Birthday: March 23, 1986 in Carmichael, California
Hobbies: Making up songs on my acoustic guitar, playing in a band, longboarding, snowboarding, driving in my car listening to music really loud and trying to sing along, and producing short independent films.
Favorite Book: Tuesdays With Morrie
Favorite TV Shows: Boy Meets World, Even Stevens, and Behind The Music
Top 5 Preferred Movies: The Cable Guy, Dumb and Dumber, Saving Silverman, Twins, and Men of Honor
Favorite Concert: Either MxPx at the Fillmore, or U2 Rattle and Hum
Background in music: When I was in 6th grade, I got my first guitar, which was an acoustic. I had the slightest idea of how to play it but I instantly began to make up songs. In the 7th grade I met Josh and we instantly began to write songs. At first I was in a cover band called No Action. It was almost an alternative type band. In 8th grade I got caught up in the punk scene. I went to all of the punk rock shows that I could. At the beginning of my sophomore year, Josh and I started a pop punk band with Matt and Jason. This band was Five Minute Ride. We spent about 4-5 months making up songs and trying to find a singer. Three quarters into our sophomore year in high school we met Kurt Travis. Kurt sparked an interest in a type of music called emo. From that point on, FMR’s music quickly evolved into a new, unique style.
Musical Influences: There are many bands and people that I am influences by including: The Get Up Kids, Thursday, Taking Back Sunday, Glass Jaw, Poison the Well, Ja Rule, Notorious B.I.G., Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Radiohead, Ent, The Cure, 311, Incubus, Sublime, MxPx, Slick Shoes, Metallica, One Breath, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Jonathan Packard, Kevin Balzer, Jason Ellis (Diminished Scale), Josh Dayley, Kurt Travis, and of course Matt.
Favorite Type of Music: I love emo and acoustic songs. I also like a lot of old rock, heavy metal, and math rock. Oh and hip hop and R&B (in the car)
What do you look for in Music? Any thing that has a strong feeling of emotion that goes right to the heart.
How Do You Write Songs: Usually inspiration comes to me when I least expect it. If I sit down and try to write, it usually turns out bad.
The Future: What ever I do, I want to be successful and be doing something I love.
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan but also believe.”
