I began playing guitar at the age of 11. Back to my earliest memories, I always wanted to be a guitarist. Music was just about all I wanted to do since I was 5. My first performance was singing The Beatles song "Help", for a show and tell in kindergarten! My favorite bands were the Beatles, Kiss, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Rush and many other classic metal bands. I had many favorite guitarists; Ted Nugent, Rick Emmett, Ace Frehley, Randy Rhoads, Michael Schenker, to name a few.

I took about 13 months of guitar lessons, I was bored of Mel Bay and decided to teach myself. I had a band in Middle School called "Blitzkrieg", we did a few shows, the first being at a bar in Ridgewood, New Jersey when I was in 13. When I was 14 my brother and I formed a band called "Anti". We found a bassist in "The Aquarian" now called "The East Coast Rocker." His name was Darryl Sage, to this day his is one of my best friends. We owned my infamous house in Ringwood, New Jersey together. Anti found a singer named Blaze and we began to play out. We did half originals and covers. We opened for many national acts when I was in High School, bands like Mountain, Metallica, Overkill, Steppenwolf, and Blackfoot. I remember I would get an hour of sleep and then go to school. I graduated High School at 16, and went straight into being a professional musician. I taught about 30 students and played out at night.

We did well as a band, but had trouble with our vocalists, never finding the right one. There were about four demo tapes floating around. The first I did was at the age of 14. I did one at the age of 17 and it got me my first national gig. I was hanging out in New York City in a club called "Nirvana", it was right in the middle of Times Square, a very cool place to hang out. I met the singer of the band "Heaven", his name was Allan Fryar. I heard that they were looking for a guitarist and I asked if I could get him a tape. The next week I did, and he called me and asked me to join. I guess he liked it! It turns out that they needed a drummer too, and my brother Phil, joined also. The band was managed by David Krebs and Paul O'Neill. Paul produced as well. This is where I met Paul and began my relationship with him and David, one that still lasts 16 years later! Paul is still wearing the same thing as the day I met him! Heaven had a CD out called "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", it was on Columbia Records and contained versions that I believe was listened to by someone in Guns N Roses!!!!

Heaven was leaving Columbia Records. I did some shows with them at the end of the tour and we went into the studio to record a new demo. Allan actually sung on the tapes of some Anti songs, this inspired David to get us into the studio. Opening for Heaven at the shows I did were Skidd Row on the East Coast and Warrant on the West. Skidd Row did not have Sebastian at the time and actually asked me to join, I turned it down, duh! Paul O'Neill was then introduced to Savatage by Jason Flom at Atlantic Records. He flew to Florida and began working with them. They agreed to have Paul produce Hall of the Mountain King. Soon Savatage was in New York recording the CD. Paul invited me to the studio and introduced me to the band. Heaven was not working with David and Paul anymore, but David and Paul wanted to keep working with my brother and myself. We started looking for singers again. One guy we turned onto was Sebastian, oddly enough, we never got him to New York in time, and soon he was in Skidd Row. Paul had mentioned to me that he wanted a second guitarist in Savatage. Something that would take some time to settle in with the Oliva brothers. I learned all of the Savatage songs and when Savatage was booked on the Dio/Megadeth tour in '87-88, Paul asked if I would go with them.

The band hired a kid in Florida. I was very upset and asked to fly myself down to audition. I was given the opportunity and played just 2 songs before the band stopped and hired me on the spot. We gelled musically, instantly. I loved the music and Criss was very happy with how it sounded. We went on the tour and it was very odd. I was kept on the side of the stage, eventually I was hidden. It was too weird for the band. I was 20 and playing arenas, I was happy but miserable. I left after the arena tour and went home dazed and confused, but definitely a road dog!!!!

I became friendly with the metal department at Atlantic Records. They asked if I would audition for a band they signed called Big Mouth. I got the gig and and did the record. I wrote a song, played some lead and rhythm. I was in a pretty silly video that was on MTV before I turned 21. Oddly enough the band actually was ahead of its time, musically. Rock-n Rap hadn't even started yet. We toured opening for the band The Dickies, it was fun but not for me. The band was not getting along with the label, the metal department suggested I try out for Dirty Looks. I got the gig.. good trend to have!!!!!

We recorded demos for the second CD with Beau Hill producing. Atlantic wanted to use him because of his success with Ratt and Warrant. The singer, who was a strange cat, hated Beau. So, we used someone else and it was not good. The label was not happy. I did not get along with the singer at all. I loved the drummer, Gene. He was a great friend. The original drummer in Doctor Butcher. The singer wanted me to play things his way, or no way. I left soon after to re-join Savatage, officially.

I ran into the Oliva's while they were recording Gutter Ballet, we missed each other a lot and they called me a few days later to come to the city and talk. They asked me to join. I gladly accepted. Since the CD was just about done, I figured it was useless to spend the time and money to record new tracks. Criss did offer it to me. I never got credit on the Dirty Looks CD, which I wrote 5 songs and played all the basic tracks. Oh well.. life goes on. Savatage was on the road for a long time supporting Gutter Ballet. The road took its toll on all of us. I was receiving a lot of pressure from my brother to find a singer and quit. A decision I regret very much, I lost some very precious time with Criss.

I called the band Witchdoctor. I recruited Hal Patino from King Diamond on bass. We toured in Europe together. The keyboard player was from Anti His name was Doug Kistner. He toured with the first TSO West!!!! Yes, I got him the audition. My brother and I were not clicking musically, at all. I had a few demos recorded. The first versions of the Butcher songs The Altar and Born of the Board were on the tapes. It was a tug of war between rock and metal and we eventually called it a day. It was then that I was contacted to join Savatage on the Streets tour. Things did not materialize and the band pulled off the road for personal reasons. I was upset, but had learned that Jon Oliva had left the band. I called Jon and he asked me to come to Florida and hang out with him. It was over about 10 bottles of Jack Daniels that Doctor Butcher was born. We had so much fun with this band. We were still huge in the band's home town of Tampa and lived in the local clubs at night. Writing Butcher songs in between beer runs!!!!

Savatage replaced Jon with Zak Stevens, this was the only thing that stopped Criss from actually being in Butcher! Jon worked with Criss on Edge of Thorns We eventually did Butcher demos with Hal Patino and Gene Barnett. We landed a deal with Atlantic Records and began pre-production for the CD. Criss and Zak asked me to re-join Savatage but I was loyal to Jon and Butcher. Unfortunately there was some bad press about Jon's health. This forced Atlantic to decide between Butcher and Savatage. They went with Savatage. I was tired and confused.

I began working with a long time friend of mine, Ray Gillen, in a project called Sun Red Sun. Later that year, Criss Oliva passed away. Savatage was unsure if its future. Weeks later after that Ray Gillen passed away. It was a mental disaster!!! I was asked to re-join Savatage, however I was not really ready mentally or as a player to take over the band. Atlantic suggested the band use Alex Skolnik, who I worked with now in TSO East. Butcher continued to write and eventually landed a European deal. We recorded the Debut in 1994, just before Jon left to do the Handful of Rain tour. We never toured the CD due to Jon's commitment to the record the follow up Savatage CD.

It was by then that I decided to ask Jon about re-joining Savatage. The spirit of Criss was not in the band live, and I felt the need to give it a shot. I slept with my guitar for a year and was rehired during the recording of Dead Winter Dead. A long time friend of mine, Al Pitrelli, was hired as my partner and we had a steady line up for 6 years. The group took over the European Metal scene. The Wake of Magellan tour and CD propelled us to the top of most of the metal charts. A place we saw in the US in 1990.

During this time I recorded with Joe Lynn Turner, TM Stevens, as well as produced and recorded the Metalium CD. I was on Tribute CD's for Guns N Roses, Accept and Iron Maiden. The Maiden CD was with Jeff Plate and my long time and newly re acquainted best friend, John West. We did a tour of Europe called American Rock Live. It was a fun thing. The drummer was Mike Terrana from Malmsteen. It was through this that I hooked up with Metalium. Savatage was stalled a bit in the recording a follow up to Wake due to the tremendous success of our then "Side Project" Trans Siberian Orchestra. An album written and recorded around Savatage's song "Christmas Eve", it has since gone platinum in America with a gold follow up, "The Christmas Attic." The tours are amazingly successful. Two simultaneous sold out tours at Christmas each year. TSO East and West. I am kinda the onstage ring leader of TSO East. It's a very fun gig. The band also recorded a non Christmas CD called "Beethoven's Last Night". The tour for this album will take place in 2003. We also recorded a song for The Grinch movie and soundtrack. Every year TSO gets bigger and bigger, the 2002 tour moves to many arenas. Very impressive for a band that started from a vision Paul O'Neill had of the Christmas Eve song back at the time of Heaven!!!!

Al Pitrelli had left Savatage during the recording of Poets and Madmen, shortly thereafter so did vocalist, Zak Stevens. Al joined Megadeth, Zak needed some time with his family. Jon finished the vocals on Poets himself. We kept a few of Al's solos on the CD. Poets and Madmen was release and I go my opportunity to play sole lead guitarist on the tour. We hired rhythm guitarist, Jack Frost who, oddly enough, replaced me in Metalium.. big circles here!!! We toured all over the world, highlighted by a dream tour for myself opening for Judas Priest in Europe. This was the band I met at age 12. I was asked then by guitarist KK Downing what I wanted to do when I grew up. I said..."I wanted to be just like him!" The tour ended in February of 2002 after a postponed European tour was finished. The attacks of September 11th caused us all to be cautious in 2001.

When Megadeth disbanded in early 2002, Al Pitrelli and I were speaking about a side project, instead I just decided it was the right time for him to rejoin the band. Al and I had gotten very close in the years that he left for Megadeth and we wanted to work together again. He was already back in TSO and had never left the family anyway. Jack did a great job on the tour and now works full time with his band, Seven Witches.

Savatage is working on a new CD that will feature Al and myself on lead guitar. It will also feature the lead singing of Jon Oliva along with our new Savatage vocalist, Damond Jiniya. I will be helping Zak Stevens on his first solo CD. This should be out next in early 2003. Recently, John West recorded his new solo CD called Earthmaker. I played guitars along with Mike Clasciak from the band Halford. This will be released world wide in September. I am also hoping to get a side project I have with Blitz from Overkill off the ground this year, too. A post nuclear Black Sabbath!!!

So.. there have been a whole lot of CD's, a bunch of world tours covering all of Europe, North America, Japan and Brazil. I have made a ton of good friends in the bands, the fans and the countless business people that help make this crazy business go round. Yes, I am very busy...at the age of 5 I wanted to be a rock star... I am living my dreams.

I don't sleep much...

To be continued...

It has reached June of 2003 and I wanted to add a quick update to my autobiography.

The 2002 TSO Christmas Tour was an amazing success.

       11/22: Toledo, OH (Stranahan Theater)
       11/23: Columbus, OH (Veterens Mem)
       11/24: Dayton,OH (Memorial Aud) - Matinee and Evening
       11/25: Akron, OH (EJ Thomas Theater)
       11/26: Akron, OH (EJ Thomas Theater)
       11/27: Grand Rapids, MI (Van Andel Arena)
       11/29: Cincinnatti, OH (Aronoff Center)
       11/30: Detroit, MI (The Opera House)
       12/01: Detroit, MI (The Opera House) - Matinee and Evening
       12/03: Youngstown, OH (Powers Auditorium)
       12/04: Buffalo, NY (Sheas)
       12/05: Erie, PA (Warner Theater)
       12/06: Pittsburgh, PA (Palumbo Center Theater)
       12/07: Cleveland, OH (CSU)
       12/08: Cleveland, OH (CSU) - Matinee and Evening
       12/10: Norfolk, VA (Hampton Rhodes)
       12/11: Washington, DC (Constituion Hall)
       12/12: Richmond, VA (Carpenter Hall)
       12/13: Hershey, PA (Giant Center)
       12/14: Philadelphia, PA (Tweeter Center)
       12/15: Wilkes-Barre, PA (1st Union Arena) - Matinee and Evening
       12/17: Toronto, Canada (Massey Hall)
       12/18: Rochester, NY (Aud Theater)
       12/19: Syracuse, NY (Landmark Theater)
       12/20: Wallingford, CT (Oakdale Music)
       12/21: NYC, NY (Beacon Theater)
       12/22: NYC, NY (Beacon Theater) - Matinee and Evening
       12/23: NYC, NY (Beacon Theater)
       12/26: Baltimore, MD (Symphony Hall) - Matinee and Evening
       12/27: Portland, ME (Cumberland County Arena)
       12/28: Boston, MA (Tsongas Arena)
       12/29: Schenectady, NY (Proctor Theater) - Matinee and Evening
       12/30: Providence RI (PAC) - Matinee and Evening

We entered the arenas in force and did a total of 8 matinees. It is still so unbelievable to watch this phenom grow. We are adding at least an extra week to each tour in 2003!!!

Most of 2003 has been spent writing. Savatage, John West, TSO...and so far 35 songs with myself on vocals. In the process of writing this past year I had started to drop a few of my vocal melodies into my computer. I knew it was not brilliant, however, there was a tone I really liked in my voice. It was angry! I started to record finished songs. Little by little, month by month, things started to develop. I have begun to turn even the most skeptical into firm believers. As I write now I am very surprised with the progress of my voice and hope to have a solo CD recorded and released sometime in the next 12 months.

The project with Blitz has been put on hold as Overkill hits the road again. I have been in the studio a few times writing and developing John West's newest solo adventure. I was also privileged to play another guitar solo on Joe Lynn Turner's latest CD. I believe it will be released this June.

The Circle II Circle CD featuring Zak Stevens was released in April. It has been doing very well and includes three of my songs. I also got to play the guitars on these numbers. They are the songs "Face To Face," "Sea of White" and "Out of Reach."

In the middle of my personal writing mayhem...writing and recording continues for both Savatage and TSO. New CD's from both will be showing up in the stores in the near future.

The summer should be a very creative and productive period for all involved in my life. I am going to seriously dive into a couple books I have been planning to write. The first is a children's story.

In the meantime...I just wanted to add a little tag to this story here and "I will be back!"

To be continued...

It is now September 26, 2004, I think it is about time to update this autobiography!

Oddly enough I read where I stopped and I am back…it is a little over 12 months later and my solo CD “Faces” has just been released.

Not much longer after I last wrote here I was flown to Athens, Greece to meet with Black Lotus Records. I signed my recording contract with them during the 2003 TSO tour. That tour was extremely successful…

       11/14: Youngstown, OH (Powers Auditorium)
       11/15: Youngstown, OH (Powers Auditorium)
       11/16: Akron, OH (EJ Thomas Theater)
       11/17: Akron, OH (EJ Thomas Theater)
       11/18: Louisville, KY (Palace Theater)
       11/19: Charleston, WV (Municipal Auditorium)
       11/21: Buffalo, NY (Shea's PAC)
       11/22: Erie, PA (Erie Civic Center)
       11/23: Syracuse, NY (Landmark Theater)
       11/24: Wheeling, WV (Capitol Theater)
       11/25: Cincinnati, OH (Taft Theater)
       11/26: Columbus, OH (Veteran's Auditorium)
       11/28: Baltimore, MD (1st Mariner Arena)
       11/29: Washington, DC (Patriot Center)
       11/30: Greensboro, NC (War Memorial Auditorium)
       12/01: Charlotte, NC (Belk Theater @ Blumenthal Perf Arts Center)
       12/02: Columbia, SC (Township Auditorium)
       12/04: Providence, RI (Dunkin Donuts Center)
       12/05: Rochester, NY (Auditorium Theater)
       12/06: Wallingford, CT (Oakdale Music Theater)
       12/07: Boston, MA (Fleet Center)
       12/09: New York, NY (Beacon Theater)
       12/10: New York, NY (Beacon Theater)
       12/11: Richmond, VA (Carpenter Center)
       12/12: Hampton, VA (Hampton Coliseum)
       12/13: Wilkes-Barre, PA (Wachovia Arena)
       12/14: Hershey, PA (Giant Center)
       12/16: Toronto, ON (Massey Hall)
       12/17: Toledo, OH (Sports Arena)
       12/18: Dayton, OH (Nutter Center)
       12/19: Grand Rapids, MI (Van Andel Arena)
       12/20: Detroit, MI (The Palace)
       12/21: Cleveland, OH (CSU Convocation Center)
       12/22: Cleveland, OH (CSU Convocation Center)
       12/23: Pittsburgh, PA (Mellon Arena Theatre)
       12/26: Albany, NY (Pepsi Arena)
       12/27: Camden, NJ (Tweeter Center)
       12/28: Uncasville, CT (Mohegan Sun Arena)
       12/29: Newark, NJ (Newark Performing Arts Center)
       12/30: Portland, ME (Cumberland Arena)

The tour was highlighted by an appearance on the Regis and Kelly show. I spent most of the tour working on finalizing the songs for my CD. I had about 65 written when I was ready to go in the studio. I had also started taking vocal lessons with Don Lawrence, a very well known teacher in New York City.

In January of 2004 I began pre-production for my very first solo CD ever. Recording began in February. The studio diaries can be found on here on this web-site.

Jeff Plate took care of the drumming duties, Dave Z the bass and Paul Morris the keyboards and piano.

The CD was recorded at Spin Studios in Astoria, NYCity. I produced the CD with co-producer/engineer Nik Chinboukas. The recording and mixing were finished in May. Because of the abundance of material I decided to record 30 songs. There are 2 CD’s recorded. “Faces” and “God Damn War”.

I had also entered the studio to play some guitars on the 4th TSO studio CD. The CD is to be released on October 12th.

I flew to Athens, Greece to Master the CD at Athens Mastering in June. Shortly thereafter I returned to Europe to begin my promotional tour. The CD was to be a double release. “Faces” with 9 of the songs from “God Damn War” as a free bonus CD.

The promotional tour led me through Greece, Germany, Holland, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Finland, Poland and Norway. To date I have done over 250 interviews for the release!

In August I flew to Germany to be a special guest for Doro Pesch at the 15th Anniversary of Wacken. The premier Heavy Metal Festival in Europe. I played 3 songs with Doro and her Classic Metal Orchestra. The performance was very memorable. The next night I also appeared as a special guest with Saxon. I got to play “Denim and Leather” with the band. As a huge fan, this was a great honor!

The first single for “Faces” was released on September 1st in Europe. It was called “The Mold”. It contained 3 songs from the release and 2 unreleased bonus tracks. To date I believe it has just about sold out everywhere!

On September 11th I headed to Florida to rehearse for a WOMD/Savatage appearance as the headliner of the Prog Power festival in Atlanta. The show was to feature Jon Oliva, former Savatage vocalist Zak Stevens, original Savatage drummer Steve Wacholz and myself. We were called “Weapons of Mass Destruction” because although we were to play all Savatage material, it was not all of the members of the current Savatage line-up.

Zak Stevens had a terrible accident the week prior to the show and lost part of his right middle finger. He was unable to appear. The show then featured the first lead vocal performance for myself ever. I sang “Edge of Thorns” and Power of the Night”. The show was sold for months and the whole weekend was a ton of fun!

I returned home for more interviews and as I type the release of “Faces” in Europe happened 2 days ago. I just returned from the QVC TV studios. TSO was debuting its new CD and selling them on TV. It is almost time for rehearsals…In the next few weeks I will enter the studio to record a few new songs for different releases of “Faces” and the final release of “God Damn War”

Until we meet again!