My parents picked the band name way back in 1968. They always were visionaries!

I lead and play bass for Tin Can Island, a contemporary jazz ensemble based out of Indianapolis. I recently ended a one year stint as bassist with another Indianapolis band called Living Proof.

I love playing live if the music is cooking, and not forced. If the band has done their homework, we can just sit back and let the magic take over.
Unfortunately playing live in Indianapolis often means playing covers in tiny, smoke-filled venues. I love playing for sober, appreciative audiences.

Depends on what perspective I choose to look at it from. Right now I love it because I do not listen to Top 40 music and often have to hunt down the music I like. It's nice to think that old music lives on right now because of the web and mp3's. I might think differently if I was losing millions as a result of it. I try to play Devils Advocate (but I never seem to play it in the right key!)

I probably would, only because I understand that real musical expression through a major label isn't always guaranteed, so I would treat it like a job. You don't have to love your job, as long as you have other outlets in life. I would give the major label the cookie cutter crap they so sorely desire, but release my real juice independently!

I started playing bass at the mature age of 16. I had always dabbled with keyboards whenever I had the opportunity but didn't really get into it until about 1985 when a band member showed me how to form and use chords.

My first band was called Apache and was formed in high school back in 1984. We never even got one rehearsal off the ground but I did get to keep the bass and learn to play it. Later in college I formed a band called Breeze.

In 2002 I played in the rock band Brooklyn Shea. In 2003 I led two jazz-fusion groups, Projekt and Tin Can Island. I played from February 2004 till May 2005 with Living Proof. Now I am focused again on making Tin Can Island a musical voice to be recognised.

Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, Victor Wooten, Grover Washington Jr, Bob James, Earl Klugh, Pat Metheny, Nathan East

London, England. That city inspires me, makes me think, makes me question and thus helps me compose.

Ibanez SDGR5005, Fender Jazz Bass (MM Signature model), Cort B4FL fretless, Yamaha TRB5F fretless, Alvarez 5-string, Roland JV1080, Roland XP 10, Korg M1 & M3r,

I also teach bass lessons so if you are in the Indianapolis vicinity looking for some basic instruction (pun fully intended!) or new techniques, drop me an email at toye450@aol.com!