My name is Tommy Jay Gardner I was born on December 30, 1974, in Winchester, Virginia, U.S. I am an American guitarist and drummer. My debut CD, livefire in 1993, opened my way into a world of instrumental rock music in what was then a pop-dominated world. Influenced heavily by Joe Satriani, Def Leppard and Pink Floyd, I often incorporate a warm sound of guitar with a dominant melodic rock tone.

Since 1993, I have used Ibanez guitars, until 2004 when I switched to Jackson guitars. I also have used Tama series drums since the 1980s, until 2005 when I switched to Peavey.

In 1987, as a young teenager at that time was I recruited by several local bands in my hometown of Keyser, West Virginia. Later in 1993, I Started writing and composing my own material which would get me to were I am today. I was inspired to play guitar at age 14 after learning of the death of Def Leppard guitarist Steve Clark. I heard the news after waking up on that morning of 1/8/1991 then hearing the news over the radio. At that point I decided to learn Steves style in playing, and try to carry on that sound.

In 1993, I released my debut CD livefire. The album did not sell well, particularly due to equipment issues which led to poor sound quality, and only selling it locally. "Moving up" was featured on the album. "The path" was also featured on this album.

In 1996, I joined up with the band Dreamscape, they compiled a wide list of music however the band went different ways before releasing an album.

In late 1997, I joined Stomp Faction as a short-term drummer during the band’s final years only releasing one Cd before hanging it up. In 2003, I started working on new music, a concept of making a come back after the huge disappointment of livefire. I decided to make an album featuring not just new music, but songs I felt should be heard from my livefire project. Over the next several years, I regularly recorded new music, including updated tracks "moving up", "the path", "tears of the angels", "Never 2 things the same", and "in the dark".

In 2006 I joined up globally with independent musicians and very great freinds from mixposure.com; RedeyeC, Valkir, Paul Oakley with the international musicians group M3. M3 recorded and released back to back 1 hits on the Internet to become one of the fastest growing unsigned bands on the net.

On July 5, 2006 I released my long awaited CD crush.

In 2007 I compiled several tracks unreleased for the crush CD, the CD was called out of this world, also at that time I had joined up with former band mates Lou Stone from Dreamscape, along beside my brother John Gardner to form the band Thorezeen. Thorezeen’s line up consist of myself on lead guitar and vocals, Lou stone of Dreamscape on Rythem Guitar and vocals, Alton Butler on Drums and Vocals, and Alex Steele on Bass and Vocals. Thorezeen has recently brought former Spork band member Alton Butler on board on Drums. Thorezeen has been working on our debut album entitled highly medicated. Since then I have been out of the scene, still writing music on the side. Who knows what you can expect, keep checking back for future updates.

I have also been credited on many other albums, including guitar duties and artwork on RedeyeC’s album collaborations, Drums on Stomp faction’s 1997 self debut album. Technique and influence: Widely recognized as a highly melodic guitarist and has been described as a virtuoso. Some may say that I have mastered many performance techniques on the instrument. My success is notable in a genre typically unfriendly to instrumental musicians, and is highly recognized by the underground of independent artist.

Gear: I only endorse Instruments that I have played and admired, not say that others are not good, I play Ibanez and Jackson guitars, and Tama and Peavey drums. I have used Crate guitar amps over the years. My effects pedals include Digitech, and boss.

Discography: Livefire 1993,
Crush 2006,
Out of this world 2007,

With other artists Year Artist Album
1997 Stomp faction Stomp faction,
2006 RedeyeC Collaborations.

Joe Satriani, Def Leppard