Contact:

- sbelong@eastlink.ca or
- s.belong@hotmail.com

(Gear)

Guitars:
- Yamaha RGX121z (Black)/ with Floyd Rose II
- Yamaha Pacifica 112 XJ (natural finish) / with EMG's
- Yamaha SE250 with rails in the neck position

Effects: Zoom G1k, Boss ME-30 multi-effects / Digitech Genesis 1 amp modeller / Danelectro: Distortion, Chorus, Delay

Amps: Yamaha B115 100w Head, Fender Bassman 60 (1x15 combo), and a 1970 Traynor Bass Mate

Mic: M-Zone MC-359
___________________________________________________________________________________

(INTERVIEW)

Q: How old were you when you first started playing the guitar ?

A: I started playing when I was about 15.

Q: What was it that made you want to be a guitar player ?

A: There were a lot of guitar players in the neighborhood where I grew up, so I was exposed to it from a fairly young age but my next door neighbor was the one who initially got me into playing.

Q: Do you perform live, or do any gigging ?

A: I use to do a lot of live gigs, but nothing recently.

Q: Do you write your own songs or do cover tunes ?

A: I usually prefer to do my own material, but I do play cover tunes as well.

Q: What type of songs do you generally write ?

A: Well, to be honest, I write a little bit of everything style wise... it's more or less whatever comes to me at the time.

Q: Yeah, but if you had to describe your style
of music to people, what would you tell them ?

A: If I had to generalize it, I would probably classify myself as a rock/metal artist.

Q: Do you think the internet has changed the music industry at all ?

A: Definitely... The internet has opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for artists. In the past, you didn't have any exposure unless you were signed with a major label; thanks to the internet, we now have a medium that allows worldwide exposure for all artists. The great equalizer !!!

Q: Are you looking for an independent label deal or a major label deal and why ?

A: Honestly, whichever one would allow me to write and perform my music, my way; although an independent label would probably be more well suited to my needs and style of playing.

Q: But, if the opportunity arose, would sign a contract with a major record label ?

A: If the conditions were right, but I would want someone that knows the ins and outs of the industry to assist me before making any major decisions.

Q: As far as music goes, what are your plans for the future ?

A: Well, ideally I would love to get back out and do some gigging; it's been awhile and I'm honestly starting to miss it.

Q: What do you use for equipment ?

A: Currently, I play a Yamaha RGX121Z guitar through a Boss ME-30 multi-effects pedal, and for an amp, I use an old 1972 Taynor Bass Mate.

Q: Do you have a demo or press kit, or any promotional materials?

A: I don't have a press kit at the moment, but I am in the process of writing and recording some new songs for a demo cd.

Q: Do you have any other sites where your music can be streamed or downloaded ?

A: I have a few, but the main ones other than SoundClick are my MySpace Web Page @
and my YouTube Page.

Q: What are your favorite kind of oranges ?

A: What the heck difference does that make ?

Q: Um, I don't know, I guess I must have gotten off track there for a moment... sorry. OK, back to the interview, do you believe that eating potatoes can make you a better guitar player and if so, what is the best way to cook them ?

A: Were you smokin' somethin' before this interview ?

Q: Hey, you can't answer a question with a question !

A: Are you certain ?

Q: what do you mean ?

A: Evidently, you can !

Q: Look, is there anything else you would like to add before I conclude this interview?

A: Yes... firstly, don't do drugs while conducting an interview, and secondly, if you have the time, please check out my friends "Den Jollimore", "J.D. Macleod" and the band "Cruel Injector" at these links:

http://www.soundclick.com/denjollimore
http://www.myspace.com/denjollimore
http://www.soundclick.com/jdmacleod
http://www.myspace.com/jdmacleod
http://www.myspace.com/cruelinjectorproject
http://www.soundclick.com/cruelinjector

They are excellent musicians, you won't be disappointed.

Thank you !





____________________________________________________________________________________


Steve Belong's Influences:


Way too many to name them all, but here are a few:

First and foremost, my family...

Guitarists: Rik Emmett, Shawn Lane, Randy Rhoads, Uli Jon Roth, George Lynch, Michael Angelo Batio, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Kee Marcello, Vinnie Vincent, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Nuno Bettencourt, Paul Gilbert, Frank Gambale, Mike Stern, Jeff Beck, Brian May, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Edward Van Halen, Richie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, Vernon Reid, Zakk Wylde, John Lake, Greg Whynot, John Whynot, Kevin Veinot, Mason Macleod, Den Jollimore, John Macleod (Bass), John Jesso ...

80's Rock and Metal: Alcatrazz, Cacophony, Bon Jovi, Bulletboys, Cinderella, Alice Cooper, The Cult, Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Dio, Dokken, Europe, Fastway, Faith No More, Faster Pussycat, Great White, Guns n' Roses, Helix, Herricane Alice, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Killer Dwarfs, Kiss, L.A. Guns, Living Colour, Megadeth, Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Pantera, Poison, Queensrÿche, Quiet Riot, London Quireboys, Ratt, Scorpions, Skid Row, Slaughter, Stryper, Tesla, Trixter, Twisted Sister, Van Halen, Warrant, W.A.S.P., White Lion, Whitesnake, ZZ Top, Danger Danger, Slik Toxik, Honeymoon Suite...

Classic Rock: Boston, Journey, Bad Company, Rush, Free, Deep Purple, April Wine, Triumph, Nazareth, Sheriff, Eagles, Queen, AC/DC, The Who, The Guess Who, Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Hendrix, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cream, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Manfred Mann, Black Sabbath, REO Speedwagon...

Classical: Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss, Johann Pachelbel, Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms, Niccolo Pagannini...