TAZ TAYLOR

1. What are you currently up to? (e.g. touring/studio,etc.)

Well I finished the recording of my new album "Caffeine Racer" and managed to get it out on my own label , No Hair Records in time for July 23. This date was important to me, because my Father passed away on that date the previous year and I dedicated the album to him. Also I signed a five year publishing deal with D S M Producers Inc, a Warner Brothers affiliate for all of the 12 tracks on the album. They specialize in the placement of music in T.V. shows and movies. They are excited about my material and think it has great potential for sports T.V. use. We will have to wait and see! Right now I am booking live shows in and around the San Diego area.We just played the first one. It went over real well with everyone in attendance, looking forward to a lot more of the same.

2. Brief history of the band and the style of music you play.

The style of music is Instrumental Hard Rock. I try to make it as accessible as possible to fans of rock music who perhaps would not ordinarily be so much into the other instrumentalists, some of whom are a little to esoteric for most people. I have had people tell me that my music sounds like U.F.O./M.S.G. or Ozzy but without the vocals!! This is a huge compliment as these are some of my favorite artists, and this also means that I have achieved my goal to some degree. The history of the band is a little short as I recorded all of the instruments myself, with the exception of the drums which were handled by Calvin Lakin. I now have Bob Miller on Keys, John Osman on bass and Calvin is still occupying the drum stool.

3. Who was/is are the biggest influences on your career?

Michael Schenker continues to be the epitome of what a good guitar player should sound like to me and is unquestionably my biggest influence. Others would be Randy Rhoads, Yngwie Malmsteen (for his emotion and vibrato, not the rather obvious speed) and some of Satriani's earlier records.

4. What has been the highlight(s) and lowpoint(s) of your career to date?

I don't really dwell on low points. Highlights would be finishing my album this year, signing my publishing deal and playing the material live for the first time. Finding Batttttty and talking her into running my web site for me was a huge step in presenting my music to the world in a professional manner. "Thanks Batttttty"

5. What would you like to achieve ideally by the end of 2004?

Wow, the end of 2004 is just around the corner, I tend to look further ahead, but more good live shows and maybe a call from my publisher that one of my tracks got synced to a movie, that would be nice!!

6. What has been the reaction to your CD so far? Have you got any more recording plans for this year?

The reaction has been tremendous so far. I don't have plans for any more recordings just yet as I want to make 2005 the year of "Caffeine Racer" and push it as far as possible, to pave the way for a new release in early 2006.

7. How important do you feel the internet is for promoting your music?

I feel that the Internet is hugely important. My music is not of the type that will ever be in the mainstream media. The Internet serves to bring this kind of thing right to the fans in their homes. Just as I keep up on the careers of my heroes.

8. What has been the live highlight(s) for the band? How easy/hard is it to get gigs and promotion for gigs?

Well we only just started playing shows, so far it is all highlights. The short answer for the second part of the question is that they are easy to book and hard to promote!!

9. Do you see the interest in rock & metal music growing on the West coast of America at the moment? And worldwide?

I really don't know. I am too focused inwardly. I need to pay more attention I guess!!

10. Message to your fans?

Thanks for the interest in my music. If I can have an impact on you, like other people's music has had on me then my work is done.

Website: Artist website

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