| Name :
| Stuart Myles
|
| Also known as :
|
|
| Born :
| 1965
|
| Instrument :
| Guitar
|
| Joined Strangers :
| 1993
|
Started learning acoustic guitar when I was about 12 but didn't really get into it until I heard "Machine Head" (Deep Purple). The intro to Highway Star blew me away and still does. I bought "Made In Japan" on the strength of it and didn't look back.
Bands
Met Drew in my first band. We were playing "Paranoid" and "Living after Midnight". Drew was better than the rest of us (and a little older - some things never change). We never gigged. I played in a couple more non-gigging bands at Poly and then joined "Deceiver" in 1988 playing a combination of covers (Joe Jackson, The Who, U2) and original material. We gigged a few times and split in 1990.
Joined "Black Velvet" in 1993 after answering a local ad. Rache was the singer and was going out with the drummer. We were in the process of recruiting Graham Toulouse ("Perfect Strangers" Bass Player) when Rache split up with the drummer and he fell out with me for some reason ! This left "Black Velvet" with no drummer so Graham recruited Rache a singer for "Perfect Strangers". I tagged along as the rhythm guitarist. By the end of the first rehearsal I was playing more solos than Paul (Rollins) and the rest as they say is history.
The name got shortened to Strangers not long after Keef arrived in 1996.
Influences
I don't know if I really have influences but guitarists I listened to a lot include Ritchie Blackmore, Angus Young, Tony Iommi, Van Halen, Nuno Bettencourt, Brian May, Richie Sambora and Yngwie Malmsteen. I can sound a lot like Sambora sometimes - I seem to have the same feel (and a similar choice of gear).
Favourite album(s) of all time.
"Made in Japan" (Deep Purple)
"1984" (Van Halen)
"Pornograffitti" (Extreme)
"Live Killers" (Queen)
"Permission to Land" (The Darkness)
"Origin of Symmetry" (Muse).
Favourite Track(s) of all time.
"Highway Star" (Deep Purple)
Gear File
Gibson Les Paul Custom
My main baby. I bought her new in 1990 (for £710 - blimey, makes you wonder) and she's been my lovingly abused work horse ever since. She had a major service in 2007. This included a partial refret and was carried out by THE GUITAR DOCTOR.
Fender Stratocaster "Richie Sambora" Signature
I imported her from New York in late 2004. USA built in 1996. 25 1/2" scale, active electronics, Floyd Rose Trem system and Dimarzio pick ups. What else could you want? Being white, it's looks hide the animal lurking beneath the surface. It's a very loud guitar and you can get all the Bon Jovi noises no probs.
Jackson Fusion
The Jacko was been my other mainstay trem guitar for about 10 years. Whilst it is now really my spare, it's still my prefered guitar on some songs. It's got a 24 3/4" scale length like the Les Paul and a very fast neck. Floyd Rose trem for all the heavy metal stuff. She's a Jap built "Pro" series model with passive electronics (unlike the USA models).
Amplification
I still persist with my old Marshall JCM 800 100 watt head and 4x12 cab. It's very knocked about due to the hectic gigging over the years, but it still sounds great.
Effects
I Changed my effects set up in 2008 and now use a Boss GT-8. This has made things a little easier on stage as the Boss will change the channel on the Marshall as well as changing the effects. Damn clever these Japanese.
Other Stuff
My strings are D'Addario 10 - 46 and my picks are Tortex 0.88mm.
