12 Questions
What was your first gig?
I played 'Rhinestone Cowboy' with Buddy Love at the Moose lodge where my grandparents were members. Just the one song. He played the accordion and I played a nylon acoustic.
What was your first guitar?
My very first was an Epiphone nylon string. I still have it and used it recently on a Queen tribute CD. My first electric was a Penco les paul copy. It was black just like Ace Frehleys Gibson. It has some real history being sold back and forth between me and a friend who still has it. It was also used to write some well known material but we'll leave that for another time.
Who are your influences?
Oh man, so many through different seasons of life. I first took to guitar because of Kiss and Ace Frehley in particular. Soon after the New York Dolls and Hanoi Rocks were favorites. I love that snotty guitar from the gut style that Johnny Thunders and Andy McCoy play. I went through an Yngwie phase in that stage where you feel the need to prove you can play; I've always loved Prince and, as cliche as it may be, I am most moved by Jimi and SRV. In recent years, I have been inspired by Luther Dickinson, Warren Haynes and John Frusciante.
What about gear?
Well, I must admit that I have never been a gearhead though chasing after sounds you like is important. I've always been partial to the sound of a Fender strat whether in hard rock like Yngwie and Blackmore or blues like Stevie and Jimi. After spending about 6 months asking questions and trying amps I found a JCM 800 50 watt combo that I have fallen in love with. I'm still sorting out what I will use on the floor but it will likely include an MXR distortion, a phase 90, a fuzzface and a cry baby wah.
So why sing?
Like many people I began singing by default. I always took part in backing vocals and such but never really wanted to sing lead, however, I did want to go forward as a songwriter. That lead to doing what I had to do.
How do you feel about the 'Alone in the Wild' CD?
It's a good start for where I want to go. I learned so much through the responsibility of a solo project. If it sucks there's no one to blame but the creative freedom was great. I purposely left the production raw with as few overdubs as I felt possible; And I never allowed too many takes as the vibe of the song and what was in my head and heart was more important to me than a perfect take. I also wanted to make it possible to reproduce live so adding too many guitars or production tricks would have been a mistake.
Do you have a favorite track?
Hard to answer honestly but I think 'Rain' came out just the way I wanted. It felt good to me and didn't suffer from my short comings or the stiffness that often comes with the studio. Interestingly enough, I had asked a friend to do the solos because I was afraid that I wouldn't feel the sections as well as he could. The irony is I ended up doing them myself and to date its probably the only solo work I've ever recorded which I'm actually proud of.
What about a live band?
Well, as long as he's available I will always use Clint Gascoyne on drums. He's amazing and contributed so many ideas I liked to my CD. He's part of Frankenstein 3000 and that band is his first priority but he will always be my first choice. As far as bass players I have several possibilities but I'd like to find a guy who loves what I'm doing and wants to be a part permanently.
So what's next?
Well, I want to get out there and play live. Then another CD! I've already written some things for the next go around.
What's on your I Pod?
I don't have an i-pod; But my CD player is confused with all the different stuff I shove in it! The Black Crowes probably fill my ears more than any other band these days.
Any advice for young players?
Get some lessons, get some advice, get some business sense and then do with it what you want and do it your way. Doing something without learning from someone whos been there is the hard way and the long road. But at the same time you have to pave your own way or it won't be original and it won't feel good! I wish when I was younger I was more open to advice and direction from my teachers and my parents and I wish I was more self-confident. I would have gotten alot further alot faster!
Why 12 questions?
Well, it was supposed to be 11 questions but then this last one was added on!
I played 'Rhinestone Cowboy' with Buddy Love at the Moose lodge where my grandparents were members. Just the one song. He played the accordion and I played a nylon acoustic.
What was your first guitar?
My very first was an Epiphone nylon string. I still have it and used it recently on a Queen tribute CD. My first electric was a Penco les paul copy. It was black just like Ace Frehleys Gibson. It has some real history being sold back and forth between me and a friend who still has it. It was also used to write some well known material but we'll leave that for another time.
Who are your influences?
Oh man, so many through different seasons of life. I first took to guitar because of Kiss and Ace Frehley in particular. Soon after the New York Dolls and Hanoi Rocks were favorites. I love that snotty guitar from the gut style that Johnny Thunders and Andy McCoy play. I went through an Yngwie phase in that stage where you feel the need to prove you can play; I've always loved Prince and, as cliche as it may be, I am most moved by Jimi and SRV. In recent years, I have been inspired by Luther Dickinson, Warren Haynes and John Frusciante.
What about gear?
Well, I must admit that I have never been a gearhead though chasing after sounds you like is important. I've always been partial to the sound of a Fender strat whether in hard rock like Yngwie and Blackmore or blues like Stevie and Jimi. After spending about 6 months asking questions and trying amps I found a JCM 800 50 watt combo that I have fallen in love with. I'm still sorting out what I will use on the floor but it will likely include an MXR distortion, a phase 90, a fuzzface and a cry baby wah.
So why sing?
Like many people I began singing by default. I always took part in backing vocals and such but never really wanted to sing lead, however, I did want to go forward as a songwriter. That lead to doing what I had to do.
How do you feel about the 'Alone in the Wild' CD?
It's a good start for where I want to go. I learned so much through the responsibility of a solo project. If it sucks there's no one to blame but the creative freedom was great. I purposely left the production raw with as few overdubs as I felt possible; And I never allowed too many takes as the vibe of the song and what was in my head and heart was more important to me than a perfect take. I also wanted to make it possible to reproduce live so adding too many guitars or production tricks would have been a mistake.
Do you have a favorite track?
Hard to answer honestly but I think 'Rain' came out just the way I wanted. It felt good to me and didn't suffer from my short comings or the stiffness that often comes with the studio. Interestingly enough, I had asked a friend to do the solos because I was afraid that I wouldn't feel the sections as well as he could. The irony is I ended up doing them myself and to date its probably the only solo work I've ever recorded which I'm actually proud of.
What about a live band?
Well, as long as he's available I will always use Clint Gascoyne on drums. He's amazing and contributed so many ideas I liked to my CD. He's part of Frankenstein 3000 and that band is his first priority but he will always be my first choice. As far as bass players I have several possibilities but I'd like to find a guy who loves what I'm doing and wants to be a part permanently.
So what's next?
Well, I want to get out there and play live. Then another CD! I've already written some things for the next go around.
What's on your I Pod?
I don't have an i-pod; But my CD player is confused with all the different stuff I shove in it! The Black Crowes probably fill my ears more than any other band these days.
Any advice for young players?
Get some lessons, get some advice, get some business sense and then do with it what you want and do it your way. Doing something without learning from someone whos been there is the hard way and the long road. But at the same time you have to pave your own way or it won't be original and it won't feel good! I wish when I was younger I was more open to advice and direction from my teachers and my parents and I wish I was more self-confident. I would have gotten alot further alot faster!
Why 12 questions?
Well, it was supposed to be 11 questions but then this last one was added on!