John Welch
Lead and Rhythm Guitars
"I started noodling around on guitar at some point in high school as I tried to accompany my failing attempts at sounding like Freddie Mercury."
"The gods of Rock an' Roll presumably smiling upon this kid and in their infinite wisdom, let fall into my grubby hands Metallica's 'Ride the Lightning'. Life changed overnight and Heavy Metal was occupying most hours of the day."
"I worked out (or tried to anyway) anything by Megadeth, Metallica, Pantera, Ozzy, Judas Priest etc. on a Yamaha acoustic guitar. I sounded like crap, but I loved every moment."
"Then, after working my butt off at a local supermarket, I acquired my first electric guitar and homework took a distant second to doing the Steve Vai 10-hour workout."
"Speaking of Steve Vai, I was introduced to his music as well as Joe Satriani's by my guitar teacher at the time. Discovering instrumental music where technique and production were pushed to the limits intrigued and inspired me and consequently,I was fully committed to the socially-treasonous act of living and breathing Rock an' Roll."
"I was playing in various bands at the timeas well as studying Jazz with the legendary South African guitarist Johnnie Fourie. Being exposed to and playing such a variety of music was the greatest education I could have gotten."
"Recently I have been happily revisiting my Metal roots with Untamed and looking forward to conquering stages and beverages across the country."
And what about future goals?
"Polishing the songs and getting this show on the road!"
I would like to thank...
"My beautiful wife Monika, without whom my life would be infinitely boring. You are my inspiration and drive in every way, every day. My son Leon, who taught me the true meaning of life. Mom and Dad who put up with all my crap through the years. My friends back in South Africa who will be forever my brothers in arms."
Live Rig
Ibanez, Fender and ESP guitars. Cornford amplification or whatever else is loud enough. Bogner, Vox, Sansamp and Boss effects. D'Addario strings.
Bottom Line
"Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is the best." - Frank Zappa