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Post by Shawnee on Dec 18, 2005 9:54:49 GMT -5
Nice bio Jim (not that I give a rip). Ha! I guess I'm a tweener (I'm 36) since I'm not a kid anymore but I'm not up to Quatro status yet. I was born in a small town in Texas in 1969........ OK I won't go that far back. My Dad plays guitar and since he's always been my hero, I wanted to play too. I tinkered at about 10 years old and got a little more serious at 12. When I was 13 Mom and Dad baught me a guitar for Christmas. I played bass in a band in high school (maybe 3 or 4 gigs) and a band in college (one gig) and graduated and moved. I didn't play with anyone else for ten years. Started playing in a blues rock 70's type band for a couple of years until the drummer and bass player split to play with the local hero's because the played every weekend. I enjoyed practice more than the gigs to be honest. I got that out of my system and now I just play for myself. I am very actice in my church and am a born again Christian. I am very interested in helping people meet Jesus. When I talked to Scott, I was very happy to hear his testamony. What a great guy! I'm the high school sunday school teacher at my church and run sound there. They always ask me to play guitar but I just don't want to. I'm not sure that I would be doing it for the right reasons. I am a perfectionist (even though nothing I do ever turns out perfect) so I would probably be doing it for me instead of the Lord. I don't really like to be the center of attention so I like being behind the scenes. I have a wonderful wife who I have been with since high school and have two kids (Ashley 16 and Zachary 12). My wife does MRI at a hospital and I am over the clinical engineering department (repairs and preventative maintenance of medical equipment) at three local hospitals. I love music but my real hobby is Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I have been training in various arts for years but BJJ is my favorite. I have trained with some great fighters like Royce Gracie and am teaching with a friend of mine at a local mixed martial arts school. I'll wrestle you for your Splawn?!?!?!?!  |
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Post by shreder75 on Dec 18, 2005 10:15:28 GMT -5
jesus, I'm surrounded by quatrogenerians! I'd give my credentials, but they're not that impressive and I don't think anyone would care so I'm not going to...lol Go for it! us old guys gotta see what you younguns are up to!  I have no credentials...lol....I play guitar, and I like the incredible hulk and video games....that's about it..LOL |
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Post by Dirrty Craig on Dec 18, 2005 13:55:40 GMT -5
I already had a bio from MySpace.com/craigsmith
here it is..
I was born and raised in Canton, Ohio. I gradually moved farther north as I grew up and became a big fan of the late 80's Cleveland/Akron Metal scene which was a big reason for me to pick up a guitar. There was some great talent in that area, Neil Zaza, Johnny and Freddy Demarco, Dave Rudolph, Billy Morris (Warrant), Mike Szuter (Paul Gilbert), Russ Parrish (Fight, Atomic Punks).
I started playing guitar in 1987 or so and was influenced by all of the usual guitar heroes you would expect of that era including but not limited to Eddie Van Halen, George Lynch, Warren DeMartini, Yngwie etc. It was around 88' or 89' that I met the guy who would shape my playing more than anyone, Dan Page. He was in a local Metal band called Lanz End who sounded alot like early Queensryche, Dream Theater and early Yngwie. I used to go to every gig and did tech work for Dan as well. I was the only friend he had who could change strings on a Floyd, so he let me hang out and I got to meet some great musicians at the same time. It was around 1990 that they lost their other guitarist and I was able to audition and get the gig. Playing with Dan opened everything up for me and forced me to acquire some technique and harmony skills. I used to practice for 10 hours just to learn his parts and his style left an impression on my playing that is there to this day. We wrote some great stuff together and got some local Cleveland radio airplay and had a nice local following, but nothing ever came of it and I left in 1991.
About his time I met the second most influential musician in my life, Rick Usko. Rick was a singer/Guitarist playing in a local rock/blues/lounge act and needed a lead player to do a fill-in gig for a weekend. He had already been playing 200+ shows per year since the early 80's and could sing and play guitar better than anyone I've ever seen. Rick taught me about tone, improvisation and playing live while our singer Jack taught me how to drink and like it. Over the next 8 years Rick and I played together in 2 very successful cover bands most notably The Nation and we played steady without any breaks for the bteter part of 8 years. I can't tell you how many gigs we played together, but my math says well over 1200 from '91 to '99. During this time I also had a great "dayjob" teaching guitar lessons at Lentines Music in Akron, OH. When I left I had 70 students per week and a waiting list of no less than 20 people.
In 1999 I moved to sunny Florida with my beautiful wife Celeste (Rick's Sister). I got real lucky, real quick and landed a great gig with a regional touring band called SuperFreak. We played Disco, Funk, Rock and everything in-between at some of the most beatiful places I've ever seen in my life. We had a house gig on Marco Island for 9 months and I played the y2k New Years in Ft Meyers, FL in front of over 22,000 people. One thing I didn't like was touring and being on the road which eventually led to my leaving and the subsequent break-up of the band.
In the past 2 years, I've gone full-circle back to my 80's roots playing in Dirrty Hairy (http://www.DirrtyHairy.com) A Tribute to 80's Metal. This band is everything I always wanted to do back in the day, but was too busy doing orginal stuff and working on my chops! Now I get to enjoy myself onstage again, drink like a retard and hang out with my best friends. We play loud, hard and in your face over 100 gigs per year and enjoy every second of it. In the past year alone we've opened up for Slaughter, Skid Row, Molly Hatchet, FireHouse and Jackyl.
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Post by jimbax on Dec 18, 2005 15:13:22 GMT -5
queensryche was a band with a lot of class..(Empire, operation mindcrime & before..) lost there 'direction'...I used to really like them then saw a concert a few weeks ago (on satellite tv) and they are DONE!! they are trying to bring a 'new metal' style like Staind or there abouts...sad...(IMHO)..man 200 shows a year? I don't know if I have 200 shows to my career? BRUTAL...ever break a string on a floyd in the middle of a solo??? THE HORROR! Looks like you are in the right place at the right time for the 'resurgence' of the 80s metal scene... definitely POPULAR right now...But our trendy society quickly gets bored  ( I notice that a lot of 80s metal bands are striking while the iron is hot and putting together a quick tour or 2 even if they can't get the original members together...) At least you get to remain local and skip the touring....which is something I refused to do (tour long term anyways). You get to enjoy the music you love and hang with friends and meet new ones already established in the industry! AND you get to drink like a retard! (singer taught you how to 'drink and like it'.. hehehe) Why move from the home of the football hall o' fame? |
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Post by jimbax on Dec 18, 2005 15:23:01 GMT -5
Nice bio Jim (not that I give a rip). Ha! I guess I'm a tweener (I'm 36) since I'm not a kid anymore but I'm not up to Quatro status yet. I was born in a small town in Texas in 1969........ OK I won't go that far back. My Dad plays guitar and since he's always been my hero, I wanted to play too. I tinkered at about 10 years old and got a little more serious at 12. When I was 13 Mom and Dad baught me a guitar for Christmas. I played bass in a band in high school (maybe 3 or 4 gigs) and a band in college (one gig) and graduated and moved. I didn't play with anyone else for ten years. Started playing in a blues rock 70's type band for a couple of years until the drummer and bass player split to play with the local hero's because the played every weekend. I enjoyed practice more than the gigs to be honest. I got that out of my system and now I just play for myself. I am very actice in my church and am a born again Christian. I am very interested in helping people meet Jesus. When I talked to Scott, I was very happy to hear his testamony. What a great guy! I'm the high school sunday school teacher at my church and run sound there. They always ask me to play guitar but I just don't want to. I'm not sure that I would be doing it for the right reasons. I am a perfectionist (even though nothing I do ever turns out perfect) so I would probably be doing it for me instead of the Lord. I don't really like to be the center of attention so I like being behind the scenes. I have a wonderful wife who I have been with since high school and have two kids (Ashley 16 and Zachary 12). My wife does MRI at a hospital and I am over the clinical engineering department (repairs and preventative maintenance of medical equipment) at three local hospitals. I love music but my real hobby is Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I have been training in various arts for years but BJJ is my favorite. I have trained with some great fighters like Royce Gracie and am teaching with a friend of mine at a local mixed martial arts school. I'll wrestle you for your Splawn?!?!?!?! Let's see...you're a Christian (bonus)....you like rockin' guitars and amps (Splawn that is..) (bonus)...AND you are an expert at openning a can of wupp*ss on anyone that confronts you physically (bonus)....Dude! you move on to the bonus round!!! (applause!!!)..... Me, I have a 9mm and a 16 round clip for those that want to give my wife and I any grief  (for 'defense' that is...)... |
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Post by craggin on Dec 18, 2005 20:37:51 GMT -5
Cool thread.
Let's see...my real name is Erik and I first wanted to play guitar when I saw Johnny Cash's variety show. That dude hit the stage in all black with a guitar draped over his back...even at that age I thought the dude was over the top cool. I'm 38 now, but was in my first band at the age of 12. I played throughout high school in Pennsylvania and into college where I started studying jazz for a bit as I wanted to transfer to Berklee. Well, my parents weren't having any of that...so I stuck it out and kept studying while still doing the band thang. The band started going places (and we even opened for some pretty huge names), had a nice record deal, decent representation...and a lead singer with an ego the size of Wyoming. Things started getting "not fun" really fast and I made a strategic decision...pursue a career with my college degree. Well I got married and began my career, putting the guitar on hold for what turned out to be about 10 years. In that time period, I watched my career really take off, got to travel the world, took wonderful vacations, had everything I could possibly want...then I had an epiphany...I was miserable. After finding out my life wasn't making me happy, I got slammed with the news that my dad had cancer...I didn't care because we never got along. Then my mother almost died with pancreatitis (sp?)...that sort of got my attention. Then, a few years later, my dad has a heart attack in front of me and almost died (again). He got a quad bypass and I figured it was time to reconcile...we did...but I felt bad because I only did it because I knew he didn't have much time left. Next up, my favorite and closest relative to me (my uncle) had a horrific accident and suffered 3rd degree burns over 80% of his body. He lay in a vegetated state on a hospital bed for over 2 years while everyone tried to figure out what to do..he finally died before anyone could. By this point (and I'm leaving out a bunch of stuff) I was angry about everything...and I just withdrew from everyone...my wife included. I left her so lonely that I gave her no choice but to divorce me...it was for the better. I say that because I finally realized that I needed to create my own destiny and stop feeling sorry for myself. Instead of doing what was "expected" of me from other people, I started being good to myself. That's pretty much when I threw myself back into the guitar. I still have the same career, but view it as a means to an end...it funds my lifestyle, I certainly don't equate my identity with it. (In fact, when people ask me what I do, I usually tell them all the things I do EXCEPT what I do for a living.)
I then happened to be cruising the universe when it came grinding to a halt...I met a free-spirited person who "got what I'm about" and married her (she actually proposed to me in a very grandiose fashion...but that is a story for another thread). She had a daughter from a previous marriage and we had a son together earlier this year. I've never loved anything so much in my entire life...he's with me every single second that's possible. Some of you that cruise other forums have had to put up with me gratuitously putting up pictures of him whenever I get a chance.
Wow, I've never admitted this stuff publicly before...seems kind of strange, yet liberating. I give a rip about all of you...guess that's why. Sorry for the lengthy post.
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Post by Dirrty Craig on Dec 18, 2005 21:10:24 GMT -5
Great post craggin and a touching story. I heart you man!
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Post by jimbax on Dec 18, 2005 21:18:47 GMT -5
Man, knowing people's stories help out a TON as to know 'WHO' we are talking to when we surf this forum...Man, craggin, I know what you mean when you say: "I usually tell them all the things I do EXCEPT what I do for a living" I am the same way (as are most of the guys here...)...it means that: 'we are not what we do' and that is the beginning of a meaningful and liberating life (I know alot of people that are trapped in their careers ..) That's why I like coming on here (or wherever) run some smack, learn, help out, laugh (you guys make me laugh)...what is life without laughter??? I ENJOY this forum....I come here because I enjoy it! Carry on Bro! Oh...BTW, I had a lead singer and best friend with an ego the size of JUPITER! Cliche but true... |
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Post by Hacksaw on Dec 18, 2005 22:36:08 GMT -5
Craggin you put a lot of things in persepective. Thanks for sharing the events. Like Dirrty craig said. heart goes out, and its taken to heart. I never thought about the job as being the means to an end. but you and Jimbax are right. I always felt that the job was part of me ( rather I liked it or not) and who I am, as I had to spend time there and it ends up reflecting. I was phased into " the machine" into the collective borg. But it is really the means to a end, as I would rather do about anything to play music all day ( god knows I need the practice!! ) or at least do something I really enjoy. Thanks for the enlightment. I am thinking I need to rewrite my intro. LOL... hit home Erik! Thanks..
Now we need to start this new thread on how your wife proposed to ya! :-) Sounds interestin. My proposed to me as well but in more of a hippie fashion. " hey ya wanna get married? " I said sure. That was 19.8 years ago, and still in love.
Thanks for posting Craggin.
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Post by jimbax on Dec 18, 2005 23:17:56 GMT -5
if you 'become what you do' then you you are in grave danger of becoming "THE MAN" and we all know that "THE MAN" is the enemy...to us 'SOUL SURFERS" anyways...believe me..I'm not advocating being irresponsible or a loser...but PRIORITIES!!! I'm in a partnership in a high stress aviation industry...I insist on ENJOYING my work and life! I don't want to get too philosophical but, life, joy, love, peace, living ABOVE the circumstances instead of beneath them, laughing, CHOOSING to succeed in excellence without 'selling out' that's what I'm sayin'....
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Post by Hacksaw on Dec 18, 2005 23:51:32 GMT -5
if you 'become what you do' then you you are in grave danger of becoming "THE MAN" and we all know that "THE MAN" is the enemy...to us 'SOUL SURFERS" anyways...believe me..I'm not advocating being irresponsible or a loser...but PRIORITIES!!! I'm in a partnership in a high stress aviation industry...I insist on ENJOYING my work and life! I don't want to get too philosophical but, life, joy, love, peace, living ABOVE the circumstances instead of beneath them, laughing, CHOOSING to succeed in excellence without 'selling out' that's what I'm sayin'.... Your right on, Dont like the man! I been doing that stuff for so long its mundane and I let myself get into that mode. Smack me around get me outa the realm and back in to the soul surfin! Dude I think I need a road trip! ( without going to jail LOL ) |
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Post by craggin on Dec 19, 2005 8:06:29 GMT -5
Craig, Jimbax, Hacksaw...thank you, that means a lot to me. I spend every possible second I can trying to make sure my son and I don't suffer the same fate as me and my dad (and the things I went through). Fortunately, we made amends...but he's not well and I know (as does he) that his time is very limited here. I sort of figured out that my priorities were so out of whack fairly early in life (I think), and that sometimes living for the moment is all you have. I'm not suggesting reckless behavior, although I did go down that path too...but rather to enjoy what is right in front of you. Taking things for granted is such a waste of time.
Hacksaw...that's cool that your wife proposed to you, too. I'll share it in a future post...but let me say now, it almost didn't happen because Robbin Ford was in town that night and guess where I wanted to go? (She had other plans...and I wasn't being very cooperative.)
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Post by VomHalen on Dec 19, 2005 9:10:20 GMT -5
my name is jimmy vomvas and i'm a born again also....born again halenite
when i was a little boy i was a devout halenite...listened to fair warning in it's entirety once a week...we exchanged presents on edwardmas, january 26th, etc.
but then i sorta lost my way...i won't get into the details...but it involved sweep arpeggios.
now i'm back in the bosom of edward and feel peace.
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Post by jimbax on Dec 19, 2005 9:23:16 GMT -5
Boy, Mr. Vomvas....you are in danger of going to hal(en)...you best mend your ways.....I got bogged down in the muck and mire of sweep arps and picking too! It took me a while to realize that I wasn't Malmsteen or Frank Gambale (the EVIL inventor of the sweep method)....what did you get for 'Edwardmas' last year? a new Floyd Rose Tremolo??
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Post by jimbax on Dec 19, 2005 9:35:04 GMT -5
my name is jimmy vomvas and i'm a born again also....born again halenite when i was a little boy i was a devout halenite...listened to fair warning in it's entirety once a week...we exchanged presents on edwardmas, january 26th, etc. but then i sorta lost my way...i won't get into the details...but it involved sweep arpeggios. now i'm back in the bosom of edward and feel peace. Fair Warning?  I bowed at the TEMPLE of Van Halen's first album for years....but Fair Warning??? boy, you need an 'intervention' before it's too late! |
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( I notice that a lot of 80s metal bands are striking while the iron is hot and putting together a quick tour or 2 even if they can't get the original members together...) At least you get to remain local and skip the touring....which is something I refused to do (tour long term anyways). You get to enjoy the music you love and hang with friends and meet new ones already established in the industry! AND you get to drink like a retard! (singer taught you how to 'drink and like it'.. hehehe) Why move from the home of the football hall o' fame? 
(for 'defense' that is...)...
I bowed at the TEMPLE of Van Halen's first album for years....but Fair Warning??? boy, you need an 'intervention' before it's too late!