Eddie (DEF GAB C)

Name: Eddie
Born: Unknown

Profile: He is a Malaysian bassist, composer and musician, most notably known for his bass guitar works with his current band "DEF GAB C". He is one of the most famous Malaysian bassist who plays 6 strings bass in a heavy rock genre.

History: He started playing guitar in his teens, but got bored because many of his friends knows how to play the instrument, so Eddie went on to try bass guitar, with his early influences such as, "Metallica", "Halloween" and "Deep Purple", he never look back ever since.

After many years practicing bass guitar, Eddie joined a small local band, which played for weddings, parties and eventually ended up in night clubs. While just started to play in clubs, his friends GG and Lola, recommended Eddie to use a 5 strings bass (due to the demand for Jazz music) and he accidentally bought a 6 strings bass, and ever since that day, the bass was his main axe for more then a decade.

In 1996, legendary guitarist Joe (Wings) discovered Eddie and his bandmates' talents in a local club in Kuala Lumpur. Joe met up with them and introduced them to the late legendary rock composer JS Kevin. The composer was amazed with the band performances and offered the band a record deal. Soon after the negotiations, JS Kevin renamed the band to "DEF GAB C", which carries the important 7 notes in music (D E F G A B C).

In 1997, "DEF GAB C" debut album, 'Citarasa' was released. It was one of the best rock album of the year, which consists hit songs, such as, 'Ibu Kota Cinta' and 'Tak Sanggup Lagi'. In 1999, the released of their second album, 'Skala', also went to the top charts with hits like, 'Cinta Sakti' and 'Ranjau Kasturi'.

Until now, Eddie and "DEF GAB C", has released 6 studio albums. The band, has won various awards, such as 'Best Rock Album' for the album 'Remifasolatido' and Anugerah Industri Musik ke 9', in 2002, to name a few. Currently, Eddie and "DEF GAB C" are busy preparing new materials and their are planning to go back to studio for the recording of their new album.

Influences: Metallica, Halloween, Deep Purple, YES, Flea (Red Hot Chili Pepper), John Myung (Dream Theater), John Patitucci, Kevin Moore, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius and Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big)

Axology: Warwick bass - Streamer Bolt On II

Signature song(s): Maniq Kayangan - DEF GAB C (Merah, 2002)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI5m7mjWE7o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEsS5WZbYX0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8KYgjdSycE&feature=related

Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe/Sixx: A.M.)

Name: Frank Carlton Ferrana, Jr.
Born: 11th December, 1958 (San Jose, California, USA)

Profile: He is an American bassist, author, fashion designer, photographer and the main songwriter for the band "Mötley Crüe". He has also played bass for glam metal bands; "London", the experimental band "58", the hard rock band "Brides of Destruction" and more recently, "Sixx:A.M."

History: Since a teenager who lived with his grandparents, Ferrana was always into trouble. His grandparents sent him to live with his mother, who had moved to Seattle. He lived there for a short time, and learned how to play the bass guitar, having bought his first instrument with money earned from selling a prior guitar he had stolen. At the age of 17, he struck out on his own, moving to LA selling vacuums over the phone while he auditioned for bands.

During this period of time, he changed his name, basing it on the stage name of a Riverside, musician Jeff Nicholson, called Niki Syxx. He unsuccessfully auditioned for "Quiet Riot" and "Sister" before joining "London", a local glam outfit whose lineup saw numerous changes. Sixx soon left the band.

In 1981, Sixx founded "Mötley Crüe" with drummer Tommy Lee, later being joined by Mick Mars and Vince Neil. The band decided to self-record their debut album, 'Too Fast for Love', which was subsequently released in November 1981 on the band's own record label. After signing with Elektra Records they re-released the album. The band then went on to record a new album, 'Shout at the Devil', and raising the band to national fame.

In 1989, Sixx was a featured guest artist on the album 'Fire and Gasoline' by Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), and co-wrote and performed on the song, 'We're No Saints'. In 1991, Sixx played bass on 'Feed My Frankenstein' on Alice Cooper's 'Hey Stoopid' album. Besides his "Mötley Crüe" duties, Sixx also had a side project dubbed "58", issuing their debut album in 2000, 'Diet for a New America'. Sixx also formed a band called "Brides of Destruction" with Tracii Guns (LA Guns). After one album, the band broke up due to extremely poor album sales and the inability to get any radio airplay.

Sixx wrote most of "Mötley Crüe's" material, including tracks such as 'Live Wire', 'Home Sweet Home', 'Girls, Girls, Girls', 'Kickstart My Heart' and 'Dr. Feelgood'. In 2006, "Mötley Crüe" completed a reunion tour featuring all four original members and embarked on a co-headlining tour with "Aerosmith", and in 2008, "Mötley Crüe" released their ninth studio album, 'Saints of Los Angeles', with Sixx credited as either writer or co-writer on all tracks.

Sixx also worked on a soundtrack to be released with the book called The Heroin Diaries. The soundtrack was recorded by his new band, "Sixx: A.M". The entire album was written and produced by Sixx. The album was released in 2007, and the book was released a month later. The single 'Life is Beautiful' went to #1.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Gibson Thunderbird, Gibson Blackbird, Epiphone Nikki Sixx Blackbird, BC Rich Mockingbird & Warlock basses, Hamer made Thunderbird style basses, Ernie Ball Music Man 5-string bass, Fender Precision Bass, Squier Precision Bass, Fender Bassman and Ampeg amplifiers

Signature song(s): Kickstart My Heart - Mötley Crüe (Dr. Feelgood, 1989) and Life is Beautiful - Sixx: A.M. (The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, 2007)

Link(s):

http://www.nikkisixx.net/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrMVYukSIU0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffWs2OU2yeg

Number Seven (Slipknot)

Name: Mickael Gordon Thomson
Born: 3rd November 1973 (Des Moines, Iowa, USA)

Profile: He is an American musician, best known as being the lead and rhythm guitarist for the Grammy winning metal band "Slipknot", and known by his number #7. According to vocalist Corey Taylor, Thomson is an avid writer of poetry, loves cats, and has a fascination with serial killers.

History: In his youth, Thomson performed in bands such as "Body Pit", and joined "Slipknot" in 1997, replacing the band's guitarist, Craig Jones, who then became the band's sampler.

Thomson expresses his pseudonym as #7 more than most members of "Slipknot". For example, as well as being credited with the number in the liner notes of albums he has recorded, he also has the word 'seven' tattooed on his left arm, and features the word 'seven' on the designs all of his custom Ibanez guitars, and on all of his Ibanez MTM1's.

Outside "Slipknot", Thomson has taught guitar lessons at Ye Olde Guitar Shoppe, a local music shop in Des Moines, up until 1999. And has appeared on "Malevolent Creation's" album 'Doomsday X'. He also made a guest appearance in the music video for Lupara's 'No Pity on the Ants'.

Thomson commonly employs an extremely fast and accurate alternate picking technique, also implementing pinch harmonics into his work. He also utilizes sweep picking on occasion. Other characteristics in his playing includes tremolo picking passages, and dropped tunings.

Influences: Randy Rhodes and Paul Gilbert (Racer X)

Axology: B.C. Rich guitars, Ibanez guitars, Ovation semi-acoustic guitar, Rivera KR-7 amplifiers, Boss and DigiTech effects

Signature song(s): Spit It Out - Slipknot (Slipknot, 1999)

Link(s):

http://www.slipknot1.com/ (Slipknot's official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wws7mnMewPw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP5PqJpk5lQ&feature=channel

Frank Bello (Anthrax/Helmet)

Name: Frank Bello
Born: 9th July, 1965 (New York City, New York, USA)

Profile: He is an American bass guitar player for the well known thrash band "Anthrax", and the nephew of drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax).

History: Bello started playing bass when he was 13, often jamming with his uncle, drummer Charlie Benante. His first bass was a 1972 Fender Jazz Bass. In 1984, after the first "Anthrax" album, 'Fistful Of Metal', Bello joined his uncle’s band, replacing original bassist Dan Lilker.

A series of classic punk/speed metal albums followed as "Anthrax" sonically pummeled everybody within earshot, quickly reaching the upper echelons of metal stardom. Unlike many of their contemporaries though, "Anthrax" had a sense of humor and willingness to experiment, as shown by their 1991 collaboration with rap’s "Public Enemy" on 'Bring The Noise'.

Originally Bello was a guitar technician for the band, but later he replaced Dan Lilker on the 'Spreading the Disease' album. After leaving "Anthrax" in early 2004 Bello joined "Helmet" - another NYC-based band, for a brief stint.

Bello has since reunited with "Anthrax" and in 2009, he was the featured guest on VH1 Classic's That Metal Show. The rest of the band was part of an interview segment while at the Red Bull Snowscrapers event on February, 2009 at East River Park in New York City.

Influences: Geddy Lee (Rush), Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick), Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius, Geezer Butler, Black Sabbath, Priest and KISS

Axology: Fender P-Bass, Fender Jazz Bass and Squier Jazz bass

Signature song(s): Madhouse - Anthrax (Spreading the Disease, 1985) and I Am the Law - Anthrax (Among the Living, 1987)

Link(s):

http://anthrax.com/ (Anthrax's official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us_IxW5LcvY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7_pytkPrlY&feature=related

Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe)

Name: Robert Alan Deal
Born: 4th May, 1951 (Terre Haute, Indiana, USA)

Profile: He is the lead guitarist and songwriter for American hard rock band "Mötley Crüe". In his career with "Mötley Crüe", Mars has created the aura of being a somewhat mysterious figure, letting the other members of the band speak for him in public and in print, despite being the eldest and most articulate member of the band. In what public interviews he has conducted, Mars often comes off as a very reserved and somewhat quiet individual.

History: After his family relocated from Indiana to California, Deal dropped out of high school and began playing guitar in a series of unsuccessful blues based rock bands throughout the 70's. After nearly a decade of frustration with the California music scene, Deal reinvented himself, changing his stage name to Mick Mars and dyeing his hair jet black, hoping for a fresh start.

In 1981, he put in a want ad in the LA newspaper 'The Recycler', describing himself as 'a loud, rude, and aggressive guitar player'. Bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee contacted him and after hearing him play decided he would be their guitarist. Upon Lee's prodding, they persuaded a former high school friend of Lee's and local rock & roll singer Vince Neil to join. It was Mars' suggestion that the band be called "Mötley Crüe", a name that had stuck in his head from his days as a member of a band called "White Horse".

Unlike many of the hard rock/heavy metal guitarists of his era, Mars' guitar style is steeped in the blues tradition. He employs frequent use of a metal slide in his soloing and takes on both the rhythm and lead guitar duties of the band. In the studio and live, Mars frequently tunes his guitar down a whole step to get a stronger and crunchier rhythm sound. The altered tuning also increases string slack to enable his characteristic hammer-on trills, pitch bending, and pinch harmonics during soloing. Mars also introduced the pedal steel guitar to many of "Mötley Crüe's" later recordings and live sets, and also taken a critical role in songwriting for the band, coming up with many of "Mötley Crüe's" best known riffs.

Recently, he contributed his songwriting skills to John LeCompt (Evanescence), "Machina" and to the Swedish band "CRASHDÏET". Mars also played lead guitar for "Hinder's" 2008 album 'Take It to the Limit' and "Papa Roach's" 2009 album 'Metamorphosis'. Currently, Mars is on tour with the three other original members of "Mötley Crüe", supporting their newest album, 'Saints of Los Angeles', which has revived a strong public interest in the band more than 25 years after its formation.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Gibson Les Paul customs guitars, BC Rich Warlock guitar, Hamer Blitz guitar, Gibson Flying V, Guild Flying Star, Kramer guitars, Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters and Marshall amplifiers

Signature song(s): Too Young To Fall in Love - Mötley Crüe (Shout at the Devil, 1983)

Link(s):

http://www.mickmars.tv/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfU502fvO2Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNMuzKc_0Mg

Kerry King (Slayer)

Name: Kerry Ray King
Born: 3rd June, 1964 (Los Angeles, California, USA)

Profile: He is a American guitarist, best known as the rhythm and lead guitarist and one of the founding members of American thrash metal band "Slayer". He is also a long time and noted snake breeder, and is known to pop up at Southern California reptile events.

History: He started playing guitar in his early teens, and in early 80's, he was trying out for the position as a guitarist in a band. After the session was over guitarist Jeff Hanneman approached him and the two began playing "Iron Maiden" and "Judas Priest" songs, after a few months together the both of them formed American thrash-metal band "Slayer".

King has also made several guest appearances as lead guitarist for other bands and artist such as "Beastie Boys", "Pantera", "Hatebreed", "Sum 41", "Marilyn Manson", Ice-T and Rob Zombie.

Over the years, Kerry King's guitar style has remained similar, giving him a very distinctive sound. Aside from his strong, often angular rhythm guitar work, King is one of the most distinctive soloists in metal: focusing more on speed and chaos than on melody or typical metal-style technical precision, King typically makes extensive and unorthodox use of whammy bar and uses a very heavy, irregular vibrato.

Some fans and critics have disapproved of King's solo style, but it should be noted that King is an innovator: his solo style had little precedent, but has exerted a strong influence, particularly thrash and death metal bands, where diatonic-ism is less important than in traditional rock and metal.

Influences: Judas Priest, Venom, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath

Axology: B.C. Rich KKV Signature V guitar, B.C. Rich Wartribe 7-string guitar and Marshall JCM-800 amplifier

Signature song(s): Angel of Death and Raining in Blood - Slayer (Reign In Blood, 1986)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ayy4KqN9OU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FVBN-xidl8

Chuck Schuldiner (Death/Control Denied)

Name: Charles Michael Schuldiner
Born/Died: 13th May, 1967 (Glen Cove, New York, USA) - 13th December, 2001

Profile: He was an American singer, songwriter, rhythm and lead guitarist for the heavy metal band "Death" and musical genre innovator.

History: He started playing guitar at the age of 9. His 16 year old brother had just been killed in an accident and his parents bought him a guitar, thinking it would help with his grief. He took classical lessons for less than a year in which his teacher taught him "Mary had a Little Lamb", which he didn't like very much, and almost stopped completely, until his parents saw an electric guitar at a yard sale and bought it for him. The young Schuldiner immediately took to the instrument. After getting amps, he never stopped playing, writing and teaching himself. Schuldiner was known to spend the weekend in the garage or his room playing his guitar, he first played in public in his early teens.

In 1983, Schuldiner formed "Death",initially under the name Mantas when he was 16 years old. He is often referred to as 'The Father of Death Metal'. In 1986, he moved to Toronto and temporarily joined the Canadian band "Slaughter". However, he quickly returned to continue the formation of "Death".

In 1987, the band underwent many lineup changes, however with Chris Reifert he eventually released his first "Death" album, titled 'Scream Bloody Gore'. After 1990's 'Spiritual Healing' album, Schuldiner stopped working with full time band members and instead worked only with studio and live venue musicians due to bad relationships with "Death's" previous rhythm section and guitarists. This earned Schuldiner something of a 'perfectionist' reputation in the metal community.

"Death's" breakthrough album, 'Human' saw the band evolving to a more technical and progressive style, in which Schuldiner displayed his guitar skills more than ever. He continued in this style (and continued the success of the band) with 1993's 'Individual Thought Patterns', followed by 'Symbolic' in 1995, and finally 'The Sound of Perseverance' in 1998.

He folded "Death" after this to form a new band called "Control Denied", and released 'The Fragile Art of Existence' in 1999. Schuldiner also played guitar in the supergroup "Voodoocult" in 1994. Schuldiner was also asked to be one of the many guest vocalists on Dave Grohl's 2001 "Probot" project. Grohl even campaigned to raise funds to help Schuldiner pay medical bills for the brain cancer that would eventually take his life. Schuldiner succumbed to the disease before any collaboration could happen.

Influences: Iron Maiden, Kiss, Billy Idol, Sortilège, Slayer, Possessed, Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, Metallica, Watchtower, Queensrÿche and Lush.

Axology: B.C. Rich Stealth model, BC Rich Mockingbird model, Axxtra guitar and Marshall Valvestate amplifiers

Signature song(s): Crystal Mountain - Death (Symbolic, 1995) and Spirit Crusher - Death (The Sound Of Perseverance, 1988)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuQLm93eZYo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5yTPs0P4S8

"Chuck Schuldiner was one of the most significant figures in the history of metal" - Kerrang! magazine

"I don't think I should take the credits for this death metal stuff. I'm just a guy from a band, and I think 'Death' is a metal band" - Chuck Schuldiner

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

Lita Ford (The Runaways)

Name: Lita Rossana Ford
Born: 19th September, 1958 (London, England)

Profile: She is a British-born, American rock musician and singer (her vocal range is mezzo-soprano) who was the lead guitarist for "The Runaways" and achieved popularity for her solo career between the 80's and late 2000's.

History: She began playing guitar at age 11. At the age of 17 (1975) she joined the all-female rock band "The Runaways", as a lead guitarist. After the group split in 1979, she began a solo career. Her song title "Fire In My Heart" reached the Top 10 in several countries, while "Gotta Let Go" was one of Lita's signature song and it reached Number 1 on the Mainstream Rock charts.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: B.C. Rich guitars Warlock, Eagle, Mockingbird and Bich single and double-neck models.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36AmmAqATWY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRgGO3fyhRI