Farin Urlaub

Aye, probably the most underrated German guitarist (and songwriter).

I am so happy that I'm not the only one seeing that! Kick ass, man!

Farin Urlaub

Aye, probably the most underrated German guitarist (and songwriter).

I am so happy that I'm not the only one seeing that! Kick ass, man!

He definitely deserves much more credit than he's getting. He's inspired countless people to pick up a guitar; also, Die Ärzte have so much more to offer musically and lyrically than this "fun pop-punk for kiddies" image that is always attached to them would have you to believe. His solo stuff, especially the new record, is excellent, too.

Farin Urlaub

Aye, probably the most underrated German guitarist (and songwriter).

I am so happy that I'm not the only one seeing that! Kick ass, man!

He definitely deserves much more credit than he's getting. He's inspired countless people to pick up a guitar; also, Die Ärzte have so much more to offer musically and lyrically than this "fun pop-punk for kiddies" image that is always attached to them would have you to believe. His solo stuff, especially the new record, is excellent, too.

I totally agree! Farin and Angus were THE two people making me want to pick up the guitar. I am listening to the new album right now actually. The track "how I lost the Marily Manson look-alike contest" to be precise. I damn near broke my fingers the first time I tried to play the song "Sumisu" from his debut, it is much more complicated than it sounds, and the little trademark fills he uses to spice up the chords are still something I can't manage.

PRIMUS, how could I forget Primus. Primus taught me that even silly bastards can make awesome music.

Influences eh......

I'd like to share in this one

First off - my life. Nothing influences my thoughts and actions more than what I have experienced in my life.

Everything Devin, of of course. For showing me that that if you are persistent, patient, honest, and stay true to what you hear in your head, your music will shine above the masses of artificial cookie cutter crap spewed out to feed the masses.

Fear Factory. For demonstrating that agression together with simplicty is a far more powerful and effective tool than just raging on like a manic without focus or purpose.

Type O Negative. For showing me again and again that HOW you sing or play something is far more important that WHAT you are actually singing or playing. I guess this lesson is "phrasing". Dev and FF are also masters of phrasing, but Type O just gives me that special feeling......

And last but not least.......Phil Collins. he was the first singer to imprint on me that in order to be a great singer you have to just "let it out". Don't worry. Don't be afraid of sucking. Be confident. Be natural. Be full of feeling, and be fearless.

That's about it. There are may other great bands/musicians, but no one else influences me.

My biggest influence is life!

John Coltrane - he exhibits such passion and love in his music
Fredrik Thordendal - he makes a guitar sound more interesting
The Beatles - so much imagination and variety, plus killer production
Frank Zappa - his compositions, arrangements and productions all rule
Devin Townsend - he makes his best albums into worlds of their own
Trent Reznor - his manipulation of sound is incredible
Tori Amos - she is such a masterful musician, lyricist and producer
Alicia Keys - she proved that you can be huge without whoring your music
Eddie Van Halen - so much feeling in his playing... so much feeling.
Public Enemy - they say so much good shit without sounding preachy
Peter Gabriel - he is brilliant, regardless of what new style he takes on

all of the above have influenced me immensely. There are thousands of other artsist that I listen to, but these guys influence me more than any of the rest of them, I think....

Devin is my biggest Influence of all. Not just in music neccesarily, but in life in general. He does what he wants, when he wants to do it ya know, but he's also no an idiot or anything. And he does the same with his music, it can be whatever he wants and he isn't tied down to a genre.

Other influences are:

Chuck Schuldiner - From Chuck I learned that you can start out not that great at guitar and not know all the theory and stuff but still turn out to be a fantastic player

Dimebag Darrell - From Dime, I saw that you can always have fun doing what you love, and should always try and have the best time possible.

Rob Halford - A vocal god that walks among men

Sodom/Kreator/Slayer - Longevity, these three bands are still pumping out and playing hard hitting thrash, and are still into it, just like I hope I can do when i'm older.