James Black

The members of Finger Eleven grew up in Burlington, Ontario and came together in high school as a funk-styled band named Rainbow Butt Monkey. Originally comprised of Scott Anderson (vocals), Sean Anderson (Bass), Rob Gommerman (drums) and James Black and Rick Jackett on guitars, they won a rock band search contest on local radio and used the prize money to record their first album, Letters From Chutney. Gommerman left the band soon after, making way for drummer Rich Beddoe. Now named Finger Eleven, the quintet released Tip on Mercury Records in Canada. It was re-released by the New York City based label Wind-Up Records in September 1998. The Greyest Of Blue Skies appeared two years later.

Biography:

NEED SOME DEEP BACKGROUND? NO SWEAT!

1. The band is from Burlington, Ontario, a city of about 150,000 on Lake Ontario about 30 miles west of Toronto and 70 miles from Buffalo.

2. Most of the members have known each other since high school. Although they don't like to talk about it, two of the guys (we'll let you guess which two) didn't get along back then and there were some playground brawls. But all is now forgiven.

3. James has conceived every Finger Eleven record cover and layout to date. The new artwork was pieced together with digital photos taken over the course of the band's writing period (nearly two years).

4. The guys have played their share of covers over the years. The list ranges from Frank Black and Bad Religion to Depeche Mode ("Walking In My Shoes" remains a fave).

5. Finger Eleven issued their first record entitled Tip in 1997 (complete with the single and video, "Above"). America got the album the following September but with a couple of changes. For example, the song Canadians know as "Consolation Day" was re-titled and re-recorded as "Awake and Dreaming."

6. The second Finger Eleven album, The Greyest of Blue Skies, was released in July 2000. It featured the big Finger Eleven song, "Drag You Down." It was produced by Arnold Lanni, a guy best known for his work with Our Lady Peace.

7. Finger Eleven's "Sad Exchange" appears on Daredevil: The Album.

8. There has only been one line-up change in the group's history. Rich replaced Rob Gommerman on drums in 1998.

9. The band gets support from a network of street teams, groups of hardcore fans that do their best to promote Finger Eleven however they can. These fabulous fans are rewarded with things like sound-check parties.

10. Finger Eleven was chosen to tour Canada with Ozzy Osbourne and Voivod in 2003.

11. Finger Eleven keeps fastidious records of everything they do and everything that's written about them along with tour diaries, audio, video and even examples of James' artwork. Everything is neatly stored at www.fingereleven.com. Do yourself a favor and have a look.

Artist Website:
www.fingereleven.com

Gear:

• AES720

This two-tone finish gives the AES720 an awesome and unique look. Two Custom DiMarzio pickups for optimal use of sound creation.

• AES820

Modern Rock Single Cutaway Electric

• Magicstomp

Magicstomp features all the dazzling effects programs from the award winning AG, DG, and UD Stomps, as well as Hall of Fame sounds from the SPX family of signal processors, all in a footprint the size of a sorcerer's pocket spell book. You won't be able to keep your feet off this pedal!

• PAC1511MS

Mike Stern Pacifica 6-String Single Cutaway Electric Guitar

• SLG100S

Practice, Performance, Recording, Travel.