Michael Lepond
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| Michael LePond | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Anthony LePond III |
| Born | February 17, 1966 |
| Origin | Newark, New Jersey, USA |
| Genre(s) | Progressive metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Bass |
| Years active | 1994 - present |
| Associated acts | Symphony X Distant Thunder Dead on Arrival Rattlebone(NJ band) Cheap N Nasty |
Michael Anthony LePond III (born February 17, 1966 in Newark, New Jersey) is the bass guitar player of the North American progressive metal band Symphony X, and also is the bassist for Dead on Arrival, a heavy metal band from New York. The group issued an album - Alive and Kickin’ - on the independent Polo label in 1996. He can be heard on all Symphony X releases since and including V: The New Mythology Suite. He also used to play in a New Jersey band called Rattlebone, which opened for many national acts and released a six-song album themselves in 1997. From the fall of 1988 through February of 1999 he also played bass for the New Jersey based 80's tribute act Rock Kandy which was known as Cheap N Nasty when he was in the band.
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[edit] Biography
Michael LePond was born in Newark, New Jersey. When he was 13 years old, he went to see Kiss in concert and was heavily influenced by the band and - specifically - bassist Gene Simmons. He bought some basic equipment (a Univox bass and a 150 watt amplifier) and took lessons for a year. He started listening to other bass players like Geddy Lee (Rush) that influenced his style.
In 1998 he met Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo through a mutual friend and was invited to audition since original bassist Thomas Miller had left the band. He got the spot and has remained with the band ever since.
[edit] Recent health issues
In 2006, Michael LePond developed Crohns Disease, forcing Symphony X to cancel all of their European shows. He went through surgery to control the effects of the disease and by May 31, 2006 he announced on the website that he would be fully recovered in 6 weeks.
| “ | Hello to Everyone !!! I want you all to know that I had my surgery and have been released from the hospital. I am feeling so much better now. I am eating normally and getting stronger with each passing day. I should be fully recovered in about 3 weeks. I want to thank all of the fans who sent get well wishes to me. I will read every single one of them. I will never forget how kind and caring you are. I love you all................. |
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[edit] Influences
LePond has mentioned several bass players as his main influences. Among those he mentions in the Symphony X website are:
| “ | Geddy Lee inspired me because of his incredible sense of melody. Geezer Butler influenced me in the way he was able to incorporate blues into a heavy metal forum. Steve Harris blew me away with his right hand technique and guitar-like riffing. Joey Demaio taught me the power of bass chords and introduced me to his grand medieval melodies on his eight string. | ” |
[edit] See also
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