User:Troy423

Troy Neil Thompson was born April 23, 1985 in Norfolk, VA. Mechanic, Engineer, Producer, guitarist, percussionist, vocalist and writer amoung many other talents. Troy is currently the guitarist/vocalist for Norfolk native band Strange Device?!.

Childhood- Troy learned to ride a bicycle at age 3. Age 6 he received his first 5 stitches in his chin from a bicycle accident. He was also formally trained in the musical arts in Elementary and Middle school.

Elementary School- Troy attended Elizabeth River Baptist Church's daycare before he was enrolled there for kindergarden until 3rd grade. He was then transfered to Norfolk Christian where he would stay from 3rd grade until 7th grade.

Middle School- He transfered to Atlantic Shore Christian School for 7th grade until 11th grade.

High School- After being raised in 3 different private schools Troy thought it was time to attend a public school, Lake Taylor High, for the remaining two years of his high school career.

Work- Troy started his early adulthood years cooking amoung other jobs until he found his niche' in ironwork. He worked construction for 4 years until being struck by a 36' steel rafter in October 2008. Miraculously unbroken, Troy took time off work to heal his severely charlie-horsed thigh. He finally decided to leave ironwork to pursue other interests such as music and college.

Music- Troy was bred and raised under the watchful eye of many talented musicians and instructors. He always possessed an interest in music since age 6 but never really enjoyed performing classical pieces in middle school. It was not until age 13 when he would purchase his first electric guitar that he would start to realize the potential talents that resided within. Listening to Jimi Hendrix's live Woodstock performance while constantly jamming along improved his play-by-ear method as well as teaching himself to play the guitar.

Bands- Troys first band was Norfolk Christian's high school orchestra. He was a steady 3rd chair in the trumpet ranks but after transfering to Atlantic Shores he forgot to play the trumpet as well as read sheet music. That being said, Troy took a bold stand against conforming to other musicians opinions about reading music. Troy would jam with many musicians, most notably a drummer by the name of Jacob Midkiff, until stumbling upon Kent Brown and Graham Hanson. These three would began their story in the summer of 2006 when Troy was AWOL from the U.S. Army. Discussing the name The Conductors of Electricty was a topic of discussion in 2006 until they ultimately parted ways due to an invisible baby, lack of direction and lack of a vocalist. Their working title The Conductors of Electricy was shortened to simply Strange Device?! in the year 2009 when Graham, Kent and Troy would reunite, this time with Troy returning as not only the guitarist but vocalist as well. The name Strange Device?! was actually a working title for Troy's solo projects in the time off between The Conductors of Electricty and Strange Device?! Troy took the name for a guitar from the RUSH song 2112. Strange Device?! is currently active in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia writing, recording and performing. Their first album is set to drop in 2010.