Spontaneous Human Combustion
Well, right now it's just me -- been hard at work composing, arranging, and getting my guitar chops back after decades of disuse. Hoping to interest some fellow players in turning this effort into a real performing act.Band/artist history
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Guitarist/vocalist Joe Befumo has been playing guitar since 1966, when he performed his first gig at Saint Patrick's Military Acadamy in Harriman, NY, but played only sporadically since the mid 1970s. In the ensuing years, he studied physics, mathematics, and computer science at Brooklyn College, then worked as a Software Engineer for companies like AT&T, Digital Equipment Corporation, later establishing a successful technology consultancy in Columbia, SC. He is author of three published novels, and four works of non-fiction (available from PleasantMountPress.com, Amazon, B&N, etc.) He is also an award-winning artist, whose paintingshave hung in such prestigious institutions as the Springfield Museum of Fine Art, the Mari Gallery, and others. A chance encounter with the great guitarist Frank Gambale in 2006 provided the impetus to start playing seriously for the first time in years, and the result is the CD "I'm The Guy!"Have you performed in front of an audience?Have in the past. Performed on guitar for the first time in 1966, at Saint Patrick's Military Acadamy in Harriman, NY. In the 1970s I played around quite a bit -- biggest crowd was a benefit at Greenhaven State Prison. I'm currently actively searching for musicians in the Catskill region of NY, Northeastern PA, and that vicinity, specifically: bass, piano, organ, and drums, with the aim of performing the material I've just finished putting together.
Your musical influences
Since I've written all of the instrumental parts for my new CD, my influences come from a variety of directions:
Martin Barre, Eric Johnson, Leslie West, Steve Vai, Frank Gambale, Steve Morse (guitar), Al Kooper (organ), Dr. John (piano), Steve Smith (drums), Jack Cassidy, Jack Bruce, Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten (bass).What equipment do you use?
Custom Sundown tube combo amp pushing a 15" JBL speaker, and an external sealed cabinet with 2X12 Celestion G12Hs, a Sqier Tele Custom II with 2 Duncan P90s -- bought it because it was cheap, and absolutely love it! Marshall Power Brake. Old Proco Rat. That's about it.Anything else?
Since my old Sundown amp has been on the fritz for some time now, I recorded the entire "I'm The Guy!" CD plugging into my computer and running through either Native Instruments Guitar Rig II, or Peavey Revalver MK III. While computer emulation can't match the responsiveness of a real amp, it sure offers a LOT of flexibility!Admin
Joe
@jbefumo
