Band Joe Paul Pete Bob Bone

'Crazy Pete' Thomas

A Buffalo native, Pete Thomas has been playing the guitar for 8 years. He started during his freshman year in high school because several of his friends began to take up the six-stringed instrument. He spent a few months teaching himself how to play the music of then-popular alternative bands such as Nirvana and Bush. It was the music of the emerging Dave Matthews Band that caused a change in the style of Pete's playing from a straight power-chord approach to a more funky, melodic concentration.

When Pete entered his freshman year in college, he was exposed to the eclectic, virtuostic playing of guitarist Tim Reynolds. This encouraged Pete to explore the world of guitar effects. Reynolds also influenced Pete's technique of playing lead guitar. By his junior year in college, Pete and one of his high school friends began to play out, covering Dave Matthews songs, in Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds style. This acoustic duo eventually formed into The Dreaming Tree, a full band tribute to the DMB.

After a year of playing DMB music, Pete decided to leave The Dreaming Tree to pursue other interests. However, in early 2003, when college friend and 5th Street Band drummer, Bone invited Pete to jam with him and 5th Street Band bassist, Paul McLaughlin, the chemistry and music that resulted was too awesome to avoid. After a few more successful and fun jam sessions, Pete was added as lead guitarist to the band. "I am very excited and encouraged by every element of this band- each member, the composition and collaboration process, and obviously the end result" Pete says. "The music that we are creating is definetely something new and fresh and I can't wait for people to hear it. They are going to really dig it."

Gear:

Acoustic Setup
Guitar:
Taylor 410CE- "Taylor"

Electric Setup
Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Black- "Eleanor"
Fender Stratocaster White- "Jimi"
Amp:
Fender Deluxe 90 Amplifier
Pedals:
DC Brick Power Supply
Fender Floor Tuner
Dunlop Cry-Baby Wah
Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer
Ibanez TST Tube Screamer
Voodoo Lab Micro-Vibe
Digitech Hyper Phase Stereo Phaser
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
Fender Deluxe 90 Amp Channel Footswitch

Other Stuff:
Planet Waves Instrument Cables
Gibson and GHS Boomer Strings- .10-.11
Takamine Strings- .10-.11
Fender Capo
Dunlop Picks
Dunlop metallic slide


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