T.W.

T.W. has had a guitar in his hands for 30 years, and it started with his father's Johnny Cash and Elvis records before Boston, Black Sabbath, and early Van Halen pulled him deeper into rock. Boston's debut was the first album that meant something to him, and Triumph was his first concert. But the record that made him a guitarist was UFO's Strangers in the Night. He heard it, and that was that.

His influences run from Criss Oliva's melodic intensity and Michael Schenker's UFO-era phrasing to Testament and Rush. Ask his favorite albums and he'll hand you a stack: everything Testament, everything Katatonia, Savatage's Gutter Ballet, and Rush's 2112. Right now he's spinning Spiritbox and the 80s metal he grew up on: Leatherwolf, Icon, Heaven. Rush is the band he never got to see. Today, he serves as the band's primary songwriter.

T.W. founded Storms Within in 2014 alongside Erica and Ron. Before that he cut his teeth in Killcifix, Thirty 3 Cell, Deny The Sun, Scarwork, iScream, and A Bed of Razors, the band where the three future founders first played together.

The best shows he's ever seen are a tie: Queensryche with Suicidal Tendencies, and Pantera with Sepultura and Biohazard. The best one he's ever played is easy: July 10, 2026, at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His dream stage is Madison Square Garden, and if he could share it with anyone, dead or alive, it would be Criss Oliva. When he's not playing he's listening to new music, and yes, he'll still proudly admit he likes Nickelback. His pre-show ritual is simpler than you'd guess: picking out what to wear.

His favorite Storms Within song to play live is "Not So Easy." What does the band mean to him? One word: family. "I think I have the best people and musicians for this band," he says. "No egos and we all get along great." And to the people listening: "Thank you for your support. We look forward to speaking to you all."