Riley’s appreciation of the power of music began at age 5 when he witnessed a live performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Lacking a musical instrument, he made do with a Tinker Toy baton, conducting an imaginary orchestra. Some time later he took up viola, eventually playing in orchestras, until at age 13, he found that a distorted electric guitar was a far more efficient way of conducting his musical impulses. With this new tool, he would begin seeking to recreate Tchaikovsky’s combination of melody, emotion, and bombast.

He has since studied classical music theory, jazz guitar, and played in several rock bands. His bands have in the past shared bills with acts including Primus, Green Day, the Ohio Players, Trulio Disgracias, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

Riley builds his own vacuum tube amplifiers and electronic effects pedals, heard in the recordings here. He also has built similar pedals for other guitarists interested in expanding their tonal possibilities.

He has a PhD in Human Genetics and is currently researching the tuberculosis genome at a well known university. In a meaningless but hilarious coincidence, he defended his PhD the same day his hero Brian May defended his in Astronomy. A connecting principle…

Myspace: www.myspace.com/rileysonus
Location: Boston, Massachusetts