With his extensive proficiency in guitar, bass, and vocals, Todd is also a Recording Engineer, Mix and Mastering Engineer, and active Producer. With these skills Todd has released fifteen albums, many with bands he has collaborated with, however in 2017 he began releasing albums under his name. His first release, Unfortunate Day is a culmination of many years of songs residing on a hard drive which were not used in other bands, songs recorded from 2001 on, with the expectation of a future release.
His second release, When I Took My Watch Off, tackles themes of life issues, getting older, and the emotional dynamic of children becoming adults. His third release, Color and Contrast, tackles issues of empathy, regret, hope, and spiritual challenge.
Todd inherited a record store from his father in 1992, which he continued to operate until 2001. Here, Todd learned about the music business, the hardships, the rewards and the pitfalls to avoid. Todd pays tribute to his father on his release When I Took My Watch Off, with a song highlighting his emotional journey of running a record store for over a decade. Todd was also able to teach guitar from his record store as well as the local college.
At 15, Todd built his home studio starting with ¼ tape which later was upgraded to ½ inch tape (which later updated to ADAT). From here Todd learned the subtler points of recording guitar and vocals, twelve of his albums were the product. Being a member of countless bands, Todd Underwood played with Sly and the Family Stone bassist and shared the stage with Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad.
In 1988, Todd answered an ad, (and won the spot) in the San Diego Reader for music for a BMX video. From here Todd was able to write theme songs for commercials and TV series, many of which can still be heard today.
Todd sites his influences as Three Dog Night and the Beatles in his early years to Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Police, Kings X, and all other punk bands from the 1980s and today enjoys bands such as Saosin, Edison Glass and Knuckle Puck. The staccato guitar on the Police’s Roxanne being his primary influence to begin studying electric guitar.
Join Todd Underwood as he continues his musical journey.