BIOGRAPHY

Having played keyboards since the age of four, Rob has had the opportunity to learn and perform various music genres, and write music for himself and others. Primarily an 'ear' person, he studied classical, jazz and ethnic music during his youth. The natural pull, however, has always been rock and pop. During the late 90's he dipped into electronic music history to further explore his 'electronic' roots. Virtual Voltage pays tribute to that genre. There was a challenge to see how far he could push his current gear in trying to emulate other instruments and their playing styles. As a result, some new playing styles were achieved along with sore back muscles. Lately, a move towards heavier rock music has taken hold of Rob's interests. A new album is in the works...

Past Bands and Projects

Paper Airplane (Magazines)- Pop/rock band founded by Rob and David Kruger
SOS Band - Portuguese cover band - vocals, keyboards
Windy Ridge Band - 50's to current folk rock cover band - keyboards
Keeping The Faith - Faith Hill / Tim McGraw tribute band - vocals, keyboards
Kushal East Indian Orchestra - Hindu New Year Party in Mississauga - vocals, keyboards
Steve Cochrane - vocals, keyboards, bass
Ken Baird - keyboards, vocals
Ian Larsen Band - vocals, keyboards
Lusts - vocals, keyboards, bass
www.hughlecaine.com - Past web master
www.kenbaird.net - Web master
www.spiritcompass.com - Past web master

Writing Projects

Paper Airplane - Writing and Arranging
Daugavina Latvian Dance Group - Arranging for Zelta Zirgs show
Mara Simsons - Arranged two dance music scores, wrote one original dance music score
Burlington Cablenet (Now Cogeco) News Show - Velocity II
The Moving Store - The Moving Store Song
Computer Associates - CA Song
Simon Haworth - arranging his originals

Influences

Keyboardists

Hugh LeCaine, Wendy Carlos, Geoff Downes, Keith Emerson, Howard Jones, Kraftwerk, Tom Schuman, Jimmy Smith

Artists

AC/DC, Animal Logic, Asia, Ken Baird, Wendy Carlos, Steve Cochrane, Enya, Extreme, Fatboy Slim, Peter Gabriel, Howard Jones, Kraftwerk, David Kruger, Robert Palmer, Power Station, Rammstein, Rush, Joe Satriani, Sting, Spyro Gyra, Thomas Trio and The Red Albino, Stevie Ray Vaughn, David Wilcox, Steven Winwood

Past Gear

Amiga 500 computer with MIDI-X
Yamaha Clavinova, DX11, TX81Z, DX7
Alesis MIDIVERB III
JVC / AKAI tape decks
Sabathil Harpsichord
Korg Poly800
Roland Juno 106
INKEL Mixer
Ibanex Axestar 5-string Bass
De Armande 5-string Bass

Current Gear

Windows based computer with Steinberg Project Card
Commodore 64C with Prophet 64
Yamaha SHS-10
Yamaha SK50D
Yamaha RY20
Korg X3
Korg MS2000
Hammond M3 / Leslie 710
BOSS DR-550 MKII
Casio SA-1, PT-1, SK8
MOTU MIDI Express 128
Various wood toy pianos
Speak 'n Spell, Speak 'n Read
AKAI S612 / MD280
Ibanez RG 321 electric guitar
Fender Precision 5-string bass
Digitech RP-1
Behringer, Roland and BOSS mixers