b. c.1965, USA. Beginning his career on the guitar at the age of 14, Joey Taffola served his apprenticeship with the unremarkable speed-metal outfit Jag Panzer. In 1987 he left the band and returned to California to take instruction from guitar guru Tony MacAlpine. Moving to the Guitar Institute Of Technology, Taffola studied jazz, rock and classical styles alongside Paul Gilbert (later of Racer X). After recording a series of demos, Shrapnel boss Mike Varney signed Taffola to produce a guitar instrumental album. With the help of former Jag Panzer drummer Reynold Carlson and ex-Rising Force bass player Wally Voss, Out Of The Sun appeared in 1987. Although the album featured guest appearances by Paul Gilbert (guitar) and Tony Macalpine (keyboards), it lacked both direction and individuality. Taffola’s style proved a characterless hybrid of Yngwie Malmsteen’s, MacAlpine’s and Vinnie Moore’s styles. After an aborted band project featuring ex-Rising Force vocalist Mark Boals, Taffola started work on his second album, Infa Red.