Mike O'Donnell

Job: Financial Market Website support/development

Started playing: Well, I'm not a naturally gifted player (some wouldn't even say gifted!!!) I was forced into it at the tender age of 11 during the interview for a place at my secondary school, when the head of year and my mother decided I should play guitar!!! Up to this point I had shown no interest in playing an instrument. I was of course going to be a professional footballer, so why should I be interested in music (other than listening to it)? Took a few years, my discovery of Van Halen and the purchase of an electric (an LP copy) to get me really interested.

Main gear: Yamaha Pacifica 812W, Shaftesbury Les Paul Custom with Dimarzios, Tanglewood Steel Strung acoustic with Fishman Bridge, Battered olde Argos nylon student thing, Mandolin. Ebow, Peavey 112s Express Transtube Combo, Zoom GFX707.

Favourite music: Biggest influences: Alex Lifeson, The Edge, Ty Tybor. Then in no particular order: David Gilmore, Gary Moore, Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen, Dave Bainbridge (iona), Dweezil Zappa, Paul Gilbert, Vernon Reid, SRV.