Since acquiring
his first Kiss album ("Dynasty"
for those dying to know) at the age
of three and a half, Greg Kristianson's
unyeilding focus in life has been
centered around music, both as a fan
and performer. As a youngster growing
up outside of Winnipeg, Greg got his
start on piano, and with the onset
of adolescence (after moving to Victoria
at age 11), picked up the Clarine
t and Saxophone while participating
in the school band. While Greg excelled
in these musical endeavors, his real
passion was rock and heavy metal,
being heavily influenced by Kiss,
Motley Crue, W.A.S.P., and Iron Maiden.
Upon entering junior high, Greg was
introduced to underground thrash bands
such as Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies,
Celtic Frost, and, most notably Metallica;
mezmerized by the uncompromising originality
of these bands, and in particular
the unique bass stylings of Cliff
Burton, Greg got his first bass in
grade 9 and worked dilligently at
it, taking his cue from players such
as Burton, Jason Newsted, Duff McKagan,
and Michael Anthony in carving his
own path on the instrument. Greg went
on to play in several party bands
through high school before hooking
up with Victoria's Bovine Love Jelly
after graduation, appearing with them
on two self-produced EP's and opening
for such bands as Sloan and Dread
Zeppelin. In 1993, Greg made a daring
sw itch, laying his electric bass
down for the better part of eight
years to focus on the String Bass.
Greg's studies on the String Bass
led him first to Winnipeg, where in
1998 he graduated with a Bachelor
of Music degree in Performance from
the University of Manitoba. From there
it was on to Calgary, where for two
years he freelanced with a number
of Orchestras and ensembles across
southern Alberta and B.C. During this
period, he also participated in two
summer residency programs at the reknowned
Banff Centre for the Performing Arts.
In 2001, Greg was accepted to Michigan
State University on a full Graduate
Assistantship to pursue his Master's
Degree in Music. While working on
his degree (completed in 2003) , Greg
was an active player, performing as
a section player and section leader
in some of the Midwestern U.S.'s premeier
Symphony Orchestras. It was during
this period that Greg Befriended many
people active in the Michigan independent
Metal scene, and after much persuasion,
picked up the Electric Bass again
to take on duties as the Bassist for
Lansing Michigan's premiere Progressive/
Black Metal outfit Trisitesse, who,
during their existence, opened for
such Metal luminaries as Cradle of
Filth, Dimmu Borgir, and most notably
Opeth.
Family issues led Greg back to Calgary
in early 2004, and it wasn't until
a year later that Greg found a musical
home with Calgary rockers Superego,
a band he continues to perform with.
With the departure of Bassist Neil
Ross (and after a gruelling audition!),
Greg was asked to become a member
of Disposable Heroes, and in doing
so, fulfilled a longstanding personal
wish to have a group of individuals
to share in his passion of playing
the amazing music of Metallica. On
top of his duties with Disposable
Heroes and Superego, Greg keeps extra
busy continuing to freelance with
various orchestras and cover bands
in Alberta and B.C.
Favorite
Bands/Artists: Dream Theater,
Evergrey, Rush, Iron Maiden, Metallica,
Opeth, Frank Zappa, Devin Townsend,
and The Police to name but a few...
Bass Influences: Cliff Burton,
Jason Newsted, Geddy Lee, Steve Harris,
John Myung, Jaco Pastorius, Stanley
Clarke, Billy Sheehan, Duff McKagan,
Michael Anthony, Paul McCartney.
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