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Audio Taxi is a 5 piece classic rock/party band based in Vaughan, Ontario comprised of an eclectic mixture of musicians with varied musical tastes, tons of live and recording experience and a work ethic second to none.
Audio Taxi is.....
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Email Bruce |
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Bruce brings over 32 years of musical experience and showmanship Audio Taxi. A veteran of more stages than he can remember all over parts of Canada and the north eastern United States, Bruce has sang and played a variety of styles from rock to country, metal to blues, R&B to pop and even a little jazz. He is also a songwriter and has spent countless hours in numerous recording studios and sessions over the years with various groups or on his own.
Bruce believes a band is onstage to entertain an audience …not just with the music, but visually as well …. to hit the stage with lots of high energy, catchy songs that make the people want to get up and dance and have a great time. It’s all about fun!
His influences are as diverse as the musical styles he loves, ranging from Elvis, Queen, KISS, Prince, Cheap Trick, Elton John, Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke, Jellyfish and Al Jarreau to Deep Purple, The Beatles, any kind of 50’s rock and roll and roots rock, Abba, Randy Travis, Mozart, Alice Cooper, George Strait, Van Morrison, Brian Setzer, Brooks & Dunn, Fleetwood Mac …. the list just goes on and on and on.
Bruce uses Shure microphones, Yamaha and Indie guitars and a Vox Valvetronix VT100 amp. .
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Email Andrew
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Andrew is our resident Aussie bassist. His passion for the lower register started early on and he hasn't looked back for about 15 years.
When down under he had been in numerous bands, performing in various genres such as, rock, orchestral, swing, jazz and punk. Recording an album and getting national radio air play are just two of many highlights.
After making the long trek north, he has continued his musical endeavours with a few local groups prior to joining Audio Taxi.
Influences included: Green Day, RHCP, Jaco, Mingus, DIG, PreShrunk and Rage Against the Machine. Since growing "wiser" this has definitely expanded, but anything with a good bass line will keep him entertained.
Early on, Andrew would play through what ever he could get plugged into, these days his Music Man - Stingray goes through a Traynor all tube head (YBA200).
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Email Kelly
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Kelly is the founding member of Audio Taxi. Part of that exercise included recruiting brother, Nick Paonessa to play lead guitar and keyboards.
A 20+ year veteran sitting behind the kit, he has played in both original and cover bands over that period of time. When he first picked up the sticks in 1985, his favourite band was Rush and his favourite drummer Neil Pert. That still remains true today.
Other influences include John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Stuart Copland (The Police) and Larry Mullen Jr. (U2).
Kelly plays TAMA Artstar II drums and Sabian cymbals. |
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Email Nick
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Nick is new to the line up, and also new to Canada!
London, UK, born and bred, he had no interest whatsoever in guitars or music, until one day at the age of 13, he heard those immortal words..."is this the real life, is this just fantasy"...and his life was changed. He was smitten with Queen, and in particular the harmonious wizardry of a certain Brian Harold May.
He got his first guitar at the age of 18 and was then hooked to all things 6 string, and particularly the majestic sound of power chord through a Marshall.
Nick has played in several successful rock bands covering rock from the 50s up. Before he hopped the big pond, Nick toured the UK with the Whitesnake tribute band, SnakeBite.
Apart from the aforementioned Queen obsession, other influences include Gary Moore, Angus Young, Carlos Santana, and the late, great Phil Lynott.
Nick currently plays a self-built Warmoth guitar, and a PRS SE single-cut trem, through a Rivera Fandango 55.
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Email Nick
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Like most guitarists that came up in the 80’s, Nick picked up a guitar after being hypnotized in 1978 by the 1 minute, 42 second solo piece Eruption by Eddie Van Halen from Van Halen's self-titled debut album. That started a 30+ year obsession that has recently culminated into building guitars and teaching guitar. Nick has built most of the guitars he currently uses on-stage.
Nick’s tastes and influences run the complete spectrum from classical to flamenco to jazz, blues, rock and metal. He has also played in many bands that cross many genres; from folk to heavy metal.
At his core his passion is classic rock and Audio Taxi gives him the opportunity to exploit his passion to the fullest. The fact this project includes his brother, drummer Kelly Paonessa, is icing on the cake. This is the first effort where he includes his closet skills of back up vocals, keyboards and even the harmonica.
Main influences & favourite players include Al Demiola, Paca De Lucia, George Benson, Wes Mongomery, Kenny Burrell, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Pat Travers, Rik Emmett, Carlos Santana, Rick Neilson, Ritchie Sambora and Ritchie Blackmore.
Nick's main guitars are a PRS Dave Navarro signature model and a 1982 Fender Stratocaster. He uses Boss, Morley, MXR and Electro-Harmonix pedals through a Trayor Darhorse amp and Traynor Darkhorse 1 x 12 cabinet.
Nick also manages the band.
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