Tom Monda - New Scientist

Born in New Jersey in 1985, Tom Monda is a man who shows creativity and talent way beyond his years.

Levi Clay

Which is Bumblefoot's 'favourite band in the world?' No, it's not Mumford & Sons. It's New York's Thank You Scientist featuring future guitar superstar Tom Monda. Levi Clay caught-up with Tom in Los Angeles.

Neither Tom Monda, nor his band, Thank You Scientist, are exactly on the tip of everyone's tongue just yet, but watch this space. No lesser being than Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal has singled them out for serious attention and even a cursory examination of the band's material - and for our purposes in particular - the playing of guitarist Tom Monda, soon shows why.

Born in New Jersey in 1985, Tom Monda is a man who shows creativity and talent way beyond his years. Listening to his Dad's punk and metal collection, Tom picked up his first guitar, an Epiphone Les Paul, at 12. Interestingly, he is actually left-handed but due to the restrictions in choice on the left-handed market Tom made the decision to bite the bullet and learn to play right-handed.

As Tom says: I heard Steve Vai at some point and decided that in lieu of a social life I would start practising fiendishly