Born in Fresno and raised in San Francisco, CHRIS WHITNEY began playing violin at age 9 and started singing at the age of 14. Having grown up with young parents, it wasn’t uncommon for young Chris to be exposed to the likes of Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Blondie, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Tom Waits. In his teen years, Chris became enthralled by New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands and the local San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal scene. Lending his talents to such bands as The 100^th Monkey and Blossom, Chris also performed with Bobby McFerrin’s ‘Voicestra’ in 1991. As an old friend of MORDRED and close mate of the late Steve Scates, it made sense for Chris to take on vocal duties for the band after Scates’ demise.