Greg E Noll: Lead & rhythm guitars, lead vocals, songwriter.
Ron Redeen: Drums & percussion.
Tommy Sisco: Bass guitar.
Influences
John Sykes, Jorn Lande, King's X, Winger, Evergrey, Pantera, Black Label Society, Kansas, Maiden, Priest, Queensryche, KISS, Crue, Journey, Burning Rain, and the late, great Carl Albert.
My all-time favorite singer/songwriter/guitarist/artist is John Sykes. For everything all rolled up in one person, Sykes is it for me. Individually is a different story, however...
My favorite singer is Jorn Lande from Norway. I love his melodic sense, his writing, and is incredible range. Just killer. I also love Steve Walsh, Steve Perry, Kip Winger, Dug Pinnick, Joe Lynn Turner, Paul Stanley, Rob Halford, Bruce Dickenson, James Labrie, Keith St. John, and Geoff Tate - guys like these are who inspire me vocally and I really strive to be as good as they are.
As far as guitarists go, it's all about dudes like Dimebag (R.I.P., bro!), Doug Aldrich, Zakk Wylde (SDMF!), Tore Moren, Neal Schon, Ty Tabor, Reb Beach, Jon Roth, Ronni LeTekro, and it goes back to the early days of Peter Frampton, Ace Frehley, Jimmy Page, and Rik Emmett. I really like to have the elements of speed as well as melody in my lead playing. It's been said to death, but I really do feel that a guitar solo should be like a little song within the song. Of course, I also feel that the rhythm guitar and songwriting are the most important things. You can't have a solo without a song!
I suppose most people on this planet know, or remember me as the lead guitarist from the 80's Bay Area heavy metal band, Villain. With that group, I released the album "Only Time Will Tell" in 1986, and then "Chequered Past" in 1995 (with a revamped lineup). Villain gained quite a bit of notoriety overseas (after our demise) when lead vocalist Carl Albert joined SF metal band Vicious Rumors. After releasing five albums abroad, fans of the singer scrambled to get their hands on anything he had recorded previously. That's basically how I came to be known to the headbangers on the other side of the world whom I am proud to call my fans, friends, and metal brethren.
But, what am I up to now? Man, am I glad you asked...
Welcome to the launching of my solo career. After talking about it for many years and writing songs for even longer than that, I am so happy and very excited to finally be moving forward with this project! And what exactly IS this project? Again, I'm very glad you asked.
I'm currently recording my debut solo release, "Slow Motion Hurricane" at Fool On The Hill Recording in Soulsbyville, California. After finishing pre-production in late April, we began tracking songs for the record on June 14th, 2006. The music is essentially melodic heavy metal. Check out my influences to get an idea what you might be in for. My idea was to take my songs, which have big crunchy guitar parts, lots of melodic verses, cool hooks, and big vocal harmonies in the choruses, and combine them with very heavy drum parts. There are also healthy doses of guitar solos, too. Picture your favorite melodic hard rock band with Vinnie Paul from Pantera on drums. THAT'S what I'm hoping to achieve here - something like that.
I have a couple great musicians on board here. The drum throne is being filled by Ron Redeen from Northern California. Ron has played with alot of cool people, but most notably Steve Smyth from Nevermore and with Villain in the 90's. The low end is being held down by Tommy Sisco on the bass. Tommy comes from Villain in the mid-80's, Vicious Rumors in the 90's, and now the amazing Luv Planet. I'm a pretty lucky guy...
I hope to have the album in the can by the first of the year. After adding a second guitarist/backing vocalist, we plan to play shows here in the states as well as overseas. I'll keep y'all posted.
I also play live dates here in Northern Cali with a few other groups as well. Hard rock with Crazy Ivan (www.crazy-ivan.com), with whom I've released one album, "Astronautical", acoustic rock, soul, & funk with Wrigley Figlet, Classic rock & country with the Dan Bauer Band, and even a bit of bluegrass with Sagebrush Jam. Gotta pay the bills, know what I mean?
I have a few excellent companies behind me and I'm happy to be part of their extended families. I proudly rock with DEAN MARKLEY GUITAR STRINGS, I.S.P. TECHNOLOGIES AMPLIFICATION, WCR PICKUPS, TONEPROS GUITAR HARDWARE, AND BIG BENDS NUT SAUCE.
Bang your head, baby!!
Hey Greggers! how's it going. A nice hello to you from Portland. =) hope all is well with you and that you are keeping busy with Crazy Ivan. Wish I could have heard you one more time, but I have your CD in my iTunes so it'll work for now. have a good day! LOL Jenn
Hey there GENollzender.. stopped by the shop (ARIA 5) last Saturday since I was in the neighborhood.. but you'd headed for the hills .. camping or so the rumor has it! Sorry to have missed seeing you.. hope things are going good in your corner!
Hey Greggers. How are you? Thanks for writing and for thinking of me. It has been so long since I have seen you and even longer since I have heard you play. I hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying our beautiful weather. I am moving to Oregon this weekend so life has been just dang busy on my end. Keep in touch dude. I will miss you! Smiles, Jenn
I don't know who Mark is who commented below on Mustang Sally. But I agree with him. There should be a limit on how many times a person is subjected that F'ing song!!!! Oh, by the way, I just wanted to stop by and send love - the Mustang Sally thing spoiled all of that :) Hee hee
Come down the mountain and hang with us dog gone it.
Waz Happenin' DooDah??? The Ruff's vid was at Keep It True back in 2005. I think I found it on their page or their website. Keep it loud and raunchy. Cheers, T~
I LOVE Mustang Sally, almost as much as Brown(blue)Eyed Girl! lol But you are so crazy talented, I bet you could STILL play your guitar even when it was.............. lol
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