San Francisco native JAMES SANGUINETTI began playing guitar in his early teens, inspired by the flashy playing of Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoades. After transferring to San Francisco’s Washington High School, James quickly hooked up with like-minded players and became a popular member of the local heavy metal scene, due in part to his baby blue 1975 Ford Econoline van, which not only served as band transportation, but also a handy place to hang out during school day lunches, or when cutting class. James attended the Guitar Institute of Technology in Los Angeles after high school and joined thrashers HEATHEN with Lee Altus before eventually being recruited into the MORDRED fold.