AXEMAN2415 Guitar Weenie
USA 740 Posts | Posted - 28 Nov 2006 : 12:43:26
| Man, Wes, you're a curious bas player, aren't you? lol!
Well, here goes some of my answers...
The bands name is actually an answer to a question: Joshua 24:15 asks us to "Choose this day whom you shall serve..." and our answer is a resounding, "Jesus!"
As to why the Metal genre, well, quite frankly, it is who we are, musically.The music that has always stirred me, entertained me, and inspired me has always been rock and metal. Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with any other style of music, to me the power rests in metal. It is not a spiritual power, so don't misread my last statement. But for me, and my fellow band mates, that is where our hearts lie.
What we hope to accomplish with fans, whether at concerts, or through the products, or even through just simple conversation, is present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. But We're not interested in having "church", so much as we are trying to convey Him through the power and integrity of our performance and material. For those who are already saved, and know Him personally, we wish to lift and encourage, as well as be an alternative to the products of the world. In that sense, we have to operate at a very professional level.If you are going to be an alternative to what the world has, then you better present a superior product. If you are going to spend you hard earned dollars on some music, it had better be worth it.
For those who do not know Jesus, we desire to show them that we mean business, and that we have drawn a line in the sand, and saying, "Here's Jesus. He loves you, He died for you, He isn't your problem. Satan is." We choose to be straight shooters with people. There's no dancing around any subjects. There's no diluting of the message. What you hear in the music, and read in the lyrics, is completely real and forthright. If people are going to reject us, that is fine, as long as they reject us for the truth. If people are going to accept us, it will be because we aren't playing games with the Gospel.
On a somewhat more pragmatic term, we want to just be easy-going, simple guys. We want to show people that we're just like them, and not on some elevated plane. We're not rock stars, we're preachers...er, rather loud one's! lol!
My dream gig? You know, I've never really thought of that, but I would probably have to say Jay Leno, or my hometown "Riddle Stadium." To me, every gig is a dream gig.
My equipment is rather simple, actually. I use a Schecter "Diamond" series Omen-6, with no tremolo bar. Any trem work is done with my Ibanez RG550, with a Floyd Rose locking system (the best trem ever).My amplification is a Marshall JCM800 100W head powering a Marshall 4x12, Celestion speaker straight bottom cabinet, a 5150 slant top cab w/Sheffield speakers. I am also a fan of the multiamp set up favored by SRV, Eric Johnson, and others, so I supplement my top end with a Peavey Stereo Chorus 120W combo. I route my signal to both amps with a Line6 PODpro, and condition the signal with a BBE Sonic Maximizer/Noise Reduction (the Marshall is a noisy beast, but the tone is worth it). Even though I have the Pod, I still like to use stomp boxes. I run my guitar into a Boss Stereo Chorus, and run channel A through my Boss flanger, and even an Ibanez Phaser, on occasion. Channel A then routes to an ABY Switcher. Channel B, from the Chorus pedal, routes to my Cry-Baby Wah pedal, and then to my ABY Switcher. Then I route the signal to the PODpro.
The reason is simple: I use my Wah as a filter for leads, most of the time, similar to Michael Schenker, Slash, and Joe Satriani. I like to be able to switch between two channels, yet still keep the chorused sound consistent. I only use the flange in small touches, same with the phaser. I will occasionally use the flange for lead work, a la Van Halen, but only when I'm feeling particularly frisky.
I prefer to have the PODpro because, and this has happened before, if my main amp goes down I can just rout the signal to a P.A. channel, and finish the show, and my sound won't suffer too much. It is not an ideal situation, but I can't afford to get too comfortable, since live performance requires flexibility.
Having said that, my Marshall is very dependable. The only real problem I have had with it is blown fuses. I always keep a supply of fuses for it, but it doesn't happen too often. The only other problem that I have is retubing, but that is a normal part of tube amp maintenance, and I have never blown a tube in performance...yet.lol!
Oh, and just for the record: I use Dean Markley Blue Steels, gauged .010-.046. Why? They last. I did the entire last CD on Two sets of strings. I am considering going up a gauge, just 'cuz I'm into self-mutilation...lol! But again, the tone is worth it.
Whew...Man, I talk way too much!...lol! | "C'mon Dave, Gimme a break!" | |
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