Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers – ZZ Top

Take a trip deep into the Texas blues-rock heartland with our note-for-note guitar lesson on "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" by ZZ Top. This high-octane track from the legendary Tres Hombres album is a showcase of raw tone, infectious grooves, and explosive guitar chops. With this LickLibrary lesson, you’ll get under the hood of one of ZZ Top’s most iconic twin-guitar assaults, dissecting each lick, riff, and solo with expert instruction. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song

"Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" is a gritty anthem of rebellion, powered by the searing tone and attitude-driven playing of Billy Gibbons and rhythm support from Dusty Hill, who also shares vocal duties. The song is driven by a tough, swaggering riff and punctuated by a playful back-and-forth between lead and rhythm guitars. It's a celebration of groove, grit, and guitar glory, wrapped in ZZ Top's unmistakable southern blues-rock package.

The Guitar Legend Behind the Sound

Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top’s frontman and lead guitarist, is widely respected as one of the most tasteful and tone-rich guitarists in rock history. Known for his laid-back swagger and expressive phrasing, Gibbons brings a bluesy, soulful character to everything he plays. His use of pinch harmonics, string bending, and dynamic vibrato has influenced generations of players. This track captures Gibbons at his greasy best—grooving, grinding, and laying down licks soaked in Texas oil.

What You’ll Learn in This Lesson

String Bending

This lesson places a strong emphasis on string bending, one of Billy Gibbons' signature techniques. Students will learn to bend notes with precision and expression, achieving that vocal-like quality that defines much of Gibbons' lead work. Mastering string bending helps players develop pitch control and adds emotion to solos.

Pinched Harmonics

Gibbons is a pioneer of pinched harmonics, and this song features them tastefully throughout. These harmonics add a snarling, squealing edge to your tone and are perfect for accentuating key notes within a phrase. Learning pinched harmonics enhances your ability to create tonal contrast and excitement in solos.

Double Stops

Double stops—playing two notes simultaneously—are an essential element of this track’s rhythm and solo sections. Double stops add weight and complexity to riffs and are great for players wanting to thicken their sound while keeping arrangements lean and raw.

Vibrato

The lesson takes time to break down Gibbons' use of expressive vibrato. This technique breathes life into sustained notes, giving them a human-like quality. Learning vibrato is crucial for developing a personal voice on the guitar.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Rapid-fire licks in the solo sections are peppered with hammer-ons and pull-offs. These techniques allow for smooth, legato-style playing that creates fluid, fast melodic runs. Developing these skills improves speed and phrasing fluidity.

Slides

Slides are a hallmark of the blues-rock sound. In this lesson, players will learn to use slides for smooth transitions between notes and to mimic the slippery phrasing that gives blues its signature feel.

Bluesy Bends

Along with traditional bends, this track features a healthy dose of bluesy bends—subtle, microtonal inflections that convey deep emotion. These bends are ideal for players who want to build more soulful, expressive solos.

Palm Muting

The chugging rhythm guitar work in the verses showcases tight palm muting, giving the riffs percussive punch and rhythmic drive. Mastering this technique is vital for locking into grooves and delivering riffs with more attack and control.

Benefits of Learning This Track

Learning "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" is a masterclass in blues-rock technique. It offers players the opportunity to:

• Refine their expressive phrasing through vibrato and bends.
• Learn tight rhythm playing with palm muting and riff control.
• Explore twin-guitar textures and harmonies.
• Build their improvisational vocabulary with blues-based licks.
• Develop better tone awareness and articulation.

Whether you're looking to channel Billy Gibbons' iconic tone or simply want to groove with some of the best blues-rock licks ever recorded, this lesson delivers on every level.

Guitar Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• String Bending
• Pinched Harmonics
• Double Stops
• Vibrato
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Slides
• Bluesy Bends
• Palm Muting

Jump into this LickLibrary lesson and raise some hell—guitar in hand.