"I grew up such a Rush fan!! There was so much AMAZING music coming out at the time I was learning how to play, but ultimately, I always came back to Rush."
Vinny Rodriguez, is one of the two incredibly talented guitar players in Gate 46. The influences on his style however, are not as easily stated.
"There are so many!!! The first level are the drivers, the people that influence me everyday (Alex Lifeson, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, and Steve Morse), then there are the sustainers (Andy Summers, The Edge, Johnny Marr, Dave Gregory, Peter Buck), the bands of today (Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters), Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)). Prog Rock, Rock, Alternative, Punk, I can go at this for hours!!"
Vinny's main instrument of choice is his Black Les Paul Studio Shred with a Floyd Rose. "The only adjustment I made to it was to swap out the bar for a first generation type arm. The stock arm was way too loose for my taste."
His style really revolves around the tones of his peers. "I LOVE the sound of a overdriven guitar. All my influences have such amazing tone, that I drive to bring those sounds to the stage. They bring up all those memories and feelings I had when I was listening to those songs for the first time".
As for Gate 46, Vinny sees the band as a labor of love and a dream fulfilled. "Every day practicing and playing in shows is a dream come true!! I get to play with the most amazing musicians, and in gigs with other amazing bands. Every time I'm in a room with everyone, I have to pinch myself!!"
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