Toshi Iseda

Seven-string guitar virtuoso Toshi Iseda finally burst out with his own full-length CD, Full On!, after years of honing his "axe" skills; writing articles for guitar-oriented publications such as Guitar World, Guitar, Guitar Player, Showcase Midwest, and Guitarist Network; and giving guitar lessons and clinics all over the world. Iseda had previously recorded with Columbia group Heaven's Edge and was included on four of Guitar World's Indie Bin compilation CDs.

Iseda always had aspirations of being a professional rock musician. He initially picked up the guitar in the seventh grade in part because of the popularity of big rock bands such as <a href="spotify:artist:07XSN3sPlIlB2L2XNcTwJw">Kiss</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0543y7yrvny4KymoaneT4W">Peter Frampton</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:7Ey4PD4MYsKc5I2dolUwbH">Aerosmith</a>. His uncle, Jeff Brown, was a closer source of inspiration. Iseda played in a bunch of high school rock bands while taking music lessons. While east, Iseda joined New England area band Shoot Shoot formed by Aerosmith's Permanent Vacation tour keyboard player C. Bruce Ost. The band had a Top Five Boston radio hit with "Blind Faith."

Guitarist Reggie Wu contacted Iseda about an audition for a second guitarist for New Jersey band Heaven's Edge; Iseda was with the band for a year. In May 1987, he attended Boston's Berklee College of Music. After living in New York City for a year, he moved back to the Midwest. Full On! was released in 1998. ~ Ed Hogan, Rovi