About TJ Gardner

Biography



Tommy Jay Gardner (born on December 30, 1974, in Winchester, Virginia, U.S.)

is an American guitarist and drummer.

His debut CD, livefire in 1993, opened his way into a world of instrumental rock

music in what was then a pop-dominated world.

Influenced heavily by Joe Satriani, Def Leppard and Pink Floyd,

TJ Gardner often incorporates a warm sound of guitar with a dominant

melodic rock tone.



Since 1993, he has used Ibanez guitars, until 2004 when he switched to

Jackson guitars. TJ Gardner also has used Tama series drums since the 1980's,

until 2005 when he switched to Peavey.



In 1987, Gardner as a young teenager at that time was

recruited by several local bands in his hometown of Keyser, West Virginia.



Later in 1993, Gardner Started writing and composing his own material

which would get him to were he is today.

TJ Gardner was inspired to play guitar at age 14 after learning of the death

of Def Leppard guitarist Steve Clark. He heard the news after waking up and

hearing the news over the radio, where he decided to learn Steves style in playing,

and try to carry on that sound.



In 1993, TJ Gardner released his debut CD livefire. The album did not sell well,

particularly due to equipment issues, and only selling it locally.

"Moving up" was featured on the album. "The path" was also featured on this album.


In 1996, TJ Gardner joined up with the band Dreamscape, they compiled a wide

list of music however the band went different ways before releasing an album.



In late 1997, TJ Gardner joined Stomp Faction as a short-term drummer during

the band's final years only releasing one Cd before hanging it up.



In 2003, he started working on new music, a concept of making a come back after

the huge disappointment of livefire. He decided to make an album featuring

not just new music, but songs he felt should be heard from his livefire project.



Over the next several years, TJ Gardner regularly recorded new music,

including updated tracks "moving up", "the path", "tears of the angels",

"Never 2 things the same", and "in the dark".



In 2006 Gardner joined up globally with independent musicians RedeyeC, Valkir,

Paul Oakley with the international musicians group M3. M3 recorded and released

back to back #1 hits on the Internet to become one of the fastest growing unsigned

bands on the net.



On July 5, 2006 TJ Gardner released his long awaited CD crush.



In 2007 Gardner compiled several tracks unreleased for the crush CD,

the CD was called out of this world, also Gardner had joined up with former

band mates Lou Stone from Dreamscape, along beside his brother John Gardner

to form the band Thorezeen.


Thorezeen's line up consist of Gardner going back to playing drums.

Thorezeen has recently switched bassist, John Gardner was replaced by

Alex Steele. Thorezeen has been working on their debut album entitled highly

medicated.



Since then TJ Gardner has been out of the scene, still writing music on the side.

Who knows what you can expect, keep checking back for future updates.

TJ Gardner is also credited on many other albums, including guitar

duties and artwork on RedeyeC's album collaborations, Drums on

Stomp faction's 1997 self debut album.


Technique and influence
TJ Gardner is widely recognized as a highly melodic guitarist and has

been described as a virtuoso. He has mastered many performance techniques

on the instrument.

His success is notable in a genre typically unfriendly to instrumental

musicians, and is highly recognized by the underground of independent artist.


Gear
TJ Gardner has endorsed Ibanez and Jackson guitars, and Tama and

Peavey drums.

TJ Gardner has used Crate guitar amps over the

years. His effects pedals include Digitech, and boss.



Discography

Livefire 1993
Crush 2006
Out of this world 2007

With other artists
Year Artist Album
1997 Stomp faction Stomp faction
2006 RedeyeC Collaborations

Band Members