When did you start playing guitar?

In 4th grade I was pretending to be Mike Nesmith of the Monkees by playing a tennis racket as though a guitar while jumping up and down on parents' sofa. They realized it would be cheaper to buy me a real guitar rather than replace the couch. I had an acoustic guitar for one week then switched to electric. My guitar teacher, Mr. Bob Caproni (who would bring his mother to my home with him, she'd bring awesome home-cooked Italian delicacies) sold me his guitar - a 1957 Gibson es125 (or es175) for $125 - the same guitar that George Thorogood plays. I wish I'd kept it. I bought an early sixties Fender super reverb amp (black face) with all the money I received from my bar mitzvah ($364). I wish I'd kept the amp now made famous by numerous blues and rock guitarists.

When did you start singing?

Started singing when I formed a band in 4th grade with a kid who told me he played drums. We met in morning class, practiced our first song (Gloria) at lunch, and played for class that same afternoon. We stuck together through high school under numerous band names and genres. My voice was of an extremely high register. It was challenging to sing later - post-puberty when voice descended an octave or more.

Other instruments played and for how long?

I tried to play saxophone in sixth grade under peer pressure to be in school band - guitar was not an option, but my cocker spaniel, Casey, would howl each time I played it - so gave it up.

Instruments you would like to learn to play?

I would like to learn to play tabla (East Indian percussion instrument that accompanies sitar), dilruba (like sitar yet played with a bow). I plan to combine Eastern and Western music. Perhaps do a heavy version (rock), then meditation CD's, yoga class CD's, whacked-out improv heavy jazz stuff, too.

What or who influenced you to become a musician?

As much as I hate to admit it, the Monkees inspired me to play guitar. I think I had a thing for mike Nesmith's hat (I think it was green).

Who are your favorite musicians?

The first concert I attended was Grand Funk Railroad, with my mom. At the Aragon back when it was a pit. She was so cool to bring me there. It was packed, so we stood away from others - near a spot where someone vomited. Lovely, eh? My favorite guitarist/singer when young was most definitely Mark Farner (Grand Funk). My favorite tune to hear, play and sing was "I'm Your Captain" - sang it for years - weird that I'm now a ship captain, eh?

What or who are your favorite bands?

I like Tool, assorted jazz, admittedly quite a bit of new alternative stuff, Hendrix (of course), Jeff Beck, MOUNTAIN - the first American hard rock band - America's answer to Cream (this is true - created by Felix Papallardi, who produced some Cream stuff). And I love sitar CD's - Ravi Shankar and others.

What musician(s) or band(s) are the most influential to your playing style?

I'm told (or used to be told) that my straight-up guitar playing sound like a mix of David Gilmore (Pink Floyd), Pete Townsend (The Who), and Robert Fripp (King Crimson). I reserve comment to be compared to such great and influential players. Back in the day it was no less than Dave Specter (and the Bluebirds) who told me my voice was like Peter Green (from early Fleetwood Mac) - when I was still singing with a bluesier intent. A great compliment that I definitely don't deserve (I'm a bit embarrassed by my voice to this day - except when chanting mantra).

What bands have you played for and for how long (round up to year increments)?

Like everyone else, I've played in a zillion bands including rock, alternative, funk (combo of Chi-Lites and Emotions from old Chicago days), avant garde jazz, improv-driven stuff (hour-long tunes), psychedelic stuff (2-hour-long tunes due to . . . nevermind), and now I play sitar in an Eastern-based band, combining Eastern modalities and ambience with Western sensibilities (not an oxymoron).

Your favorite players to play with are/were?

Drummers - Bob Holzner (Bill Bruford/Crimsony feel), Dan Sopher (Busker Soundcheck - like Bonham with more fluidity), Ed Ludwig (tabla and drum kit - jazz feel). Guitarists - the late Mark Bayerle (God bless you, man). Violinist - the great Nate Swanson (you better be famous some day, or you did it wrong, n8).

What recording projects were you involved with (could be your own) and what equipment do you use?

I record music at home since college. My earliest recording memory was going to Walgreen's as a kid, or perhaps another local store, to purchase a $30 recording device - was sooooooooooooooooooo into it. Now use a Tascam da78 and Mackie board (TC Electronics reverb unit). My current guitars are: late-seventies Gibson Les Paul standard with modified lead pickup (forget the name but it's amazing, very fat), late-seventies Gibson Victory (Gibson's all-maple attempted answer to the Strat - neck is glued-on, great ebony fretboard and fast neck), five-string custom ("Polla") bass (copy of a Fender Precision), Martin d15 acoustic, Yamaha nylon-string classical guitar (belonged to my brother, Jonathan - an incredible player) and a sixties Framus twelve-string (as beat-up and weathered as an old barn - it's cool - bought it in San Rafael, California - great neck, like the one Paul McCartney is pictured with from sixties - a cheapy but way cool).

That's it for now,

Namaste,

Andrew