INFLUENCES
shinecat@hotmail.com
INFLUENCES
Ever since I could remember, I had a desire to play an instrument. Even as a child when I'd visit where there was a piano, I'd get on it right away & start to make up songs, playing with two fingers. But no matter how often I'd ask my parents, they'd refuse to get an instrument or lessons for me, which would only make me want to play even more. Finally in my last month of high school, I bought a cheap guitar & amplifier. After graduating college, I experienced the thrill of jamming with other musicians & started to think more seriously about playing music.MUSICAL INFLUENCES: The bands that inspired me to start playing were Led Zeppelin & progressive groups like: Yes, Genesis & Pink Floyd. Also other 70's "Art Rock" artists like: Bowie, T-Rex, Roxy Music, the Strawbs, Manfred Mann, the Who, Mahogany Rush. Then, onto the jazz/rock/funk fusion of Jeff Beck & Jan Hammer. My goal was to create music that stood out from mainstream radio, yet remained accessible to the average listener. Later on, I got into the more mainstream styles of: Heart, Journey, Bryan Adams, Sting, Prince, Bonjovi, U2 & Amanda Marshall. Over the years, a subtle Jazz influence has come into my playing.
GUITAR INFLUENCES: Melodic players like: Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Mick Taylor. Niel Schon (Journey), Robin Trower, The Edge, Andy Summers & Robert Fripp. OBSCURE ARTISTS: Bill Nelson (BeBop Deluxe), Steve Hillage, Roger Fisher (Heart), Frank Marino & Walter Rossi. JAZZ ARTISTS: George Benson, Pat Metheney & Lenni Stern - At times, people have made comparisons to non-influences, like: Mark Knopfler & Joe Satrianni.
EXPERIENCE: I've been playing bars for over 20 years, in & around Montreal, the Laurentian area & Cornwall Ontario. In the early 90's I hosted 'Jam Nights' in downtown Montreal at the (in)famous "Station 10" bar, where I also did sound & led the house band for their bi-annual Elvis competions. Also doing sound for local bands, hosting Jams at the "Candy Store" bar & being a finalist for 2 years in the local Fender Guitar-Wars competition.
What makes me unique from most guitarists, are my creative use of effects pedals. With longer delay settings I create "loops" of phrases which I can play along to or harmonize with, often emulating keyboard sounds & eliminating the need for a rhythm guitarist. Part of my playing revolves around improvisation, I like to stretch things out at various points in certain songs. It gives an audience something different to hear every time they come. But I don't try to impress an audience with speed or technical ability. Anyone who's been playing for a while knows that it's about playing for the song & not about how many notes you can cram in.
People usually focus on the singer & melody of a tune, so I've learned to primarily support those elements. A big part of my playing is the use of melody & dynamics in chords & leads. By bending notes & using subtle vibrato, especially on ballads, you can really put a lot of feeling & emotion into your playing. Also: what you don't play, is just as important as what stays in. A lot of younger players seem to have missed the boat on that concept. Any art form is about conveying & evoking (positive) feelings & emotions. That may sound too "new age", but Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd & U2 became the biggest bands in the world by being able to express themselves tastefully & with restraint, not by cranking it out full blast constantly.
Here are some actual comments people have made, after seeing me play... "How can you play a lead like that, without having heard the song before?"
"I don't believe that's you playing." (after playing a tape to someone)
"I though you were kidding when you said you wrote that song."
"It sounds like there's more musicians than I'm seeing."
"Your playing has a real spiritual quality to it."
"What kind of music is that?"
INTRO
INFLUENCES
ORIGINAL SONGS
COVER SONGS
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