds DVD turned out to be too complicated legally.

So, what's on the horizon for Shreds? What's next?

There is one clip that I'll start working on, on Monday.

I want to ask who it is, but I don't want to spoil the surprise.

Well it'll be custom-built job.

So, not a parody? Original content?

This band is making a DVD and we'll slip a little surprise in there somewhere. They'll just
start to suck suddenly...

That sounds amazing! Can we find any of your original music anywhere?

No, not yet anyway.

What's your history as a rock god? Have you gone on any tours? Scored any groupies?

Nope. Still a "virgin."

Well, it seems making fun of rock is getting you pretty far in the world.

Yes. A thought crossed my mind the other day that I must be the Darth Vader of guitar playing.

Slaying the chosen Jedi?

Once in the right path, now turned evil, yes.

[laughs] We should get you a mask.

Yes. Kiss and Marilyn Manson and Darth Vader combined.

So, can you name favorites? Favorite guitar player? Favorite solo? Or is it too difficult to choose?

That really is a tough one. I haven't had a guitar hero in ages.

For me, Eddie has always been an inspiration. And Dave Mustaine.

Mustaine rules anyway!

No kidding.

Just read his quotations in Wikiquote...

I bet he's real humble.

He really sends out that kind of vibe.

So, about guitars. You play an Ibanez. Is that the shredder's choice or are you sponsored?

Not sponsored. That was just the cheapest guitar in the shop that day. I do like the feel though.

What if money weren't an object? Would you still play one?

I've been thinking about getting one made just for me.

Yeah, you deserve a custom axe. What do your non-Internet friends think of this phenomenon?

Some say it was time I got something published. The others don't say anything.

They don't get it?

Most of them do. They know I seldom do things seriously, so I've been stuck with friends
with a sense of humor.

Oh rats. Bad luck for you.

Yeah!

Any advice for young guitar players out there?

Any advice for young players... Don't play bad guitar. Play good guitar.

If only more of them would take your advice!

Or, "You don't know the power of the dark side."

Awesome.


Websites
Shreds' Webpage
Santeri's Projects

Videos
Jake E. Lee Shreds
Yngwie Shreds
Steve Vai Shreds


Interview by: Steve Roberts

Images courtesy of: Topi Jalonen