Fingers of Steel have been around in one form or another since about 2000 and have formally played under the names of Dionysus and Hurricane Bob. The band was formed by Mike Mapps, Luke Febbrarro and Gary Quick. Mike Mapps (lead guitar/vocals/piano) has been playing guitar 13 years, and is from Devon. After finishing a diploma in modern music in 2004, he began teaching guitar, drums and piano both privately, and at the college which the previous year he attended as a student. As well as his teaching commitments he is now studying for a BA Hons in Music Performance in Exmouth, undertaking many recording projects as well as providing blistering lead guitar for the band. Mapps plays with a very distinctive style that has taken influence from great technically adept guitarists such as Frank Gambale, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen. Luke Febbrarro (guitar/sound engineer/producer) has been playing guitar for 5 years and is also from Devon. Tutored by Mapps he soon developed into a promising student, and now writes crunchy rhythm lines in the styles of Rock, Metal and Punk. Febbrarro was awarded an FdA (foundation degree) in Sound & Music Technology from Deep Blue Sound in Plymouth in 2006 and is currently nearing the end of his final year studying for a BA Hons in Sound Engineering. His qualification and passion for recording has made him the driving force behind many of the bands recording projects. Febbrarro takes his influence from a fusion of punk and rock from the eighties and nineties, including such bands as Iron Maiden, Guns N Roses and NoFX. Gary Quick (guitar/sound engineer/producer) has been playing guitar for 8 years and is from Cornwall. Like Mapps since leaving college Quick also began teaching guitar privately as well as holding down a day job, and studying for his BA Hons in Sound Engineering from Deep Blue Sound. Quick is a professional member of the recording team as well as being an excellent rock guitarist. Quick once took influence from the likes of Metallica and Black Sabbath, although as he has matured he has also become very interested in classical guitar. Alex Beal (drums) has been playing drums for 14 years and is from Cornwall. He is also studying for a BA Hons in Music Performance from The University of Plymouth. Beal is the most experienced band member which shows as he provides solid grooves for the band and demonstrates his technical competence. Beal takes his influences from jazz, funk, blues and fusion drumming and has been influenced by drummers such as Dave Weckl and Buddy Rich. The band would also like to pay tribute to and thank some of our past band members and part timers that have helped make it all possible. Firstly Chris Trundle (bass) who still stands in on bass from time to time and has made jamming possible since the departure of our other bass players. Dave Payne (drums) a hardcore heavy hitting metal drummer and a class A legend. Chris Taylor (bass)"what a groover!!". Richard Cheek (bass) who learnt all of the band's songs in record time despite being heavily intoxicated for the most part. Nice one boys!! All though Fingers of Steel draw form many different talents and influences two things remain constant, the love of the groove and the goddamn rock n roll!!
