Alex Skiles has been "spankin' the plank" for seven years, and "spanking THE plank" for at least as long. If Alex were on a deserted island, he would probably bring King Crimson's "Absent Lovers", the Beatles' "White Album", Steve Vai's "Passion and Warfare", Pink Floyd's "The Final Cut", some Dave Matthews stuff, and a Mahavishnu Cd or two.

His influences would have to be Steve Vai's lead work; the rhythm work of Metallica and Hum; and the musical integrity of the Beatles, Rush, and Incubus. Alex's favorite quotes are (in ascending usage): "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance", "Tis better to reign in hell than serve in heaven", and "My hair REALLY doesn't look as bad as it does from the pics at the Lost Creek gig".

e-mail: ski2112@uga.edu