Fidel De Jesus

Guitarist

Primary Band(s):

FDJ

Playstyle & Tone Profile:

Strong foundation in rock and metal, he has evolved his sound to incorporate influences from pop, fusion and prog.

Musical Journey & Growth

  • The Spark of Passion: Although his obsession with the guitar began years earlier—when he used to air-guitar to the solo in Gino Padilla's "Rough" with a toy gun—his actual playing journey kicked off in the summer of 1999. He grew up in a home filled with cassette tapes and a mix of genres: his dad loved classic rock like Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, his mom played pop and soul icons like Lionel Richie and Bette Midler, and his sister blasted '90s alt-rock artists like Alanis Morrisette. His cousins eventually turned me on to heavy metal like Metallica, but his mom gave me his real start by showing me open chords and chart reading. Fueled by genuine passion and a desire to look cool, he hasn't put the instrument down since.
  • Genre-Bending Focus: He currently fronts FDJ, an instrumental rock and metal band that serves as his main creative outlet. Within this project, he seamlessly weaves in elements of pop, fusion, funk, and progressive music, reflecting the broad spectrum of genres that have shaped his playing over the years.
  • Expanding the Horizon: Beyond his band, Fidel is an active media composer and solo artist. He has released a death metal EP titled The Glass Leviathan, where he also performed vocals, and frequently works on pro wrestling entrance themes, film scores, and video game session tracks.

Musical Influences &
Sonic Philosophy

  • The Virtuoso Foundation: His approach blends high-level technique with deep expressiveness, drawing heavily from Jason Becker's compositional genius and Paul Gilbert's pure shred and raw energy. Additionally, legends like Greg Howe, Brett Garsed, and Allan Holdsworth heavily influenced his legato technique and outside phrasing ideas.
  • Melody Meets Complexity: Fidel's balance of melody and intricate complexity is directly inspired by Marco Sfogli and Scott Henderson, who reinforced that melody remains paramount. He also looks to Kiko Loureiro for his seamless ability to fuse jazz sophistication with heavy metal intensity.

What I love most is the sheer flexibility and clarity across the entire tonal spectrum. Whether I’m dialing in pristine '80s cleans or massive, highly saturated lead tones, everything cuts through the mix without losing articulation. It gives me every single tone I need across live band performances, studio recordings, and session gigs, while keeping my gain staging clean, tight, and completely reliable in any environment.

Gear of Choice

M-Tone Fidel De Jesus (FDJ) Signature HSS Pickups | High Output Alnico 2

M-Tone Fidel De Jesus (FDJ) Signature HSS Pickups | High Output Alnico 2
M-Tone Humbucker Pickups | Alnico 2 | Neck & Bridge | Vintage Warmth & Articulation

M-Tone Humbucker Pickups | Alnico 2 | Neck & Bridge | Vintage Warmth & Articulation

Key Milestones

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Fidel has built an extensive and decorated resume across multiple facets of the music industry. As a competitive player, he has secured top placements in numerous contests, including winning the Colt 45 Shred to Slam and Von Dutch Shred Fest, as well as placing highly in international solo events. His prolific output spans across live session work, mixing and mastering for various artists, and extensive collaborative studio projects. Furthermore, he has composed numerous professional themes for local pro wrestling and media, demonstrating his vast versatility as both a performing shredder and a professional composer.