Tom Innis, Whiplash lead guitarist 
and vocalist started playing the guitar at age 12, when his parents surprised him on Christmas with a Fender Telecaster Deluxe.

As a student at Madison LaFollette High School, Tom mastered some chords and put his chops to work for the first iteration of Whiplash, which consisted of current band members Brian Witt and Harley Schmirler.

Whiplash’s  first go-round included stints in LaFollette’s  Battle of the Bands, school dances and house parties, but ended when graduation, college and careers took precedence over pursuit of the rock and roll dream.

Following high school, Tom played in various short-run bands while attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After graduation, Tom again teamed with Witt and Schmirler to form Rex Kramer, a hard rock power trio that enjoyed modest gigging and recording success in the Madison area prior to disbanding in 1988.

Subsequent relocations took Tom to Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota and Ohio (where Tom currently resides); through the years Tom fine-tuned his chops and jumped at the opportunity to rejoin forces with the new Whiplash. The band, reunited for the triumphant BW-40 gig at Nelson’s Crossing in Marshall in 2003, has since performed regularly on the Madison circuit, including recent performances at the Dane County Fair, Taste of Madison, Brat Fest and Cottage Grove Festival.

Tom’s guitar and vocals work is integral to the bands signature party rock sound.

Tom’s current gear consists of the following:

Guitars:

  • Gibson  Reissue Flying V
  • Gibson Explorer
  • Fender American Standard Stratocaster
  • Fender Telecaster Deluxe
  • Yamaha APX500 acoustic electric

Amp and Effects:

  • Amplifier: Marshall JCM2000   TSL 100 with 1960A 4 x 12 cabinet
  • Pedalboard:SKB PS-45 (see photo for effects pedals)
  • Microphones:Shure SM-58 (vocals)Shure SM-57 (amplifier)

Miscellaneous:

  • Picks: Fender Medium
  • Cables: Monster & Planet Waves Cables
  • Strings: DR Tite-Fit BT-10’s (.10 – .52)