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The Band • Elese • Stephen • Nick • Jay

Nick grew up in a house full of music. It was everywhere. Whether he was listening to LP’s on his parent’s wood console Zenith Hi-Fi, or singing along with his siblings on family car trips, music was an integral part of his life. As a youngster there were frequent trips to Record Town to get the latest 45’s, and the obligatory weekly piano lesson. Nick listened to everything from classical to Simon and Garfunkel, to his older brother’s Kiss records. The artwork inside the albums inspired him to frequently paint his face and stick out his tongue as far as possible, imitating Gene Simmons. In the early 80’s he would habitually listened to American Top Forty with Casey Kasem, and tuned into MTV for the music video revolution. His two older brother’s taste in music influenced his own tremendously. As their favorites transferred from Ozzy Osbourne to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, so did his. Around age twelve Nick became obsessed with Led Zeppelin. He and a friend used to walk around the neighborhood with a boombox playing Zeppelin tunes everywhere they went. He loved the drumming of Jon Bonham. With some determination, he eventually convinced his parents to get him a drum set and give up on the piano. He took lessons and practiced constantly. He mastered the epic drum roll in the Phil Collins classic, “In the Air Tonight.” It wasn’t until his freshman year in high school that Nick really became aware of the electric bass guitar. A band of upperclassmen were playing a Red Hot Chili Peppers song at a talent show. The slapping and popping of the bass guitar strings instantly caught his ear and he was enthralled. On his 16th birthday, he traded in his drum kit for a red precision bass copy. He loved it. After teaching himself a few things by ear, and gaining confidence in his ability, he decided to join his high school rock band. After playing in the band for a year he continued to improve and progress. His parents gave him the ultimate high school graduation present in a 5 String Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray electric bass guitar, similar to the one that his idol Flea played. That summer he learned every bass line to every track on the Chili Pepper’s “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” CD. His playing improved exponentially. During his four years at Wheaton College he played in numerous cover bands and original bands. He became exposed to even more varieties of music and bass playing styles. After Wheaton, Nick spent a year at Berklee College of Music to receive some formal training and improve his playing even more. Nick enjoyed success with a few local original bands. Most notably, Gorgeous Son, in which he played with guitarist Stephen Moniz, and Pappy Chullo, in which his bass playing was a major creative force. After a few years trying to make it big as a rock star, Nick felt it was time to settle down with his longtime love, Kim. The two got married and soon had a daughter whom they named Charlotte. Charlotte became the most precious thing Nick has ever known and there was little time for music. Life was good. In April 2007, Nick's mother passed away. He did a lot of thinking about his life after her death, and realized that something was missing. The love of music that his mother had so deeply instilled in him was not a part of his life anymore. He began perusing ads on Craigslist, until one day he saw a name and face that he recognized. It was Steve Moniz’s. His band was looking for a bassist. He sent an e-mail, auditioned, and got the part. Nick is thrilled to be a part of For the Love of Sloane, and happy to have music in his life again. • Influences       Michael Balzary       Gordon Sumner       Aaron Wills       Lonnie Marshall       Les Claypool       Eric Avery       John Paul Jones       Stuart Zender       Mike Gordon       John Norwood Fisher       George Porter, Jr.       Tim Commerford • Equipment       Music Man StingRay Bass Guitars       Warwick Bass Guitars       Gallien Krueger Amps       SWR Cabinets       Boss Pedals       Electro Harmonix