Local influences

Slothkill · Post by **Slothkill** » Wednesday Sep 21, 2011

Other than the band that drove you to Play who was a local folk that gave you the push you needed to be a better musician?
Mine was Pat McGraw... humble, TALENTED, and loved guitar... I never took a lesson from Pat, but, I was always inspired by his willing to share knowledge, a story, tips on a Tele.

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Wednesday Sep 21, 2011

One word: Felix

Who wouldn't want to be like Felix and have such power with 6 strings? He makes it all look so easy and natural.

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Wednesday Sep 21, 2011

John McKnight, Bob Watters, Rob Bonsall, Bill Hocherl, Dave Russell, Clint Carothers and Steve McCulley are ones off the top of my head. John and Bobby are my two biggest local influences, mostly cause they tolerated my constant questions about drumming and me watching them play as much as possible.

Slothkill · Post by **Slothkill** » Wednesday Sep 21, 2011

Rob Bonsell.. I was influenced by his two guys and a cup video.. but, his video on you tube when his wife kept ruling in was classic. a hell of a guy!

Slothkill · Post by **Slothkill** » Wednesday Sep 21, 2011

I would also like to point out Jason Biardi.. Dax.. That dude has the best Heart when it comes to playing guitar.

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Wednesday Sep 21, 2011

Randy Rutherford, Dennis Scuderi, Steve Termin, and as of lately Phil Wagner. Mostly for his patience and understanding of the fact that I may be mildly retarded.
Nice post by the way.

Hawk · Post by **Hawk** » Wednesday Sep 21, 2011

Growing up, and not in any perticular order, watching Steve Brulia, Dick Vaught, Phil Harpster, the drummer for Blue Ash in the early 70s, Jeff Crownover. Funny thing is, they are still my favorites to see. I wish Dick would get out playing again.

Lately, Bobby Waters, Rob Bonsel, Randy Sciarillo (Frank's bro), Eric Wertz. And Shawn, who talked me in to picking up the sticks again.

Every drummer brings something different to the table, I learn from all of them. THANK YOU (you - plural)...

MoonManTom · Post by **MoonManTom** » Wednesday Sep 21, 2011

For Me Locally I looked up to 4 guys in our area, Brian Bradshaw of Bashful, Skip Henry of Defiance, Doug Forshey of Thin Ice/Swift Kick, and Bob Kise of Strycnine, all were and still are Amazing guitar players in their own right

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Wednesday Sep 21, 2011

local folk that gave you the push you needed to be a better musician

Every time I try to answer this question I feel like I am getting down on two knees and waiting for the Rockpage community to bash on me for blowing other musicians that I have a ton of respect for. The most honest answer I can come come up with is that I hate the limitations that I have supressed upon myself, and I try to exorcise them daily. Unfortunately I keep repeating them and I believe they have simply become my inherited traits. I think more than anyone else I push myself and demand of myself to get better.

I wish I had the feel of Felix or Mark Middleton, the scalar knowledge and profiency like a Scott Bottecheir or Paul Rainey, the technical prowess of a Kent Tonkin, the pure speed and great tone understanding of a Scott Bush, Jason Straw, or Kenny of Bad Daze. Those things def inspire me.

I can tell u this; I have mixed a lot of bands live, heard a lot of out of town bands.... this area is too talented not to have someone doing something at the next level.

That is my inspiration and influence. Take it somewhere that noone else had and dont apologize for trying something untested. If I failed, Fuck it... as long as I did it my way. If I succeed if at any level, pass it on to the next dude who might take it further.

Great topic, tough question.

kayla · Post by **kayla** » Thursday Sep 22, 2011

Felix Kos, Chris Kane, Rick Wertz

Felix was the reason i wanted to play electric guitar. I learn a lot just watching him.

Chris has taught me damn near everything i know and is a great friend and continues to help me grow as a musician.

Rick has been teaching me a lot of stuff lately theory wise and scales and stuff. Has helped me improve a ton in the last five months.

theres other musicians who keep me level headed and i respect a lot. too many to name.

- kayla.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Thursday Sep 22, 2011

If I play for 5 minutes with Felix, I learn an hour's worth of useable stuff. His advice is like gold... "If you don't make at least one little mistake in every song, you're not playing hard enough." Brilliant. Jim Mosey was a huge influence on my overall stagecraft. Steve Whiteman of Kix, while not completely local, made me want to be fearless, and hanging out with a national act was extremely educational. Jeff Hoover and the rest of Bashful taught me how to play on "10," and set the local standard for a metal band. Denny Cerully taught me an excellent traditional bluegrass base to build my current direction on. Barry Russell instilled my willingness to do things you're musically not supposed to, like play the heaviest, darkest Euro-metal at a fireman's carnival. Altoona gospel singer, Sister Berniece Shaw, helped me figure out early-on how to connect to a song with your soul. Tim McCarty of the Gospel Galileans played the first minor chords I remember hearing as a child, and I suddenly wanted to learn guitar.
Jeez, there are so many. We really are the sum of our influences.

VENTGtr · Post by **VENTGtr** » Thursday Sep 22, 2011

Didn't have many, but the one band I went out of my way to see (Usually in a rush from work to Pokey's) was Thunder Alley, with Mr. Chris Kane. Great band and am really glad to have gotten to know C.K. since.

Drum-Wolf · Post by **Drum-Wolf** » Thursday Sep 22, 2011

Kevin "Tank" Appley of "Shy-Ann", John Cycyk of "Lexus", Chris Klym of "Frankie & the Nomads", Harold Hap of "The Desperados", Chuck Kerrigan.

grimmbass · Post by **grimmbass** » Thursday Sep 22, 2011

This is a risky thread to post on for fear of disrespecting someone by missing them! My blanket statement is that we are so very fortunate in this small area to have access to so many awesome (and generous) musicians! I will forgo detailed mention of my current/previous bandmates (for the most part) because you have ALL influenced me! That being said, some of my biggest personal influences as a bass player and songwriter have been:

Jeff Clapper: This bad ass of a bass player proves that you can be "busy" and still have a groove. His plectrum tone, phrasing, and ability to maintain one of the deepest pockets in Central PA (or anywhere, for that matter) have truly shaped the way I approach electric bass!

Jim Zemlock: One of the most "out-there" musicians I've ever had the honor of jamming with. This guy can do things with feedback and effects that nobody short of Tom Morello could pull off. Jim is cool acoustic, but AWESOME electric...a true artist!

Matt Burns: One of the most mind-numbingly good bassists in our area. Period.

Steve Arnold: The root of the Nightcrawlers' groove is also one of the most humble, cool people you will ever meet. Steve is the essence of ego-less playing.

Otto: Yeah, we've got the same DNA, but my brother (and best friend) has one of the most unique approaches to the six string of anybody I've ever met. Even if we weren't related, I'd be proud to be writing with this most adventurous musical explorer. Otto doesn't play guitar; he creates auditory landscapes.

Mike Stanley: As part of the bedrock of Chris V's and the Stanley St. Band, Mike has tone, groove, and cool riffs in buckets! Hearing him play made me switch back to bolt-on, Fender-esque basses.

Rick Wertz: Can play anything and get along with anyone. He has taught me that music is music, regardless of genre. If you don't like Rick Wertz, chances are that you're probably an asshole!

I'll probably have to post more influences as they come to mind!

Gallowglass · Post by **Gallowglass** » Thursday Sep 22, 2011

Scott Botteicher- This guy, along with Scott Hicks on bass, inspired me many years ago to be a better player. We cut so many teeth together it was like an orthodontist's office. We discovered so many different styles of music and musicians together. I've lost my mind a zillion times jamming with him. He's one guy that I know no matter what if we plug in together we're gonna find it. The best jams I've ever had in my life we're mostly just he and I in one or the other's living room. He still inspires me today.

Felix & the Hurricanes- These guys inspire me every time I see them. Another one of my lifetime jams was sitting in with them at a wing off and playing "You Don't Love Me". These guys have the intuition, chops, and synergy to make ANY song or jam something special. Special people.

Slothkill · Post by **Slothkill** » Thursday Sep 22, 2011

I agree with the risky thread.... I have missed so many...Jeff Wallack would be one.
I was fifteen went to Jarrads music and there was Jeff BLAZING away... I asked about a certain trem dive and he spent over 30 minutes helping me get it down.... Still use that lick today.

Gallowglass · Post by **Gallowglass** » Thursday Sep 22, 2011

Very Risky.

old Skool · Post by **old Skool** » Thursday Sep 22, 2011

Hey thanks Chad, always cool to get props from peers that you admire so much in return. Quite a few influences over the years, in truth I can usually take something from just about anybody I listen to no matter what the skill level (sometimes it's as much as learning what not to do or what doesn't work as what does). As many have already mentioned Felix has been a big influence-he's smooth & makes it look so easy, and def one of those guys that creates tone with the fingers & not the gear. Another guy that makes me either want to quit or practice day & night is Matt Day. First time I saw Matt was when he was with Heaven Tonight. The dude jammed his ass off all night long & I swear never hit a bad note & made even the hardest riffs look like cake & had killer tone. This held true through the Wrench/Stept On days & even now with Green Eggs. He just makes it look effortless to play & just so smooth.

Don Hughes · Post by **Don Hughes** » Friday Sep 23, 2011

I'm not going to say influences, but everything I've been able to do, I can trace back to Denny Huber. If I played the whole "six degrees of separation game" when it came to the local music scene, I can trace all of it back to him.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Friday Sep 23, 2011

Bill Filer, Robbie Johns and our mentor, Ed McGuire.

Hayf · Post by **Hayf** » Friday Sep 23, 2011

Anyone remember an early 70's band from eastern PA called 'Macbeth' (they later changed their name to 'Josh'.) They used to play numerous venues from '72 until '75, like the Penn Alto ballroom, the parking garage at Gables department store, an underage club location called the New Horizon (on the back road to Bellwood) and also at a club in Hollidaysburg called 'the Afterdark' (...this was before my ability to look old enough to get into clubs, so I never saw them play there...)

Definitely a pro band with tons of talent and state of the art gear. Great band for rock and dancing (this is back in a time when dancers did their thing at the back of the hall and people sat on the floor right in front of the stage) They also did some more progressive music from Pink Floyd, Yes, ELP, etc....grreat memories for me.

Hawk · Post by **Hawk** » Friday Sep 23, 2011

Hayf wrote:Anyone remember an early 70's band from eastern PA called 'Macbeth' (they later changed their name to 'Josh'.) They used to play numerous venues from '72 until '75, like the Penn Alto ballroom, the parking garage at Gables department store, an underage club location called the New Horizon (on the back road to Bellwood) and also at a club in Hollidaysburg called 'the Afterdark' (...this was before my ability to look old enough to get into clubs, so I never saw them play there...)

Definitely a pro band with tons of talent and state of the art gear. Great band for rock and dancing (this is back in a time when dancers did their thing at the back of the hall and people sat on the floor right in front of the stage) They also did some more progressive music from Pink Floyd, Yes, ELP, etc....grreat memories for me.

I remember them. We (Skye) played with them in State College at the Hub. They hated us. We went on before them. After we played the singer announced, "Now that the noise is over...!" We were both using the same booking agent (John Dotts) at the time.

Even though they gave us attitude, we liked them very much.

AllHolLowsEVe · Post by **AllHolLowsEVe** » Friday Sep 23, 2011

Played with Harry Walter in Generation Gap. I learned alot about life in addition to music by working with him. May he Rest In Peace.

Lies Inc has quickly become one of my favorites. Playing both guitar and bass in bands over the years Dax and Kent have something very very special going on, and I can't help but sit in awe when watching them. Not to mention having the honor to share the stage with them!

Brian Elliot of The Hawks, first time I heard his voice it comepletely blew me away!

Ed Murvine of The House Band, always a kindred spirit, great drummer, and wonderful friend to have.

Don Hughes, though he lives in Pittsburgh now, always thought he was one of Altoona's best kept secrets. Not alot of guys in their 20's can do on keyboards and piano what he can.

And of course my current bandmates in Rain Must Fall. Mike, Bree, Hunter, and Jon. Learn something new and become even more closer with these 4 with each passing day.

I am sick with a cold so hopefully I did not forget anybody. haha But, just some people I have played with in the past that have had a huge impact on my love of music.

onegunguitar · Post by **onegunguitar** » Friday Sep 23, 2011

songsmith wrote:Jeff Hoover and the rest of Bashful taught me how to play on "10," and set the local standard for a metal band.

Dang,I guess NailDriver needs to pick it up a notch now

brtgoldtop · Post by **brtgoldtop** » Friday Sep 23, 2011

Donnie Ruzzi, RIP.