Well, since I don't really have a band yet, I simply used my real name...let's just say I'm a solo-artist right now. It's almost impossible to find or to start a good band here in Germany !

Haven't been playing live so far. Hopefully someday I will have the opportunity to do so.

The internet is amazing when it comes to getting to know other bands/artists. The music industry is always focusing on the negative aspects of the internet...such as illegal file-sharing etc.
They claim to lose millions and millions due to that, but what they do not mention is the fact that at the same time people get to know bands and artists that they would never ever have heard of if it wasn't for the internet. My personal CD-collection consists to lets say 90 % of music that I would never have bought if I had no internet-connection. If used correctly, I think the internet could actually be a whole new market for the music industry...they just don't know how to cope with it.

Signing a contract with a major label has it's advantages for sure, but at the same time there are many disadventages. At the moment this is not relevant to me anyways, since I haven't really come up with that much music (quality music I should say) to record an album, but I'm working at it. But I do think that self-promoting is a pretty good way to get some attention especially with todays possibilities (internet). You wouldn't believe how fast a rather unknown musician becomes "famous" in a matter of days, when mentioned in the right places. Also, there are many ways to share your music with the world, so...yeah, I'd go with the self-promotion-showcase.

No band history as of yet

I have a rather wide range of musical influences. When it comes to guitar playing, my most obvious influences are Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and maybe some John Petrucci. Other influences in the rock-genre are: Andy Timmons, Thomas Blug, Michael Romeo and Fabrizio "Bicio" Leo.
I'm also a big fan of orchestral music. My favorite composers are Klaus Badelt, Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore and John Barry and of course the great "old" ones...you know who.

To be honest...I haven't gotten around that much. I'm not much of a traveller right now, even though I'd love to see lots of places in the world. I'm really interested in culture. At the moment I try to dedicate every spare minute to my music. I kinda have everything planned out...when I'm going to be retired (which will be in about 40+ years)I'll do some serious travelling, that's for sure!
Well, but to answer the question...right now my favorite spot is in my room, right in front of my computer (where I do all the recording, mixing, testing, composing and whatnot), my PODxt, my electric guitars, my western acoustics and my bass guitar.

Guitars: IbanezS2075FW, Ibanez JEM 77 FP, Career CG-7 Flying-V Sharkfin with DiMarzio Evolution-pickups; Gibson guitar (unknown modell), Furch Durango Western, my dad's Ibanez western guitar that is more than 30 years old and sounds amazing, Stagg Bass.

Recording device/Amp: PODxt, Creative Audigy Platinum Pro ZS, Roland GI-20

Programs: Cubase SX, Quantum Leap RA, Drumkit From Hell Superior, East West Symphonic Orchestra Gold, East West Boesendorfer Piano, Spectrasonics Stylus RMX, Spectrasonics Atmosphere