Tho I AM a memer of a band called AEJazzband -
It's a seriously experimental, expressive, electronic jazz-sorta thing composed of Francisco Godinho's trumpet flutters, electronic beats and samples, F.C. Prates on sax, samples, soundscapes and bass and myself on electric and acoustic guitars.
Influences
Too many to list, but off the top of my head I could name Jeff Buckley, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Ozric Tentacles, Van Halen, Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Björk, Dalbello, Sigur Rôs, Queen, The Devin Townsend Band, Joe Satriani, Mathias IA Eklundh, Pantera, Megadeth, Beth Hart, Clann Zu, Dream Theater, Mew, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Rush, Genesis, Jeff Beck, Ravi Shankar, Muse, Spock's Beard, Marillion, Peter Gabriel, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Prince, The Ark, Whitesnake and lots more.
Sounds Like
My guitar playing sounds like this:
For a sample of the music I make, check the myspace player. Those four tracks pretty much represent the direction I'm going in music. Though I also write more standard pop/soul/rock type of songs where I also sing. I hope to record those songs some time in the not-too distant future. Since the myspace player only allows for four songs to be uploaded, go here to check out my other tracks.
Gear: Two guitars - a Jem7vWH and a Carvin 127C. I record all my guitar playing using my guitar straight into a Digitech GNX2 effects processor pedal board into my external Creative Audigy 2 ZS audio card. For a live sound, I use a Mesa Boogie 50 watt combo. I forget which model it is (doesn't say!). I also use a Cry Baby wah and whatever effects pedals I might find laying about.
I started playing when I was 14 and I guess you could say music was my first love. Well, only love so far, I guess.
I'd say I'm self-taught, though of course I've picked up things from my father, who's a blues rock guitarist and my friends and pretty much everybody I've played with.
My first huge influence was Eddie Van Halen, who made me want to pick up the guitar in the first place. After Eddie, I suppose Steve Vai (I'm a member of this wonderful forum) has had the biggest impact on my playing. I'm also a very big fan of various styles of ethnic music. Especially Indian and Chinese and so I try to incorporate phrasing and melodic sensibilities from those styles into my own, more progressive and experimental style.
I love instrumental music and I love challenging myself with odd-time signatures and so-called 'difficult' rhythms. I'm also a big fan of improvisational passages in music and love both playing and listening to long sections of individual solos and how one in a band tosses melodic and rythmic ideas from one another.
Lastly, my ideal music situation would be a huge band consisting a small string section, an ethnic flute player, a tabla player, a sitarist, a Chinese Violinist, a couple of singers from Les Mystéres des Voix Bulgares and a standard four-piece rock band set-up. Now that would be cool. The music would be a combination of progressive rock, Indian, Chinese and Balkan ethnic music and good, solid melodies.
Yeah, big Star Wars fan. But really, I enjoy all kinds of films. I'm also a big fan of animated films, especially Hayao Miyazaki's films. My favourite actors include Johnny Depp, Bill Nighy, Rachel Weisz, Anthony Hopkins, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Campbell, Christopher Walken, Cate Blanchett, Willem DaFoe, Al Pacino, Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, Lance Henriksen etc. Fave directors - Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg, David Cronenberg, Bryan Singer, David Fincher, Ridley Scott, George Lucas, David Lynch, George A.Romero, Sam Raimi and early John Carpenter
2.Video Games:
I suppose this represents the geek in me, which I would never deny or try to change. I love playing my PS2 (soon to be PS3 when my budget allows for it) and my fave games are the Silent Hill series, the Pro Evolution Soccer series and the Wipeout games. Currently really loving this wonderful Japanese game called Okami
3.Comic Books:
I've always had a thing for comic books. It started out with Superman comics, then over to Spider-Man and other Marvel comics. In my teens I started reading everything by Frank Miller, like Ronin, Sin City, Batman and Daredevil. From then I discovered Neil Gaiman's Sandman books which I still hold as the best graphic novels ever written. In my late teens I really got into Elfquest and gravitated towards its beautiful art and very human stories. If you're a fan too, you should go to this forum, of which I'm a member.
Hey Tom! I LOVEEEE your music! Thank you for the req!
I love your chinese-influenced-song! You play erhu!? I love that instrument, I can't play it though, I am thinking of learning it. You inspired me so much. I occasionally play chinese music with my guitars though hahah... just for fun.
I really really hope to meet up with you one day and make some jam.
Dear Tom, I just wanted to tell you your comment was so good that I am using the quote as the headline of the Tribute Page! Of course with your name on it! She could not get a cooler comment than that!! I love it and Lisa will too when she sees it! I hope you are complimented by this and it is ok with you!! Let me know, Phoenix xx
Hey Tom, Yes I have Drastic Measures on cassette, and Pretty Girls also that I found in a second hand store!! I have cds for whomanfoursays, autographed by Lisa, She and Whore! The only one I do not have is the very first! I have all the videos available on the page, I keep checking to see if any others come up, but none lately! I think we all want a new album if possible!! Maybe if Lisa sees enough comments about it, she could do it all herself, she plays all the instruments, and can write and sing all the songs too! LOL!! Take care, Phoenix xx
Dear Tom, Well I agree with you , we all want more Dalbello!! I will do my best to find out what old stuff is available, I just had someone in Norway say they could not find Whore anywhere either! Lisa is very busy these days, it may take a while but I will investigate! I have Drastic Measures and Pretty Girls on cassette, I found them at a second hand store, but I have never heard the first one at all! Take care, Phoenix xx
