About Me
From the beginning.
Years ago, when I was 10 or so. I played with a friend of mine, Daniel, in his garage. It was fun. He played drums and I played on my keyboard. We made goofy songs together.
Time moved on as it does and my interest in music became much more apparent. I got older and my taste in music was becoming more defined. I love rock, metal especially. I took interest in playing guitar, I can't remember exactly how it happened, but I got my first guitar from my Uncle. I was in my early teens when I got it, however, my attention span was much shorter then and the guitar ended up collecting dust in the closet.
Somewhere between my years playing with Daniel and experimenting more with guitar, I used to mix songs together under the alias, "dJ mAsK!". Most of these "songs" consisted of blending other artists songs together with small wav files from movies and such. It was good fun, but I felt the need to expand and make music on my own. Most of the songs I created during this period have never seen the light of day.
Around the age of 18 is when I actually picked up the guitar and played it. I was determined to learn, but being stubborn, I wanted to do it on my own. Choosing that path made things much harder. I stuck with it, and over time I started to make some songs. These songs are nothing I would play for most people, because plain and simple, they suck.
Through my former girlfriend, Cristina, I met Jordan Banks. At first, nothing really happened. I can still remember the first time we got together and attempted to jam. I was still so inexperienced, I got extremely intimidated. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to do vocals, I wanted to be a screamer, but I was too afraid in all honesty.
Fast forward to 2005, August to be exact. The trip to Mexico. Cristina and I broke up. At that time, I was totally shaken up by it, and to my dismay, was for quite some time. Before we went on the trip, I pawned in my practice amp and guitar for money. I had pretty much given up on trying to play at that point.
When we got back I moved out of my parents house with my best friend Jeff. I still had my old guitar. I decided that the best way to vent my emotions was to play guitar like I never had before. That's when it all began.
You can scoff all you will, but yes, I did it for the girl.
Sure I had my guitar, but I didn't have an amp. I was lucky enough to have a friend that did. Ronnie. He told me I could take it for $50, but funny enough he needed a ride up north to get to the airport, in dropping him off, he told me not to worry about the money. Being good friends, we both appreciated each others help.
Everything happens for a reason.
After some time, I got back in contact with Jordan. We started hanging out over at my place and playing guitar all the time. We used to jam all the time. We had an interesting set-up. Using my old keyboard for drum beats, Jordan playing guitar/vocals and myself being the vocalist, we called ourselves "Hellbound".
I still have many recordings of Hellbound work.
Jordan has been a heavy influence for my guitar playing. He taught me many things. I also have Faultline Music to thank. There have been many questions I went in there asking about and was always treated like a friend instead of a customer. I dig that. Thanks guys.
About six months after moving into our place, we had to leave. Long story. After that, I moved back home with the parents. That put a big damper on trying to practice. Jordan and I still remained in contact, but, "Hellbound" as it was, was no more.
I began working at a little place called Wayside Liquors. There I have met many interesting people. One being, people that share a love of music as well.
Now enter Jason Goldie.
I've known Jason since the 2nd grade. We used to be best friends back then, but as things go with kids, it didn't last forever. We always were cool with one another, but were never as tight. I heard from a mutual friend that Jason played drums. He had band experience and he was a cool dude. One day he came by the store and I brought him playing up and asked him if he wanted to jam. We started playing on 6-6-06.
At first, it was just Jason and I. It had been sometime since I had spoken with Jordan once again, but it had never been too far from my mind. For some reason, I never put the two together until later. I jammed with Jason, I jammed with Jordan, and then it clicked. I felt pretty stupid. Eventually, Jordan was over playing with Jason and I.
Ink Blot
That was the final name we settled on. We got things together, figured out what our sound was, and several months later, had our first show in a dive bar in Fresno, "Club Fred" on January 5th 2007. It was really exciting. I had been waiting to play a show for so long that when it came for us to play, I almost couldn't do it. It was nice to have that first show out of the way. It felt great.
January 26th, 2007.
This was the date of our next show. There we played with two other bands. One of which was called "Arch Of Suffering". Bunch of cool guys with a cool sound.
It was a good show. It was nice to have another one under my belt. I never knew what that show would mean for me for almost this whole year to follow.
Shortly after playing that show, I was contacted by "Arch Of Suffering" and asked to try out for the band as the vocalist. I was shocked. I am very humble when it comes to my ability as a musician. I thought it was great.
Halo Of Gunfire
I can't remember exactly when our first show was, but I can't remember how many we've played all together anyways. Countless shows. The music we played was right up my alley. Fierce, heavy, cut throat, balls to the wall.
I had always wanted to be a lead vocalist, and here was my chance. With this band, I have experienced many things like having the chance to travel the country and perform on tour. They helped me grow as a vocalist immensely, and I thank them for that.
During the time playing with Halo Of Gunfire, I did not play with Ink Blot as much. Ink Blot is currently on hiatus.
I have continued to play as a solo artist through all of these bands and experiences, implementing different ideas and styles into my own.
At this moment, this is all that remains.
But needless to say, This is where I want to be. I want to do something creative with my life and I will stop at nothing to get there.
