That feeling of knowing, more than knowing, that all I wanted to do was make music had been with me since I was a kid. I used to howl along with Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" and practice guitar jumps with my friends down in the basement rec room. I'd borrow Keith Jarrett and Miles Davis tapes from the library and listen to them with headphones on. I'd OD on the recordings of such guitarists as Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bruce Cockburn, and Mark Knopfler. I geeked out on Eric the guitar guy Johnson's instructional videos and tried to steal his licks.
Even though I studied jazz at Boston's Berklee College of Music, I have the dubious honour of holding the school's record for noise violations. But it was there that I met David, Brian and Forrest, who jammed with me and eventually formed Big Wreck.
Touring with Big Wreck gave me an education about things that you could never learn in school. I learned about the business, compromise, money, tour buses, and crews. I also learned that I had to find my voice quite literally. I was writing most of the songs for the band, but we had no one to sing them. Reluctantly, I became the singer, and one more thing I had to learn was to get over my shyness about singing. Even though I still take on that role, I don't see myself as a singer.
I had a lot of fun making music with Big Wreck and it was a good time in my life. But like a lot of relationships that start off when you’re young, it wound down and it became time to move on. After Big Wreck dissolved, I had no doubt in my mind that I would be in another band; I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I had the seeds of about 30 songs. All I needed was new fertile ground to plant them in. That was the beginning of Thornley.
Around that time, Ken, Sekou and I would get together to jam while we worked on other projects. After a year and a half, we realized that we had a band and that we needed to put aside whatever else we were doing and focus on the band. We got a record deal, but we were missing a guitar player. After much searching, we found Tavis and he became the final piece to the puzzle.
After Ken and Sekou left Thornley, Cale and Eric filled in. I knew Cale from touring with Three Days Grace; it was time for him to go from teching behind the scenes to playing on stage. Eric was a friend of Tavis and had also played in Big Sugar with Gordie.
With Thornley, I've been able to take my songwriting in another direction. The music I had played for the previous ten years was complex and fun to play, but now I like to strip it down and let the melody take center stage. It's been great to work in a new way with different people and to use all the experience and knowledge I've gained. I still have to find the balance between what I want to do and what the gatekeepers want, but that challenge makes me work harder to create something that kicks ass.
Part of trying to achieve that balance is playing and co-writing with other artists.
Recently, someone asked me what I would be doing if I weren't a musician. I couldn't come up with an answer. This is all I've ever wanted to be. Some days I'm floating and some days I'm working hard but when I get the feedback from the audience and feel that energy, I know that this is all I ever want to do for the rest of my life. I am a guitarist and always will be a guitarist.
Thanks for your friendship! In our next edition of 'Let there be Rock', we have a big interview with JOE LYNN TURNER, and play some of his best music. And we have lots other great music of course..... Make sure you listen on Tuesday July 14 (9-11PM CET - Amsterdam time) to our internet stream: http://w4.boschtion.nl/index.php?pageid=21, you will LOVE it for sure! Keep rockin'
Ron
- Live internet stream: http://w4.boschtion.nl/index.php?pageid=21 - Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lettherebe_rock
Jacob's Lounge in HALLS, TN has the BRAND NEW PARTY ROOM open complete with stage and Air conditioning!!! Come ROCK OUT with AUDIO SUICIDE on JULY 11, 2009 from 9pm 'til 1am!!! This is gonna be one HELL-OF-A-PARTY!!!! ROCK ON!!!!
Hey Ian Awesome Meeting You Guys on The Bus In Kingston A few Weeks Ago the Ale House Show Rocked! I look forward to Setting some Shows up with the Band This Summer! Even though Detroit lost the Cup Thanks for Signing my Jersey lol.
I would love to see the band live,I have been a fan since you first album come again, I special order tiny pictures well worth the money, the only thing is I live in the US....I hope you will come down and play for us americans someday !!!!!!!!!!!!!
AWESOME NEWS!!!!! THE SENTICSPHERE's newly released debut album “DAY ONE” is now available online. NEW TRACKS have been added to their MySpace player, including “ON THE EDGE” ,“SADNESS FADES” and “BLAME” so stop by and listen to your favourites! We are also very pleased to announce that The Senticsphere has made THE FOX VANCOUVER SEEDS TOP 10, and is preparing for a ABSOLUTELY EPIC showcase June 23rd at The Bourbon (50W Cordova, Gastown). If you are in Vancouver you SHOULD stop by, for a 9:30pm performance in front of panel of industry judges. DON'T MISS OUT,COME ROCK OUT!!! It will be rock show to remember.
in 1997 (i think it was) i was rolling down i 75 in cincinnati ohio listening to a rock station and "the oaf" came on. "who the hell is this?!" i still remember how i felt when it kicked in! in my opinion, the rock scene has been on a slippery slope for quite some time, and to hear a song like that gave me goosebumps. i had a copy of "in loving memory of" the very next day! i saw you guys live not long after and was blown away! your voice and guitar work are in the upper echelon of anyone i have ever seen, and i have seen a few shows in my day. i actually shook your hand after the show. i was amazed with your humble nature and pleased with how down to earth you were with me. you sir are a rock and roll badass in the tradition of jimmy page's "guitar army" and i have been moved by your body of work over the last decade or so. you "get it" and that is why if your name is on it, i'll buy it! thank you mr. thornley for the add, and for touching me with your songs. much love and success to you always!
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