User:Loneguitarist
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| Von Yannis | |
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 Von Yannis himself
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Adam John Williams |
| Born | August 9, 1989 , in Cardiff, Wales |
| Genre(s) | Avant-garde Experimental Music Rock Music Progressive Rock Experimental Rock Electronic Music Digital Rock Synergy |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Amateur Luthier, Student |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals Electric guitar Bass guitar MIDI guitar Guitar/synthesizer Electric violin Electric mandolin Software instruments Electrophone |
| Years active | 2005 to Present |
| Associated acts | Von Yannis & the New Groove Expansion Von Yannis & the New Groove Explosion Von Yannis & the New Groove Eruption |
| Website | Myspace Page Altsounds Page |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| Line 6 Variax Epiphone SG Roland GR-20 Electric Erhu |
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Von Yannis is the stage name used by Adam John Williams (born August 9th, 1989, Cardiff, Wales) in the bands; Von Yannis & the New Groove Expansion, Von Yannis & the New Groove Explosion and Von Yannis and the New Groove Eruption.
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[edit] Pre-Von Yannis solo work
Before Von Yannis, Adam did not produce any material that he believed to be of any releasable quality. There are many unfinished works from this era, (including some recordings) some of which end up being worked into Von Yannis projects.
[edit] The transition to Von Yannis
Adam was originally mainly interested in the music of the virtuoso solo guitarists such as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani but had also been introduced to Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, White Noise (band) and Hawkwind by his father. The transition to Von Yannis first started with the creation of the song "Chronic Disease Machine" when Adam was working with Mega Random Profusely Squidgy Penis Expansion with Matthew Powell (Now a member of Von Yannis & the New Groove Explosion) in 2005. The random nature of the song provided Adam with the musical chaos he craved yet it lost all of the musicality he also desired in his works (as the song was an instrumental mainly comprised of a series of random notes and noise intended to alarm the listener). Robert Stock (of Von Yannis & the New Groove Expansion and Von Yannis & the New Groove Explosion) later introduced Adam to Mr. Bungle and Squarepusher who went on to become major influences to his musical style. In 2005, while working at the studio with Matthew Powell, Adam met Joel Jordan (who would later become his archnemesis, and then a member of Von Yannis & the New Groove Expansion) who introduced him to Dream Theater, and also learned of RUSH. Discovering these progressive artists (As well as Van der Graaf Generator, to whom Adam was introduced by Robert Stock) laid the foundations for the progressive elements of Von Yannis' music.
[edit] Pre-Von Yannis works
[edit] Various "Cheese-metal" bands with Joel Jordan
From mid-2005 to early-2007 Adam was in numerous unsuccessful bands with Joel Jordan in various different positions including lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist and bass guitarist. Many songs were written but the bands very rarely practiced and nothing was ever recorded as nether Adam or Joel were really that bothered.
[edit] The Mega Random Profusely Squidgy Penis Expansion
Adam worked with Matthew Powell as a member of the duo, The Mega Random Profusely Squidgy Penis Expansion. After 'Chronic Disease Machine', MRPSPE started a set of songs entitled "The Love Disease Trilogy". The songs are all live recordings of real instruments with no sequencing or software instruments used. Adam played all the instruments (which included the guitar, mandolin, jew's harp, backing vocals and others) while Matthew Powell provides the lead vocals for the tracks which all tell stories of the antics of a farmer who is also a paedophile.Only two of the songs have been completed to date.
[edit] Robproband
Before the Von Yannis transition, Adam worked with Robert Stock on a project titled the 'Robproband' (Robot project band) which was based mainly around producing songs on FL Studio in a style that they could hypothetically be performed by robots (the prototypes of which were made of Lego). The project was odd and misunderstood, as the robots were never intended to be built in full and the songs were never planned to be performed by the robots. The project is on hold at this time.
[edit] The Von Yannis Bands
There are currently 3 bands in which Adam is an active member using the alias 'Von Yannis'. All are titled with 'Von Yannis & the New Groove' at the beginning, and the final word in the name defines the other members of that particular band.
[edit] Von Yannis & the New Groove Expansion
The original Von Yannis band, and the most active of the three, Von Yannis & the New Groove Expansion incorporates some live instruments, some pre-recorded instruments and some electronic instruments. Von Yannis & the New Groove Expansion was the band for which Adam created the genre of Digital Rock Synergy
[edit] Current Members
Adam Williams (Von Yannis): Lead-Vocalist, Guitarist, Bassist, Violinist, Erhuist, Keytarist, Laptoppist, Keyboardist
Robert Stock (Bunny: Noise Terrorist Extraordinaire): Keyboardist, Samplist, Bassist, Twirlhuist, Synthist, Citharist, Noisist, Zitherist, Backing-Vocalist
Joel Jordan (The Bitch): Bassist, Guitarist, Percussionist
[edit] Von Yannis & the New Groove Explosion
Von Yannis & the New Groove Explosion is a Funk Rock jam-band which was created as a way to incorporate Matthew Powell into the Von Yannis project without over-filling the original band, Von Yannis & the New Groove Expansion. Matthew Powell is the creative director of this project and the music shows this. Unlike the Mega Random Profusely Squidgy Penis Expansion, Von Yannis & the New Groove Explosion leans more towards using rock instruments (i.e. Electric Guitar, Bass, and Drums).
[edit] Current Members
Matthew Powell (Crazy Hippy): Lead Guitar, Vocals, Dancer
Adam Williams (Von Yannis): Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar
Nathan Finn (Mr. Krinkle): Drums
Robert Stock (Bunny): Sampler
