User:W4D
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| W4D (Waylon Ford) | |
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| Born | May 20, 1977 (age 29) Baytown, Texas  |
| Alias(es) | William Waylon Ford |
| Genre(s) | Rock'n'Roll Heavy Metal Hard Rock Glam Metal |
| Affiliation(s) | Down Factor Black Tongue Flesh Vault Mark Boals Band Severence |
| Notable guitars | Halo siggy bass "Creeper" |
| Years active | 1989 - present |
W4D (born William Waylon Ford May 20th, 1977 in Baytown, Texas) is an American bassist and the main songwriter for psycho-billy/rock band Black Tongue, industrial band Flesh Vault, and also plays bass for ex Yngwie J. Malmsteen singer Mark Boals. He has also played bass for metal band Down Factor, Psycho Holiday, progressive metal band Machine Called Man.
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[edit] Biography
W4D was born May 20th 1977 at 11:58 p.m. in Crosby, Texas. W4D described his father Michael Dean Ford Sr. as “a misunderstood individual, who was smart, creative, and looked to the future with an open mind.” Like father, like son. 4D was named William Waylon Ford by his Aunt Ruby and after Willy Nelson & Waylon Jennings, little did she know how right that was. W4D had an older brother Mike Ford Jr, who was constantly in trouble with the law and would spend most of the time behind bars of some sort through out his life. This left 4D to spend most of his early child hood alone to fend for him-self.
4D lived with his mom in Conroe for awhile, but would end up moving in with his father in Atascocita, Texas in the 5th grade. While Brenda (his mother) lived the life of a gypsy. Today, W4D insists his mother did the best she could do for him considering what cards were dealt to her. Both parents are now deceased his father died of what was called a suicide in 1996 and his mother passed away in a car crash in 2004.
In middle school, W4D found him self admiring his cousin Paul Steadman in his band Metaborg, and would sneak off with his guitar and teaching him-self how to make music come out. Finally his father got him his first bass guitar and amp (Aria Pro II & Crate). No one thought he would stick with it, and they had no idea what they created with this gift.
At the age of 12 W4D formed his first band with close childhood friend BJ Johns called SATYR. The music was very raw and unique, but all the same was very intense like the crazy insane kids they were.
At 14 W4D auditioned for a band in Houston, Texas called Psycho Holiday. He had ran across a flyer on the wall of Francisco's Studios that read, "WANTED BASS PLAYER WITH PRESENCE & BALLS". W4D went into the audition not knowing what to expect, everyone in the band was in there mid 20's and looked at him as if he was in the wrong room. A week later W4D was touring the state of Texas. opening for acts such as Crowbar, Hellstar, Dangerous Toys, Pantera, DeadHorse, and more. Psycho Holiday fell apart like many bands at there peak due to egos and well many personal conflicts with-in the band.
After a needed break from the industry and recouping from his fathers death in 1996. W4D moved to California and started a new life for himself. Now a father, husband and co-owner of Halo Custom Guitars, Inc & Karma Audio Productions. W4D is also back in the music scene, in 2004 he released an EP with "Machine Called Man", in 2005 released a CD with "Flesh Vault" in 2006 released an International CD with "Down Factor".
What is up with W4D for 2007. Well he is set to be in the studio recording with Black Tongue, Flesh Vault, Mark Boals, David Shankle, Severence and also releasing his long awaited solo album.
[edit] Basses and Equipment
W4D usually plays Halo "SATYR" Basses, and had his own signature bass, the Halo W4D Signature "CREEPER";it was realeased at Summer NAMM 2007. Early on, he was sponsored by Dean Guitars, and used Caddy & EQ-6 basses (this can be seen in the photo from "Down Factor" and "Flesh Vault"). The original Halo "SATYR" was designed by W4D and his wife Michelle.
During the late 1990's, W4D started using 12-string basses called "RHAPSODY" made in Korea by Dean Guitars. W4D owns at least five of them. He has also used a proto-type from Dean Guitars: 6-String fretted frettless (1 - 12 fretted & 13 - 24 fretted). This was to be his signature model from Dean Guitars.
He also has used Aria Pro II & B.C. Rich; when he was with Psycho Holiday.
He previously used Ampeg amplifiers, but has switched to Kustom (company) amplifiers.
[edit] Personal life
W4D is married to RoadBone Clothing Company designer/co-owner Michelle Ford. W4D and Michele have one son Anthony Corey Ford
[edit] Other work
W4D formed a band called Flesh Vault with EROCK of Fetisch, & London LeGrand of Brides of Destruction. W4D and London LeGrand of Brides of Destruction are also forming a rock/psychobilly/horror punk band called Black Tongue.
In 2000 W4D and Belinda Lee let loose on to the public Halo Custom Guitars, Inc. A guitar company that produces instruments for musicians, by musicians; that are 100% hand made and priced at a value that everyone can afford. In 2005 they won two awards for the BH Series guitars. In 2007 they released the Octavia; an 8 string guitar using the newly design Kahler, USA trem bridge system.
In 2005 W4D and Belinda Lee started a microphone company called Karma Audio Productions. In 2006 the won two awards from Future Music Magazine.
He and his wife recently formed RoadBone Clothing Company. The make clothing for Rockstars, Pornstars, Models, Actors/Actresses, and people of the not so average joe mind-set.
[edit] Trivia
- W4D was in a KISS tribute band called Destroyer from 1993 - 1996.
- Often has "Piss", "Piss Off",or "Piss On" written on some of his on-stage clothing.
- Has the a Chupacobra tattooed on his left awm that he did him self in 8th grade with home made ink & a staple.
- Has done stage production work (local crew) for bands: Motley Crue, Three Dog Night, Prince, Metallica, Chubby Checker, Garth Brooks, and more while in Houston, Texas working for Upstage Company.
- Before using W4D a play on words of his birth name "Waylon Ford"; he went by Dok (name was given to him by his cousin when W4D was in kindergarden) He used this name till 2000.
