|
Todd Banks has experienced a wide variety of musical styles as a performer
and a writer. He began his classical training on piano at eight years old in the Chicago
area. After several years, he added bass and began writing lyrics.
While attending Purdue University in 1985, he formed Psychic Warrior and had his first
independent release on Device Records, "Airy-ell". He played bass, keyboards
and vocals for this progressive/ alternative band and received his first airplay.
At the same time he played bass for three other bands in college and played in the
surrounding cities before moving to Los Angeles. There as the bassist and lyricist
he formed the fusion band Foundation and later the progressive band Triad (with the
guitarist from the Motels). Additionally, he recorded on a hard rock project with Barry
White Jr.
In 1988 Todd joined Eskimo/Dr. Dream recording group, The Black Watch, as the bassist
on their second release, "Short Stories". This alternative band included
violinist Janna Jacoby (Rod Stewart Band) and M.P. (School of Fish) and continued to
tour and record with national and international press and album sales.
In 1991, Todd formed the alternative band Carbon 14 as the bassist and songwriter.
They received tremendous press and released a series of recordings on a Los Angeles
label. In 1993, Todd left to pursue songwriting of instrumentals.
In 1994 he released an ambient album of twelve original piano compositions on Device
Records entitled, "Landscapes". It was re-mastered in 2002 and featured in
Metaphysical Reviews. Reviewer Richard Fuller wrote, "Landscapes is ambient, relaxing
and meditative music that most composers can only dream of writing."
In 2000, this was followed by the Device release of sixteen original piano compositions
entitled "Dreamscapes" that was well received and is also featured on Metaphysical
Reviews. The reviewer stated, "Todd Banks has combined his superlative talent
at the piano with creativity that can only come from God, to offer a tribute to humankind.
Here is music that is ambient, yet at the same time involving like a healing quality,
impossible to quantify."
|
