Shane French

Inspired by early Van Halen and AC/DC songs on the radio in the late 70's, Shane began asking for a guitar well before age 10. Sometime around 1987 serious training began with Ted Monroe, a retired multi-instrumentalist who had performed with legends such as Frank Sinatra and Jackie Gleason. It was also around this time that Shane discovered many influential guitarists that would shape his style of playing. Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani, Ronni LeTekro, Criss Oliva, and Ritchie Blackmore were among the guitarists Shane first attempted to emulate.

In the late 80's Shane met up with guitarist Nathan Boone who was performing locally with several cover acts. The two became friends and started searching for other musicians to put a band together with. Besides finding a kindred spirit musically, Shane learned a great amount about guitar over the next few years from Nathan.

Frustrated by the lack of talented musicians in their area, Shane considered moving to Atlanta in 1992 to attend the Atlanta Institute of Music after high school. He was accepted and was to skip first and second semesters due to his extensive previous musical training. Before leaving the area however, Shane and Nathan were introduced to drummer John Teer and Shane decided to stay in Florida to create the internationally recognized band Teer.

Through the 1990's, Teer gained a large fan base both locally and overseas. Teer signed to Frontiers Records of Italy and began work on a CD. In 1999 the band played at 98 Rock's Livestock 9 Concert to more than 20,000 people. Several appearances in the United Kingdom and the international release of their Self Titled CD in 2000 made Teer a well respected band worldwide.

In 1998 Shane was asked to join melodic metal band Millenium, which featured guitarist Ralph Santolla and later the incredible vocalist Jorn Lande. Performing in Millenium was a great learning experience for Shane and he appeared on three of the band's CDs, plus their recently released “Best Of… And More” CD. Shane also toured the UK and Spain with Millenium.

Shane took time off from professional playing in 2001 and 2002. In early 2003 He was approached by local guitar hero Matt LaPorte to join the Zak Stevens-fronted Circle II Circle . This was the opportunity that Shane needed to get back into performing again. He toured throughout Europe with Circle II Circle until the entire band left Zak Steven's project due to conflicts with management.

After parting ways with CIIC, Shane reformed Teer with all but one original member. They recorded some new material and toured the United Kingdom again in 2004. Shane and Teer are currently working on a new CD under the guidance of master producer / engineer Jim Morris.

Shane is also currently performing with his former bandmates from CIIC in Jon Oliva's Pain. Sucessful spring and summer European tours with JOP along with the new release of their CD "Maniacal Renderings" finally have Shane in the position he's dreamed of being in for years. Jon Oliva's Pain is slated to have a very busy spring and summer tour schedule in 2007, hitting many popular European festivals in support of their new and highly acclaimed CD.

Influences / Favorite Players:

Ronni LeTekro • John Sykes • Ritchie Blackmore • Frank Hannon / Tom my Skeoch • Criss Oliva • Tony MacAlpine • Dave Mustaine • George Lynch • Scott Ian • Dimebag Darrell • Jimi Hendrix • Uli John Roth • Stevie Ray Vaughan • Michael Schenker