Paul Crook
4980359
225306650
2008-07-13T00:24:26Z
209.86.226.18
/* Biography */
{{Infobox musical artist
|Name = Paul Crook
|Img = Pc2.JPG
|Img_capt = Paul, 2007, with his Brian May signature guitar
| Img_size = 150
|Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
|Birth_name = Paul Matthew Crook
|Born = {{birth date and age|1966|02|12}} [[Plainfield, New Jersey]], [[USA]]
|Occupation = [[Guitarist]], [[Songwriter]]
|Instrument = Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
|Genre = [[Hard rock]]<br/>[[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]<br>[[Progressive rock]]
|Years_active = 1993 – present
|Associated_acts = [[Meat Loaf]]<br/>[[Sebastian Bach]]
|Notable_instruments =
|URL = [http://www.metalloaf.com metalloaf.com]
}}
'''Paul Crook''' (born [[February 12]], [[1966]] in [[Plainfield, New Jersey]]) is an American guitarist currently performing with [[Meat Loaf]]'s touring band the [[Neverland Express]] and for [[Marya Roxx]]. He has also played with [[Anthrax (band)|Anthrax]] and [[Sebastian Bach]].
==Biography==
Growing up in [[Green Brook, New Jersey]] Paul started playing guitar at the age of 10 when his father, Dennis, bought him a cheap acoustic as a Christmas gift. Crook took to the guitar quickly and found himself practicing hours-on-end. He's father, after seeing this for a few years, then bought him his first "real" guitar: a black ''[[Gibson Les Paul Custom]]''.
The 10th grade was when Paul found himself in "Triton", his first club band based in [[South Plainfield, New Jersey]]. A heavy metal cover band, members included Paul Crook (lead guitar), Mark Crook ([[bass guitar]]), Gary Columbus (drums), Andreas Weber (rhythm guitar) and Jack Scharniko (vocals). They rehearsed in Gary's basement, where most of Paul's gear remains.Currently Andreas's two sons are in a melodic death metal band of the same name.
==Professional career==
A few years later Paul teamed up with [[Jack Secret]], the keyboard tech for [[Rush (band)|Rush]]. They wrote and recorded several songs together. Jack introduced Paul to the members of [[Blue Öyster Cult]], who took Paul out on the road in 1986 as a keyboard/ guitar tech. From there Paul met the guys in [[Anthrax (band)|Anthrax]].
In 1989 Crook became guitar tech for [[Dan Spitz]], and, in 1994, replaced Spitz (although not an official member). Crook toured with them and performed on two records: ''[[Stomp 442]]'' and ''[[Volume 8: The Threat Is Real]]'' which he also co-produced and engineered.
In 1999, [[Sebastian Bach]] of [[Skid Row (heavy metal band)|Skid Row]] fame. "Baz" asked Paul to join his band. They did many shows together. Their only recording was "Rock Bottom", a [[Kiss (band)|KISS]] tribute record.
In 2000 Paul teamed up with [[Scott Metaxas]] from [[Prophet (band)|Prophet]] and [[Nuclear Assault]] fame. The two of them started producing local talent out of Scott's home studio in [[Neshanic, New Jersey]]. [[Billy Milano]]'s [[M.O.D.]] record ''[[The Rebel You Love to Hate]]'' was recorded at this location.
In 2001 [[Kasim Sulton]] asked Paul to join [[Meat Loaf]]'s [[Neverland Express]]. Crooks contributed to the album ''[[Bat out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose]]'', and is featured on live DVDs as well as the ''[[Meat Loaf: In Search of Paradise|In Search of Paradise]]'' documentary. Paul is still currently working with Meat Loaf and has been quoted as saying it is "the best touring experiences of my life."
In 2004 Paul auditioned for the smash hit musical ''[[We Will Rock You (musical)|We Will Rock You]]'', featuring the music of [[Queen (band)|Queen]]. He had to audition for [[Brian May]], one of his main influences. May trained Paul personally for the position. Brian says this: "Paul Crook is an awesome player, and a great find for us, for WWRY Vegas. Well known for his fine work in Anthrax, and now for his live appearances and recordings with Meat Loaf and Sebastian Bach, Crook has power and attitude, but also a rare melodic flair - he can make the guitar sing ... Watch this space!" Brian May. Paul's quoted as saying "he's shown me every bend." Paul relocated to [[Las Vegas metropolitan area|Las Vegas]] to perform his favorite Queen songs. After a successful 16 month run the show moved to [[Toronto, Canada]]. To this day Paul remains in Las Vegas and still calls "sin city" his home.
In 2007 (while on a ML tour break) Crook received a phone call from famed producer [[Kevin Shirley]], who asked Paul to play on a [[heavy metal]] record for [[Marya Roxx]]. Kevin assembled a solid band: Paul (guitars), [[Scott Metaxas]] (bass), [[Derek Sherinian]] (keys) and [[Brian Tischy]] (drums). They re-wrote and recorded 12 songs in 10 days at The Document Room in [[Malibu, CA]].
==Work==
*[[Marya Roxx]]: "21?!"
*Meat Loaf: ''[[3 Bats Live]]'' DVD and CD
*Meat Loaf: ''[[Bat out of Hell Live|Meat Loaf Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra]]'' DVD and CD.
*Meat Loaf: ''[[Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose]]'' CD
*Meat Loaf: "[[Couldn't Have Said It Better]]" music video.
*Anthrax: ''[[Stomp 442]]'' CD
*Anthrax: ''[[Volume 8: The Threat Is Real]]'' CD
*Anthrax: "Twister Forever" CD
*Anthrax: "The Four Horsemen" CD
*Sebastian Bach: "[[The Last Hard Men]]"
*M.O.D.: ''[[The Rebel You Love to Hate]]'' CD
*John Carpenter's: ''[[Ghosts of Mars]]'' Major Motion Picture soundtrack
== Bands ==
*Currently the Lead Guitarist for [[Marya Roxx]]
*Currently the Lead Guitarist for [[Meat Loaf]]
*Lead Guitarist for the Queen musical ''[[We Will Rock You (musical)|We Will Rock You]]'' in Las Vegas 2004-05
*Lead Guitarist for [[Anthrax (band)|Anthrax]] 1995-2001
*Lead Guitarist for [[Sebastian Bach]]
==References==
* http://soundperformancelab.com/Ref/paul_crook.html
== External links ==
*[http://www.metalloaf.com Paul Crook's official site]
*[http://www.myspace.com/paulcrook Paul Crook's mySpace]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpIEgVbcPK4 Crook on YouTube]
{{Anthrax}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crook, Paul}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:American heavy metal guitarists]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:Anthrax members]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Neverland Express members]]
[[pl:Paul Crook]]