Fratjunk

Downloads

• Fuel - Shimmer
• Matchbox 20 - Disease
• Sublime - Santaria

About

I am a self-taught guitar player who plays acoustic and electric rhythm and lead guitar. I like and enjoy playing all kinds of rock and guitar based music. I can sing some backup vocals but what I can cover depends on the vocal range and how involved the underlying guitar part is. I have written, played, recorded, arranged and produced music from previous bands I was in. I have also run sound and lights in live production. I dabble in guitar repair and set up and maintain my own guitars. I have a basic studio and practice area in my home for recording, practicing and learning material.

My musical approach when playing covers is to try my best to accurately recreate the guitar work of the original song - down to the guitar tone and playing style. I work hard at it and built a couple rigs that are versatile and easy to use in live applications. I also work well in and actually prefer two guitar bands. When writing original guitar parts I try to draw on my influences and imagine what their approach would be and try different ideas until I find something that fits.

When I am involved in a project or in a band I am committed. I come to practice and to gigs prepared and ready to rock-n-roll. Any band I am in is going to have like-minded people. I'm not a "natural talent" so I've always had to work hard to get where I am as a guitarist...which, by the way, will never ever be where I WANT to be no matter how much I practice. Not to come across as some stiff neck, I first and foremost believe that music is supposed to be a creative and fun experience for all involved - band, crew, and audience. But I do feel that a band that is well rehearsed and well prepared will not only sound good, but will also be able to enjoy themselves while playing which will be infectious and carry the night.

My stage experience includes playing in a couple of successful local acts - a hard rock/heavy metal band in the 80's and 90's called "Firestorm" and then a modern & classic rock band in the early 2000's called "Primed". You can hear recordings of Primed in the music section.

Influences

My earliest musical influences were The Beatles, The Stones, Jethro Tull, America, The Beach Boys, Chicago, Elton John, The Guess Who, The Who, Cream, and Grand Funk.

After that it was Boston, Foreigner, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Bad Company, Frampton, The Cars, Styx, Cheap Trick, Queen, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pink Floyd, ZZ Top, AC/DC, Yes, Heart, The Doors, etc.

But what made me pick up a guitar was hard rock and power metal - bands like Van Halen, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, The Scorpions, Rush, Triumph, Queensryche, Ozzy Osbourne (Randy Rhodes), and of course still Led Zeppelin.

I also like a lot of other bands and players like SRV, Joe Jackson, Steely Dan, The Allman Brothers, U2, STP, The Chili Peppers, The Police, Pearl Jam, The Black Crowes, and innumerable other classic rock and blues artists.

There are so many great musicians and guitarists out there it is impossible to say who is the best - but if I had to pick the one guitarist who influences me most, I would have to say it is Jimmy Page.

Equipment List

Guitars -

- American Strat (HSS)
- American Sambora Strat (HSS)
- Guild Bluesbird AAA Flametop
- American BC Rich Strat Type
- Les Paul copy upgraded with Seymour Duncans
- Ovation Acoustic
- Mandolin

Rig #1: Marshall JCM 2000 TSL100 Head running through a Carvin 4x12 Cabinet and using a Behringer midi pedal to control a Rocktron Replifex, a Rockman EQ (lead boost), a Rockman Midi Octopus (midi amp switching), a Korg Tuner, a Crybaby wah, and a power conditioner.

Rig #2: Marshall JCM 2000 DSL401 1x12 Combo and using a Behringer midi pedal to switch the amp and to control a Rocktron Intellifex, a Korg Tuner, and a Crybaby wah.

Rig #3: Marshall JCM800 50 Watt single channel head through the Carvin cab using an A/B box and a Roland GT-3 and Crybaby wah for effects.

I also have a Crate 2 x 12 combo, various Boss effects pedals, 2 x CS800 power amps, a mixer, EQs, Crossover, digital effects units, BBE Sonic Maximizer, two Yamaha speakers/monitors, SM58 & SM57 microphones, mic stands, music stands, and a Conn Strobotuner.