Guitars, vocals

What to say...hmmm...well, I started playing guitar when I was 17--yes, late bloomer, I guess.  I never really learned any cover tunes because I didn't have a good ear, and because the only reason I took up the guitar in the first place was to write my own music for my own lyrics.

I grew up first into the whole 70's prog scene and love Yes (both 70's and 80's versions), Jethro Tull, Kansas, Styx, Rush, etc, but then in the 80's I got into Triumph, if anyone remembers them.  Rik Emmett is still my favorite guitar player, singer, songwriter, and to this day my biggest influence--although, I don't feel that I sound much like him at all!!  It was mainly because of Rik that I have decided to have a positive focus to the music, and it is also because I got sick and tired of all the "oh woe is me" music of the 90's!!  Stop whining and do something about changing your situation if you don't like it so much!!  That's my attitude!

In the mid to late 80's, I heard Fates Warning for the first time, and I was hooked!  That brought me into the 90's and discovering Dream Theater, Shadow Gallery, Symphony X and eventually to my new favorite band, Pain of Salvation.  I must say that I don't necessarily agree with some of the ideological content of Pain of Salvation's songs, but their musical abilities, songwriting and vocals are mind blowing!!  The emotional power that they put into their concepts and music is incredibly moving on many different levels!

I like a lot of different styles, too (another reason that I love Rik Emmett--his command of jazz, classical, flamenco, fusion AND rock are unbelievable!), so you can catch me listening to Joe Pass, Al di Meola, Pat Metheny, Alan Holdsworth, Paco De Lucia, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Cage, Crumb, Vai, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Alex Masi, etc.

And last, but definitely not least, I am very influenced by some GREAT local Philadelphia original bands:  Noosphere, Divided Sky and Fountain of Tears.  Check the links page for more info on these bands and more of our favorite local bands and performers.

My Gear:

Guitars:  Custom Eric Christman 6 string and 7 string, Yamaha Pacifica 1421 and 812w, Yamaha RGX Standard, Yamaha Compass CPX15W acoustic.

Amp setup:  Mesa Triaxis, Mesa 20/20 poweramp, TC Electronics M300 effects processor, Mesa Recto 2X12 stereo cab.

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