Smitty's Bio

I started playing guitar when I got one for my 13th birthday.  It was a 1959 Gibson Melody Maker, which I still have.  Started with blues and classic rock.  Switched over to heavy metal when I heard Metallica.  Their first 5 albums had a great effect on me: Garage Day Re-revisited,  Kill 'em All, Ride the Lightening, Master of Puppets, and And Justice for All.  My influences were to start, Metal Church, Anthrax, Overkill, Ac-Dc, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, Zepplin, Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Stevie Ray. Lately it has been, Lamb of God, God Forbid, Shadows Fall, Slipknot, and a host of others--the list is long.  My first band was a cover band in high school, we didn't even have a name.  I gave up guitar for 8 years, and have picked it back up within the last 6 years, and have found myself again.  I have played locally in Broken English, Fuselage, and now Damnitahl, although I have sat in with a number of groups.  I am self taught and learn mainly by ear.  I play Gibson guitars, Rivera amps, and Ernie Ball strings.  I'm 32 this year.----Smitty