I started learning how to play guitar in July of 1989. That was when my friend Bill surprised me by paying off my first guitar which I had on lay-away for almost a year. I literally slept with it (OK just once.)
A year before that, Bill and I had formed a band (Scryer) with our friend Ron. It was the usual garage/basement thing (though I would have argued that point then.) From 1988 to the summer of 1990 we went through several guitar players. We played 2 gigs. I spent most of the time between 1989 to 1995 just writing songs and learning how to play.
In 1995 I hooked up with my nephew Mike McGowan (The Greatest Funeral Ever) and his friend Tim Kenee (Espenshade) and we formed Walk Like Shaggy – an instrumental jazz-rock-funk-blues-type thing. Eventually we were found by Chris Auxt (who was playing guitar in another band and volunteered to play bass for us.) We played our first gig in September of 1996. That project lasted for 6 years. We played more than 2 gigs. (Not to leave anyone out...DJ and bass player Zachary Romanoski also contributed to that project.)
In 2007 I started playing out again after a 7-year break. My wife bought me a Martin guitar for my birthday. I played coffee houses and did the singer/song-writer bit. It was occasionally fun. Apparently it was also a bit frightening. I once had an audience member ask me if I was angry at my guitar.
That same year I met Glen Mann (a bass player, drummer, and guitarist from York) and we started jamming and coming up with some crazy ambient-techno-progressive-groove stuff (which we briefly called The Disguise until I discovered the name was taken.) We tried to find a drummer but it didn’t happen. We both decided to move on to other things.
In 2009 I decided to post another ad on Craig’s list for the specific purpose of putting together a trio. Drew was first to answer my ad and then Chris. The three of us hit it off right away. It literally felt like I had known these guys forever. I was very excited and extremely happy to be playing with 2 great musicians who had a similar vision, amazing skills, and a diverse resume of experience. And so the adventure began again.
We started recording our first album together sometime around March or April of 2010. The entire recording process spanned another 12 months (with some long pauses in between.) In May of 2011 I began working on mastering the album. We had just started making our plans for distribution, promotion, and possible airplay when Chris announced that he was going to have to leave the band due to personal reasons. That was a rough week...but I understood his decision and had no choice but to support him in it. We put off releasing the album until August 5th. We also opted to release it as a download only...at least temporarily until we could find a replacement for Chris and could get back in good form to perform it live. We went back to Craig's List and in January of 2012 we announced that Shawn Kepner would be our new drummer. Shawn is a great player, a lot of fun, and I'm thrilled to have him in this band with us. I feel renewed and I can't wait to get back out and play live. An ominous void has been filled...a ponderous weight has been lifted.
My musical tastes vary widely and so do my influences…I think. Quite honestly I’m not sure who I’ve taken most of my technique from. I never had any formal training (with the exception of a semester of piano in college.) I learned from books (THE GUITAR HANDBOOK by RALPH DENYER!!!) and watching other people. That’s it. Some of the players that I’ve really focused on are Tony Iommi, Joe Satriani, Joe Pass, Jimi Hendrix, John Scofield, Charlie Hunter, Leo Kotke, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Peter Frampton.
As for my equipment, I play mostly Schecter guitars. I discovered them in the late 90s and I've been a fan ever since. I switch between 6 and 7-string models depending on the feel of the song. At this point, I am still fiddling with amplification. Currently I use a solid state rig with a Carvin 1000 watt power amp and two 2x10 BLB custom made cabinets. For effects I am currently using a Digitech RP-1000 multi-effects processor, along with a Line 6 M9 pedal modeller, a Boss SL20 Slicer pedal, and a Digitech Jamman. For keys I use a Roland RS70 and a Kaysound controller.
