Rush was the biggest early influence.  Couldn't get enough, still can't. Zeppelin and the amazing bass lines from John Paul Jones.  I loved Triumph, Pink Floyd, the Doors, Travis Larson... oh wait.

Who are some of your more recent musical influences? 

On the bass, Dave LaRue, Victor Wooten, Stanley Clark, Michael Anthony (duh, guy rocks), Tony Levin, etc.  Musically, I'm inspired by: Miles Davis, Stewart Copeland, Genesis, Dixie Dregs, Jeff Beck, Dave Grohl, Paul Gilbert is a new/old favorite, did I mention Rush?  

What 's in your CD player right now?

Standing in the Shadows.

What kind of effects do you use?

For my bass effects I use a Digitech GNX-4 processor with all my patches somehow referring to the word "poo"... cos it's funny. I use a little compression and verb for my main sound, sometimes kick in a little chorus during lush parts or tapping sections, and sometimes delay for solos.  I also use a pitch bender on a couple of tunes, either to add a lower octave or for a whammy effect..

What's your current main bass?

I am currently using two "main" basses: my Blue Dawn MusicMan Sterling and my MusicMan Bongo. The Sterling is more for slap style tunes and tunes where I need a little more speed. The Bongo has 24 frets (the Sterling has 22), a piezo pickup, a single coil pickup and a Hipshot de-tuner so it gets used for everything else since it is so versatile.

What's your amp setup like these days?

I'm using Ampeg's SVT IV Pro, with Ampeg Classic cabs, 2 8X10s, Stereo.

What's the deal with your footpedals?

I used to use the Fatar M-1 midi pedals, and still do sometimes when I' feeling retro.  They control a keyboard brain and sampler with MIDI. There is a new device I've been using called the Midi Solutions Footswitch Controller that is a simpler one-shot trigger.

What is your favorite word?

cheese.

What is your least favorite word?

moist or blog.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Huh?

What turns you off?

What?

What is your favorite curse word?

Blimey.

What sound or noise do you love?

A dog's toenails clicking, ticking on a hardwood floor.

What sound or noise do you hate?

Leafblower, leafblower, leafblower

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Chief of Police or fishmonger.

What profession would you not like to do?

Database administrator or leaf-blowing

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Phew!