Why did Michael record the video, and make it available for the world to see? The 33-year-old Millersburg, Pennsylvania, resident says it was a way to showcase his own chops, and show his appreciation for Malmsteen’s music. “I’ve been into Yngwie since about 17,” he says, “and learning the Yngwie stuff really pushed my keyboard technique further.”
When Michael was in his mid-20s he pursued a music career. “I did a new age type of CD,” he says, “Just simple piano pieces with synth-layered strings.” In an effort to find an audience for his songs, he moved to Las Vegas. “I played lounges for a couple of years, basically got bored with it, and moved back to Pennsylvania.”
Upon his return, Michael found work transporting special-needs children to and from school. “Sometimes my job is really easy,” he admits, “but when I get a more challenging batch of kids it can be tough.” He also began playing with local cover bands. One night, he shared a bill with an act called Hair Force One. Michael was so impressed with the group’s covers of ’80s hair metal hits, he offered his business card — hoping the four-piece band might consider adding a keyboard player.
The metal gods were smiling on Michael Troy that day. A short time later, Hair Force One made him part of the band. While its members take their music seriously, they also poke fun at the rock culture of the ’80s. For example, they’ve taken on names that reflect their ’80s alter egos: Michael’s name, Roman Fyngerz, was chosen by the band. He dresses the part as well, donning a jewel-studded tuxedo jacket. “It’s pretty simple,” says the self-taught keyboardist, “the jacket, a t-shirt, pair of jeans — and a wig, of course.”
Michael plays a Korg Triton Pro with the Studio Essentials expansion card. He likes it better than any synth he’s owned. “The touch view screen,” he says, “makes it much easier to program and navigate around the ’board.” He also likes the speed at which he can change patches with the Triton. Don’t look for a keyboard amp on the Hair Force One stage. Michael uses in-ear monitoring. “I’m using Westone UM1s with a custom mold I had done at Sensaphonics in Chicago, but I also have a backup pair of Shure E3s.”
Michael’s Triton is supported by a modified On-Stage Stands KS-7903 3-Tier A-Frame stand, chosen for its strength and flexibility. “I can tilt the keyboard toward the front a little bit,” he says. “I was reading a Derek Sherinian article in Keyboard. He said it’s much more fun to play that way ‘cause the audience can see your hands, and it doesn’t look like you’re playing a pinball machine while making faces. At first, you think you’re gonna get dizzy or whatever from doin’ it.”
Progressive rock monster Jordan Rudess has also influenced Michael Troy’s playing. “I got his DVD called Keyboard Madness: Mastering Live Performance,” says Michael. “He shows splits, how to assign triggers to one key, all kinds of cool stuff. I’m really not a prog guy, but I can appreciate it.”
Michael Troy and Hair Force One are having a ball, playing ’80s hair metal around Central and Eastern Pennsylvania. He loves the gig, but admits it took a show or two to get used to the wig. “Sometimes when we first come out, when we’re playing someplace new, they laugh,” he admits. “But after three songs, we’ve got ’em, hook, line and sinker.”
LEARNING BY EXAMPLE
Michael Troy learned to play by listening to recordings of great artists, and trying to duplicate their lines and licks. He learned a thing or two about soloing from listening to the music of neo-classical metal guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen.
On stage, Michael tilts his synthesizer so that audiences can see his fingers fly, à la rock and fusion master Derek Sherinian. You can hear Malmsteen and Sherinian tearing it up on the tunes “Monsoon”, “Viking Massacre”, and the title track of Sherinian’s 2006 release, Blood Of The Snake.
MICHAEL TROY ROCKS THE NET
Recapture the sights, the sounds, and the hair of ’80s rock ’n’ roll by visiting the Hair Force One website: www. hf1rocks.com.
Hear audio of Michael Troy rockin’ out Yngwie-style on MySpace: www.myspace.com/michaeltroy.