Ian Merill

I play: psychometalfunkbluesrockpopjazzclassical ... I listen to and love all types of music.

I have been playing guitar for 35 years, starting with being fanatical about KISS. Floundered through college, then found my niche in music and career. I am currently the Audio/Visual Equipment Technician for the Veterans Home of California - Yountville; I spent ten years as a music teacher in Northern Ca, and was the Vice President of the Chico Midnight Blues Society for four years. I also play Keys, Bass, Drums, and sing.

Absolutely-- I live for the stage. Playing live is the ultimate for me. The biggest moment for me was proposing to my fiancee at the end of the last song of a blues gig on the 4th of july, in front of 5000 people including our families and friends.

I am influenced by almost everything I hear. I am very partial to old school metal, blues, rock and 80's New Wave. As far as influences go I love Hendrix, Van Halen, Gilmour, Satch, Iron Maiden, Sabbath, Dokken, Pantera (Dime, RIP), Gary Moore, ELO, Rush, KISS, Howlin Wolf, Hubert Sumlin, Muddy Waters, Al Di Meola, Trevor Rabin, you name it...

10 various guitars and basses, several different amps, the main one being a Roland Cube 60, 8-9 processors (including POD), Toshiba workstation, Guitar Tracks, Yamaha drumkit, Behringer mixer and patchbay.