All of the music heard on this page is created by Tomas David Hood. That's me - Tomas, and I play guitar and keyboard, and I sing. I am just starting to learn the Bass guitar, too.
Sound amplification is through the Genz Benz Amplifiers. Here's the scoop on the amp:
+ The new SHENANDOAH-- STEREO DELUX 200, which has been designed as the most full featured professional acoustic amp available—able to reproduce the warm, natural, distinctive tones of acoustic instruments, even at high output levels. The stereo 200 watt design provides incredible headroom and is capable of continuous high level dynamic output for the club or concert stage.
The stereo amp design and "FLEXED" speaker baffle work together to better project the rich, detailed STEREO programs of the two onboard Alesis-- Digital Effects processors. Both DSP's can be assigned to operate on the same or individual channels and can be turned on and off by the footswitch (included).
To tie the sound together either through the amp, or into the recording software, Tomas uses the Line6 PODxt and TonePort UX2 to mike and shape the sound.
Tomas is also working to form a band with Dean Bartlett. When we feel that the new band idea has come together in a way that we feel comfortable, we'll start a specific MySpace page for the new band.
Influences
Too many to name!
We humans are musical by nature. Music, no matter where it comes from, nor who makes it, causes a response in us. I’m just like you - any music which inspires a response in me can influence me in the overall scheme of things.
I do want to be clear about something: just because an artist inspired me, musically, or had an impact in the shaping of my tastes in music, it does not mean that I endorse nor am aligned with the views, religions, political leanings, or lifestyle of any particular artist.
I have my own beliefs, forged by a life-long journey of personal search and work. These beliefs are expressed by my life, my music, how I do what I do, and so forth. No one can separate his or her religion from his or her daily life. It is one and the same.
With that foundation, let me tell you a bit about my influences, musically. Here’s a wide ranging list:
John Michael Talbot; Joe Satriani; David Gilmore; Michael Hedges; David Lanz; George Winston; U2; Styx; Led Zep; Pink Floyd; Rush; Dream Theater; Larry Norman; Randy Stonehill; Ted Nuggent; Tommy Shaw; Dennis De Young; Jeff Beck; Jean Michael Jerre; Michael Omartian; Super Tramp; Annie Lennox; Heather Nova; Vangelis; and so many more!
I sound like me. Of course, there are elements of the influences in my history that have helped shape my playing. Obviously, the musical styles that I like influence how I play. And, certain bands and musicians have inspired my compositions, my tones, my chosen keys, chord progressions, and melodies. Even how I mix the sound is influenced by my knowledge of and preference for certain styles, musicians, and producers/engineers.
For instance, I really dig the production and sound engineering of Alan Parsons. T-Bone is another producer whose work I appreciate. So too, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, and others.
I tend to gravitate toward progressive, melodic, if not symphonic, rock and jazz fusion. For instance, Jethro Tull, U2, Rush, Pink Floyd (and now solo David Gilmour and Roger Waters, even Nick Mason and Richard Wright), Joe Satriani, Dream Theater, Styx (but specifically, Grand Illusion, Equinox, well, anything earlier than Paradise Theater), Kansas, Supertramp. I love minor keys, but as the Bible says, "There is a season for..." There are times when I am in a more driving, fun, down on the floor rock. Other times I am into story-telling Western styles, and folk / folk-rock styles (Bob Dylan, Neil Young).
While I admire "shredding" on the guitar, and hope to increase my skills in pulling off great scale-ish riff work, I tend to feel that shredding can be just a bunch of melodic noise, and not really create "song scapes." I suppose it is fun to watch a bunch of race cars go around and around on a race track. And see a winner. However, my deepest joy involving a vehicle is to get in one and take a memorable, scenic road trip. Same with music.
So, I can list some of those bands and artists whose sounds I've picked up and discovered being a part of my sound creations. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
+ Pink Floyd, especially the song writing of Roger Waters, the guitar playing of David Gilmor, and some of the keyboard work of Richard Wright.
+ Joe Satriani (of course...) - This guy can not only attack his instruments with skill, but he can craft music with great heart and soul. Many so-called great guitarists have speed and technical skill, but, cannot create memorable, soul-moving songs. Joe can.
Jeff Beck - WOW. What a really creative guitarist. You'll hear some basic techniques in Tomas' guitar work, (nothing even closely as skilled as Jeff's), that arrive out of the influences of Jeff Beck's compositions (from 'Guitar Shop' onward. Note: Check out Jeff's "Jeff" album. That's a nuclear bomb of sound!).
+ Alan Parson's Project - not all of the styles nor all of the musicians that Alan has used to craft his projects. However, his standard of production / engineering is influential in my own sound crafting. I've a lot to learn, and I don't have the most elaborate equipment...
+ Marc Seal (recent influence) - he combines skill and technique with great musician-ship. He can create very memorable and listenable "shredded" music.
+ Rush - I am gravitating away from their philosophies on life, but certainly admire their skill, songwriting, and musical compositions.
+ Led Zep - a true blues band, combining folk rock, fusion elements, and high-decible fun. They've changed the whole sound scape of modern rock. Obviously, they've influenced my music.
+ Super Tramp - this band can write songs, and create compositions that are incredible. I don't see a lot of people referencing them, but they have had a huge impact on modern rock. And certainly, on my music.
+ Men at Work - there are sounds and tones, and certain elements of their compositions, that I find creeping into my music.
+ Newsboys - Phil Joel, specifically. Amazing song writing, and compositions. Simple, elegant, yet powerful and almost symphonic.
+ Vangelis - one of the greatest modern musical composers, incorporating modern instruments and electronics. Huge influence on me. The best work, in my opinion, is "Soil Festivities" - and this one album has a huge influence in my composition.
+ John Michael Talbot - in a word, he and his brother pioneered the sound that the Eagles commercialized. But more, John (amazing guitar player) also is in tune with the soul, and his entire essence influences my work.
+ Heather Nova - another under-rated songwriter/musician. WOW. She is one of the greatest in my opinion. She's created some of the richest, hard-hitting, deeply moving sound scapes I've ever immersed myself into.
+ David Lanz - compositions and production that is very influential to my composing.
+ Styx - Dennis' songwriting is a very finely-honed art. The compositions he's come up with are a major influence in my efforts. Tommy's guitar songwriting are also play key roles in my sound. Their voices rock, too. I just can't stand the preaching that has come into the "new" Styx lyrical work. I think fantesy/romantic anthem rock is dead for now...
There are countless others... I'll keep updating this as I think through this aspect of my music.
This is the Official MySpace page for the singer / song writer / guitar player, Tomas David Hood.
I appreciate your visit. I hope that you take the time to listen to my 'snippets' of sound, musical ideas and partial songs. I'm working on a few songs right now that I hope to refine into real, full-length songs. I'm trying out several different styles. Country, Rock, and Indie.
Writing songs, from the melody, chord arrangements, to the lyrics and parts, is pretty hard work! Especially when I am trying to improve my musical skills as well as accomplish the song writing!
So, do listen. And, please, leave a comment on your favorite of my samples. Comment on what you think should be changed, improved, or just left as is. I know, it takes some time to do this, but, isn't that what real social networking is all about?
Do you have comments?
I only approve comments that are about my music, or are from friends that are involved in a real two-way, give-and-take friendship and networking connection with me.
I no longer approve comments that are simply advertisements, even if slightly disguised.
Perhaps you are wondering why I am selective. This page is about my musical journey; where I have come from, where I am now, and where I am going. Additionally, it is a place where I want to meet other musicians and people who appreciate music, perhaps mine.
I am not your advertisement page. I don't mind a friend or fellow musican coming here and discussing or commenting about my music, and then they have a signature about themselves. That would be fine.
Please: if you wish to be a friend or if you wish to network with me, actually read my bio and other information, and actually listen to my sample music tracks. Then, leave comments about how you like or dislike something. Tell me what worked for you, or what I could change or improve upon. Take the time to develop a connection with me.
I try to answer as much as possible, but I only place comments about my music on my page. I think that is what this page should be about. So please listen to my music and tell me what you think about it.
With that said, I am now going to tell you about myself. I am going to write in the first-person, because I am promoting myself on this page. I do not have an assistant or publicist.
Who am I? Well, this page will cover mostly my music and who I am from a musician's view point. I am more than a musician, however. For instance, I write for three magazines on a regular basis (monthly or quarterly), and I write for a forth magazine twice a year. These magazines target the Amateur Radio community. I write about space weather and solar events, and the propagation of radio waves. This is one of my editors:
She's a great editor; she does a great job in polishing up my columns every month, and laying out the materials. She also sings, and plays the keyboard. I hope to do some songs together in the future.
I am also a father. I was a single dad for over ten years. I married a second time, and added two more children to my first two. I love my daughter and my sons. And I care about parenting and children, and education, and more.
I stand against child abuse in any form.
Some of my music deals with this topic. I was a victim of several forms of child abuse, from the earliest years, through my early teen years. I will deal with this topic from time to time in my blog, and you will hear music dealing with this issue.
Here's the scoop on who I am, musically...
I started playing music while in the 4th grade, when I was encouraged to try playing a clarinet in the school "band." I continued to try the clarinet for about three years. I hated the whole reed thing because it caused me a lot of problems with my teeth and lip. In other words, I hated the clarinet (as a player). (Now, I love the sound of reed instruments, especially the Sax!)
When my oldest brother, Robin, started playing guitar, I thought I should give it a try. I convinced my mom and dad to get me a cheap electric guitar, and I joined the grade-school guitar class, after school. This was when I was in the 4th grade, if I remember correctly.
Unfortunately, I lost interest because of the lack of encouragement from the instructor, and the draw to electronics that I felt. So, gone was the electric guitar.
PAUSE - PLEASE VIEW MY SLIDE SHOW!
This slide show lets you peek into my world, just a bit, which might help you get to know me just a little more. These are photos of people I love, the pets I adore, the place where I live, as well as photos of me and the instruments I play and the equipment I use.
So, take some time and enjoy my slide show! Then, please read more about me, below the slide show...
I hope you enjoyed this slide show. Now, onward about me...
When I was in Junior High, my family moved me to Salt Lake City, Utah. It was here that I was sexually assualted and abused by a perverted amateur radio operator. He used my interest in electronics and radio to manipulate me and then assault me. I'll dig into more of this in my blogs. The bottom line is that I withdrew from most of life, and became quite a reclusive person. I dropped music, and somewhat dropped even my interest in electronics and radio.
When we left Salt Lake City and moved back to Montana, I started coming out of the shell a bit. Additionally, my parents allowed me to go to a Christian school that I found and wanted to attend. I started calling on God to heal me and help me.
While in Butte, Montana, I toyed with music. I became a radio DJ with a three-hour prime time rock show. I no longer had an instrument to play, so I dropped playing music. I wrote some poetry and lyrical ideas, though. Robin, my brother, asked me a probing question, "What do you have to offer anyone? You are so young." Well, I felt that there was a huge gathering storm of material brewing in my soul. Looking back, I know now that a lot of the driving passion, and confusion, came out of the abuse I suffered.
My brother, Robin, once said, "You can either play music, or play with music." During the first few years of High School, I played other people's music, and shared it by way of my radio show. I formed strong ideas about my tastes and about what people liked.
I dropped all music until about 1979, when I picked up my sister-in-law's acoustic, and began my journey in discovering music. In 1978, my family moved me up to Anchorage, Alaska. My brother, Richard, was stationed there as well (in the Army). His wife, Mary, had an acoustic six string sitting in the corner of their living room. I borrowed it, and that launched my life-long addiction to guitar music.
During the long dark hours of the Alaskan winter in 1979, I would work this acoustic guitar, attempting to discover ways to make it sound like the tunes I loved. I would play with it for six to eight hours, some days. I would record myself, and then make changes, hoping to get better. All of this, though, was without direction from any instructor or mentor. I learned a lot of bad habits. Although, I did try to learn music theory.
I began studying music theory, using the text workbooks that my brother, Robin, had used in his college courses in music theory. Those helped me a whole lot. I wish I could find them, again. They were the best I've ever seen...
As you can see, until recently, I have been mostly self-taught.
Life and Music, After Alaska
After Alaska, I moved back to Montana. I also grew closer to God during this time. We settled in Stevensville in 1982, and I started attending my senior year at Stevi High.
It was here in Stevensville that I convinced my mom and dad to once again buy me an electric guitar. I still have and use this amazing and beautiful electric, the Peavey T-60. While in Montana, I also picked up playing the keyboard. This was from about 1982 through 1985.
I am still playing my T-60, after recently having it repaired (I had the frets re-worked, a new bridge replacement, had the electrical wiring and one pickup overhauled, and so forth).
I graduated from high school in 1983. In 1985, I joined the US Army. While at the Advanced Individual Training course in Georgia, I met my first wife who was also in the US Army. We married, and then I got orders to go to Germany, and she got orders to go to Korea. Well, our marriage shock up those plans, and the Army took six months to figure out and change her orders. She was stuck in Georgia for those six months, while I was already over in Germany! Not a great start to a marriage.
While living in Germany, serving my country in the U.S. Army, my first two sons were born. I continued to pick at the guitar, and even played at the small church we attended in Karlsruhe, West Germany. I started learning more about synthesized music, too. I really dug Jean Michael Jarre.
When we returned to the States, we moved to Connecticut. I ended up working as a programmer / analyst with The Travelers. But, the home life was rough. The marriage was not working well. I was not the best husband, nor the best dad. Having been an abuse victim, I was highly ill-equiped with the tools for relationships and parenting. During this rocky period, I gave up music. When my first wife finally left me, it took the wind out of my sails.
When my wife left, it was just my two boys and I. I decided to move back to Montana. There, I could raise my two sons and have elbow room.
Times were tough, though, in Montana. So, we packed up and moved to Washington state, where my brother, Richard, and his family were stationed. My boys and I ended up living in Washington for over a decade, with my remaining a single dad for about ten years.
Once and a while I picked at the guitar, but never in a serious manner. During the stay in Washington, I met my current love, Leigh, and we married. My new wife has two children, as well. So, our newly merged family of four children began a new journey. Music was not yet possible with so much on my plate.
After a few more years, three of our "kids" moved away to college or jobs, so it was easy to make the decision to move the remaing three of us to Montana. We did this during the summer of 2007.
It was not until 2007 that I finally came back to music as a passion. Now in Montana, I am re-learning guitar and music theory. I am playing around with some other musicians, and we play at the idea of creating a band, at some point.
As part of my commitment to re-learn music and specifically guitar, I obtained two Taylor guitars, the T5 and the 614ce. I also had my Peavey T-60 repaired. I added to this collection the Genz-Benz Shen 200 amplifier with dual speaker cab, and the Line6 PODxt and TonePort UX2. My wife also wants to learn more music skills, so she now has the Casio Privia keyboard, which I use from time-to-time for composing and recording.
On this page, you'll hear examples of ideas that are being tried in my home studio (a very modest starting point). The recordings feature the Taylor and Peavey guitars, and sometimes the keyboard as well as my voice.
Watch the blog for the latest notes and comments regarding the music. Would you also please leave a comment about which song ideas and sounds you liked, or disliked? I appreciate honest feedback and hope that you will take the time to share your observations and opinions with me. Thank you.
Check out this great radio show (and on the Internet, too):
Do you want to be added as a friend?
I really appreciate it when new 'friends' take the time to hear my music, and then actually comment on it with some depth.
What did you like about my music? What did you not like? What song or riff was cool, and why? Do you have some suggestions on improving my playing of the guitar?
Please take the time to actually read and listen to the material on my space, if you want to really be a friend. I don't go for mindless 'advertisement' schemes... I go for building friendships and networking. Thank you .... Tomas David Hood
Check out this playing! This takes a lot of work...
The following "friends" in my top 40 change from time to time. My goals are: 1) Show you special artists/musicians that I come across which I feel deserve to be known; I am sharing with you my latest discovery of other musicians, 2) show you those that played major parts of my influence and life. The fact is, I cannot possibly show you ALL of those who I care about, who I think are amazing, and who I think you should know about. So, I rotate....
Tomas David Hood - musician's Friend Space (Top 40)
Hello!:Tomas.Here we are in winter yet, I am glad you're writing songs and you're with you for your projects new.thank in my view myspace.Un hug!. God Bless you!. Migui*Rock&Blues/Gospel*.
David! Thank you so much for your kind words! I REALLY appreciate that! Best wishes, and much success to you in your ventures and adventures, from The Holy City Of Oakland, J :)
I started playing music while in the 4th grade, when I was encouraged to try playing a clarinet in the school "band." I continued to try the clarinet for about three years. I hated the whole reed thing because it caused me a lot of problems with my teeth and lip. In other words, I hated the clarinet (as a player). (Now, I love the sound of reed instruments, especially the Sax!)
While living in Germany, serving my country in the U.S. Army, my first two sons were born. I continued to pick at the guitar, and even played at the small church we attended in Karlsruhe, West Germany. I started learning more about synthesized music, too. I really dug Jean Michael Jarre.
As part of my commitment to re-learn music and specifically guitar, I obtained two Taylor guitars, the T5 and the 614ce. I also had my Peavey T-60 repaired. I added to this collection the Genz-Benz Shen 200 amplifier with dual speaker cab, and the Line6 PODxt and TonePort UX2. My wife also wants to learn more music skills, so she now has the Casio Privia keyboard, which I use from time-to-time for composing and recording.
