Biography

A professional guitarist for nearly twenty years, Sean taught himself to play guitar at age 8. With the dream of becoming a rock star someday, he took a few lessons, learned to read music, and became proficient enough at it, that by the time he was only 15 he was teaching guitar at a local guitar shop. Before Sean was 18 he was already playing in Los Angeles based bands DVS and Messenger, eventually forming the internationally acclaimed progressive rock group Accomplice. It was during the early years in Accomplice that Sean became very interested in classical music. He went on to study and in 1992, he auditioned and received a full scholarship to study classical guitar at California State University Fullerton. There, under the direction of guitar virtuoso David Grimes, Seans musical vocabulary soared to new heights. Sean entered and won many local guitar competitions and in 1999 earned his Masters degree in guitar performance.

Meanwhile, Sean recorded 3 European releases with the band Accomplice for Adrenaline Records from 1997-2000. A multi-instrumentalist and sought-after session player, Sean not only can play acoustic and electric guitars, but also bass guitar, piano/keys, mandolin, dulcimer and banjo, just to name a few! Proficient in many different styles, Sean's played and recorded with Accomplice, Cry Freedom, Celestial Winds, Blackwaterside, and many others. With years of experience playing on large stages, and opening for national acts like Van Halen, Judas Priest and Rush, Sean has refined his sound. Always concerned with Taste, Tone and Timing, he is known for his musicianship... and his stage presence is exciting to watch. Recently, he's been the guitarist for Sugarbox, a very popular LA based cover band, and Dog n Butterfly a highly successful HEART tribute band. Both bands tour the western USA regularly, playing to large crowds, and performing a multitude of shows every year.

In 2000, Sean was inducted into the national Honor Society of Music Pi Kappa Lambda. An ASCAP member since 1997, Sean was the primary song writer for many of the groups he played with. He also has to his credit, his own publishing company, Beautiful Noise Music, and a new recording label, Sonic Vibe Records, where he has produced many local bands and artists. Sean possesses a style that is quick, clean, melodic and passionate. He has over 20 album credits in a wide variety of genres. Spanning from Progressive and Melodic rock/metal, to Blues, Jazz and Classical. His extensive formal training, musical proficiency, and knack for multi-part instrumentation, make him an ideal choice for lead guitarist and musical director for any professional situation.

Sean’s favorite artists and biggest influences are:

  • AL DIMEOLA
  • BEATLES
  • BLACK SABBATH
  • ELP
  • ERIC JOHNSON
  • DEEP PURPLE
  • DREAM THEATER
  • JIMI HENDRIX
  • JOURNEY
  • KANSAS
  • LED ZEPPELIN
  • NIGHT RANGER
  • PAT METHENY
  • PINK FLOYD
  • QUEENSRYCHE
  • RANDY RHOADS
  • RUSH
  • STEVE MORSE
  • STEVE VAI
  • STYX
  • UFO
  • VAN HALEN
  • YES
  • YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN

SEAN is available for sessions on the following instruments:

  • VOICE
  • ELECTRIC GUITAR
  • DOUBLENECK GUITAR (12/6 STRING)
  • CLASSICAL GUITAR
  • 12-STRING ACOUSTIC
  • STEEL STRING GUITAR
  • SLIDE GUITAR
  • BASS GUITAR
  • PIANO/KEYBOARDS
  • MANDOLIN
  • 5-STRING BANJO
  • BOUZOUKI
  • DULCIMER
  • ERH-HU (CHINESE VIOLIN)
  • CHENG (CHINESE KOTO)

SEAN is also a Producer / Engineer at his own SONIC VIBE STUDIOS Orange County California. "Bringing a little LA to Orange County"

Under the guidance of legendary Producer / Engineer ANDY JOHNS, the studio has been turning out highly acclaimed recordings for Diverse artists ranging from the Rod Harris R&B record CHAMELEON to the hard rocking Cry Freedom EP On The Edge. The studio runs PRO TOOLS 6.1 as well as a Mobile 24 track ADAT rig for live on location recording. The studio is complete with full Automation mixing, mastering cababilities, and CDR burning.