Tony Williams

Full-time live looping solo performer for about 17 years, with roots in Twin Cities black metal and active rock.

Tony Williams has made his living as a full-time performer for about 15 to 17 years. His solo show is built on live looping, and he can keep it mellow in the background or make it the high-energy focus of an event. Fans can request songs with a QR code that sends picks straight to his phone on the mic stand. Tony started playing guitar seriously at 14. By 16 he was in a symphonic black metal band that played its first show at Ryan's in St. Paul and released a full-length album in 1999. He later played in an active rock band that opened two shows for Marilyn Manson in April 2004, and he has worked tour crew for Armored Saint and Marty Friedman.

On the Minnesota Music Note

MN Music Note - Ep5 - Tony Williams - Insights from a Seasoned Veteran Musician

11mo ago

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Fun facts from the interview

Tony plays two or three events most weeks and is part of the Ziggy's All-Star Jam on Wednesdays.
His first tape was Whitesnake's Slip of the Tongue, and his first CD was Sepultura's Chaos A.D. in 1993.
He collects his favorite albums on vinyl and owns about 62 records.
Favorite concept albums include Pink Floyd's The Wall, Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime and Dream Theater's Scenes from a Memory.
His first concert was Anthrax at Roy Wilkins in 1993 with White Zombie and Quicksand.
He first went to the Milwaukee Metal Fest in 1997 and first played it in 1998.
In 1999 he joined another band for 25 dates of a tour that included Dimmu Borgir.
His active rock band opened for Marilyn Manson at the Fargo Civic Center and the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis in April 2004.
On the way to Fargo the band's van broke down, and four members rode to the show in the trailer on top of the gear.
He worked crew for Armored Saint on their run opening for Queensryche, and teched for Marty Friedman's drummer.
His solo EP Destined to Be Real came out in 2012, with Tony playing all the parts.
He has a finished eight-song solo album with more electronic and industrial touches.
He also plays drums and keys, and owns a violin.
He recommended John Sonnek and Jon Stunn Mangnason as future guests.

Rock Vocals Drums Metal Guitar

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