Meet Derrick

1. Musical influences when growing up?

There are too many influences to name them all. The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, King's X, Led Zeppelin, The Guess Who, AC/DC, The Who, Neil Young, The Stones, SRV, 80's metal, all guitar greats (Satriani, Vai, Gilbert, Morse, Johnson, Bettencourt, etc. ) The list is Very long. That is just a drop in the bucket.

2. What was it that inspired you to make Rock N Roll a full time career?

I love music. There never was a defining moment for me. I knew from a very young age that I loved music. Eventually, I realized that if I practice hard enough, I could get good enough to play music for a living. It was never about trying to get famous, or  partying or chicks to me. I know that doesn't sound like a very ROCK N ROLL answer, but all I wanted to do was play guitar. I feel blessed that I get to do that.

3. Spinal Tap moments?

There are tons of things that happen out there that are Spinal Tap moments. Getting a solid 4 hours sleep in the back of a mini van. Leaving a city after a gig, breaking down on the highway and having to push a van at 2 am. That story gets even more Spinal Tap, but I cant tell it all. There are stories I cant tell because I must protect the names of the innocent.

4. Who were some of your favorite acts that you were honored to tour and play with ?

Paul Hyde most recently.  Doucette,  David Willlcox,  Thornley,  I got to jam with Paul Gilbert. (to name a few )

5. Can you tell us some more about your own material that you had released?

There's not much to tell really.  I like experimenting with writing and different genres of music.  So I have some of my own material and you can expect to hear more of that in the future.

6. Any other bands you had an opportunity to play with?

I like diversity.  Last year I was playing with Trevor Hurst, a project that is back to being Econoline Crush.  I currently play in a kick ass hard rock band that kicks out some jams from time to time called Sinister Minister.  There are a couple other things as well.  When I feel I'm getting too busy, I scale it back to just Harlequin.  I sometimes let myself say yes to too many projects.