Extar started off as a typo of 'extra'. For some reason I thought this was a good name to go with for an online alias--that was back when people still bothered with an online alias. It has since become slightly inconvenient though has gained some (very little) momentum of its own.

I used to be the bassist/vocalist in a metal covers band, Sins of the Unforgiven. I'd like to play my own material with a proper band but I don't think I'd ever be able to find and organise a group of other musicians who thought any of it was actually worth playing.

For me personally, MP3s are a convenient way to package my music into some distributable form. I resent paying for MP3s, seeing as they exist at the whim of whatever storage device I happen to be using. I see illegally downloading MP3s and 'online piracy' in general as 'free advertising' or 'try before you buy'. If I care about a song, album or artist, then I'm happy to pay for it on a CD in a shop. Nine Inch Nails are interesting in this regard.

I don't think that's ever likely to be a decision I'll have to make. No, I suppose. (See: NIN)

2003 - I started making bizarre recordings on my PC.
2004 - I started guitar lessons and bought an electric guitar and an amp
2005 - I bought a drum machine and another electric guitar
2006 - I bought a synthesiser
2007 - I bought an electric bass
2008 - I bought a bass amp
2009 - I bought a better sound card
2010 - I joined a metal covers band and bought some more recording equipment. I then left the band with the rhythm guitarist to form a recording project.

An ass load of metal bands. In terms of vocals, I feel heavily influenced by James Hetfield, LG Petrov, Tom Araya and Trent Reznor. I think a lot of lyrics for metal are throwaway and rubbish so I like bands that go a bit higher concept than 'what can I rhyme with die?' Musically, I like more complicated arrangements, '...And Justice For All'-era Metallica spring to mind. I dislike pointless displays of virtuosity, at least partly due to my own lack of virtuosity. I think the best heavy metal solos are Slayer ones. I'm a Metallica apologist. I'm a Kerry King apologist. I like Nine Inch Nails a lot, but struggle to incorporate that into my music. I also like Tool.

Gear porn time.
Guitars: Epiphone Les Paul, Jackson DXMG.
Bass: Some weird Jackson bass (active pickups).
Drum machine: Boss DR-3
Synthesiser: Micro Korg
Guitar Amplification: Marshall MG30 DFX (30 Watt)
Bass/Drums Amplification: Hiwatt something-or-other (100 Watt)
Effects pedals: Pod 2.0, Boss ME-30, occasionally a DOD FX86B Death Metal Distortion pedal.
Sound card: M-Audio Audiophile 192
Mixer/Monitors: Behringer
Recording PC: Collossus Mk. 2