Non-Fiction bandmembers remember Criss Oliva

	Back when Hades were starting out in the mid-eighties, we always felt a competitive kinship with Savatage (until they got signed to Atlantic and left us in the dust!) but we had never met any of them. That all changed in 1993 when Non Fiction, (Dan Lorenzo’s and my band, post-Hades), learned that a tour of Europe with Savatage and Overkill was indeed going to happen. Dan and I shared a bus with the Sava guys and our other two members travelled with Overkill. One of my fondest memories of Criss Oliva was sitting outside of a Munich club in the sunshine during the tour. Criss was restringing his guitar and we were just talking about life in the music business. Sometimes Criss had a tendency to speak in an almost condescending manner, however when you looked at his accomplishments you had to give credit where it was due. It was due largely to Criss, his hard work and that damn great guitar playing and unique sound. Criss had as distinctive a sound as you could get. When Savatage came on the radio, you knew it right away. He pretty much ran the business end of the tour as well along with Johnny Lee Middleton. Criss throughout, was a consummate gentleman and professional. Having the experience of meeting and sharing the stage with him will always stay with me as long as I walk the earth. God bless and keep you bud! Alan Tecchio
	I was in Non-Fiction in 1993 touring the world to promote our new cd "In The Know". We had just toured America with Overkill and were now going to Europe with them and Savatage. The day we landed I met Criss for the first time. He explained to me that his Marshall head had not yet arrived and asked if he could borrow mine for a few days. I said yes. Criss asked if I and one other guy from Non-Fiction would like to stay on the Savatage tour bus since there was extra room. Over the next few weeks we toured all over Europe. I remember how passionate Criss was about Savatage music. We would take turns playing each other cuts from our previous cd's. I remember him "conducting" Gutter Ballet. He was so into it. I remember how excited he would get for our midnight German chocolate runs. I was glad to have spent my time with him on his last European tour. He had no attitude. I miss him. Dan Lorenzo