Less Pawl

I'd like to meet:

This is sooo tough but I'll have a go at it. This list might change from time to time and I know I will miss listing quite a few. Here goes. I would like to meet Jesus and thank him for his sacrifice and the example he set. I would like to have met Jimi Hendrix because he totally changed the way people approached the guitar and expanded the limits of what everyone thought the guitar could do. I would like to have met Otis Redding. He was a pioneer in what I consider to be the "true" soul and r & b. (Motown was great but Stax rocks!)He broke down barriers and crossed over at a very controversial time, socially, in American history and died in a plane crash just as he was hitting his peak and never got to enjoy the spoils of his toils. I would like to meet Zakk Wylde because he is just the Baddest man on the planet. Very intense dude but by all accounts, once you're a friend, it's forever and he will go to battle for you. That's a friend. Did I mention that he's pretty darn talented guitarist too? I would like to have met JFK and MLK, Jr. Two leaders during a very trying time in US history. Both had giant obstacles to confront and were victorious. The influence of both is still evident today. Both were also among America's greatest orators of all time. I would also like to have met Mother Theresa. There aren't too many people in the world that totally give of themself in every respect, forsaking personal comfort to provide comfort for others. Who gives all money and belongings she receives to those who have nothing. Who sees beyond race, religion and gender and treats all without prejudice and with total humanity. That is about as close to divine as you will see on the face of the Earth. I would also like to meet Dennis Miller. He is one of the most intelligent well read comedian/humorist/satirists you will find. He is well versed in pop culture, classic literature, politics and current events. I pat myself on the back when I recognize one of his obscure references and I hit the books when I don't recognize an obscure reference. I like a comedian who makes you think, makes you learn and makes you act to correct what is wrong in the world. I would have like to have met Thomas Jefferson. When you have a second, take a moment to read the Declaration of Independence. The wording of that document is so eloquent and concise, it is a remarkable piece of literature in and of itself. Now take into consideration the circumstances that it was drafted. That document clearly expressed the sentiments of an opressed people to a monarchy that was considered the most powerful in the world at that time. The writing of it, the signing of it, or any association with that declaration was basically a death sentence for all involved. That fantastic document is the cornerstone of what is now the greatest country in the world (flaws and all). I only wish, our country was run by more people who have the stones that our forefathers had. Everyone plays it a little too safe nowadays instead of saying what they mean and meaning what they say and acting on what they feel is right for all the people not just themselves and special interest groups...but I digress. God Bless America.

Music:

When it comes to music, I'm pretty much old school, especially my primary interests. I like hard rock, classic rock, heavy metal, southern rock, blues and blues rock. From there my tastes are pretty ecclectic. I enjoy many forms of music from classical (primarily Mozart and Bach), to Fusion, Alt-Rock, many forms of Jazz and some Country. Favorite Bands...too many to list all. List includes: Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, Joe Bonamassa, Black Sabbath, Black Label Society, Ozzy, Michael Oldfield, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Marillion, Primus, Seether, Tommy Bolin, Badfinger, Warren Zevon, Shadows Fall, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ozzy, Soundgarden, Humble Pie, Status Quo, Pink Floyd, Stone Temple Pilots, U2, T. Rex, VH, Rare Earth, Gary Moore, Paul Gilbert, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Ronnie James Dio, Judas Priest, Aerosmith, Steppenwolf, Pantera, Van Morrison, Jon Butcher, Velvet Revolver, AC/DC, Roy Buchanan, Free, Deep Purple, UFO, Uriah Heep, White Zombie, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Steve Hillage, Angel, Gregg Giuffria, Stanley Clarke, The Ramones, Grand Funk Railroad, Queen, King Crimson, John Hiatt, Natalie Merchant, Jethro Tull, Black Crowes, Johnny Cash, The Cult, The Runaways, Billy Cobham, Buckcherry, Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan, Eric Johnson,, Satch, Otis Redding, Savatage, Joe Cocker, Jeff Beck, Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Who, Lou Reed, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, BeBop Deluxe, Blind Faith, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Rory Gallagher, Waylon Jennings, ZZ Top(70's),Budgie, Damageplan, Metallica, Michael Schenker Group, J. Geils Band, George Thorogood, Albert King, John Lee Hooker, Wilson Pickett, Booker T and The MGs, Lisa Loeb, Rush, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers Band, Santana, Janis Joplin w/Big Brother and The Holding Company, The Rascals, Goo Goo Dolls, Alanis Morissette, Peter Gabriel, Vonda Shepard, Pearl Jam, The Guess Who, BTO, Santana, Traffic, Procol Harum, P.O.D., Eric Gales, The Mars Volta, The Darkness, Tom Verlaine, Megadeth, Metallica, KISS, Iron Butterfly, Vanilla Fudge, Beck Bogert and Appice, Cactus, My Bloody Valentine, Coheed and Cambria, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet, Warren DeMartini, ELP, FM, Rush, My Chemical Romance, Melissa Etheridge, Lita Ford, Bob Dylan, Joan Jett, Mountain, Michael Bloomfield, Collective Soul, Crazy Elephant, MC5, Kenny Wayne Shepard, The Foo Fighters, Steve Miller Band, Johnny Winter, Muddy Waters, Rick Derringer, Alice Cooper (w/original Band), Frank Zappa, Godsmack, Disturbed, System of a Down, Sun House, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Yes, The Runaways, Bree Sharp, James Taylor, The Pretty Things, Sly and The Family Stone, Bon Jovi, The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Andrew WK, The Faces, Velvet Underground, Mott The Hoople, Thin Lizzy, Bad Company, David Bowie, Edwin McCain, James Taylor, Carole King, The Yardbirds, Laura Nyro, Joan Jett, John Cale, Tommy James, Lee Michaels, The Animals, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Frank Marino and Mahogony Rush, Mammoth, Bad Company, Rick Derringer, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Third Eye Blind, Stryder, and way too many more to list here.My favorite concerts (in no particular order): Alice Cooper "Billion Dollar Babies" tour, Every Black Sabbath Tour from "Master of Reality - Heaven and Hell (especially when Van Halen opened for them during VH's first national tour), Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" tour, Frank Zappa- "Halloween Show" at the Palladium in NYC, Kiss New Year's Eve 1975/1976, White Zombie-1995, Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2003-2006 (I'll be there again this year!), Collective Soul tour 2002, CityFest 2002 (Black Crowes/Train/Buckcherry/Monster Magnet, etc.) CityFest 2001 (Eric Johnson/Eddie Money), Concert Made in Heaven-The Palladium 1979 (The Godz/Judas Priest/Angel), Aerosmith "Toys in the Attic" tour, Concert For the Earth-Roseland Ballroom, NYC 1991 (Melissa Etheridge/Urge Overkill/Lisa Loeb, etc.), Save the Rainforest Concert-Madison Square Garden 1994 (Green Day/Bon Jovi/Melissa Etheridge), OZZfest 2003-2005, G3 Tour featuring Steve Vai/Joe Satriani/Eric Johnson, too many more to list right now.

Myspace Codes: MyNiceSpace.com

Movies:

I'm a total movie freak. I like most genres (except the boring French ones with two guys sitting in a coffee house talking for the whole two hours and their idea of an action scene is when a kid momentarily rides by on a bicycle as subtitles flash on the screen). I have a particular soft spot for comedies. Sometimes, the stupider, the better. Of course, as required in the "Guy Manual", I am able to recite the script of classics like: Caddyshack, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Airplane, Top Secret, Animal House, Office Space, Kung Pow-Enter the Fist, Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura-Pet Detective, Little Nicky, Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, Mr. Deeds, Joe Dirt, Stripes, The Man Who Knew Too Little, North By Northwest, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Matrix, etc. On a serious note, my favorite movie is Casablanca. I can recite the script from that one as well.
I have had some requests for "Family Portraits". Due to the inability of RockYou.com slideshows from freezing up, I am posting still shots of my "Family" to date. I have a strange feeling some new family members will be appearing before too long! "Woody" "Buzz" "Junior" "Blondie" "Damien" "Mr. Blackwell" "Bomber" "Jessica" "Sydney" "Mjolnir" "Soapie" "Boomer"

Television:

Sports Night with Bill Rosinski, Heroes, 24, How I Met Your Mother, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, 30 Rock, Shark, Pinks, Love Monkey, The Unit, Kyle XY, The Law and Order assortment, the CSI assortment, Austin City Limits, Scrubs, Commander and Chief, Inside the NFL. Most shows that I like tend to not last very long. Some of my favorite cancelled shows include: Police Squad, Sledgehammer, Headbangers Ball The Tick, Joan of Arcadia. I'll edit and add to this list when I have time.

Books:

I'll read anything by Stephen King. I also like biographies and history, particularly music and sports.

Heroes:

Here's some more, mostly old pics from WAY BACK in the day:
Me goofing at a rehearsal, age 15 An old Stryder souvenir t-shirt Me, back in the Stryder days Joe getting bug-eyed at a gig in Connecticut, long ago Waiting for the show to start Me and Joe at a Christmas gig in a different lifetime Me and Joe at a summer gig. Ray playing way loud as usual! Call the EMT's for the folks down front! K2 holding it down in concert Jeff, a longtime Stryder friend and roadie Me and Joe partaking of some holiday "egg nog" Me in the studio with Sammy, owner of Neran Productions - Huntington Station, NY The "Evil Twins" Three of the guitars I've built so far. My little home toy shop. Who says I'm transparent? Hey I just picked this up this used Paul Reed Smith SE Soapbar II this morning at a price that was crazy low. If you don't have a couple grand to blow on a Custom 22 or 24 or other hi-end PRS, this is a really decent feeling, playing and sounding axe. Check out the other SE models. They're bound to have a flavor that fits your style. It pays to keep your eyes open!
Here's a bunch of guys who are my influences and a couple of others that I like: