Jed Simon (Scar the Martyr, Strapping Young Lad)

     Jed Simon is a guitar playing machine. He has spent time playing with everyone from Devin Townsend in Strapping Young Lad to his band Zimmers Hole. Jed is now playing guitar in Scar the Martyr which features Kris Norris (Darkest Hour) and Joey Jordison (Slipknot). Scar the Martyr is incredible not only on their record but live as well. Jed is a guitar player that should be a household name and Scar the Martyr is a band everyone needs to hear. Check out this interview that Jed was so kind to do for my blog.

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---Jed hope all is well. Thanks for doing this interview for me. It is honestly greatly appreciated.
 
     (PH)---You have been in the metal scene for a number of years. What is one of the greatest memories you have playing live with any of the bands you have been in?
 
     Jed Simon (JS)---Thanks man, I have more great memories than I can count, haha! To pick one I'd have to go with having Happy Birthday sung to me by the entire crowd in Japan. It was an awesome moment I'll never forget.
 
     (PH)---I think you are an incredibly gifted guitar player. How was it playing in Strapping Young Lad with another great player like Devon Townsend? You guys wrote some amazing material together.
 
     (JS)---Devin and I just 'got along' well on guitar, we complimented each other. We both supported each other well on stage and in the studio...and I'd like to think we learned a lot from each other.
 
     (PH)---I have seen you play twice so far with Scar the Martyr once in KC headlining and once opening for Korn and Zombie. I will say right now Scar the Martyr is probably my favorite project you have played with. How did joining them come about?
 
     (JS)---Cool, thanks for coming out and supporting STM! Well I knew Rhys was in Iowa producing so I wrote a note saying hello and what are you working on out there? He said hello back and we talked a bit and that was it. About a month later he wrote me and asked if I'd be interested in doing some leads for this project. They had gotten to the point where they wanted some different flavors on the album and I was called up! I was so excited! They sent me a couple songs to demo out and they seemed to like it, flew me out and the rest is known! An awesome experience.

     (PH)---Kris Norris is also one of my favorite guitar players as well. I think you guys fit really well together playing live. It's honestly a treat seeing so much talent on stage. What is it like playing with Kris?
 
     (JS)---That's great, thanks! Kris is a monster player...just unbelievable. On paper, he and I are more like vinegar and water...our styles are so different, but we gel very well! We have found the formula that works for this band and it's a pleasure to play with him.
 
     (PH)---Random gear question. What is your favorite guitar you are currently playing live when Scar is touring?
 
     (JS)---Oh dude, that's easy! My white Jackson King V! Do me a favor and get one, or 6, haha! Amazing guitars...the best necks I've ever played.

     (PH)---What are the future plans for the band in 2014?
 
     (JS)---Well there have been a lot of recent events, as I'm sure you know. We are writing right now and will be back on the road very, very soon. Many plans are in action, and we just want to make sure we do it right!
 

     (PH)---I want to once again say thank you so so much for your time. I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming year and can't wait to catch you playing live again soon.
 
     (JS)---Thanks dude, many cheers from the House of Simon!

Drew Roulette "A true artist and bass bad ass"

     Drew Roulette is one of my favorite artist on the planet. His work to me is very inspiring. He also plays bass in the band "Dredg". "Dredg" have been one of my favorite band's for about 6 years. Drew is definitely an extremely talented guy.

  

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---Drew you are an incredible artist. How did you first get into art and what age did you really know that it's something you could see yourself doing as a career?

     Drew Roulette (DR)---I started drawing when i was a young child. and my parents and friends started encouraging me, saying "wow, those are great drawings." so i kept at it. When i got into my art class in sixth grade is when i noticed that i was a little more "advanced" then the other students. So i kept drawing and haven't stopped yet.Though i never made a decision to make it a "career" i have always remained passionate about my art and consider it as my favorite pastime.

 

     (PH)---How did Dredg come about, when do you guys know you had something special?

     (DR)--We all met when we were young kids. I met Mark on my Pony baseball team in 8th grade. I met Dino in my Spanish class in high school and Gavin in my art class in high school. we all had similar tastes in music so we started jamming together after school and on the weekends. every summer we would record a couple songs at a local studio. Towards the end of high school we stared playing a lot of shows, local and up and down the west coast. It wasn't until we started gaining a fan base that we started to think, "hmmm, we could maybe make this a regular thing." Though we always knew we were creating unique music.

     (PH)---Do you consider yourself more of an artist or a musician?

     (DR)---I consider myself an artist first. musician second. Though i am always learning something new in both fields. I am more passionate about my art and i get more involved in the creative process, maybe because it is a solo effort. 
 

     (PH)---To answer my own personal curiosity, what gear did you use live when playing with Dredg, I am mostly curious about the basses and amps that you used? 

     (DR)---I have always used ampeg gear when it comes to amplification. A 8 by 10 cab with a SVT 2 head. Mostly using Ernie Ball Music Man 5 string basses over the years. but recently bought a Marcus Miller Jazz 4 string Fender. I also use a Moog Little Fatty onstage and when recording. 

     (PH)---What is your favorite type of art to do?

     (DR)---Recently my favorite art to do has been my "Whimsical Transychedelia" style. i love vibrant colors and dark and iconic imagery.

     (PH)---What does 2014 hold for Dredg as well as your own art?

     (DR)---In 2014 dredg will be doing a short tour overseas playing our older records in full. el cielo and catch without arms. we will be traveling to England, Austria, Russia, Turkey and Germany. that is probably all for 2014. we MIGHT start writing for a new record but no rush for dredg. the time off right now feels good. as for my art, i will do as i always have, and that is to keep painting, keep creating. A lot of canvases. I am also working on a short picture book titled "There was an old lady who smoked some pot." I hope to have that finished by winter. I am also working with my friends at PermaGrin films on Two short films, one stop motion film titled "We are all puzzled" and one about a child's imagination running wild. 

    (DR)---Thanks for the interest Patrick. 

Check out Art Work to buy by Drew Roulette at www.drewroulette.com.

Brian Waddell (Devin Towsend Project)

     Brian Waddell is the amazing bass player for the "Devin Townsend Project". He is a talent that I feel deserves a lot of attention and that I really look up to. Enjoy!

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---So first of all how did you get involved playing with The Devin Townsend Project?

 

     Brian Waddell (BW)---I have known Devin since high school and we were always pretty good friends so we just decided we should start a band just cause it would be fun to play together, and somehow it turned into what it has become. 

     (PH)---He is an incredible guitar player, whats it like playing with him on a musical level?

     (BW)---I was just telling him the other day it's still intimidating at times, with all the guys in the band, they are all top notch players that take it seriously. But it's amazing to be part of something that can really mean something musically. So I would have to say its awesome! 

 

     (PH)---What kind of basses and amps do you use currently live with the The Devin Townsend Project?

     (BW)---Currently I am using Warwick basses, two of the chrome tone streamers and a neck through thumb bass. Very good instruments. And for an amp I am running Gallien Krueger 2001 rb, they are devastating! With a 4 x10 cab. 

     (PH)---Do you have any other musical projects going on currently?

     (BW)---I have a side band called Evenlight but I don't really take it seriously. Hoping to do a new record with that soon though. 

     (PH)---Of everywhere you have toured what are your favorite countries to visit outside the United States?

     (BW)---Well Australia is pretty amazing, and I have a soft spot for the Netherlands as well. Love it there! 

     (PH)---Being a bass player I was curious if you had any advice about really reaching true potential as a player?

     (BW)---Well it's funny because I am originally a guitar player, but switched to bass a couple years ago. I'd say that was a major lesson about how all the instruments truly work together and fit properly. Was very difficult to make the switch actually and I think it's taken until just recently where I feel like a true bass player. I have been getting lessons lately and finding that just doing warm up exercises to a click is a pretty good one that gets overlooked. Plus really paying attention to both left and right hands and make sure that you are really using proper technique. Many years of bad habits I'm trying to overcome at the moment. Hah!

Kyle Sanders (Hellyeah, MonstrO, bloodsimple, Skrew)

     As a bass player not many people have influenced me more than Kyle Sanders. He is an incredibly talented musician from Atlanta. His brother Troy is the man on the low end for Mastodon and his other brother Darren is a well known guitar tech around the music world. It is safe to say that this family has a ton of not only love for music but also a genuine talent for playing music. Right before I did this interview I found out Kyle was going to be joining the band HELLYEAH for the upcoming tour in support of their new record "Blood for Blood". Thank you so much Kyle for taking time for the interview and the new gig with HELLYEAH.

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---Well first off Kyle and up front congratulations on the Hellyeah gig. That is an awesome bass player position to have.

     (PH)---Every band you have played in that I know about has been great. What memories do you have of the skrew days?

     Kyle Sanders (KS)---Skrew was another great time in my life. Played with some great players in that band..and Adam Grossman was / is a good friend to me. Some fun heavy ass music for sure.

     (PH)---What was one the of the best experiencing you gained from playing with Bloodsimple? 

     (KS)---Making both bloodsimple records were great experiences for me. As far as touring goes , we did a lot of great tours…Mudvayne , Slayer , Mastodon , Soulfly , Disturbed,,, Playing through out Europe (and on stage) with Alice in Chains was probably the highlight for me. I met Chad Gray with bloodsimple. He signed us to his label , which then connected us with Warner Bros. And now I'm in a band with him. Crazy how it all works out…. persistence is the key. 

  

     (PH)---MonstrO is incredible. I actually saw you guys open for Hellyeah. What has been going on with MonstrO?

     (KS)---MonstrO is yet another great band in my eyes…more diverse than my previous bands which is great. MonstrO is still a band .. we have each just been doing our own thing. Juan has been focusing on his artwork , Bevan is out doing shows with Static-X , I think Charlie has a band in Miami , and then there's me.

     (PH)---How did the Hellyeah gig happen for you?

     (KS)---I've had a long great relationship with Chad… from touring Mudvayne / bloodsimple to HELLYEAH / bloodsimple and HELLYEAH / MonstrO. Got to know those guys really well and consider them brothers. It was really just a 'meant to be' kind of thing.

     

     (PH)---Being that you are one of my bass heroes. I was just curious what is your favorite touring bass setup rig wise?  

     (KS)---I used to use more effects etc.. in the past but now am a 'less is more' kinda player. Been beating on solely Warwick basses for the past decade and mix up Mesa Boogie and Ampeg heads and cabs. Always have a sans amp in the mix and sometimes play around with other distortion and wah pedals but mainly keep it simple. Solid bass with Ampeg / Boogie combos…can't go wrong!

     

     (PH)---Where is your favorite place to play? Any certain cities or venues that have really stood out to you over the years?

     (KS)--- I love Spain and Australia as far as other countries…. and I like a nice old theatre / church type venue…somewhere kinda beautiful yet creepy. Places with old basements you can roam around. Always been a fan of playing my hometown in Atlanta and then touring thru Texas and the mid-west is always good times.

     (KS)---See ya out there man!

     (PH)---Thank you so much Kyle! Check out the links below to see what his bands are all about.

MonstrO 

bloodsimple  

HELLYEAH   

Connor Garritty (Singer for All Hail the Yeti and Owner/Tattoo artist at Timeless Tattoo in Los Angeles)

     Connor Garritty is the singer for the incredible metal band All Hail The Yeti. AHTY are a band I was introduced to about four years ago and they are still continuing to make waves in the musical community. In the last couple of years AHTY have toured with acts such as "In This Moment" and "Hollywood Undead" and have showed why they are a force to be reckoned with. Connor also is the Owner and a Tattoo artist at Timeless Tattoo. He is one of my favorite metal vocalist as well as tattoo artist, hope you enjoy the interview.

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---Connor I appreciate you taking some time to do this interview for me. I know right now “All Hail the Yeti” is out with In This Moment making waves. How has opening for them been for you guys as a band?

     Connor Garritty (CG)---This tour has been amazing for us. Every night the places are packed and we get to play our music to so many people that have never heard AHTY. Couldn't be happier. Itms (In This Moment’s) whole camp, band and crew are like family to us. They have taken us in and treated us like gold. We love them.

    (PH)---All Hail the Yeti I discovered after talking with Glendon Crain when he was touring with Hollywood Undead a few years ago. I think The EP you did as well as the full length album are purely amazing. What bands influence you in writing for All Hail The Yeti? To me I hear hints of Down, Eyehategod, and even some new Waitain.

     (CG)---There are so many different types of influences for us. When I started the band I wanted to have elements of those southern metal bands, but also add other things in there as well. Obviously it's hard for any band these days to not be influenced by Pantera, Black Sabbath etc. I listen to such a wide spectrum of music that there is probably a bit of everything in there. But definitely, Down, eyehategod, Acid Bath, Watain, Witchcraft, COC, I could go on for hours.

     

     (PH)---What is the future this year for All Hail the Yeti? Any plans of touring after this touring run with In This Moment?

     (CG)---Honestly right now we have a couple different offers for some tours, not sure if they will work for us or not. We have been working on new songs so that is a big priority for us right now. We want to have an arsenal of new music so when it's time to do the new record we are prepared for it.

     (PH)--- Besides music you are an incredible tattoo artist. How long have you been doing tattoos? I imagine it's nice to have more than one creative outlet for yourself but how do you manage to split time between your shop and the road?

     (CG)---I have been tattooing for about 16 years. I really couldn't imagine myself doing anything else. It's been a part if my life for so long now. To be able to be working with my hands as well as being artistic is great. It's a lot like making music really. Sometimes it's nice to take a break from work to go on the road and play music. I end up missing it quickly. Fortunately tattooing and metal go hand in hand.

     (PH)--- My two favorite songs off of your full length are probably "When the Sky Falls" and "After the great Fire". What is behind both of those songs? I honestly really enjoy the lyrics to both as well as the music.

     (CG)---When the sky falls has been interpreted different ways. Some people read it and come up with their own interpretation of what it's about. That was a big reason why we didn't put the lyrics in the booklet. We wanted to give the listener a chance to make their own story. How the song and words make each person feel is always going to be different. Sky falls is definitely a love song. It was written about the day I met my wife in Australia. After the Great Fire is a whole other monster. This is a story about a mental asylum run by catholic nuns. These women have devised a plan to get rid of the problem kids in the children's ward to collect the government money. They lock the children in their ward at night and set it on fire. Well in doing so they end up burning the entire building to the ground. Killing themselves  as well. Many years later the building is alive with the ghosts of vengeful children and guilt ridden women.

     (PH)--- What are your favorite songs to play live

     (CG)---I would say suicide woods and after the great fire. Deep creek is fun as well. Thanks again man! Anytime!!

Nik Frost (The Bangkok Five, Breaking Arrows)

      Nik is one of the best singers I have ever had the pleasure to watch perform. He is also a killer front-man and one of the last true rock & roll performers. Check out both of his band's at The Bangkok Five and Breaking Arrows. He is a legend in my eyes and gigantic influence to me vocally. Enjoy the interview.

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---First of all Nik you are in my top 10 vocalist of all time. What
bands and singers have really influenced you personally?

      Nik Frost (NF)---Wow, thanks for that! James Brown as a front man and genuine performer blew me away. I'd sit on YouTube for hours watching footage of him. So
serious and committed. He was doing something beyond noble up there,
changing the world with his music and his inability to "jive" to the
man. James Brown was a "danger" to society and he knew it and took it
very seriously. I got to play the HOB before him and meet him right
before he passed. He was "73 Years Young" and still had it, no
apologies, no excuses. Guy was the penultimate Rockstar. Then there
are the obvious Punk influences like Iggy and David Johansen.
Obviously Ian has a big part of my heart but if you follow Rock and
Roll, Iggy credits Jim Morrison, Bowie credits Iggy, Ian is a huge
Morrison fan and did an amazing job fronting the last incarnation of
The Doors while Ray was still around. I also love Elliot Smith and
Morrisy which a lot of people would never imagine. I'm actually doing
a new, kind of mellow, electronic thing called Elevator Music with a
couple rad dudes (soon to be revealed) which showcases the softer,
more eloquent side of my talent.
 

     (PH)---You are honestly one of the few true "front-men" out there right
now. It is also really obviously you truly love playing music when
watching you live. What do you think of the current state of rock &
roll?

      (NF)---Thanks for the compliment. Rock and Roll is pretty much dead fiscally
right now. It is hibernating and has been for the last 10 years. There
are a lot of great acts but as long as people and corporations
dis-honor the tradition by stealing music, streaming it for pennies,
insisting on licensing it for free, it will just kind of languish
where it is. I'm pretty flexible so I manage to thrive as I can write
and sing in any genre so it hasn't affected me personally. I laugh
when A&R guys who passed on my band 10 years ago are working for
Internet companies and shit. I'm still making music for a living,
never had a "real" job, have always had a record deal and will remain
prospering in this business until I die. I've kind of figured out the
nooks and crannies and have been fortunate to work with some rad music
houses, agents, publishers, etc.

 

     

     (PH)---What are some of your best memories from touring with The Cult
when The Bangkok Five opened up? What was it like for you personally
interacting with Ian Astbury?

      (NF)---Best memory: We'd been following their bus in a converted Airport
Shuttle Van and were wiped out from driving, not sleeping, etc. Billy
Duffy saw me stumbling to sound check one afternoon and sent me to his
personal dressing room to get cleaned up, telling me that if "anyone
tried to stop to me, to ignore them and hold up my middle finger". I
did, created a bunch of drama which Billy happily ironed out
accordingly. Great dudes... Ian is a great guy. He worked very closely
as well with Chris Goss (My first US deal was produced by Goss out at
Rancho De La Luna where a lot of that Desert stuff is recorded). Goss
kind of "co-created" QotSA with Josh Homme so I had a lot to talk with
Ian about other than sucking his Rock star dick with compliments. He
treated me as a peer and a professional which was nice. It was a blast
watching him rock the stage every night. Important to say that they've
all remained friends of mine and that Billy Duffy and Chris Wyse are
some of the sweetest guys I've ever known.

      (PH)---Breaking Arrows is a newer band you are in. How did that band come
about? The material is incredible are you planning on touring in the
US anytime soon?

      (NF)---Breaking Arrows is the brainchild of a pretty successful Japanese
guitarist named Daita who broke records with the incredible attendance
(Selling out Budokan 3 nights in a row) of his live shows in the 90's.
I worked with Marti Fredriksen on a tribute record to his big Japanese
band, Daita heard it and drafted me into the project. We recorded a
sick record for Sony did some big shows in Japan, got a lot of support
from the label and are planning on playing some shows out here in
February as well as continuing our writing collaboration.
 

     (PH)---Tell me about recording last year at Dave Catching's studio? You
guys had some killer players with you in the studio for that session.
Ive been fortunate enough to chill with Dave and Wino both before,
what was it like recording with Dave and writing with Wino?

      (NF)---I've known Dave for years, he actually found my first guitar player,
Brian Murphy, for my Rock and Roll band The Bangkok Five. He also
religiously cooked for us when we recorded out there with Goss. He's
an amazing human being a great guitar player and pretty much a
culinary genius. He's very casual about everything and there's NEVER
bad or weird shit in the studio when he's around, just love and good
vibes. The studio was founded 1993 by Fred Drake who passed in 2003.
Catching became his partner in 1994 and has carried the torch since.
Some of my favorite records have been made there so it was an obvious
choice when we decided to do our project Black Bird Die. It really was
magical: We had Wino on lead guitar, Catching on lap steel, fucking
Greg Hetson (Bad Religion, Circle Jerks) on rhythm guitar, Brian
"Brane" Klemke (The Knives) played acoustic and produced the whole
thing as well as other notables such as, Chris Sorem engineering and
arranging, Scott Clowes on keys and Hoss Wright (Mondo Generator,
BL'AST) on drums. Even had the legendary bass vocalist, Torrance
Jackson from the Burgundy Room sing the last chorus! We all stayed at
Brian "Big Hands" (EoDM) place nearby and even got some hang time with
the legendary "Hutch" who lives up the road.

    

     

     (PH)---What are the plans for you personally in the music world for 2014?

     (NF)---Keep rocking and keep making music. The Bangkok Five has a new, full
length studio album in the can called White Witch, Elevator Music is
in the middle of finishing a record, Breaking Arrows will start
writing some new stuff in mid February. We keep the torch burning,
white hot and hold it high above are heads as we continue the fight...
Thanks for the time buddy ;)

Matt Mcjunkins (A Perfect Circle, Ashes Divide, 30 Seconds to Mars)

     

      Patrick Houtz (PH)---I have had the pleasure of seeing Matt Mcjunkins play on several occasions and being a bass player myself, I am always looking for new influences. Matts' playing and stage presence were great. At the time he was playing in "Ashes Divide" which features Billy Howerdel of "A Perfect Circle" fame. He has now went on to play bass for "A Perfect Circle" and toured as the bass player for "30 Seconds to Mars". He is honestly one of the best out there. Hope you enjoy the interview.

 

     (PH)---First of all Matt thank you so much for agreeing to answer a few questions for me.
 

     (PH)---I remember the first time I saw you playing was with Ashes Divide at Rock on the Range. I was blown away by the entire band you guys had. What was that time period of touring with someone like Billy Howerdel like for you? What memories really stand out for you from that time period?

     Matt Mcjunkins (MM)---I remember that tour very well.  Lots of great memories.  The whole process from joining the band to going out on tour was pretty unique.  None of us knew each other mostly(I knew Jeff from a gig or two beforehand) and we were all fans of APC so we were really excited about playing with Billy.  We all became fast friends and developed a quick chemistry on and off stage.  Playing with Billy was(and continues to be) a lot of fun.  He has a unique writing style and tends to create a lot of interesting bass parts so I learned a lot just by learning them.  How to approach the instrument differently.  I also had to do quite a bit of singing on that tour and had to really work on it to get to a point to where I felt confident on stage with it.  

  

     (PH)---The last few years I know you have been playing with A Perfect Circle as well as Puscifer. It must be incredible for you as a player to share the stage with so many great musicians from James Iha, Maynard, to Mat Mitchell. What have you learned from being around those guys musically? How do you think it has made you grow as an artist.

     (MM)---Yes it is!  Every tour has been a growing/learning experience.  You can’t NOT learn something in these scenarios.  If you don’t, then you’re not paying attention.  I’ve learned more than I could probably list here without taking up pages and pages.  I think the biggest lesson learned is just how you can find an interesting way to approach things.  Everyone in those bands has a very unique writing/playing/singing style.  They all challenge themselves to keep things fresh and different.

  

     (PH)---If I am correct you did some time touring with 30 Seconds to Mars as well. How did that come about?

     (MM)---You are correct.  It was actually two things.  I’m friends with Tim Kelleher(their bassist at the time) and he recommended me and at the same time they were going through Musician’s Institute Alumni and Barry Squire to look for someone.  I was MI Alum and had went out for auditions through Barry before so I was getting approached by both sides.    

     (PH)---Being a total gear nerd what is your favorite live and studio bass setups? How do you really decided what is best for each band that you play in?

     (MM)---Aren’t we all?!  So far my favorite has been a Fender P-Bass Deluxe, through a Mesa Boogie 400+ and a boogie EV 15 cab.  That was the for the first Puscifer tours.  The head and cab are long discontinued so you have to cruise Ebay or Craigslist to find those.  As far as what setup to use with every different band?  Well there are a lot of factors.  Tone of course is always what you start with, but then you have to consider your stage setup, where you’re touring(shipping overseas is rather pricey), and what you’re monitoring setup is.

     (PH)---Tell me as much as you can about your new band "The Beta Machine". Between you and Jeff Friedl I am extremely excited to hear what you guys put out musically.

     (MM)---So are we!  Jeff and I have worked together a lot over the last 6 years, and it seemed only natural for us to do our own thing.  We also have some great help in getting these first songs together.  Mat Mitchell is producing and Claire Acey from Nightmare and the Cat is lending her voice.  And Carina Round sings on a song.  We’re putting together the live show now so we’ll be looking to do some shows once that’s ready.  We’ve released a few remixes we did for our friends but haven’t put out any of our original stuff just yet.  But to get a sense of what that will be like, you can hear a teaser on our website www.thebetamachine.com.

     (PH)---I like yourself am a bass player. I was wondering what is the best advice you can give to not only get better as a bass player but grow as a musician? 

     (MM)---I suppose the first and obvious thing is to practice.  But change up the way you practice and what you work on.  Make sure you’re keeping things fresh and not hashing through the same stuff year after year.  For me I never really knew exactly what I wanted to do as a music career.  I knew I wanted to be a working musician, but never was sure if I wanted to be a session guy, start my own band, or join someone else’s.  If you have a clear vision of what you want to do, then follow it to the end and see it through.  But if you’re not 100% sure, then you need to be open to different experiences.  Try things out(different styles, different techniques, play with different people) and see what suits you best at that time.  

   (PH)---I Just want to thank Matt again for the great interview and being a really nice guy.