For How Long Have You been Making Music?

I started playing the guitar when I was 9 years old, but got involved seriously, at the age of 13.  

Activities before Flamborough Head  

The first band I joined, as so many, was with friends and classmates at the age of  14. From there things evolved. I got to play with a rock theater company, in a production with over 40 actors, actresses and musicians and played in theaters all over Holland. Later on I joined several bands in musical styles from Fusion/Jazz rock to Blues until 1997, when I became a professional musician and played in an all round band for 7 years. At the same time I teamed up with a fellow guitar player to write and produce music. We also participated in the voting rounds of  the eurovision song contest with a country oriented song called I’m on fire. Then there was a brief pause due to starting up my own company, till Flamborough Head came along.

Musical Influences  

My musical influences are so many that it is too hard to mention them all here but I will make  an attempt to mention some: first there’s Mark Knopfler – He was the one who got me getting into serious guitar playing. Then there were so many, mostly guitar players who influenced me in some way or other, like : Al Di Meola, Robben Ford, BB-King, Steve Vai, John Petrucci , Frank Gambale, Frank Zappa, Don Dokken, Larry Carlton, Adje van den Berg, Eddy van Halen, Steve Morse, Martin Barre, Arjen Lucassen, David Gilmour, Nick Kershaw and of course Steve Ray Vaughan. There are of course numerous guitar players who have influenced me some way and a lot of other musicians. As you can see, the styles are very different, and I think it helped me to get my own sound.

Favourite Instrument

I currently have two custom built Strats , one in a classic single coil and one with a two humbucker setup. I like both instruments, they are setup  the way I want it,  thin necks, low action, good sustain due to big Trem blocks, and rich in harmonics. There is another one in the making which will be another Strat, with an HSS ( humbucker single single ) configuration and a floyd rose tremolo.  

Favourite albums

Give it up to love – Mighty Sam McClain

Last Nite – Larry Carlton

Texas Flood – Steve Ray Vaughn

Aqualung – Jethro Tull

An evening with – John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess

The Riddle – Nick Kershaw

The Final Experiment – Ayreon

Making Movies – Dire Straits

Concerto for group and Orchestra – Deep Purple

Stand Up – Steve Morse

Modern Times – Steps Ahead

Unfortunately I have to choose 10 favourite albums ( sorry, can’t count ;-) ) , while there are so many more albums I  like. I think I can come up with an all time favourite Album top 100.