Jen's Biography

	Jen Tonon - Rhythm Guitar & Backing Vocals What gear/settings/effects do you use? Epiphone SG with a sweet argyle print. Yes, it says SOBE on it, but I don't give a rat's. It's ARGYLE. Fender Princeton 65 combo amp is what makes things loud, but only because I'm too much of a wussy to carry a half-stack on my own. What is your musical background? I've been in various band types of the years, from punk, to jam bands, to alternative rock. I started as a drummer, and progressed to guitar and bass several years later in an effort to make myself as useful as possible. Plus, I can record entire tracks on my own, which has proved to be a bonus in doing music for educational games and films. How long have you been playing? I think I'm coming up on 16 years as a drummer, 13 on guitar, and 4 on bass. A good bit of the time has been spent in lulls, so I'm not this amazing musician that I probably should be by now. Where do the bulk of your musical ideas come from? Honestly, my influences stem from the Rocky Horror Show to Iron Maiden and other power metal. I tend to flip-flop a lot in my writing between metal, punk, indie, new wave and other weirdo crap that I can get my hands on. My iPod is filled with stuff that nobody should ever own, but somehow I find the genius in it, and appreciate most things for what they are. Is there a particular show or recording superstition that you follow? Nothing comes to mind on that one. I'll knock on wood (giggity) sometimes or say "bless you" to people, but other than believing that karma comes back for you, I don't have many superstitions. How many tattoos do you have and what are they? I have a half-sleeve on my right arm that is a hodge-podge of things that are important to me. it's tied together by a film reel and film strip, since I'm heavily into filmmaking and movies in general. I have a straight-edge tattoo, although I can't claim to be anymore (I don't regret having it), a Horde symbol (geeks will get that), the Rocky Horror lips with the saying "don't dream it, be it," and some treble clefs on my stomach. I think that's it.

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If you could learn to play any other instrument, what would it be and why?
Hmm. I already play the three basic rock instruments, but I do have a mandolin. I've tried playing it on several occasions, but never really got around to learning it properly. The piano/keyboard is another I'd like to better myself at. Playing one or two fingers at a time gets really old.

What is your favorite quote?
"And out of all those kinds of people, you've got a face with a view." - Talking Heads. I've always thought that lyric to be so full of imagery, and it just embodies everything that is love and beauty.


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