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AOR DREAMZONES 2002
I started playing seriously in my mid teens. Originally I was crazy
about the drums, but as a gift, a guitar was given to me instead. After
that I was turned on to some guitar orientated music, and I was hooked. You studied with Steve Vai what was that like? We met at Berkley College of Music in Boston he was an excellent player
even back then, the only problem was that his sight reading wasn't that
good at the time! So we would get together and sight read music from
saxophone books. After that he would show me some amazing stuff like
finger exercises, modal work and some amazing choral stuff that I found
out later he got from his studies with Joe Satriani. And get this, the
payment plan that we worked out was that I would supply him with a carton
of cigarettes for every one hour lesson I took. I think I got the better
end of the bargain. Who were some of your early influences.? I'll just rattle off a list from the top of my head; Jeff Beck, Alan Holdsworth, Michael Schenker, Uli Roth, Hendrix, Albert King, Wes, Tommy Bolin, Al DiMeola. Forget it! I'd go on for days. I tend to listen to an influential guitarists work and try to incorporate the good aspects of their playing or feel into my own. This keeps it less one dimensional and allows me the opportunity to play with a much more broader range of musicians. I've studied the styles of so many guitarists it's insane there are so many great ones. Reggae, Blues, Fusion, Metal Rock, Funk I've always tried to absorb as much a possible. Tell me about your first band? I started in cover bands like most I couldn't even remember the names
now. Tell me about Liege Lord? Liege Lord released 3 albums Freedoms Rise on Black Dragon Records
and when I joined Brian Slagel of Metal Blade signed us and we released
"Burn to my Touch" and "Master Control". These were
exciting times, we toured extensively Give us a funny touring story? There was so much partying going on I can hardly remember anything
you'll have to wait for the book! Hahahaha How much did you have with the lyrics in Liege
Lord? "Freedom's Rise" (Black Dragon records) and "Burn to
my Touch" (Metal Blade/Roadrunner) were written by the other members
with me adding solos and arranging ideas. It wasn't until Master Control
(Metal Blade/SPV) that Joe Comeau (Vocalist for Annihilator) and I began
writing heavily for the band, songs like "Broken Wasteland,"
"Eye of the Storm" and more. The Lyrics for the first 2 releases
were written by our bass player. On "Master Control" Joe began
writing a large portion of the words with me writing the music for all
his lyrics on that release. What made you want to release a solo album and
how has it been received? After Liege Lord and because of my musical background I guess it was
a natural progression for me to pursue a solo career. I had been approached
several times by labels to do such a project so once I had the time
in between touring and recording other peoples music the present time
of this release seemed right. Besides I've always wanted to do my own
thing and thankfully my fans and the press have been very supportive
of this move. “Look” is the type of CD that I have always
wanted to do, my own recording that encompassed many styles and moods.
After working with singers for so long I guess I just wanted the guitar
do some of the talking for a while. Hahahahha You recently appeared on the Jason Becker Tribute
project "Warmth in the Wilderness" with the song "Blue"
How did you become involved? Only hearing about the project about 2 months before its release I
was anxious when speaking with Lion Music to contribute a track to help
with the benefit. Jason's playing on all his projects has been very
inspiring and I felt what better way to repay an artist than to pay
compliment through the interpretation of one of their works and this
tribute does much more and I'm Where were you on 9/11th and what are your thoughts
about the tragedy? I'm speechless! Words can't describe how catastrophic the destruction
and loss was. What are your future plans both solo and with
Liege Lord? As far as LIEGE LORD Joe and I have spoken at great lengths about doing
another LL record after we performed together at the Wacken festival
we recorded versions of Uriah Heep's "To scared to Run" and
"Dungeons are Calling" (Savatage) for Century Media's soon
to be released tributes and I might say it was a blast Joe and I would
like to collaborate more often. As We'll name some classic bands, and we'd like
you to tell us what you think of them... The Who- Great guitar rhythm work! Can you give us some advice for guitar players
out there? Learn it all! Scales, chords, rhythm, reading, and theory and find the best teachers you can find these are the tools that one needs to express, compete and survive as a guitarist and musician. No matter what style! No one will tear a player down for knowing too much. The trick is to "Wear the right hat " for the right situation.
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