Most of the time I was in grammar school through high school, I was in some kind of rock n' roll band. I would say that at least 80 percent of my energy was involved with whatever band I was involved in.
I don't know if they were all functioning, but I did play in a bunch of bands.
My grade 3 teacher put on a kids' Christmas concert, and I played the kazoo, so my mother bought me a trumpet. I took lessons for eight years, was in the Kitsilano Boys Band, and I played in the Vancouver Junior Symphony for two years.
I just wanted to be a part of the band. Actually, that's what inspired me.
I joined a metal band with only guys when I was 17.
My father was a steelworker who'd come over from Abruzzi, in Italy. He played in the band and he encouraged me to be a musician.
I grew up with boys of all kinds - I have two brothers, and I was in a bagpipe band for several years.
When I was growing up, in L.A., I went to these schools, Fairfax High School, Bancroft Junior High School, and they had great music departments. I always played in the orchestra, the jazz band, the marching band.
I played in ska bands and like all kinds of music.
