ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Bob Wijtsma, born in 1984, Hellevoetsluis, The Netherlands. My father is the one to blame when it comes to my love for playing the guitar (but I love him for that :D). I started playing guitar at the age of eight. I first took classical guitar lessons with Dik van der Kaaden who really is a wonderful teacher. He taught me the basic principles very well and I still thank him to this day for doing so!

After four years playing the classical guitar I was very dedicated in becoming a professional guitar player. I was getting more into the heavy stuff with bands like Metallica, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. Therefore I went to the "HAVO voor muziek en Dans" where I got electric guitar lessons by Erik Ball. This man is truly the most important figure when it comes to forming me as a player! He taught me all the techniques and other stuff I use today. In his teaching he was very precise and honest when it comes to the qualities he saw in me.

After five years of sweating on my guitar exercises and my musical training I went to the Rotterdam conservatory where I got lessons from: Menno Gootjes, Leendert Haaksma, Rogier Wagenaar, Martijn van Agt and Age Kat. All these players are well known in the Dutch scene! On 22-06-2005 I graduated from the Rotterdam conservatorium with an 8! It was on the conservatory that I got to know inspiring people from who I learned a lot! For example Isaac Delahaye (Epica) , Coen Janssen (Epica, magic tricks :)) and my dear old friend Jeroen Doppen (Radio Rental). I also got the opportunity to play with fellow musicians in a cover band called Blend it.

Currently I'm playing in my main band: Xystus. It was in 2004 that we launched our debut album called: Receiving tomorrow. Two years later we made our follow up album: Surreal, which got good feedback from the critics, but due to our inactive label at the time, the album was not promoted very well.

It was in July 2008 that we got the chance to play with an 80 piece orchestra, 30 piece choir and 5 well known singers. This is our rock opera: Equilibrio. The story line was written by our drummer Ivo van Dijk and our singer Bas Dolmans. On 3,4,5 and 6 July we hit the stage and Equilibrio was a big success!! Over 4000 people witnessed the shows and it was a blast for the band!! A few months later we released our live cd and DVD from the Equilibrio shows which is available throughout our web shop.

Right now we are working on our fourth album which will be more guitar “riff” orientated. Me and our drummer Ivo are writing the music for the album, so if you want to be informed check back any time for more info on that.

Thanks to all the cool stuff we do with Xystus I’m very fortunate that I’m endorsed with a bunch of equipment. I use Mayones guitars exclusively and I play ENGL amps for sure! Besides this brands I use Evidence audio cables and Babicz acoustic guitars. For any additional info on the brands you can check out the “links” section of go to the “gear” page.

Besides Xystus I'm also chief of "Gitaarschool Vlaardingen" which is the biggest private guitar school (specialized in bass/guitar) in Holland, with 3 locations and over 300 students! I run the business together with my friend and companion: Arend van der Salm. So if you’re interested in taking lessons and you live near Rotterdam check out the website.

MY INFLUENCES

Throughout my years of practicing, I studied a lot of bands and artists, mainly guitar orientated music. The following list is in my opinion definetely worth to listen!

GUITARISTS :

Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Vinnie Moore, Tony Mcalpine, John Petrucci, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Lukather, Robben Ford, Tommy Emmanuel, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Paul Gilbert, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jeff Loomis, Ace Frehley, Eddie van Halen, John Mayer, Brian May, Joe Stump, Neil Zaza, Frank Marino, Jennifer Batten, Chris Broderick.

BANDS :

Queen, Metallica, Megadeth, Van Halen, Nevermore, Yes, Ayreon, David Lee Roth, Symphony X, Dream Theater, Extreme, Masterplan, Elegy, Adagio, Racer X, Mr Big, Kiss, Chickenfoot, Toto, Alcatrazz, Nocturnal Rites, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest.