BIO - The Virus Story
"As a kid, I was fortunate to grow up in house where incredible songs were being played or sang pretty regularly, and I just literally fell in love with music. So when I first started teaching myself guitar and composing, there was this unquenchable thirst to learn why these beautiful songs could make me feel a certain way," recalls Virus, "So I just learned everything!"
He started on the violin when he was 10, but moved on to the guitar when he discovered, "heavy metal," at the age of 13, because, "guitar was a cooler instrument!" he says. Once again, after learning everything he could, Virus dropped out of his junior year of high school to teach guitar at the world-renowned, "House of Guitars," and was already playing local clubs in upstate New York.
In his early twenties, Virus moved to New York City and started producing records and doing recording session work. He recalls, "After co-writing a record with an artist, she asked me to produce it, because she felt like she trusted me." Virus went on to produce five more records, and has gained worldwide recognition in the independent label circuit.
The year 2000 proved to be fruitful. Virus was fortunate enough to win the audition for the Brooklyn-based band Dope. The band has released three albums, sold 500,000 copies worldwide, and is now gearing up for their forth release, "American Apathy" due out July 26, 2005 on Artemis Records. "Dope has been an amazing experience for me, and Edsel Dope has expanded my life personally and musically" says Virus.
Currently, Edsel and Virus have teamed up on several side projects and companies, specializing in production and soundscaping. One of these companies, Evonix, focusing on video game and voice-overs, has provided music for industry giants like Activision and Disney, and has placed numerous songs for ESPN, MTV, and VH1. "I love the challenge of someone asking us to write a song that sounds like Brittany Spears mixed with Motorhead!" Virus laughs. "I enjoy it so much, like I said, I'm in love with music."