Todd Banks

Todd began his classical training on piano at eight years old in the Chicago area. After several years, he added bass, guitar, Native American flute and began writing lyrics.While attending Purdue University in 1984, he formed Psychic Warrior and had his first independent release on Device Records, “Airy-ell”. He played bass, keyboards and vocals for this progressive/ alternative band and received his first airplay.At the same time he played bass for three other bands in college and played in the surrounding cities before moving to Los Angeles. There as the bassist and lyricist he helped form the fusion band Foundation and later the progressive band Triad (with the guitarist from the Motels). Additionally, he recorded on a hard rock project with Barry White Jr.In 1988 Todd joined Eskimo Records’, The Black Watch, as the bassist on their second release, “Short Stories”. This alternative band continued to tour and record with national and international press and album sales.In 1991, Todd formed Carbon 14 as bassist/songwriter and released a series of recordings on the Vampyre label. Carbon 14 was a KROC style industrial, gothic, and alternative band with a lot of diversity.In 1994 he released an ambient album of twelve soothing original piano compositions on Device Records entitled, “Landscapes”. It was re-mastered in 2002 and featured on Metaphysical Reviews, www.metarev.com.In 2000, this was followed by the Device release of sixteen original piano compositions entitled “Dreamscapes” that was featured on Metaphysical Reviews.In 2003, Todd released, “Spirit Walk” on the Device label. Spirit Walk is a very melodic blend of progressive, alternative and Native American influences with songs ranging from highly energetic to mystic to sadly sweet. He wrote and performed all the songs including seven instrumentals and the CD features four vocal performances, two of which are original Cherokee songs. On this release, he plays bass, guitar, vocals, and percussion.In 2005, Todd has released his newest CD, part three of his piano trilogy titled, “Lifescapes, scenes of our lives”. In this dramatic collection of fourteen piano compositions written and recorded on a restored 1917 Artimus upright baby grand piano, he masterfully captures the significant milestones of our lives from birth to passing. This CD includes the very successful “Joline’s Walk” (written as a wedding march for his niece) and “Circle of Life”. As a left handed bass and guitar player Todd has also appeared on three compilations of international left handed players: Lefty Bass I, II, and III from Germany. All of his CDs are available at: www.toddbanksmusic.com and most download sites.Todd plays a Perzina upright baby grand piano. a custom left-handed Rickenbacher 4003 bass, Dean 5 string, and Martin acoustic bass. He also plays a Washburn acoustic/electric guitar, Navaho and Apache flutes, and Native American percussion. He lives with his wife and son in the foothills of Angeles National Forest.He is currently working on a new album, The Roads We Walk, as well as various studio projects.In his spare time, Todd really enjoys playing disc golf, ball golf, hiking, reading.Check out the merchandise link on www.toddbanksmusic for cool t-shirts and stuff!