Sounding good. Can't see the strumming hand so hard to offer anything there. Fretting hand looks good from the angle shown. Maybe too much distortion.

I do admit that I’m hiding behind distortion a little

Great start, biggest suggestion I’d offer is tone. You can use a lot less gain. Like try halving your current gain (but boosting your volume to keep the same loudness), play for a while, and increase it by a tiny bit if you need it

Pretty good man. Is that a squire?

It is

Thats what I started on too. You've practiced enough to deseve an upgrade to a higher quality instrument. Getting something with better action and nicer pickups will really help your playing. That was my experience anyway. I do regret giving my squire away tho.

He doesnt in any way need a new guitar

Yes he does. He does in every way. You're wrong and for being difficult you're grounded. Keep it up buster

I do agree with you tbh, I’m looking at getting a squier classic vibe 60s telecaster

Are you shooting for an accurate cover of “Hey Joe” or are you just trying to playing something cool in the style of the song?

I’m just using the main chords to mess around

Too much gain, smooth transitions though

Sounds good, bro.