Birth Date:
April 21st

Bass Influences:
Mike Mills,  Jonette Napolitano,  Tina Weynouht,  Dean Dinning,  Tommy Stinson, Mark Sandman

Favorite Albums:
The A's - "Four Dances", Rhett Miller - "The Instigator" & "The Believer",  Blue Nile - "Walk Across The Rooftops",  Sam Phillips - "The Indescribable Wow", Morphine - "Cure For Pain",  Mike Scott - "Still Burning",  Billy Joel - "12 Gardens - Live",  Neil Arot  (my cousin)-"Senior Project" (www.neilarot.com)

Favorite Concerts Attended:

- Talking Heads - "Stop Making Sense" @ the TLA in 1985:   I know that this is a movie - but it is the best concert movie ever made and I saw it many times in high school with some of my oldest and dearest friends!
- New Order/ Public Image Ltd/The Sugar Cubes - Mann Music Center in 1989:  Not so much the music, but the PEOPLE I went with.  This was the sterotypical "concert I went to when I was in college" - much drinking, dancing and hell-raising.  Everyone I knew from college or from work - was at that concert.  Even people my age I just met now or recently were at that show.
- Billy Joel - MANY Spectrum Shows:  Saw him many times thru the years with different friends, girlfriends, or family members.  Best seats in the house are BEHIND the stage.  Those who have seen Billy Joel know what I mean! Will be very sad when they tear the Spectrum down.  Saw many of my first concerts there along with the many Billy Joel shows.
- Aimee Mann - Philadelphia Zoo in 1991:  One of the first concerts I went to with my wife when we were first dating.  Started with a bike ride down the West River Drive and ended with the show.  Best part - it was FREE.
- Many Shows at the Chestnut, Ambler, or 23 East Caberets from 1986 to 1991:  Spent most of my college nights at one of these three places seing many acts before they were famous.  These venues are sorely missed!
- Sam Kinison - Tower Theater approx 1987 or 1988:  Glad I got to see him before he passed on.
- Morphine - Trocadero approx 1994 (Cure For Pain Tour):  Glad I got to see them before Mark Sandman passed on.
- Devo - City Gardens Trenton approx 1987 (Now It Can Be Told Tour): Was a big fan of theirs in their heyday (late 70's / early 80's), but was too young to see them live.  This show was their last big tour before they disbanded.
- The Waterboys - Irvine Auditorium (U of  Penn) appr0x 1990 (Room to Roam Tour):   One of my favorite CD's performed at a very unique place.
- Rhett Miller - TLA - 2006 (Believer Tour):  There is not a bad song on his first two solo CD's (Former lead of the Old 97's).  His music reminds me why I picked up a musical instrument in the first place.  This guy is going to be big.  I will be glad I saw him in a small intimate place.

Favorite Movies:
Patton, Excalibur, Caddyshack, Monty Python & the Holy Grail, Johnny Dangerously, Dogma, Kill Bill Vol. I

How/When did you realize that you wanted to be a musician?:
"I got into playing music instruments (piano first, then the bass!) after I graduated college.  In college I was a DJ and Music Director at the college radio station (WRFT - Temple U. - Ambler) and that exposed me to a lot of different music (see my bass playing influences!), as well as, a behind the scenes look at how the music and radio biz works.  I also got to see a lot of shows  for free which really gave me the bug for learning how to play an instrument"

MIKE McAVOY
(Drums, Percussion & Vocals)
(Separated at birth from Beavis?)

   

Birth Date:
November 25th

Drum Influences:
John Bonham, Ringo Starr, Steve Gadd, Larry Bright, Louie Bellson, Neil Peart, Jeff Pocaro, Alan White, Alex Van Halen, Larry Mullen Jr., Ian Paice, Rodney Holmes, Cozy Powell, Mitch Mitchell, Simon Phillips, Alex Acuna, Tim Alexander, Gavin Harrison, Stewart Copeland, Gregg Bissonette, Bobby Rock, Stanton Moore, Chad Wackerman, Vinnie Coliauta, Zack Starkey (Ringo Starr's son), David Garibaldi, Kenny Aronoff, Carter Beauford, Terry Bozzio, Mike Portnoy, Daniel Adair, Buddy Rich, Jason Bonham, all of Frank Zappa's drummers, Steve Smith, Barrirmore Barlow, and all of the other great Jethro Tull drummers, Dennis Chambers ( I met at 2 drum clinics, amazing player, and we really hit it off), Deen Castronovo ( I met at another drum clinic, one hell of a nice guy, and an awesome drummer), Bill Bruford, Phil Collins, Richie Morales, Dave Weckl, Billy Cobham, Charlie watts, Mick Avory of The Kinks, Keith Moon, Tris Imboden, Anton Fig, Todd Sucherman, Jim Keltner, Andy Newmark, Jonathan Mover , Manu Katche, and many. many more,

Favorite Albums:
The Kinks - "Misfits", Yes - "Drama", The Beatles - "Sgt. Pepper", Led Zeppelin - (any album), Rolling Stones - "Tatoo You"
Asia at the Keswick in 2007: My brother and I grew up on this great music, and we were lucky enough to catch all 4 original members together again in a great venue.  Another great show that Don, Betsy, and I attended.  Another great time had by one and all.  I also won 2 prizes that night from 102.9 WMGK. Awesome.  What can I say?  Their 2008 album "Phoenix'' is also my favorite album of the same year.
Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughn at the Spectrum in 1989: Jim Thorpe and I were 2nd row from the stage.  How great is that?  With Terry Bozzio on drums how can you go wrong?  The following year SRV Got killed in a helicopter crash.  I am glad I got to see him before he passed on.  God bless you SRV!  This was the 2nd time I saw SRV.  He opened for the Moody Blues in 1983 at the spectrum. A nother great show that Don, Uncle John, and I attended.
Julian Lennon the 2nd time at the Spectrum: My ex-Lisa and I had 3rd row from the stage.  Don was there too a couple rows behind us.  The first time we saw Julian Lennon Uncle John, Connie, Donnie, and I were in the last row from the top at the tower theater.  I waited in line with Don, and this is all the seats they had left.  Sorry, but the 2nd time Lisa and I lucked out!
 Genesis at the Vet in 1992 on their "We Can't Dance" tour:   My brother Joe was in attendance as well my ex-Denise.  God bless you Denise, I am glad I got to see this show with you, RIP!  We had great seats, and Phil and the boys did not disappoint.
Phil Collins at the spectrum on his "Dance Into The Light "tour:  Donnie was nice enough to give Betsy and I the Tickets from his old job I believe.  This was the 1st show of many shows Betsy and I attended and we enjoyed it thoroughly.  Thanks Don!
Yes at the Spectrum in 1983 on their comeback "90125" tour:  I had to start 9th grade the next day, but what a great memory to still have all these years.  Don didn't go, but Chip Sparacino (if you're out there, how the hell are you and your family doing?), Walt Bass, Bill Secules, and Billy Reed.  If you guys are reading this, I hope you are all doing well.
Simon and Garfunkel at the Wachovia Center a couple years back on "Their Old Friends" tour:  Donnie was nice enough to give Jimmy and I tickets to see this great show.  Thanks again, Don.  I am sorry you didn't see the show, but Jimmy and I did get you the 1982 Concert in Central park DVD as a consolation prize.

Favorite Movies:
Forrest Gump, Scream, Stand By Me, Star Wars Trilogy, Stripes

How/When did you realize that you wanted to be a drummer?:
"All my life I wanted to be a drummer. In old family videos, I was air-drumming long before I was drumming for real! I could always relate to the drums. I would focus in on those particular parts of any music I heard playing"

JIM WALSH
(Lead Guitar & Vocals)
(Separated at birth from the Wawa Hoagie Man?)

   

Birth Date:
July 24th

Guitar Influences:
Hendrix, Clapton, The Allmans, Robin Trower, Robbie Kreiger, Jan Akkerman

Favorite Albums:
The Beatles - Any Album, The Who - "Who's Next", Rolling Stones - "Let it Bleed", Little Feat - "Waiting For Columbus", Focus - "Moving Waves"

Favorite Concerts Attended:
- Deep Purple @ Hershey Park Arena in 1973:  The first concert I was ever at and the LOUDEST one I was ever at.  My ears still ring to this day!
- Peter Frampton @ The Tower Theater in 1975:  WOW!  That's all I can say!

Favorite Movies:
2001 A Space Oddessy, Some Like It Hot, Monty Python & The Holy Grail, The Count of Monte Cristo, It's A Wonderful Life, Empire Strikes Back, Send Me No Flowers

How / When did you realize you wanted to be a muscian?
"I grew up with the Beatles stuff on the radio and my older sister had all their records.  She also had acoustic guitars I fiddled with.   Later in college I got more serious and taught myself on electric by playing along with rock albums and jamming with other students."

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