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STATS: [Updated on 08/21/12]
D.O.B: September 24
BIRTHPLACE: San Diego, Ca CURRENT CITY: Los Angeles, Ca
SIGN: Libra
YEAR: Goat
FAVORITE COLOR: Purple and Black
FAVORITE FOOD: Count Chocula
FAVORITE T.V. SHOW: “Dexter”, “Supernatural”, "Game of Thrones" and "Battlestar Galactica"
FAVORITE NFL TEAM: Baltimore Ravens (recovering Raider Fan)
FAVORITE MLB TEAM: San Diego Padres
INSTRUMENTS: Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Drums and Shitty Piano
GUITARS: ESP LTD F-2E (natural finish), ESP LTD Eclipse (red), Jackson Pro Kelly (metallic green), Gibson Tony Iommi Signature SG (black with Tony Iommi Autograph), Ibanez Artcore (blue), Peavey Predator (white), Ibanez Acoustic/Electric (black), Norman Acoustic (natural) and Some Cheap Classical (natural finish signed by Zakk Wylde)
PICKUPS: EMG-81 and 85
AMPS/CABS: Krank SST 200w and Ampeg Cabinet
STRINGS: Ernie Ball 10-52 Heavy Bottoms
PICKS: Dunlop Standard Tortex 1.14m Purples
EFFECTS: Krank Distortus Maximus Distortion Pedal, MXR M132 Super Compressor Pedal, Dunlop DC Brick, Boss GE-7 Equalizer Pedal, Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Tuner Pedal, Line 6 DL4 Delay Pedal, Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter, Digitech XP-100 Whammy Pedal, Digitech XP-300 Space Station
RECORDING GEAR: Boss BR-8, Garageband, Logic and Protools
BIOGRAPHY/BAND HISTORY: MAIN BAND: Holy Grail SIDE PROJECTS: Solo Project (Eli Santana), Alien Satan and Cajun Christ Magic
Born in San Diego, California and attended Tri-City Christian School before being “asked not to return”.
Attended Washington Middle School where he took a guitar class and started playing guitar with Peter Canales. Eli and Peter learned and recorded songs by Megadeth, Metallica, Dream Theater, Kiss, Iron Maiden and Anthrax. Took lessons from Rob Szajkowski.
Attended Vista High School. Played Football (Strong Safety and Receiver) and is a CIF Champion. First show was in a band called Polaris where he played drums. Met Chris Mahady and Richie Chase who formed the band Glowbull Scar (influenced by Biohazard, Pantera, Sepultura, Morbid Angel, Sick of It All, Slayer and Life of Agony). Eli played guitar and vocals. Glowbull Scar recorded 3 demos before recording a full length album “It’s On”.
Attended MiraCosta College. Formed the band Shrike with Seth Hollander, Greg Mason and Josh Caldwell (influenced by Fear Factory, Faith No More, Soulfly, Slipknot, Mr. Bungle and Megadeth). Eli was Lead Vocals, Guitar and Samples. Shrike recorded 2 demos.
Moved to Los Angeles and attended Cal State Northridge to study Music Theory, Classical Guitar and Business. Formed the band Kyzer Sozay with Josh Caldwell and Chris Mahady (influenced by the Dillinger Escape Plan, Glassjaw, In Flames, the Mars Volta and Poison the Well). Eli was Lead Vocals and Lead Guitar. Kyzer Sozay released one EP.
Started Solo Project (Eli Santana) where he would be Lead Vocals and Lead Guitar (influences Mike Patton, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, David Bowie, Lenny Kravitz, Zakk Wylde, Danzig, Bon Jovi, Head Automatia, Elvis Costello and Megadeth). Released the Go Deep EP. Full Length Release Date has yet to be confirmed.
Joined Holy Grail (influenced by Thrash, NWOBHM and Shred) where he plays Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals. Holy Grail is signed to Prosthetic Records. Released the "Improper Burial" EP, full length "Crisis in Utopia", "Season's Bleedings" EP, "Dark Passenger" EP and the soon to be released "Ride the Void" LP. HG has toured all over the world with 3 Inches of Blood, Amon Amarth, Exodus, Saviours, Blind Guardian, Toxic Holocaust, Eluveitie, Krum Bums, HellYeah, BLS, Valient Thorr, Dragonforce and many other amazing bands.
Eli has also played guitar in the Chris Morris Project (R&B), Shocks of Mighty (Reggae), Colleen LoveJoy (Reggae) and Thirty Dose (Indie Rock). Played Bass in Funkuation (Funk), D-Black (Hip Hop) and Sweet Sweet Laxatives (Rock and R&B). Lead Vocals for Mascara Cyclops (Post Hardcore).