The following was taken from a VH1/2 ‘Behind the Music You Never Heard Of’ episode: Hailing from the thriving metropolis of Mountlake Terrace Washington where all roads lead somewhere else, Greg Posel started his musical career like many of his colleagues: 4th grade violin. A few banjo lessons from grandpa and some Hammond key-light organ books later, and the guitar came into the picture. Greg studied under the traditional techniques learning classics such as ‘Michael Row Your Boat Ashore’ and ‘Take Me Home Country Roads’, which he masterfully performed at the local ‘Terrace Hootenanny’. It wasn’t long however before his best childhood friend known as the kid across the street, introduced him to the dark side. KISS was a breath of fresh air – and with the help of being officially banned by his parents, KISS became Greg’s first real influence. Copying licks from Detroit Rock City and Shout It Out Loud, Greg’s style quickly changed from the chord rich folk style of his training to the distorted heavy sounds of ROCK! FAVORITE AXE YOU MIGHT FIND ME LISTENING TO: Dream Theater Conjure One Buckethead John Petrucci Dixie Dregs Venus Hum Billy Ray Cyrus Greg formed his first official band ‘Rook’ at age 14 covering tunes from the Cars and The Knack to the classics such as Led Zeppelin, Rush, and Frederick Chopin. His brother Steve who had taken up the bass joined the band, and they played their first official gig at the opening of their uncle’s silver refinery in Mukilteo Washington. When asked about his fondest memory of the gig, Greg mentioned the crowd’s reaction: “Turn it down!” In the next few years band members came and went – but Peter Heckel joined in 1982 and Defiance was born. Renamed ‘Prodigy’ to look good for their Catholic High School talent show, Defiance stuck together for a couple more years, and Greg’s style developed from the bands of his time. “My primary influence was Randy Rhoades of course” says Greg with the slightest hint of a tear in his eye. Other influences included Iron Maiden, Michael Schenker, (and several other 80’s hair bands he won’t admit). Today Greg’s style is a melding of many influences. He still keeps his hard rock roots and draws modern influence from Dream Theater’s John Petrucci, but hidden in the depths of his playing can be heard suggestions of a wide variety of sounds from Sneaker Pimps, to Tori Amos, not to mention his all-time favorite: CW MCCall (come on and join our convoy, over). Greg is currently working as an IT Manager by day...and night most of the time. Besides writing and playing music (and treating his carpel tunnel syndrome), Greg enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, digital photography, building cheesy websites, and long walks in the rain.   Email:   Greg