Bill West
What gear do you usually play onstage?
I play a Martin DCXE acoustic/electric guitar with Martin Bluegrass acoustic strings. For my electric rig, I play a 1980 Ibanez Artist series through a Marshall MG100 half stack with 4 12" speakers. My pedalboard is a Boss ME-50.
What was your first guitar?
My first guitar was an old beat up classical guitar. It was a gift from a neighbor down the street in exchange for helping out with stacking some firewood. I wish I still had that old guitar. It was stolen out of storage a while back.
When did you first start playing guitar?
I think it was when I was right around 15 years old.
What is the name of your first band?
I don't think we ever decided on a name. We were called 'Stella Blue' for a short time. Then, our drummer suggested 'To Bounce Granny'. I don't really remember what we ended up with. I was in a band one time called 'Grace & The Spanish Onions'. We didn't last very long.
What guitarist do you most admire?
I'd have to say David Gilmour from Pink Floyd. He just has that magic touch and a tone that is all his own. Of course, there are so many great guitar players to choose from. Mark Knopfler, Keller Williams, Don Ross, Michael Manring.... sooo many!
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 5 albums would you have to have?
The Unforgettable Fire - U2
Elemental - Tears For Fears
The entire Pink Floyd Box set...
Disintegration - The Cure
No Room - The Samples
What were your first impressions of your other band mates?
The minute I met Chuck, I knew he was a good dude. He kept refering to "the man upstairs" and that is pretty important to me as well. Plus, he was very upbeat and personable. It is rare to see Chuck down in the dumps and quiet. Of course, once we actually jammed together, his attention to keeping a solid and steady beat really clicked with my playing style. I play the drums too so he and I kind of think together on certain feels and rythyms. Chuck is a trooper just like me and Chris. He always does his best to make sure we rock no matter what might be working against us at a particular show. I love watching him stroll around with a big mug of some awsome dark beer in one hand and a chicken wing in the other.
I spotted Chris Dunbar at a Sex Police show in Chapel Hill. He was all alone - just chilling in the back and really digging the show. (just like me)I thought to myself - "this guy gets it - he's cool". Chris and I share very similar musical tastes and musical backgrounds. The more we rap about the past, the more we realize that we ran in the exact same circles. Chris has always been super cool, hard working, and fair. He has an amazing ability to always weigh all options before making any important decisions. He is a solid bassist and an even better friend. One of my favorite things about being in a band with him is simply hanging out after band practice with an ice cold beer - while trying to solve the world's problems.
If you couldn't play your instrument . . . but . . . you could be anything else you wanted to be, what would that be?
Either a veteranarian or a radio DJ. I love animals and I have a pretty good ability at picking the right tunes for the right vibes. Maybe I could do both - at the same time.
If you could meet and have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Living - my half brother who I have never met.
Dead - There are so many! Hendrix, Abraham Lincoln, Marylyn Monroe, Mozart, Jeff Buckley...
Who was the last band/artist you paid to see perform live?
Death Cab for Cutie
Bill performs
'Nightblindness'
'Knocking on Heaven's Door'
