Real name: Mark Furtner

Birthday & Birthplace: July 9th, Sydney, Australia.

Instrument: Guitars, Backing Vocals.

Other instruments played: I play a bit of Piano.

Influences (playing): Michael Romeo, Dimebag, Slash, Satch and Kiko are some of many.

Influences (song-writing): Symphony X, Evergrey, Ayreon for a start.

What bands were you in prior to LORD? Bands I dont care to recall.

Have you been involved in any other projects whilst in LORD? My love of prog has spawned FROMBEYOND check it out: www.myspace.com/frombeyondoz I also play in a rock cover show: www.myspace.com/transformersrockshow

How long have you been playing? Picked up a guitar in 1993 and never looked back.

What gear do you currently use? I have a few ESP guitars, I use an MII live and MII's and Custom's in the studio. All are equiped with DiMarzio pickups and DR strings, I also use LINE6 preamps, BBE and a Dunlop wah.

Is your current instrument the one you started on? Actually I toyed with Drums before starting on guitar.

What prompted you to start playing? Watching the greats perform gave me the biggest thrill, I wanted to do the same.

What is the best thing about being in LORD? Writing and performing with talented musicians, touring and meeting people (let's not forget the partying!)

What is the worst thing? There is nothing bad about doing what you love.

Favorites:

• Foods: Everything German, salads, fish, pizza.
• Drinks: Beer, Milo, water, Coke, V, did I mention beer?
• Movies / TV shows: The Simpsons, American Choppers, Mythbusters, Supernatural and doco's on anything you can learn from.
• Books: Anything by Robert E. Howard and Slash with Anthony Bozza.
• Bands: Symphony X, Ayreon, Evergrey to name a few, I love old school rock/metal also.
• Sports: Rugby League.
• Websites: I really only just check e-mails and MySpace.

What is something about yourself that would surprise people who don't really know you yet? I'm not actually an alcoholic.

Have you got any hobbies outside of LORD? Music is very time consuming, in a good way of course. Music, friends and beer is all I need for a good time.

Do you have a personal website? www.myspace.com/markfurtner - check it out, I love meeting people with similar interests.

Any other information you wish to divulge? PROUD endorsee of ESP guitars, DR strings and DiMarzio pickups. I'm thrilled to be representing these quality products or as I like to put it, "the brush for my canvas."

Final comments: Music has a way of touching people on so many levels and to be a creator and performer of this fine art is a dream and blessing. Playing with LORD expands my horizons and the further I can see, the farther I can go.