As far as individual players there is people such as Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads, Neal Schon, Santana, George Lynch, Steve Harris, Joe Satriani & Kerry King among others that have influenced my approach to the guitar in one way or another from the time I was just a little kid picking an axe for the first time.
As far as bands, it's a wide range of styles that have been with me musically over the years. There's Sabbath (of course), Boston, Iron Maiden, Journey, Slayer, Def Leppard, early Metallica, Rush, KISS & Judas Priest to name a few.
I'm looking for songwriting partners. This would be no-pressure, fun projects to basically get our creative rocks off. I have been wanting to put a band together pretty much since I moved to Chicago, but got a bit sidetracked with a little project of mine called Chicago's Rock. In my search, I have talked and met with quite a few people but unfortunately in their case, the "talk" was bigger than their skill -if they did anything at all. I got to the point where I was even willing to play in a cover band (not that a cover band is a bad thing, I just wanted to play). But then again, putting that much effort creating a big show, playing someone else's music with some of the "wishy-washy" and downright lazy characters I had talked to wasn't exactly a 'winning plan'. Maybe I'm just too picky, maybe it's just bad luck and I was talking to the wrong people. In any event, there are some very talented people out there that while still committed to their bands, would want to do a "one-off" for fun here & there, writing songs in a different direction or style than they would typically do in their own band. I'm fairly easy to work with but yes, I do expect people to do what they say and also expect a certain level of skill and quality. Interested? Drop me a line.
ABOUT ME / MY TASTE IN MUSIC
I've been a musician most of my life and for the last 20-or-so years, have also enjoyed working with the technincal side of things and other aspects relating to the production of educational, sports, music and general entertainment media, in additon to rocking out in stages across the country.
Musically speaking, I like a wide variety of music. I grew up with Sabbath and a lot of the guitar-driven 70's bands. My taste got a bit heavier in the early 80's when we were exposed to the -then-underground metal scene, [Slayer, Exodus, M'tallica], and what seemed to be a never-ending supply of very obscure -at the time- music [Kreator, Celtic Frost, Blood Feast] that a military-brat buddy would bring from Germany or Japan. As much as I enjoyed listening and playing in those styles, I would listen to and surround myself with different types of players as I wanted to learn how to properly play different styles and find my own sound in the process. I was always "the kid" in the group, so there was never a shortage of more experienced players willing to show me a thing or two and take me under their wing, which eventually led to other musical opportunities in the mainstream rock scene.
In my quest to expand my musical horizons, I started getting into piano music, acoustic arrangements and flamenco guitar. I was also big into new guitar talent. Guitar Player Magazine used to feature new talent on the [vinyl record] "sounds" page they included in their magazine and is where I first heard of Malmsteen (around '83-'84) & other young shredders that went on to become guitar gods and big musical influences for me. I played drums in H.S. as well, so I also dug the work in music from guys like Lombardo, McBrain, Peart, Harris, Hamm, Sheehan...pretty much had a lot of respect and admiration for bands/musicians who were/are good at their craft. Currently, I listen to mostly independent music. There are some good major-label-type bands out there, but indie, local bands are getting the lion's share of my attention nowadays.
As open-minded as I try to be, I have no tolerance whatsoever for Nirvana, any of the flannel-wearing, I-hate-my-life-bullshit from the early to mid 90's, rap-metal-hop, or trance-electronic-type stuff. I just don't get it and quite honestly don't think much of it. So there, that should give a fairly good idea of my musical taste and background. If you need to know more, just contact me.
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Rock_a_saurus will be out front promoting the food drive from 9pm-10pm. So come on by and give Rocko your food items, 5 cans or boxed, and get in for *FREE*. Rocko will also go on stage some time during Genral Patton & His Privates @ 11pm. All donations will be given to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. THRASH-ON ! ! ! ~SHAG
HEAD ON COLLISION'S 2009 SACRIFICIAL TOUR featuring Malas, Vicious Attack, Impale @ Tiger O'Stylies (6300 Ogden, Berwyn)
$7 cover ($2 discount password will be announced the day before the show in the Las Divas Promotions blog and texts, so be sure to subscribe to the blog and at Broadtexter - more info at http://www.meeid.com/lasdivas!)
Don't forget if u live within a half hour of Kenosha/Racine the place 2 B this Wed. Nov 25th-reputably the party nite of the year-is at Club 1146 on Sheridan and Hwy E w FRITZPATRICK. This is a FREE SHOW so everyone can come....it's been a long year and you deserve a cold one with some Kick Ass entertainment to set the mood. The place is gonna be packed and RAWKN so get there by 10pm. Showtime is between 10:30 and 11pm. Hope you are ready for what your are about to see and hear cause We are coming to KICK YOUR ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chicago band Two Ton Anvil have just released their first video from our upcoming self titled debut CD release. We are about to sign with a label and get the CD (which is done) released! Please blog/bulletin/comment/message - anything you can do to help spread the word is appreciated. Also on your email, Facebook, and Twitter pages... Could you please pass this on to someone you think would also be interested. Thanks! Support your local music and TWO TON ANVIL!
Chicago band Two Ton Anvil have just released their first video from our upcoming self titled debut CD release. We are about to sign with a label and get the CD (which is done) released! Please blog/bulletin/comment/message - anything you can do to help spread the word is appreciated. Also on your email, Facebook, and Twitter pages... Could you please pass this on to someone you think would also be interested. Thanks! Support your local music and TWO TON ANVIL!
UTICA NY- Utica Music & Arts Festival-Booked/Confirmed/ September 16-18th New Jersey-Radio Interview/show New Jersey- Six Flags Park- Live And Local-Now Scheduling Scranton PA-Breaking The Mold/Marywood University/Confirmed Philadelphia PA-Now Scheduling Nashville TN- Now Scheduling NC- ZAKKS- Now Scheduling Houston TX- Shooting Stars Showcase- Now Scheduling Aspen, CO- Now Scheduling Colorado- Now Scheduling Festival CA- Dates TBA WEST COAST-TBA
Hi Mario! My new singer-Juliet Gough-is taking off:) She is winning contests, topping radio charts, rising on ReverbNation and has 7,500 plus hits here for October! She is being tracked by a few labels as we speak! We will be touring her out next year. We have two options-one is an East Coast tour and one includes Toronto. I am seeing which looks like there is more interest! If I had solid interest-Chicago would be amazing, as my folk singer Steven Hollerup and his new band-The Northern Hooks, will be gigging there next season:) I will keep you posted as we narrow things down. Please keep the info coming! Talk to you soon, Cindy
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