BAND
Paradigm is a progressive metal quintet based out of Atlanta which incorporates metal, funk, jazz, and symphonic elements. The one of a kind blend of musical prowess mixed with skillful songwriting techniques creates a sonic landscape that takes the listener on a musical journey.
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The band was formed in 2009 under the name Thorns of Sorrow when Chris and Jake meet up in high school. The early influences of the band at that time stemmed from medal-core, but over time shifted into more progressive music. After going through a line up change, the band's name changed to Paradigm in 2012 and had one simple premise in mind, keep the music interesting and progressive.
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For nearly all of the bands history, Paradigm was an instrumental act which allowed us write long, expressive songs with many musical passages. After bringing Vance into the band in 2015 we began working on our first full length album. With addition of Ralph and Sarah in 2017, the line-up is now complete and ready to record, perform, and propel the progressive metal scene forward.
MEMBERS
Chris Stookey - Guitar
Bio:
- My guitar playing career began when I was in high school, where I was fortunate to be surrounded by many extremely talented musicians and people. With their help I have been able to progress from a novice guitar player to the lead guitarist of a progressive metal band! I will forever be grateful for the friends and musicians who have inspired me to write and play music that I think is great. I studied guitar at the Atlanta Institute of Music.
Gear:
- Ernie Ball Musicman JPXI Guitar (Fully Loaded) 6 string
- Ernie Ball Musicman Ebmm JPXI Guitar 7 string
- Mesa Boogie Mark V
- Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 100 Watt
- Peavey 6505 + Combo with 1X12 Sheffield Speaker
- Mesa Boogie 4x12 Cab
- Mesa Boogie 2x12 Cab
- Tube Screamer TS9
- Ernie Ball Volume Pedal jr
- Isp Decimator
- Keeley 4 Knob Compressor
- TC Electronic Flashback Delay x4
- Planet Waves Cables
- Dunlop Jazz iii Picks
Bio:
- My journey into music began at age 9 when I first started taking piano lessons from a teacher in my neighborhood. After a few years of learning the basics of music, my parents saw that I was still restless, banging my hands and feet while playing, so they bought me my first drumset. My musical experience with the drums continued in school playing in the symphonic band and on the drumline in marching band. In college I had the opportunity to play in the Kennesaw State University jazz band. Throughout the years I have played in multiple metal/rock bands in and around the Atlanta area. Overall, I have been playing the drums for approximately 15 years. I grew up listening to my father’s classic rock and 70's prog albums. Neil Peart was the first drummer that I aspired to be, but after listening to Mike Portnoy play I found my calling as well. In addition to music, I have a video production business and I am a co-founder of the social media app Hoopler.
Gear:
- Tama 6 piece Birch/Bubinga Starclassic Custom
- Sabian and Wuhan Cymbals
- DW 5000 pedals
- Promark Sticks
- Evans Heads
- Shure / Audix mics and Behringer interface
Musical Interests:
- Dream Theater, Haken, Andromeda, Symphony X, Opeth, Between the Buried and Me, Devin Townsend, Circus Maximus, Native Construct, Persefone, The Contortionist, Bad Salad, Karnivool, Rush, Boston, Riverside, Periphery, Plini, Intronaut, Ne Obliviscaris, Yes
Jake Keller - Drums
Bio:
- As a young boy, I was first introduced to music through the classic rock my father listened to on the radio. I was enthralled by the music and remember stealing his Doobie Brothers, Dire Straits, and Eagles cassette tapes listening to them late into the night until I fell asleep. My own musical journey began when I started to play the upright bass in school. My earliest bass influences consisted mainly of jam bands including Grateful Dead, Phish, and Hot Tuna & Jefferson Airplane. Hearing these artists inspired me to soon pick up the electric bass. My musical interests brought me to Florida State University where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music. While studying music there, I began to explore and discover many different styles and forms. Today I enjoy playing and listening to an eclectic blend of music from classical to progressive metal and everything in between. I have played in many venues across the Atlanta area with my former bands and look forward to playing many more! In my spare time, you can find me relaxing with a cold Guinness in hand.
Gear:
- Yamaha 6 string bass RBX6JM
- Hartke LH1000 Bass Amplifier
- Hartke HyDrive 410 Bass Cabinet
Musical Interests:
- Geddy Lee (Rush), John Myung (Dream Theater), Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), and Marcus Grosskopf (Helloween & Avantasia), Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Mike Gordon (Phish), and Jack Cassidy (Hot Tuna & Jefferson Airplane)
Vance Meholic - Bass
Bio:
- At the age of eleven I started teaching myself how to play piano. After mastering every song in the beginner book we had, my parents finally caved and signed me up for piano lessons. I’ve been hooked ever since. As long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for piano, for music theory and for musical creativity. I joined Paradigm in February of this year and have greatly enjoyed working with this awesome group. I consider myself very fortunate to find myself around individuals with so much drive and talent. I recently graduated from Jacksonville University with my Bachelor of Music in vocal performance, (Translation: Opera singin’) so I come from a background of classical theory and training. Nonetheless, Metal has been a strong influence in my life ever since my dad introduced me to Metallica’s Symphony & Metallica albums. Ever since then I’ve loved the sound of a full orchestra with a metal band and Nightwish, of course, became my bread and butter. I soon discovered other European bands like Epica, Sonata Arctica, Delain and many more. I gained interest in progressive metal in college and did my undergraduate research on The Influences of Classical Theory in Progressive Metal using examples from Rush, Dream Theater and a personal favorite, The Human Abstract. My other enthusiasms, just to name a few out of an impossibly long list, include recreational mathematics, environmentalism and Star Trek!
Gear:
- Roland Juno DS88
Influences:
- After Forever, Amaranthe, Animals as Leaders, Avril Lavigne, J.S. Bach, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Boston, Debussy, Disturbed, Eluveitie, Enya, Halestorm, Kamelot, Kesha, Pain, Sabaton, Shakira, Symphony X, Turisas, Veil of Maya,
Vienna Teng, Vivaldi, Elly Ameling, a dabble in Neue Deutsche Härte, Musical Theatre, and some 90’s Contemporary Christian (that stuff was off the hook back in the day, man.)