We were originally called "Heave," but the connotations of being ill inevitably reared their ugly head! When we finally decided the band would be a three piece we decided to go with something "numerical." After we chose "Third Strike," we also realized that for each of us, this was the third time we'd played and quit our former band. It was perfect!

We play live on a regular basis around Grand Rapids, MI. Our main haunts are both on the west side of town: West Side Bar, and Konkle's Bar, Konkle's is where we played our first gig as Third Strike. We have new shows lined up at other clubs, but West Side and Konkle's are our constants. We've got a growing fan base, and they're absolutely crazy! We love 'em! It's always an adventure when we play, simply because we never know what's going to happen!

For an upstart band, to post mp3s, etc. on the net is great. It's the new way to promote. There's so much access to people, places and music now via the net, that a lot of bands can survive and thrive without having to ink a record deal... although that is still a major goal.

If the opportunity arose... absolutely!

Where to start? Iron Maiden, W.A.S.P., Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison, Slayer, Queensryche, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath & Ozzy, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Def Leppard, Pink Floyd, Skid Row, Metallica, Tool.
The three of us vary so much with what we were brought up with playing, how that influences us, and what we listen to now and the impact of that. Your tastes change at times, but we're tightly bonded to what drove us to play from the start!

For now, it's Grand Rapids... perhaps one day we'll add a few new favorites!

Tony: Lead Guitar/ Vox
LTD, Gibson guitars, Marshall Valvestate/ Palomino V32 amplification, Digitech GNX3 FX.

Sean: Bass/ Vox/ Guitar
Fender American Standard P-Bass, Delta Eight string bass, Squire Standard P-Bass. Carvin ProBass 100 amplification.

John: Drums/ General Mayhem
Ludwig Accent Drums, Sabian & Paiste Cymbals, PDP cage rack, Pacific stands.