My born name is Jeffrey Wayne Herb. I prefer, and most people call me, Ffej.  (That's Jeff backwards, in case you're feeling a bit groggy). Born on 3-26-74, I am originally from Shamokin, Pennsylvania, a small city in the Commonwealth's coal region. Nothing much happens in Shamokin nowadays, that's why I don't live there anymore.  I moved to around Berks County, PA upon graduating from Penn State with a degree in English. I only regret
not studying music instead, but writing was a second interest. All I pretty much ever wanted to do since 4th grade was to play music. I took up the drums (well, snare drum) in the middle of my 4th grade year. I was an early bloomer "Metalhead", and wanted to be like Dave Holland, Nicko McBrain, and Lars Ulrich (the drummers for Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Metallica, respectively). I was lucky enough to see my first rock concert at the ripe age of ten, when I saw Priest at the Spectrum in Philadelphia in 1984! I eventually learned how to play the "kit", or "trap set" as my middle school jazz band instructor called it.  I played in a bunch of attic bands (not garage bands) throughout high school, eventually getting into different styles of music other than metal (ie: Jazz, Classical, Funk).  After I got into the Beatles and Rush, though, everything changed.  Other bands/atrists I enjoy listening to include: Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Phish, Primus, R.E.M., Frank Zappa, XTC, Talking Heads, Incubus, and Supergrass to name but a few.  As far as my interests go, it's pretty clear as to what I enjoy and how I spend most of my time.  I enjoy writing lyrics, music, and, sometimes, poetry.  And, of course, I love to play the drums, bass and guitar every chance I get and jam with other musicians or my bands, Number Nine (Beatles tribute band) and herbie (original band)  Home recording is also an obvious hobby of mine (see The Upper Crust section for detailed info).  You can also visit Cosmic Vending Machine Headquarters, a recording project in which I'm currently involved with a friend of mine.  I also like to trade tapes, so if anyone wants to set up a trade, please do not hesitate to e-mail me!!!  Check out my current list of live and rare recordings, including lots of Rush, Priest, and Floyd.  I'm also an amateur web site designer, and links to my other various sites can be found on the links page.  I guess that's about it!  Thanks for landing on Planet Ass, and enjoy your visit!