I have been singing as long as I can remember. Then piano, cello and the Way of the Guitar. Started with classical instruments and the hard work ethic, then self taught in metal and rock improvising in the quest for my musical self. Recently I've been giving guitar and theory lessons for all skill levels and playing in a bunch of underground metal bands striving to breach the surface. I occasionally take lessons myself and find it very inspiring. My record is having three teachers at the same time: Blues, Shred and Musical Concepts. I'm a part time pro musician since 2009.

First metal concert was Dimmu Borgir and the crowd was a bit scary. Me and my friend were apparently the only people without leather jackets outside the venue. People smoked menthol cigarettes inside. Old Man's Child sounded good and Destruction had a lot of songs about Butchers which was hilarious. Dimmu was very late due to technical problems (and due to Barkers groupies?) and my parents got mad at me for being out so late.

Overall maybe Bach, and still he remains the most infulential and inspiring. The Offspring was the introduction to overdriven guitar sound for me. Then followed Children of Bodom, Stratovarius, Yngwie, Nightwish, Dimmu Borgir, Iced Earth. I've been listening a lot of Paul Gilbert lately and I'm digging Guthrie Govan's approach to the instrument.

My active bands are:

www.vilecaliber.com (Hard Rock / Heavy Metal)

www.cause-of-death.org (Brutal / Melodic Death Metal)

Wagner or Zappa would be definitely interesting. I'd love to do something crazy with the Schmoyoho/Gregory Brothers (Songify).

I have actually no idea, but at least 400 people. Smallest was 1 person :> The most memorable performance was probably a Metal Club Mk evening with From Ashes, the evening ending with a bandmate burning his large beard and having to dive head first into the snow to put it out. Then we went to sauna, had cold beer and discussed about theology, metaphysics and women.

Help! Only one?!! Today, right now I'd have to take Paul Gilbert - Silence Followed By A Deafening Roar. It has all sorts of moods and emotions as well as many good guitar sounds and solos. I heard it first live, seeing Paul @ Tavastia, Helsinki. The gig was mind blowing and the new songs were totally kickass so I had to buy a shirt and the CD immediately even though I really couldn't have afforded it.