Darren is the bass player for 

                                    Ohios 80's Tribute band Electrik circus, interviewing 

                                      these guys i have found out some really interesting

                                   things and theres alot to them. darren is a para pro

                                  specializing in Autism and social skills, he also gives 

                             these kids weekly music lessons.  He uses his love of music

                              to help children, how awesome. I was going to go in a

                            silly way for this interview but i beleive the information

                          just speaks for itself. Just a nice down to earth in a fun band 

                             that dont fail to entertain you, there like a party with

                          a bunch of friends you dont know. There worth checking 

                             out so again if you would like to know more about 

                        electrik circus and Darren please follow the links at the bottom

                        of the page and feel free to like that facebook page as well.

 

 

 

                   TRA: What is your style of playing and how would you describe it?

                   DT: I'm a rock and roll guy... since rock incorporates so many 

                   styles and borrows technique from these styles I feel it best suits 

                      me.

 

                   TRA: What do you bring to the band?

                  DT: I bring a knowledge of music theory as well as organizational 

                   skills and the occasional joke.

 

                TRA: what are you most passionate about, Being a musician?

                 DT: I have played music from a very early age

                 and enjoy combining phrases to complete a song.  I also very much

                 enjoy playing in front of a live audience and often feed off 

                of the "crowd energy." 

 

 

             TRA: what do you think besides music is the best thing you give

              to your fans and what do they give you that keeps you

             wanting to be in your band?

             DT:  I attempt to be approachable and include fans and audience

             members in the show as well as non-playing

              times (breaks and such)

.

 

           TRA: How do you spend your free time? like hobbies?

           DT: Much of my free time also involves music. I listen to many styles

          and try to remain open to the things that music outside my 

           genre has to offer.I spend alot of time with my family, hiking in the 

           woods or just exploring our little section of the world.

         I also enjoy reading (things like Stephen King and Kurt Vonnegut)

         and watching old horror movies..

   

 

           TRA: what do you think is your favorite song to play? 

          DT:Most Black Sabbath.... Geezer is one of my major influences and

             always enjoy the way he bounces the riffs off of the guitar playing.

 

 

          TRA: what inspires you?

         DT: I am inspired by passion.  I tend to enjoy an item

        (rather it be song or book, etc...) more if there is an obvious

              passion about the creation and sharing process.

 

 

           TRA: who are your influences and why? 

          DT: I have many bass players that I admire; Geezer Butler,

           Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Sheehan, Claypool, I could go on

           but I think you get the idea. While I may "borrow" elements of these

            and other artists, I attempt to use tricks and techniques

               in a way that advances my own style and playing ability.

 

 

                TRA:what are you listening to?

              DT:  Current rotation includes Led Zeppelin's Presence, Van Halen's

               Diver Down, and there is always some Sabbath and Monster Magnet

              near by.  I know none of it is too current but there isn't alot of current 

               popular music that appeals to me. 

 

 

               TRA:If you could have a dream band i mean besides your 

              own, who you would put in it and what kind of 

              music would you play? 

              DT: I have been fortunate to play in several bands with different

                genres.  If I were to put together a project I would most likely pick 

                   some friends and just jam... write some originals to please no one but ourselves.

 

               TRA: Is there something you tried and tried to do but you

                never quite got or it was tough but you finaly got it?

              DT: musically?  The Billy Gibbons\Billy Sheehan pinch harmonic...

                  that's a fun noise to make and a little tricky to master.

 

 

                     TRA: what was your first concert? 

                        DT: Iron Maiden 1981.

 

 

                 TRA: what made you choose bass?

              DT: I walked into a party about a hundred years ago

             (this is when I was in High School) and the bass player 

            for the band playing at the party was passed out in the corner.  The

             drummer of that band said "Hey! Darren knows music" and they 

            asked me to fill in. Bass choose me and I haven't looked back since.

 

 

         TRA: Do you play any other instruments?

        DT: I began playing piano when I was quite young, I played trumpet in

           high school, and have played rythm guitar from time to time.

  

        TRA: what are you playing?

          DT:I have two Charvel/Jackson 490s as well as a 1970 P-bass.  There

             are others around the house but those are my primary weapons.

 

 

             TRA:was there a changing moment in your life when you

             realised that this was for you, that bass was your 

             passion and you needed to learn it?

            DT:That Iron Maiden concert... Steve Harris melted my face and 

            I thought to myself "Oh yeah! This, I like."

 

 

            TRA: when was your first show and how did it go?

            DT: That party in High School that I mentioned earlier... for a bunch of

               kids playing "Roadhouse Blues" and "Wild Thing" in the basement 

               of some dude's house. it went as well as could be expected. 

 

 

           TRA: what was the most interesting thing a fan ever gave you

             or did for you? 

           DT:  I enjoy talking to fans and hearing their side of how the band

            sounds, the presentation, and so on.  I would say the best

            thing I have gotten from fans has been advice.

 

 

           TRA: what are your plans for the future?

         DT: I will continue to rock until I can't anymore.

 

 

         TRA: your a tribute band, what would you say is your favorite song to play?

         DT:  I like the Whitesnake (Still of the Night) as it is not your standard 

         Verse, chorus, verse, solo song.  I also enjoy the Billy Idol that we do

           (Rebel Yell) as I sing lead on it.  

 

Thank you so much darren for giving us your insights on things. It was a pleasure getting to know a 

little about you. If you would like to know more about darren and his band electrik Circus please click on the links on the bottom of the page and check them out and like them on facebook. click on the pic of darren by himself for darrens fb page and the one of the band is the bands website.