James Screaton

Job: Computer System Administrator

Started playing: In 1980 my friends wanted to form a band and as I could play piano, they wanted me in. However I couldn't afford keyboards, so I used one of their guitars instead. Some people would insist that I haven't started playing yet however.

Main gear: Ibanez RG570JB with a Dimarzio Evolution bridge pickup. Steinberger Spirit GU Deluxe. Kramer Striker. Custom Pete Back Strat (a local guitar builder customised this for me years ago - very little of the original guitar left I think). Encore short scale bass . All of this gets fed into a POD Pro through a TC Electronics G Major and into a Samson Servo 260 Power amp driving Yamaha S12e PA speakers (this rig is also used for keyboards, and works well with the POD). The midi side of things is handled by a Behringer FCB1010 pedal board. Picks are now Dunlop Gatorgrip 2mm :)

Favourite music: Dave Gilmour, Ritchie Blackmore, Alex Lifeson (Rush), John Lees (Barclay James Harvest), Tony Clarkin (Magnum) and Mike Oldfield, Dave Meniketti (Y&T), Brad Gillis & Jeff Watson (Night Ranger), Pete Lesperance (Harem Scarem) plus others that I've forgotten.