Paul Crook

Infobox musical artist
Name = Paul Crook


Img_capt = Paul, 2007, with his Brian May signature guitar
Img_size = 150
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Paul Matthew Crook
Born = birth date and age|1966|02|12 Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
Occupation = Guitarist, Songwriter
Instrument = Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Genre = Hard rock Heavy metal
Progressive rock
Years_active = 1993 – present
Associated_acts = Meat Loaf Sebastian Bach
Notable_instruments =
URL = [http://www.metalloaf.com metalloaf.com]

Paul Crook (born February 12, 1966 in Plainfield, New Jersey) is an American guitarist currently performing with Meat Loaf's touring band the Neverland Express and for Marya Roxx. He has also played with Anthrax and Sebastian Bach.

Biography

Growing up in Green Brook, New Jersey Paul started playing guitar at the age of 10 when his father, Dennis, bought him a cheap acoustic as a Christmas gift. Crook took to the guitar quickly and found himself practicing hours-on-end. His father, after seeing this for a few years, then bought him his first "real" guitar: a black "Gibson Les Paul Custom".

The 10th grade was when Paul found himself in "Triton", his first club band based in South Plainfield, New Jersey. A heavy metal cover band, members included Paul Crook (lead guitar), Mark Crook (bass guitar), Gary Columbus (drums), Andreas Weber (rhythm guitar) and Jack Scharniko (vocals). They rehearsed in Gary's basement, where most of Paul's gear remains.Currently Andreas's two sons are in a melodic death metal band of the same name.

Professional career

A few years later Paul teamed up with Jack Secret, the keyboard tech for Rush. They wrote and recorded several songs together. Jack introduced Paul to the members of Blue Öyster Cult, who took Paul out on the road in 1986 as a keyboard/ guitar tech. From there Paul met the guys in Anthrax.

In 1989 Crook became guitar tech for Dan Spitz, and, in 1994, replaced Spitz (although not an official member). Crook toured with them and performed on two records: "Stomp 442" and "" which he also co-produced and engineered.

In 1999, Sebastian Bach of Skid Row fame asked Paul to join his band. They did many shows together. Their only recording was "Rock Bottom", a KISS tribute record.

In 2000 Paul teamed up with Scott Metaxas from Prophet and Nuclear Assault fame. The two of them started producing local talent out of Scott's home studio in Neshanic, New Jersey. Billy Milano's M.O.D. record "The Rebel You Love to Hate" was recorded at this location.

In 2001 Kasim Sulton asked Paul to join Meat Loaf's Neverland Express. Crooks contributed to the album ', and is featured on live DVDs as well as the ' documentary. Paul is still currently working with Meat Loaf and has been quoted as saying it is "the best touring experiences of my life."

In 2004 Paul auditioned for the smash hit musical "We Will Rock You", featuring the music of Queen. He had to audition for Brian May, one of his main influences. May trained Paul personally for the position. Brian says this: "Paul Crook is an awesome player, and a great find for us, for WWRY Vegas. Well known for his fine work in Anthrax, and now for his live appearances and recordings with Meat Loaf and Sebastian Bach, Crook has power and attitude, but also a rare melodic flair - he can make the guitar sing ... Watch this space!" Brian May. Paul's quoted as saying "he's shown me every bend." Paul relocated to Las Vegas to perform his favorite Queen songs. After a successful 16 month run the show moved to Toronto, Canada. To this day Paul remains in Las Vegas and still calls "sin city" his home.

In 2007 (while on a ML tour break) Crook received a phone call from famed producer Kevin Shirley, who asked Paul to play on a heavy metal record for Marya Roxx. Kevin assembled a solid band: Paul (guitars), Scott Metaxas (bass), Derek Sherinian (keys) and Brian Tischy (drums). They re-wrote and recorded 12 songs in 10 days at The Document Room in Malibu, CA.

Work

*Marya Roxx: "21?!"
*Meat Loaf: "3 Bats Live" DVD and CD
*Meat Loaf: "Meat Loaf Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra" DVD and CD.
*Meat Loaf: "" CD
*Meat Loaf: "Couldn't Have Said It Better" music video.
*Anthrax: "Stomp 442" CD
*Anthrax: "" CD
*Anthrax: "Twister Forever" CD
*Anthrax: "The Four Horsemen" CD
*Sebastian Bach: "The Last Hard Men"
*M.O.D.: "The Rebel You Love to Hate" CD
*John Carpenter's: "Ghosts of Mars" Major Motion Picture soundtrack

Bands

*Currently the Lead Guitarist for Marya Roxx
*Currently the Lead Guitarist for Meat Loaf
*Lead Guitarist for the Queen musical "We Will Rock You" in Las Vegas 2004-05
*Lead Guitarist for Anthrax 1995-2001
*Lead Guitarist for Sebastian Bach

References

* http://soundperformancelab.com/Ref/paul_crook.html

External links

* [http://www.metalloaf.com Paul Crook's official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/paulcrook Paul Crook's mySpace]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpIEgVbcPK4 Crook on YouTube]