More of just a list of things I listen to, have listened to or are influenced by in no particular order: John Petrucci, Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment, Paul Gilbert, Racer X, Jeff Kollman, Cosmosquad, Edwin Dare, Marty Friedman, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Johnson, Tool, Megadeth, Opeth, Meshuggah, Pain of Salvation, SRV & Double Trouble, Kiss, Pantera, Richie Kotzen, Misha Mansoor aka Bulb aka Periphery, Paul Ortiz aka Chimpspanner, Strapping Young Lad, Protest the Hero, Symphony X, Nevermore, Jason Becker, Ozzy Osbourne/Randy Rhoads, Rush, Metallica, In Flames, Children of Bodom, Gojira.
Record Label
FEENZJAMZO (Warning: Not a real label.. or is it!)
Touring as lead guitarist with EPICUREAN through North America!
APR. 03 - The Penny Arcade - Rochester, NY APR. 04 - Sterling Hotel - Allentown, PA APR. 06 - Plan B - Danville, VA
KREATOR with EXODUS, BELPHEGOR, WARBRINGER & EPICUREAN:
Dates:
APR. 07 - Sonar - Baltimore MD APR. 08 - Nokia Theatre – New York NY APR. 09 - Trocadero - Philadelphia PA APR. 10 - Palladium - Worcester MA APR. 11 - Medley - Montreal QUE APR. 13 - Imperial - Quebec QUE APR. 14 - Opera House - Toronto ONT APR. 15 - Peabody's - Cleveland OH APR. 16 - Rave - Millwaukee WI APR. 17 - House Of Blues - Chicago IL APR. 18 - The Rock - Maplewood MN APR. 19 - Garrick Centre - Winnipeg MB APR. 20 - The Distrikt - Regina SK APR. 21 - Warehouse - Calgary AB APR. 22 - Starlite Room - Edmonton AB APR. 24 - Plaza Club - Vancouver BC APR. 25 - Sugar - Victoria BC APR. 26 - El Corazon - Seattle WA APR. 27 - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland OR APR. 28 - Slims - San Francisco CA APR. 30 - House Of Blues - Las Vegas NV MAY 01 - House Of Blues - San Diego, CA MAY 02 - House Of Blues - West Hollywood CA MAY 04 - Gator's - Farmington, NM MAY 05 - Bluebird Theater - Denver CO MAY 06 - Diamond Ballroom - Oklahoma City OK MAY 07 - Ridglea Theater - Ft Worth TX MAY 08 - Scout Bar - San Antonio TX MAY 09 - Scout Bar - Houston TX MAY 11 - The Garage - St. Petersburg FL MAY 12 - Culture Room - Ft Lauderdale, FL MAY 13 - Masquerade - Atlanta GA MAY 14 - Headliner - Louisville KY MAY 15 - Orange Peel - Ashville NC MAY 16 - Volume 11 - Raleigh NC MAY 17 - Jaxx - West Springfield VA
(I reduced the rest to link-form for quicker loading.)
*How long have you been playing? How old were you when you began?
I got my first guitar when I was about 8 years old, but didn't really do a whole lot with it until later years, possibly due to a lack of drive and resources, but primarily due to the impulse for just being a kid (as far as I can remember). It wasn't until I started listening to guys like Randy Rhoads, and then on to Metallica (at around age 12-13) did I start developing any sort of chops. I also gained steady internet access and learned to read tab at around this point, so a whole new world was opened for me, musically.
*Where do you get your backing tracks?
I program basically ALL of the music you hear in my videos, unless I'm merely soloing over a jam track of some sort, but 90% of the time, their made from scratch.
*What do you use to record?
For mixing, I use Nuendo 3.0, an excellent DAW released by Steinberg - I also use "Waves Diamond Bundle" as a plug-in in conjunction. For drums, I program (using Nuendo's drum editor function) MIDI triggering "Drumkit From Hell Superior" Samples, a 9 DVD package consisting of thousands upon thousands of REAL drum samples. The guitars are all going direct into my computer via 1/4" cable from my Line 6 PODxt. Bass/vocals/some MIDI triggering are done through my Line 6 Toneport KB37.
*How do you get that sound quality in your videos?
Quite simple, actually. I program the backing track, open Windows Movie Maker, and set the default audio to "What U Hear" (this may be called "Stereo Mix" on your computer). What this does is captures the exact audio that comes through your speakers. I then hook up the PODxt so that I'm getting live sound. If my levels are all good to go, the audio should sound pretty damn close to the original recording!
*Where do you find the tabs for your covers?
Most times, www.ultimate-guitar.com. But I rarely use tab anymore as I trust my ear for the most part. Complex things that are just far easier to be learned by simply popping up a tab, however, can be found there. I trust Power Tabs generally more than TXT or GP files.
*What is your practice regimen?
I don't have one. It all depends on the project presented before me. If I feel the need to shred my butt off, then I will do some "warm-ups" - these consist mostly of actually stretching the hands and playing wide-intervalled arpeggio stuff. I usually try to stick to legato patterns for the left hand, as it'll give you the most efficient excercise, and then work the right hand with some linear, scalar stuff.
*How do you learn complex songs (technically-speaking)?
I always get this one, and even though it's kind of.. general a question, I can give some pointers. Some people say that you should start as slow as possible and work your way up. Well I say, what's the point of that?? Play the lick/passage/riff in question as fast as you can BEFORE you get at all sloppy, and start from there. You really need to relax, and identify WHAT is holding you back. Some people get frustrated if they cannot achieve sheer excellence on the first or second attempt and resort to just being sloppy. Some key things I've noticed are a) The inability to use all 4 (left hand) fingers effectively. b) Pick angle. c) Lifting fingers far off the fret-board only creating more time for these fingers to land in sequence. d) Tensing unneccessary muscles, RELAX! e) Not warming-up (Warming up is definitely a crucial point. Have you ever noticed that after shredding for a few hours straight you enter "super-shred" mode?)
*Do you use a metronome?
No. I have in the past but it was just never effective for me. I found that recording, and jamming to jam-tracks solved all of my rhythm issues. Some people worship the thing, I just could never take to it.
I'll think of more, but feel free to ask whichever questions you'd like and I'll be sure to post my response!
Thanks for being on our friend's list, YOU rock!! If you haven't already come check out the tunes on our page...Sure we're a bit cocky and we can't stop droppin f bombs but we write str8 from the heart!!!..lol
Leave us some comments and let us know what you think our best song is.
IF you have already recieved this comment we apologize..
Hey my friend... just wanted to share with you a new song I have posted... Canvas Of Clouds... hope you will enjoy! Have a fine weekend. Regards... Bratt Scovil
Chris... thanks so much for the hook up to your land of music... love what I am hearing from you so far. Hope you had a well celebrated weekend... keep in touch. Bratt Scovil
P.S. I have to come up with a new nickname for you besides Canada and you should give me your number so I can text you words of encouragement and such :P
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