Attic Symphony, the music project of guitarist Robert Bussey, brings to the forefront an orchestrated rock guitar sound.
Robert grew up in Roanoke, Virginia and became a music lover at a very young age. During early childhood he became enthralled with the likes of Johnny Cash (who once walked by and gave Robert a pat on the head at age 4), Roger Miller, Glen Campbell and Jerry Reed. By the time he took up the guitar at age 11, he was a huge fan of The Eagles and Paul McCartney . Throughout his teens his playing took a turn towards progressive hard rock and he became known around Roanoke as a guitar force to be reckoned with. During his early 20s Robert moved to Washington DC to jump into a larger pond. His style became more metal as he became lead guitarist for the bands Taker and Talkingtown / R.E.X recording artists Armageddon. Armageddon's album The Money Mask was released to a worldwide audience and sold thousands of copies both in the States and a broad garnering the band an impressive cult following . Armageddon's 1990 tour included the prestigious Z- Rock Metal Fest in Kansas City and a Record Release Barbeque for the band Firehouse in New York.( Important update - Armageddon's "The Money Mask" has been re-issued by Retro-Active Records and the band has reformed to record a new album which Robert is writing material for)
Throughout the 90s, Robert's playing became much more diverse as he began teaching guitar for a living. It was important to stay current on several styles of music to take on a wide range of students. During this time Robert became skillful at acoustic fingerstyle guitar. He also came to appreciate the country picking of Albert Lee, Danny Gatton, Brent Mason and Doyle Dykes. He still maintained his Rock chops as he formed a band called The Calm with his wife / vocalist Ellyn. He also recorded his seminal instrumental solo effort called The Fault Line Dance.
In 2002, Robert played in the band Valediction on the song "The End Of The Beginning" for the Lion Records release Warmth In The Wilderness II, a tribute to former David Lee Roth guitarist Jason Becker who was afflicted with Lou Gehrig's Disease. Robert joined the ranks of many world class guitarists such as Steve Vai and Marty Friedman for this moving tribute.
In 2004, Robert released a CD through CD Baby called Attic Symphony which has some of his most searing guitar work to date. Since moving to Charlotte, NC, he has continued to teach guitar at his own instructional facility called Guitar Training Station.
With the release of 2007's Attic Symphony II: Cold Vast and Severe, Robert wears his Jeff Beck and David Gilmour influences on his sleeve. Don't get me wrong this is not emulation or a cheap derivative. Just the same introspection and attention to detail that these lengendary guys are known for. Inspired by renowned author and Christian thinker C.S. Lewis, Robert takes his concept of "Northerness", Lewis' description of his moments of childhood spiritual hunger, and puts it to music. That hunger was described as being cold,vast and severe, like northern skies and was both a hunger and satisfaction simultaneously. Robert taps into that emotion of bittersweet melancholy as he attempts to instrumentally tell the story of each song title. Some of these songs bear all of the harshness of winter, with the beauty and brightness of a snowy landscape lit by sunlight.
Robert's musical roots go way back. His Mom and Aunt were a singing duo who used to perform on T.V. with the Statler Brothers back in their teens and his Aunt won the title of Virginia Female Vocalist of the Year in 1957. Robert's grandmothers first cousin was Kelly Harrell, who was one of the first artists to be signed to RCA Victor and released a string of hits. His grandfather is a retired train engineer who engineered steam locomotives for Norfolk and Western most notably the infamous Class A and Class J locomotives. He once had a young passenger by the name of Elvis Presley.
Attic Symphony's 2004 debut, ATTENTION! There's only a few copies in stock until completely SOLD OUT.
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Hey Robert... keep me posted on other shows in the area you are doing. I won't be able to attend this Saturday due to a previous engagement. I wish you well in the new band. Talk soon, Bratt
PJ my friend, how are the AS tour plans going? PLEASE record a live show and get video.... you could release a live cd and dvd! :) live free rock hard and keep it real! HAVE AN ASS KICKIN WEEKEND BRO! Sexy Comments & Profile Graphics
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