Artist:Darren Stratti

When Darren Stratti heard Mark Knopflers Money For Nothing live in Sydneys Entertainment Centre, he was 13 years old. By the end of the following week, he had a guitar teacher, owned a $60 nylon-string acoustic Onyx and carried a small well of frustration that would only expand over the years. It would expand when he heard Stevie Vai, Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen and Angus Young play guitar. He would not, however, be intimidated or deterred. He would continue to play in school bands, friends bands, family bands, non-existent bands, any bands that wouldnt kick him out after they heard him play. At some point, he gained competency. He puts the moment somewhere between U2s The Joshua Tree and Satrianis Always With Me Always With You (as youll note, this is a good five years after Mark wanted his chicks for free and Darren wanted to be Mark). A marriage, mortgage and two mischievous sons forestalled Darrens anticipated domination of the guitar world, but 10 years out of the game, did ...