9 South APEX + Band in Waterford, MI

SEEKING

ABOUT

We are a heavy metal / hard rock band based out of North Oakland County. Originally we started while becoming friends attending college together, playing local parties and bars. The original line-up consisted of Jim Deo on lead guitar and background vocals, Tony Foust on bass and vocals, Ryan Sadro on rhythm guitar and Bryan Talaski on drums. We all collaborated in the music writing and arranging process, as we started writing originals at that time, as well as cover tunes. We let the band scene drift away as we all got on career paths and work-driven, we still kept playing in the interim, when life permitted. We have re-united again later in life (post graduation, after marriage/children and career paths) to once again bring performing on stage back into our lives via the music we love to play. We are very passionate about our music and our pursuit of success in the music industry. A demo is in the works at the moment to book some more gigs for the summer/fall/winter, as well as to utilize some connections we have in the business to help us propel our sound into the mainstream. We will be playing local bars and nightclubs as well as a few private parties starting this summer. Besides playing cover songs for gigs and fun (Metallica, Godsmack, Ozzy, Danzig, Buckcherry and Theory of a Deadman to name a few), we also perform our own tunes as well.

We have been friends since 1996 (when we started together) and we all grew up playing music of one sort or another in our formative years. We have been in concert symphonies, jazz bands as well as rock bands during our development as musicians. We take great pride in the music we write, arrange and play, as it is our chance to really express ourselves to the rock world. Our influences have been instrumental in our writing, as we write similarly to the music we listen to and inspires us, so we know it grabs the audience as well. Although we play primarily metal / hardcore rock, we also enjoy and appreciate other subcategories of music, from punk to fusion, classical to jazz, country to funk, we like to experience any genre or style of music that speaks to you. The bond that you make with the listener and the musicianship is all that really matters most. As long as you can make that connection with the crowd or with a band you venture to see, with music as the vehicle, it is good music to us. Our drummer, Bryan Talaski, also plays percussion for another area band, gods of Rahsero, which is in the studio mixing down their second release.

We practice 2 to 3 times per week (1-2 nights after work as well as Sunday nights, usually) to work on set-list(s), original music composition and recording (if need be). We practice at our bunker we have dubbed "The Citadel". We have a practice room for the stacks and big cabinets (with a fridge, micro and full bath), as well as a studio room (where we have the computers/recording & monitoring equipment/studio amps) where we lay down tracks, have "quieter" practice sessions and work on arrangements. As stated previously, we are very passionate about creating music and we take advantage of almost any opportunity that presents itself to do so. Though we are out to ultimately have fun (which we always do) we however, take this very seriously and treat it with the respect it deserves. We are all good friends and have a great vibe when we work together. This is a direct reflection of the respect we give the band, the music and most importantly, each other. We will be heading out to bring our new tunes to the masses soon, so keep your ears open. Get in, sit down, shut up and enjoy the ride!

Screen name:

9SouthAPEX

Member since:

May 12 2011

Active over 1 month ago

Level of commitment:

Committed

Years together:

20

Gigs played:

10 to 50

Tend to practice:

2-3 times per week

Age:

48 years

Influences

Metallica (HUGE fans for most of our lives!), Avenged Sevenfold (amazing guitar skills and unique arrangements), Slipknot (music ability and stage presence), Slayer (creepy melodies and ground crushing riffs), Megadeth (speed and jazz infused melodies), White Zombie (vocal skills and unique arrangements), Godsmack (vocal ability and creative arrangements), Pantera (killer riffs and vocal dynamics), Black Sabbath (the originals!), Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society (huge walls of sound and creative arrangements), Type O Negative (eerie arrangements and vocal harmonies), Diamondhead and the NWOBHM (influences to our influences, the pioneers) just to name a few and why...........

Members Of Band

LEFT TO RIGHT IN PHOTOS:

Jim - Lead Guitar / Vocals
Bryan - Drums
Tony - Bass Guitar / Vocals

EQUIPMENT

HERE IS A VERY, VERY DETAILED LIST OF THE GEAR 9 SOUTH APEX USES

BASS EQUIPMENT: SWR 750X *MAIN RIG* (750W Hybrid w/ Foot-Switchable Octaver and Tube Overdrive) Bass Head, Gallien Krueger MB700II *BACK-UP RIG* (550W Solid State) Bass Head, Orange OBC 4 x 10 & 1 x 15 (1000W) Bass Cabinets, Ampeg BA-115 (150W) Studio Bass Amp, Ampeg BA-112 (100W) Studio Bass Amp, Hartke Studio Bass Amp (20W) Vox Studio Bass Amp (w/ Overdrive). VooDoo Labs Pedal Power 2 (Pedal Power Brick), Dunlop/MXR effects (Bass Wah, Slash Wah & EQ/DI/Distortion Pedal), Electro Harmonix (BassBalls, Big Muff) Pedals, Tech 21 NYC (VT Bass Overdrive) Pedals, Keeley (Twilight Zone Metal Zone Modded Distortion) Pedal, TC Electronics (PolyTune & Corona Stereo Chorus) Pedals, Boss (Bass Stereo Chorus & TU-3 Tuner) Pedals with Pedal Train Board. Planet Waves Pedal Cable Kit, Eminence Premium Bass Speakers in OBC Cabs, Livewire Speak-On Cables and Monster Power Protection.

LEAD GUITAR EQUIPMENT: ENGL Fireball 100 *MAIN RIG* (100W All Tube Drive with Foot Switch) Guitar Head, Crate 250 *BACK-UP RIG* (150W Solid State) Guitar Head, Blackstar HT-5 (Foot-switchable Tube Distortion and ISF Amp-Modeling 20W) Studio Amp, Line 6 Spider (Solid State 75W w/ Amp Modeling and Studio Effects) Studio Amp, Line 6 FBV MarkII Studio Effects Board, Mesa/Boogie 4 x 12 (400W) Guitar Cabinet, Crate 4 x 12 (300W). Dunlop/MXR (Kirk Hammett Wah, Phaser 90, Carbon Copy Delay & Zakk Wylde Chorus) Pedals, Line 6 (Verbzilla Reverb) Pedal and Boss/DOD (Studio Effects Board) Multi-Effects Pedal. Eminence Premier Guitar Cabinet Speakers.

BASSES AND ELECTRONICS/PICKUPS: Warwick Basses (Corvette Double Buck Passive/Active Hybrid 5 String w/ Hipshot X-Tender De-Tuner), Fender USA (American Standard 5 String P-Bass Hot-Rodded w/ Nordstrand NP5 Pickups and John East Retro P-Bass Active Pre-Amp System (Bass Boost, Mid Sweep, 4dB Volume Boost, and Tone Control) w/ Internal Rechargeable Battery and LED indicator), Ernie Ball MusicMan Bass (Stealth Stingray 4 String w/ Hipshot Double Stop X-Tender De-Tuner), Gibson USA (SG Re-Issue Bass 4 String & Thunderbird Bass "Morte" 4 String), Godin Guitars (BG5 5 String Fretless Bass w/Di'Addario Custom Flatwounds). Basses Strung with DR Strings (Black Beauties) Bass Strings. Hipshot Bass X-Tender De-Tuners (Double Stop on 4 String and Single Stop on 5 String).

GUITARS AND PICKUPS/HARDWARE: ESP Guitars (ESP M-100 & LTD EC-50 Hot-Rodded w/ EMG 81(B)+85(N) Zakk Wylde Custom Active Humbucker Pickup Set and Custom All Black Hardware), Gibson USA (24 Fret 50th Anniversary Limited Edition SG, CUSTOM SHOP 1961 VOS Re-Issue SG, Flying V Hot-Rodded w/ Bare Knuckle Hand-Wound Humbucker Warpig Pickups w/ Custom High Output Ceramic Magnets and Custom Black Battle Worn Distressed Covers), Jackson Guitars (PS4 w/ Seymour Duncan Dimebucker Humbucker P/U (B), Seymour Duncan '59 Humbucker P/U (N), Seymour Duncan Single Coil P/U (M) and Original Floyd Rose Tremolo), Ibanez Guitars (Team J. Craft Custom PRESTIGE RG Series Electric Guitar & PF Acoustic Guitar), Fender USA (Acoustic Guitar), Peavey (Stratocaster). All Guitars Strung with DR Strings (K3 Coated Red Devils, Black Beauties, Silver Stars or DDT's). EMG (81's on ESP's (B) and 85's on ESP EC-50 (N)) Active Humbucker Guitar Pickups, Nordstrand (NP5 on Fender P-5) Bass Pickups, MEC (Double Humbucker on Warwick Corvette Corvette 5 String and on MusicMan Stingray 4 String) Bass Pickups, Seymour Duncan (5 String Basslines Active Pickups on Fretless), Seymour Duncan Humbucker (Distortion on Ibanez (B), SB-2 Jazz on Ibanez PRESTIGE (N), Dimebucker on Jackson PS4 (B) and '59 on Jackson PS4) Guitar Pickups and Bare Knuckle (Warpig Hand-Wound Humbuckers w/ Custom High-Output Ceramic Magnets and Custom Black Battle Worn Nickel Distressed Covers) Guitar Pickups. Gotoh and Sperzel Locking Guitar Tuners. Floyd Rose Guitar Tremelo's and WD Music Products Custom Pick-guards.

PERCUSSION: *MAIN SET* Tama Percussion (Hyperdrive Superstar Series Including; Professional Series Snare, 2 Set Toms and 2 Floor Toms and Hardware), Zildjian Percussion (2 "A Custom" Crash Cymbals, 1 Custom Made "K Custom Dry Ride and 1 "A Custom" Ride Cymbal). *STUDIO SET* Pearl Drums (Forum Series Including; 2 Set Toms, Snare, 1 Floor Tom and Hardware) and Pearl Drums (14" Crash Cymbal, 20" Ride Cymbal and 14" Hi Hat Cymbals). DR Drum (DW 9000PB Pro Double Kick Pedal and DW 9000 Series Pro Hi Hat Pedal), Evans Percussion (EC2 Drum Heads on Main set), Remo Percussion (Drum Heads on Studio Set). Roc-N-Soc (Throne for Main Set) and Pearl Drums (Throne for Studio Set). Vic Firth Percussion (Drum Sticks). WolfPack Accessories (Drum Kit Padded Carrying Cases).

MICROPHONES / CABLES: Shure Microphones (Beta SM-58's for live/vocals & SM-57's for cabinets, percussion and studio vocals) and Audio Technica (Midnight Blues) Vocal Microphones. Line 6 Wireless (XDS95 Digital Wireless Systems for Basses and Guitars). Jamstands Microphone Stands and Booms. Dunlop Microphone Stand Pick Holders. Mogami, Planet Waves, Elixir, Monster, George L's cables.

RECORDING/MIXING/ COMPUTING EQUIPMENT / STUDIO ACCESSORIES: Cubebase Studio Recording / Mixing Software and Zoom (H4N) Tracking / Recording / MIDI Audio Interface for Recording and Mixing. Apple MacBook Pro Laptops / Dell Latitude D620 Business Laptops & Desktops. M-Audio (Studiophile AV 40) Studio Monitors. (Beats Studio Pro, Solo and Ear Bud) Stereo Headphones. Apple iPod's, iPd’s, iPod's and Connection Cables. JVC (Bigscreen Television), Yamaha Co. (Surround Sound Entertainment System with Speaker Set), Sony (DVD/CD Player).

MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT: Warwick RockCase Guitar Racks, SKB Guitar & Equipment Cases, Gator Guitar Cases & Road Ready Cases/Rack Boxes. JamStand Guitar Stands, Dunlop Tortex Picks (Bass 1.ooMM & Guitar 1.24MM). DR K3 Coated (Red Devil, Black Beauty, Silver Star and DDT) Bass and Guitar Strings. Levy's, Franklin Strap, Planet Waves and Dunlop Guitar Straps with Schaller Strap Locks (on All Basses and Guitars) or Dunlop Strap locks. Fender Jam Room Stools. Ernie Ball, Snap-On, Mac, Craftsman and Planet Waves Tools and Equipment Service Products. Ernie Ball and Dunlop Instrument Care Products.

…………… And that is pretty much it for the moment. We are not insane, we just really making music and these are tools that faciltate that. The wider variety of tools used, the wider the results vary. We are always trying new equipment, amps, effects, etc, experimenting with a wide variety of sounds. With this arsenal of rigs and guitars we are able to play in many different tunings (Drop D and E most often, but will do C# and Drop C also, and Drop A at the bottom) as well as experimenting with distinct and unique tones. We are very dedicated to what we do and are very proud to use the aforementioned gear, as it has proven its worth to use time in and time out, very dependable.

MUSIC