Name: Deaner

Age: 24

Instrument: Guitar

Band/Former Bands: Asleep

How long on instrument: 10 years

Equipment: I play Gibson guitars: have a Les Paul Classic and an SG Gothic series. I run a Mesa Dual Rectifier head through a Mesa Road King and a Marshall cabinet for my live sound. Some of my favorite pedals include my EH Holy Grail, my Digitech Whammy pedal, Moog Ring Modulator and my Boss delays. I just recently purchased the Moog Murf and the EH HOG guitar synthesizer.

John Deaner. Photo By Denise Porter

Influences: One of my biggest influences would definitely be Radiohead. I listen to many different types of music though enjoying anything with a creative flare. My iPod has been rocking bands like Modest Mouse, Converge, The Locust, The Flaming Lips, Ours, Lisa Germano, The Velvet Underground, The Beach Boys and Glassjaw to name a few.

My first gig: My first gig was about seven years ago, when I was a senior in high school in a band called Switch. We played this rich girl's house. We only had about six songs, so they made us play the same set twice: two originals and a bunch of covers from Creed and the Beastie Boys.

Hobbies: The music thing really takes up most of my free time. When I get a second though, I enjoy going for a run in the park. I also like to write lyrics or a new song in my spare time. I consider it a hobby as well as a job as it has always been our goal to do what we love for a living. What we love is music.

Favorite movies: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of my favorites. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is also a classic. Freddy Got Fingered may be the most underrated comedy of our era. I made my dad watch it because he sees eye to eye with Rip Torn on a lot of key issues such as showering, college and jobs.

Favorite food: I enjoy a variety of different foods. Ethnic food is awesome and changing it up is a must. I like Chinese, Mexican, Middle Eastern and Thai.

Favorite place: Mill Creek Park is a great place to go for a jog. It is right in Youngstown and is very scenic. I also like going to Nelson Ledges. It is just a big open quarry filled with water with all kinds of trails and rock formations.

Bad habits: I've been told that I have problem with timeliness, to which I say, if you are important enough in my life, I will usually be on time for you ;).

What I'm listening to nowadays: My car trying to start, or the iPod in the van if it isn't dark out. Once the headlights flip on the masterful wiring job kicks in and cuts the speakers down to the tweeters.

Coolest thing I've done: Being in Asleep is by far the coolest thing I've ever done. Just meeting new people and playing new places is what it's all about.

Most embarrassing moment: I already told you I used to cover Creed.