Background
Williams grew up in Pennsylvania and spent part of his childhood in Malawi, before returning to the United States in the 6th grade.
Williams grew up in Pennsylvania and spent part of his childhood in Malawi, before returning to the United States in the 6th grade.
He became noted for his finger tapping guitar playing in bands such as Don Caballero, Storm & Stress and currently in Battles. Musical career
In his teenage years Williams was drummer and vocalist for Pittsburgh-based band "Sludgehammer". Williams joined Pittsburgh math rock pioneers Don Caballero as a second guitarist in 1992 until 2000.
He had also played in the Chicago-based, avant-garde band Storm & Stress from 1997 to 2000.
Williams moved to New York City in the early 2000s and formed Battles in 2002. Williams is well known for his approach to finger tapping on guitar and uses Gibson"s Echoplex looping system.
His propensity towards guitar tapping allows him to accompany himself on keyboard at live performances, using one hand for each instrument. Williams made a short cameo appearance in the 2000 movie High Fidelity as a customer in the music store (shortly after John Cusack"s character announces, "I will now sell five copies of The Three European Parliament"s by The Beta Band").
He also had small cameos in Heaven"s a Drag and Bloodmoon, a 1997 martial arts action film.
Ian Williams is an alumnus of University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, where he studied history and political science. (Battles: 2004 - 2010)
Guitars
Gibson Les Paul Studio
Keyboards
M-Audio ProKeys Sono 88
Software
Native Instruments Kontakt 4
Computers
Apple Mac
Rack Mount Units
Gibson Echoplex - w/Footswitch
Amplifiers
Roland JC-120
Ampeg SVT Head
Marshall 4x12 Cabinet
(Battles: 2011 - Present)
Guitars
Gibson Les Paul
Gibson SG
Keyboards
M-Audio Axiom 61 - X 2
Software
Native Instruments Kontakt 5
Ableton Live 8
Mainstage (Software)
Sequencer
Ableton Push
Computers
Apple Mac - X 2
Apogee Duet
RME Fireface
Amplifiers
Roland JC-120
Ampeg SVT Head - X 2
Ampeg 6x12 Cabinet
Marshall 4x12 Cabinet.