Biography

Daniel J. Fries

I'm the founder and guitarist of the progressive rock band Affector, feat. Ted Leonard (Enchant), Michael LePond (Symphony X), Collin Leijenaar (Neal Morse) and special guests: Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Neal Morse (Transatlantic, Ex-Spock´s Beard), Alex Argento and Derek Sherinian (Planet X, Black Country Communion).

I picked up the guitar in 1994. I never basically took any formal guitar lessons, but someone from my church introduced me to basic chords and strumming. With about 12 I discovered B.B. King, Hendrix, Survivor, Stevie Ray Vaughn and my style developed more to the blues rock area. Then, after I was entering the metal scene by bands like Metallica, Savatage, Blind Guardian etc., I was finally introduced to Dream Theater and Symphony X through rock magazines and my musical life changed! I never new the term "progressive rock" before so I was curious to find out what it was all about. I rapidly was drawn into categories as technique, chord structure, harmony and song writing. I almost became "obsessed" in developing my technique to players like John Petrucci, Steve Morse, Michael Romeo, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Al DiMeola, Yngwie Malmsteen, who really have a unique style. In that process it was hard to find an own unique emotional style, but anyway, this is a lifelong process... I realized that an important way for me to discover my instrument was "the theoretical aspect", so I went to music school for about 4 years in order to work on classical music theory which helped me to combine technique, theory, emotion and finally, expressing my thoughts on my instrument... Don´t forget, music expresses that what cannot be said, but what it´s impossible to be silent about!

My influences

Symphony X, Spock´s Beard, Dream Theater, Neal Morse, Transatlantic, Enchant, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve, Morse, Threshold, Rush, Pain of Salvation, Metallica, and many more. I also have classical influences: Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi, Paganini, Rimsky-Korsakov etc.

Now I´m working on my first solo release album with some great musicians.

I´m also involved in some workshop projects and I´m working on an instructional DVD and an instructional book.

Projects, Clinics, Workshops

Divinity 2002 -2004 (my ex prog band), Reach Out Gospel Rock Choir 2001 - 2003, Voice an' Act 1999 - 2003 (christian Rock/worship project), Guitar clinic october 2005 at the Musician's Day in Siegen, Serveral one gig projects, Guitar clinic at the Musician's Day 2006, November 1, information at www.gospelnetwork.de, 21.04.2007 WorshipNight Siegen, Bismarkhalle, 19.04.2007 Guitar clinic at Musicstage 24 in Ulm, Musician's Day 2007 Nov. 1 guitar clinic.

Album Harmagedon

I'm working on my first official progressive rock concept album with Collin Leijenaar (Neal Morse drummer), Michael LePond (bass player from Symphony X), Neal Morse on keyboards and Ted Leonard (Enchant and Thought Chamber)! I started composing this album in early 2005 right after I left my band Divinity. It was first meant to be an instrumental album, but I felt God telling me to add vocals, so I had to extend the instrumental passages in order to put vocals in. A record company also showed interest in my demos Salvation and Truth Of Grace but they also suggested to compose it with vocals. That was also a clear sign of the Lord for me. We hope to realease the album in autumn 2010 at the latest!

Daniel Fries is available for studio recordings and other projects. Feel free to ask him for further information: info@danielfries.de

He also teaches guitar in his studio.

Thanks

Thanks to my wonderful Mirjam for her love, patience, encouragement, inspiration, understanding and comfort!

Thanks to these musical geniuses: Michael LePond (Symphony X), Ted Leonard (Enchant & Thought Chamber), Collin Leijenaar (Neal Morse Band, producer, tour manager etc.), Neal Morse (Transatlantic & Spock´s Beard) and his Family, Alex Argento, Jordan Rudess and Derek Sherinian

Daniel Latsch: Thank you for your efforts as the Layout designer and the webmaster

Ich danke Jesus Christus, meinem Erlöser und Retter!
Thank you Jesus Christ, my Savior!

Jeremiah 29:11-14
Psalm 33:3