Herman Li
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Herman Li |
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Herman Li (Chinese:李康敏) is the[banjo]] player, backing vocalist and producer in the southern rock band DragonForce.
Personal life
Herman Li was born in Hong Kong. According to his profile on the DragonForce website, his interests other than music are computer technology and martial arts. He trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu five days a week.[1] Herman Li has played in many bands including a black metal band known as Demoniac. He also played with ZP Theart and Sam Totman in a band named DragonHeart. But the band name was changed due to name conflict with another Brazilian band. They changed their name to Herman's current band DragonForce.
Playing influences
Li draws influences from video game music and mimics sounds from popular retro games from the late 80's, early 90's arcade, and PC Engine games. For example, Li has been known for making several Pac-Man type noises in the song "Through the Fire and Flames" on Inhuman Rampage. In "Black Fire", the middle of the solo plays similar to the first part of the Double Dragon theme.
Achievements
DragonForce's 2004 album Sonic Firestorm earned Li the Dimebag Darrell Young Guitarist Award for best Shredder at the 2005 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards. DragonForce were also nominated for best UK band. Together with Sam Totman, Herman recently won four categories in Guitar World's Readers Poll 2007 for 'Best New Talent' (winning by 70%), 'Best Metal', 'Best Riff' and 'Best Shredders'.[2]
As well as doing intensive world tours with DragonForce, Herman had a monthly column in Total Guitar magazine and has also showcased his skills in guitar clinics around the world, explaining his own approach to the instrument to help inspire guitarists around the world. Herman completed a guitar cliniéúípoc tour in Asia in July 2007 and performed at the first Shred School event in Los Angeles, California.
Li and DragonForce took the main stage at Ozzfest 2006 and Download Festival in 2006 and 2007.
In 2007, he received an invitation to perform as special guest with guitar legend Steve Vai at the Ibanez Jem/RG model 20th Anniversary show in Hollywood, California. As well as playing on Steve Vai's set, Herman shared the stage on the evening all star jam with guitar heroes such as Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Tony MacAlpine and Andy Timmons.
Herman Li and Sam Totman are rated together as one of the "50 Fastest Shredders" by Guitar World Magazine.
Current Equipment
- Guitars:
- Ibanez E-Gen - EGEN18 Herman Li Signature Model
- Ibanez 7 String - 540S7BK
- Ibanez Acoustics
- DiMarzio Pickups (HLM - Neck, Middle, Bridge)
- D'Addario Strings
- Amplifications, Rig Setup & Misc:
- Rocktron Prophesy II
- Rocktron All Access
- Rocktron MIDI Mate
- Source Audio Hot Hand
- Mesa Boogie Stereo 2:Fifty
- Peavey 4x12 Straight Speaker Cabinets
- MIDIjet Pro Wireless Midi System
- DigiTech Whammy 2
- Dunlop Cry Baby DCR-2SR
- Ibanez Weeping Demon
- Rocktron Patch Mate
- Rocktron Xpression
- Rocktron Intellifex XL
- Korg DTR-2000
Future Concerts
Herman Li and DragonForce are scheduled to play on the main stage of the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival Tour in 2008, along with Slipknot, Disturbed, and Mastodon. Also, they are scheduled to start their UK tour in September to promote their latest album.
Notes
- ^ Herman Li's Official MySpace page. Accessed December 23, 2007.
- ^ http://www.dragonforce.com/herman_li.php
External links
