Member Since: 6/18/2006
Band Website: opticnerve.com.au
Band Members:
Amy Ranftl (25)
Lead Vocals/Keyboard
Upon completion of her HSC Amy was nominated to take part in Encore, an annual concert held at the Sydney Opera House. This is a privilege reserved only for exemplary students who undertake Two Unit Music and complete with an outstanding performance at examination.
After successfully completing a Singing, Acting and Dancing course at NIDA in 2001, Amy now teaches her craft as a private singing teacher.
Additionally, Amy has been employed by a number of schools as singing teacher and voice coach. Namely: Illawarra Grammar School during 2003 and Macarthur Anglican High from 1998 to 2001.
A highlight for Amy was taking part in a European tour that involved visiting local schools and performing both solo and in a choir. The tour included travelling through Austria, Hungry, Germany, Switzerland and Bangkok.
Amy has been involved in a youth music program in the Camden and Campbelltown area, which aimed at teaching children about different aspects of music performance.
Mark Ranftl (23)
Lead Guitars/Vocals
Mark has completed a Bachelor of Music Degree, and has recently been invited to perform and be part of Steve Flacks Guitar Heroes tour as a guest performer, appearing on stage with Rose Tattoo, as well as having extensive experience performing with other musicians in various musical genres.
Currently employed as a private tutor at Sounds of Music in Camden; Mark teaches the music disciplines of guitar, bass guitar, double bass and musicianship.
Whilst still at High School, Marks extraordinary musicianship allowed him to be selected to complete a sound engineering course in which he obtained an Honours Certificate. This has enabled him to further his education in music education.
Mark has a strong sense of community and has actively sought to involved himself in his local communitys development. Some of the many projects he has been involved with include: Youth Group Leader for the Camden Council Youth Project, Kids Club Leader, Member of The Youth Factory, active participant in the opening of the Macarthur Health Service Adolescent Mental Health Unit at Campbelltown hospital and the launch of the Camden Volunteers Project with the Camden Mayor, Councillor Geoff Corrigan.
Influences: Joe Satriani, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin,
Tool, Santana, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Steve Vai,
Christina Agulera, James Brown, Evanescence, Michael Jackson,
Porcelain, Live, Metallica, Roxette, N.E.R.D., Incubus,
Green Day, Neil Peart, Eric Singer, Buddy Rich, Marvin "Smitty" Smith
...And the list goes on....
Sounds Like: A flavorsome blend between the old-school legends such as Led Zeppelin, Joe Satriani and Santana mixed with the grunt and punch of the newer rock sounds produced by the likes of Tool and Evanescence etc. with a twist of female vocals that is not only melodic and beautiful, but produces a power to be reckoned with!
Record Label: Unsigned
Type of Label: None