Smoke
Lead Guitar
Smoke grew up in a home that enjoyed listening to all kinds of music. Classic rock, Motown, Pop was always in the air. Smoke’s album purchased with his own pocket money was Kiss’ double album, “Kiss Alive II”. The guitars and heavy sounds were mesmerizing. Soon after, Bon Scott’s AC/DC joined the mix. With MTV came a love for 80’s pop, rock and metal with Pat Benatar, The Cars, Judas Priest and ZZ Top leading the way. Hearing Jimi Hendrix and Van Halen were the game changers though. Once Smoke heard Jimi and Eddie, he knew listening to great music wasn’t enough — learning guitar would bring a new depth to the music experience. Getting his first electric guitar in High School — a black beauty Les Paul Custom with gold hardware — early self-taught songs included cuts from Judas Priest, Van Halen and Dokken. In college, a treasure trove of new-to-Smoke bands and guitarists became major influences. For bands: Led Zeppelin, Ozzy, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Dio, The Doors, Pink Floyd. In addition to Eddie and Jimi, the major guitarist influences for Smoke were: Yngwie, Randy Rhoads, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, and eventually and importantly, Zakk Wylde. For gear, Smoke is always looking for new equipment and mixing up his approach. Guitar wise, for live performance, he prefers his Luxxtone Machete models. For amps, he uses the Kemper Profiler and a variety of other amps which include Marshall’s JCM 800, and various Tone King models.
Wade Phillips
Lead Vocalist
“Lightning” is a fan of 80s and 90s popular rock and country music, but enjoys most genres of music when played live. He began singing mainly in church and performed an occasional wedding song for friends and family. But, it wasn’t until a night with friends at a karaoke bar singing “Wanted Dead or Alive” when he was in grad school that he thought … yeah it would sure be fun to sing in a band someday. Well, fast forward a couple of decades and a chance discussion at work planted the seed for GCF. Wade’s musical influences include Jon Bon Jovi (Bon Jovi), Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, solo), Scott Stapp (Creed, solo), Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alter Bridge, solo), Layne Staley (Alice in Chains), and Jack Russell (Great White).
Ron Travis
Drums
Green Chili Finger drummer “Stixx” developed an interest in drums at about age 6. After getting a small kit and enrolling in some basic lessons, he has played drums on and off for the last 50+ years (notwithstanding a very long dormant period!!). Stixx musical influences were mainly from the 1970s, and include artists such as The Allman Brothers Band, Traffic, Cream, and Government Mule. Stixx kit includes Ludwig Classic Maple drums and Zildjian S Series cymbals.
Matt Travis
Guitar
“Speed” likes music, and also, brevity.
Joe Romere
Bass
As Joe’s double digit years arrived, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and The Guess Who became some of his favorite groups to listen to. Several of his childhood friends took up instruments and earnestly tried to cover the great songs the bands from this era put out. He joined in on the fun when he purchased his first guitar while in his late teens and it became his #1 life long hobby. Fast forward (after raising a family plus a satisfying work career) while approaching his 60’s, he was asked to become a member of the now defunct FYA band and got his first paying gig under his belt. Shortly after that bands breakup he retired from his day job of 35 years. After hanging em up, he caught one of those right place at the right time waves and was asked to become a member of Green Chili Finger.
Sound Engineers
Eric Wynn Romere
Lonnie Best
The band’s backbone. These two are a couple of dependable, rock solid engineer’s, who are up to the challenge to tame any sized venue hosting GCF.