I started getting into music when I was about 9 or 10 playing bugle and drums in a parade band sponsored by the local government. It was during the late 80's when both the "hair band" (in America) and the "new wave" (in Europe) were at their peak that I got into guitar oriented music. At that time I enjoyed listening to Heart, Bon Jovi, Police, REM, Billy Idol, Depeche Mode, Gene Loves Jezebel, the Cure, Smiths, and Most of all U2... It was "The Edge" that really made me want to play guitar (the anti hero guitar hero vibe really got into me). These two different schools of Rock & Roll became the foundation of my playing style. I had to get the rest of my education from playing with as many bands as I could and by listening to diverse artists from Rush to Jewel and everything in between.