Bearpig: Born in 1984 near Albany, NY, Dan "Bear Pig" Koonz has been active in the local hardcore/death metal scene since 1999 playing bass in My Own Demons at the age of 15, founding member of Tyranize at 22 and part of a list of bands including Panzram and Embraced by Hate and currently Doomsday Manifesto and Crimson Mask. Since then, has built an extensive resumé often keeping 2 to 3 bands going at once and subbing in for other local bands at times. Mechanic by trade, hes also a locally accomplished guitar technician. Having different musicians throughout his family, it was a matter of when and what instrument he would play, having neighbors dictated itd be something with volume control, he picks up guitar at the age of 9 and has yet to put it down. Growing up with older cousins gave some access to tapes of bands like Gwar, Megadeth, White Zombie was a start until finding a show called Loud exposed him to heavier music which he ate up and learned everything he can! Being put on the pulse of the local scene in Albany was a realization that normal people make music too so Dan started writing songs and searching for other musicians to jam with. Heavily influened by bands like Hatebreed, Cannibal Corpse, Skinless, Irate, Dehumanized and Sworn Enemy, Dan keeps working his own form of hardcore meets brutal slam peppered with ferocious technical death metal with no sign of slowing down.