1 in the Chamber

When did you start playing music?

I grew up playing music with my dad who was a talented musician. I played the drums and some guitar when I was young, but never really took it too serious until later in life. The foundation I developed from what my dad taught me, and guitar classes early in life, really helped me pick it up later. I would have to give the rest of my credit to YouTube and some good friends that later helped me take things to the next level.

Where did you grow up? 

I was born in the California, Bay Area, and lived down there until around 1984 when we moved to Klamath Falls. I still remember my first year of high school at Mazama being the same year Van Halen release 1984! Guess I’m dating myself 😊

What music influences did you have?

Well, my dad of course, but also a friend of mine named Bobby Langfield. Bobby really believed in me and pushed me to do a lot more with my music than I ever would have done if it were not for him.   

Instruments that you’ve played and can play? 

Guitar and drums, and I can hand bone pretty good too! 😊

Other bands you’ve played in?

I played drums with my dad and also sat in for several different bands when I was young, but I don’t even remember the names. I played with some buddy’s in high school and we called our ourselves “Mainline” but I honestly didn’t even know what exactly that meant back then. Bobby Langfield and I played an acoustic show for several years and did a lot of fun shows together. We eventually started a band called Third Monkey but that did not last long. After that, 1 in the Chamber was born. 

What’s your favorite genre?  

I’m really kind of all over the place, I’ll listen to just about everything, but I probably like playing contemporary rock the most, stuff like; Stone Temple Pilots, Nickel Back, Alice in Chains. 

Who’s your favorite music group? 

I love AC/DC and I wish I could perform their music, I just don’t have the voice to do them justice. I also really like the Foo Fighters and we actually perform their song called, “Learn to Fly.” 

What is your favorite song that 1 in the Chamber currently plays now? 

I like playing songs that fit my voice more comfortably. Songs like, “Yellow Ledbetter” by Pearl Jam and “Cumbersome” by 7 Mary 3 seem to fit me pretty well, they’re not necessarily my favorite songs, but songs that I like to sing.

Tell us about your family?

I’ve been married to my wife Leslie for 26 years, we have one son who is all grown and out of the house. I couldn’t be prouder of all the things our son has done with his life. I am close with my siblings, and I have some very close friends that I consider family too. My friends and family are the most important thing in my life.  

Any other hobbies?

I like hunting, fishing, camping and hanging out with my family and friends, oh and I like drinking beer too (just not when we perform) 😊.

What are your aspirations? 

For 1 in the Chamber, my biggest goal is to be recognized as one of Southern Oregon’s best. There is a lot of talent in our area, and I would be proud to make it into that category. It’s taken us a lot of work to get where we are now, especially because all of us have a lot going on in addition to the band. We all have careers and most of us have children, it’s been a big commitment, but we all love what we are doing.  

When did you start playing music? 

I started playing music at 11 years old. 

What were your musical influences? 

I grew up listening to classic rock in my dad’s garage and my biggest musical influence was actually my middle school and high school band director, who was probably the closest thing I had to a parent besides my real parents. 

Do any of your family play music at all? 

No, not a single one

What instruments can you play? 

I can play trombone, baritone, tuba, trumpet, piano, guitar, bass, I wish I could play drums but never been able to pick it up.

What other bands have you played in? 

We had a jazz band in high school that I played in, we called ourselves the “Chocolate Covered Oompa Loompa’s”. We had a punk rock band in high school had “NME” and then I played with Daybreak in Cave Junction probably about 12 years ago or so and played in some competitions and got pretty good.

What is your favorite genre and band? 

I like everything from classical all the way up to heavy metal, I love everything. Some of my favorite bands are Reel Big Fish, they are a Ska band, I like some classic metal, Metallica, Megadeath, and System of the Down is one of my favorite bands. I love Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones. 

What is your favorite song that 1 in the Chamber plays? 

The one I like playing the most is probably going to be “The one I love” or Stone Temple Pilots.

Tell us about your family. 

My family is very supportive, they love that I’m in a band. My wife might be a little grumpy that I spend a little time away from family but she loves coming to shows and she loves seeing me do what I do and my kids tell everybody. My wife and I are going on 8 years together and I have three kids. 

What are your other hobbies? 

I’m a big fan of hunting and going out in the woods I like shooting. I’m also a nerd so anything that’s really a nerdy hobby I’ll probably jump right into it. 

What are your aspirations? 

I want to retire to a cabin in the woods where I’ll write my manifesto and become a crazy old man with a wild beard. 

Where did you grow up? 

I was born in California and moved to Oregon when I was 4 years old and have pretty much lived all over the state of Oregon.