The Guitar Player's Resource
Fronted by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Ed McMenimon, Boston area rock group Five To The Face have released Pain Inside, a six-song EP-length CD of modern rock permeated with skillful axework and - guitar solos! What would you expect from a graduate of Berklee, keyboard solos, or pseudo-rap interludes? Of course, the guitar fan will bypass the first five cuts in favor of track six, "Brother", a wild, bluesy, structured yet improvised guitar solo that will leave you wondering where are the extended jams in the other material. The first five vocal cuts are rock and pop oriented, but McMenimon does manage to get creative and soulful when it comes time to lay down a solo - he's good. Five To The Face is a power trio, and is rounded out with drummer Bob Pimental and bassist Erik MacPherson. Check out their live show when you're up in the New England area.
Guitarist Ed McMenimon, age 25, has been playing and touring locally and nationally with Denny Dias (original guitar player for Steely Dan), Draw the Line (Aerosmith-endorsed tribute band), and has worked on several projects with Dinky Dawson (sound engineer for Fleetwood Mac, The Kinks and Steely Dan). Starting on guitar at age 10, he now is a locally renown session player appearing on many local and national CDs. Ed also has a degree from Berklee College of Music and works part time as a guitar instructor. He counts as his influences Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Slash, Brian Setzer, and many others. Ed decided in 1999 to front his own band, and Five To The Face was born. The band gigs two to four nights a week in the New England area, playing covers and working in original numbers.
McMenimon's next goal is to get on a national tour. He also would like to get more session work, and he dreams of getting a gig like in the Letterman band.
Ed McMenimon
United States
Web site: www.fivetotheface.com