Rusty Cooley (Revolution/Outworld)

Name: Rusty Cooley
Born: Unknown

Profile: He is a self-taught American guitarist who influenced by many styles including Jazz, Classical, Funk, Blues and even Country. His guitar works can be heard in his previous and current band such as "Revolution", "Dominion" and "Outworld", respectively.

History: Cooley received his first guitar on his 15th birthday (a Peavey T27 guitar and a Peavey Decade amp) from that day on he immersed himself in music, practicing upwards of 4 hours a day. Unsatisfied with local Instructors, he began teaching himself through instructional books and videos.

During high school, young Cooley took music theory classes and also attended the National Guitar Workshop. He performed solo guitar in high school talent shows and performed such pieces as Van Halen’s 'Eruption' and Randy Rhoads 'Revelation Mother Earth' solos. During his senior year, he was offered his first teaching job at the same store, where he had bought his first guitar.

After graduating from High School, Cooley continued studying Music Theory at the local college, as well as Music History and Class Piano. In 1989, he joined the local rock band "Revolution", the band wrote, performed and recorded all original music. They became one of Houston’s top drawing bands, and opened for national acts like "Badlands", "Nitro", "Every Mothers Nightmare", and "South Gang".

In 1992, "Revolution" released a four-song EP. "Revolution’s" music was once described as "Skid Row" meets Yngwie Malmsteen. The band made two appearances on a local TV show called 'Metallurgy' and 'Metallurgy Unplugged'. Cooley also taught guitar on a college TV show called 'Stay Tuned'. In 1993, he quit the band and started a new band called "Dominion", this new band wrote and performed locally as well but was short lived and broke up in 1995. Also, during 1995 he entered and won the 'Guitar Master Series' winning the title of 'Best Guitarist' in Houston.

In 1996, marked the beginning of a new direction, Cooley bought his first 7-string guitar and decided it was time to go for it on his own. It was during this period that he began to work on instrumental guitar compositions. These songs represented his desire to record an over-the-top guitar instrumental release featuring state of the art chops and strong melodic content. He also hosted 3 episodes of a local cable show called 'World Class Guitar Techniques', which aired in the Houston area.

In 2000, Cooley released an instructional CD 'Shred Guitar Manifesto' and gained endorsements with Jackson Guitars and Seymour Duncan pickups, and started doing guitar clinics as well. In 2001, he released two more instructional CD 'Extreme Pentatonics' and 'The Art of Picking'. Soon after, Cooley was asked to headline Jemfest in Orlando, Florida in 2002. Late that year, he had a custom 8 string guitar hand made by Bill Conklin of Conklin guitars.

In 2003, Cooley was given the honor of the '7th Fastest Shredder of all Time' in Guitar One Magazine, and not wanting to be known for shred skills alone, he and Bobby Williamson formed "Outworld", recorded its self-titled debut which was released in 2006 to both critical and artist acclaim. With the success of "Outworld’s" debut, and increasing notoriety in guitar circles, Cooley garnered a significant number of endorsements with Dean Guitars, EMG pickups and Diamond Amplification. In 2007, "Outworld" won 10,000 in a Famecast contest similar to American Idol where viewers watched and voted for the favorite artist.

Influences: Randy Rhoads, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert, Allan Holdsworth, Paganini, Bach, Steve Vai, Gary Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Marty Friedman, Shawn Lane, Derek Taylor, Buckethead, Todd Duane, Scott Stine and Haji’s Kitchen and Ritchie Kotzen

Axology: Jackson guitars, Dean Rusty Cooley signature series guitar - the RC7 Xenocide and Diamond Amplifiers

Signature song(s): Under the Influence - Rusty Cooley (Rusty Cooley, 2003)

Link(s):

http://www.rustycooley.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL3RJ4B349o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6frmbC3pdTs&feature=related

David Ellefson (Megadeth/F5/HAIL!)

Name: David Warren Ellefson
Born: 12th November, 1964 (Jackson, Minnesota, USA)

Profile: He is a bassist who is best known as one of the founding members of American thrash metal band "Megadeth". He also has various side projects which include "Temple of Brutality", "F5" and "Killing Machine".

History: He began music at a very young age on keyboards, picked up with tenor saxophone in 5th grade and started to play bass at 11 because of its presence in heavy rock music. He then became an accomplished rhythm guitarist and honed his songwriting skills while leading several of his own bands through the club scene of North America's Midwest region.

In 1983, Ellefson and Dave Mustaine (guitarist/vocalist) formed "Megadeth" after Mustaine left "Metallica". Ellefson's original playing style involved using his fingers, however, as "Megadeth" progressed and the music became more complex, he tended to prefer playing with a pick.

Ellefson formed "F5" following "Megadeth" disbandment in 2002. Their first album, 'A Drug for all Seasons' was released in 2005. "F5" appeared in support for "Disturbed" and toured the American Mid-West in the summer of 2006. He also appeared on "Killing Machine" record 'Metalmorphosis'. Currently, he is a member of the melodic power metal band "Avian", and works for Peavey Electronics Corporation as an artist relations representative.

Recently, he worked with underground Record producer Necro for his album entitled 'Death Rap' and a member of a tribute band called "HAIL!" which he formed in 2008. The band, as of April 2009, is touring Europe. In 2010, Ellefson rejoined "Megadeth" after 8 years.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: BC Rich Mockingbird, Jackson Concert 5-string basses, Modulus Quantum, Fender Precision Basses, an Epiphone El Capitan 5-string acoustic bass, an Ovation 4-string, a Hamer Chaparral 12-string bass, Peavey, Hartke and Peavey ampilifiers

Signature song(s): Reckoning Day - Megadeth (Youthanasia, 1994) and Train of Consequences - Megadeth (Train of Consequences, 1994)

Link(s):

http://www.davidellefson.com (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_s1uc6dV7A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLfW7BlXux0

Eddie Van Halen

Name: Edward Lodewijk Van Halen.
Born: 26th January, 1955 (Netherlands), son of guitarist Jan Van Halen (father) and Eugenia née Van Beers (mother) originally from Indonesia.

Profile: He is a Dutch-American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band "Van Halen". He is widely known for his innovative performing and recording styles in rapid guitar playing, tapping, and high frequency feedback; he is also known for energetic and acrobatic stage performances.

History: Eddie learned to play the piano as a child and has won many different talent shows. However, playing the piano did not prove sufficiently challenging or interesting to him. Consequently, while Alex (brother) began playing the guitar, Eddie bought a drum kit and began practicing. They would practice for hours day after day. After Eddie heard Alex's performance of the The "Surfaris" drum solo, he grew annoyed that his brother had overtaken his ability and decided to switch and begin learning how to play the electric guitar.

Eddie notes the importance of supergroup "Cream", holding their improvisation in high regard, considering their songs to be mind-blowing. He once claimed that he had learned almost all of Eric Clapton's solos "note for note" by age 14.

Influences: Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Allan Holdsworth and Ronnie Montrose.

Axology: Fender "Frankenstrat" guitar, Ernie Ball Music Man signature series guitar, Peavey Wolfgang, Marshall 100-watt Super Lead amps, Peavy 5150 amps; MXR Flanger, MXR Phase 90.

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_lwocmL9dQ

"His innovative use of two-handed tapping, natural and artificial harmonics, vibrato, and tremolo picking, combined with his rhythmic sensibility and melodic approach, have influenced an entire generation of guitarists."

"undoubtedly one of the most influential, original, and talented rock guitarists of the 20th century."

"Lot's of people think a song without singing is not a song, Tell that to Beethoven and he'll kick your ass" - Eddie Van Halen.

Kid (Search)

Name: Hamzah(Charlie) Mohammad Taib
Born: 30th November, 1967 (Johor Bahru, Malaysia)

Profile: Former lead guitarist from "Search" and the younger brother of "Din Search", he is a musician and composer.

History: As a child Kid who used to be called Charlie at home by his Dad, started to play guitar the same time his brother Din played some licks, growing up in a music environment where Din played guitar in the band called "Search" while his other brother Musa play bass with "Kris", he started in a band called "Under Doom" then "Gersang" with his mentor Samad Lefthanded. After "Gersang" he left to join his brother Din in "Search" as a lead guitarist replacing Hillary Ang in 1986 until the mid of 2000. Then played with "Dragon Malaya" and the latest were with "Lives" with his brother Din.

Influences: Eddie Van Halen and Samad Lefthanded

Axology: Peavey Wolfgang guitars, ADA MP1 Peramp, Digitech Speaker Simulator, Marshall.

(This are links in YouTube for "Search" greatest hits called Kejora, the intro was done by Din Search and the solo by his brother Kid)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20EOsPXLYoM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc-gwH2a9B4