Dave Detlaff Bio

Dave Dettlaff - Guitar

Background: Very well where do I begin? My father was a relentless Belaungerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery.... Just kidding. Actually I was born and raised in Milwaukee. My father played (still plays) piano, and a mean concertina! So, I was exposed to classical and polka music at the same time, at a very young age. I was quite confused, musically. So- how and why did I become a rock musician? Well, I was also exposed to KISS Alive! at a very early age, as well (thanks to my brother in law) . I took lessons for awhile. In my youth, I learned Zeppelin riffs, Rush & Van Halen tunes. In my early teens, I studied with Greg Scott (r.i.p.) and learned scales and some classical and jazz stuff (the jazz stuff just didn't stick). I had my first experience with teaching guitar when I was 16.

Prior Bands: Steve Grimm Band, Alloy, Brigade, Jamie Jess, Evil Petting Zoo, Yuletide Conspiracy Project.

Influences: Eddie Van Halen, Ty Tabor-Kings X, Alex Lifeson (especially EARLY Rush), Hendrix, Robin Trower, Steve Howe, Ace Frehley, Stevie Ray, some classical music-Chopin in particular, Michael Hedges, Brian May, Tom/Barry (Boston), Michael/Oz (Stryper), Glen/KK (Priest), John Petrucci-Dream Theater, Paul Gilbert, Malmsteen, Vai, Satriani, Zappa, yadda-yadda-yadda. And, the #1 rock guitarist of all time RANDY RHOADS!

Equipment: Gibson Les Pauls (1960 Standard reissues in particular), Fender Strats with vintage noiseless pickups, Jackson (Dinkie/Soloist, and Rhoads models), Epiphone SG, Taylor & Ibanez Acoustics, Marshall Amps ( 50 watt plexi reissue & JMP1 preamp) Marshall 1936 cabinets, Digitech multi-effects, MXR, Boss, Ibanez, and Dunlop Pedals . Elixer and GHS strings, and Fender Xtra heavy picks.

Favorite bands: King's X, Dream Theater, Rush, Yes, Kiss

Favorite movies: Spinal Tap, Best In Show, The Shining, Gladiator, High Fidelity, Napoleon Dynamite, The Passion of The Christ.

Favorite food: Anything NOT served on a hospital tray, and Mexican food.

Favorite beverage: Ice Mountain, Mike's Hard Cranberry Lemonade, Sobe Adrenalin, Folgers classic roast

Gig I’ll always remember: (pre Rhythm Method) Playing inside the Milwaukee Arena (now the U.S. Cellular Arena) when they hosted the March of Dimes haunted house '91 or '92. It was a short lived band called "Brigade" (" Warp Drive "-featuring the one & only Cary Schultz on bass- played right after us. Small world!)

Gig I'd like to forget: (also pre RM)- Playing with the Steve Grimm band in Oshkosh- We were playing Black Crowes and straight ahead blues type stuff - when the college kids wanted to hear "Smashing Pumpkins" and crap like that which was popular at the time. The patrons were standing on bar stools and pool tables holding air rifles and shooting at us as we played (they really really didn't like us).

What annoys you: Almost everything ;)