Michael LePond

[2] LePond took lessons from a jazz musician for approximately one year, learning music theory and sight reading, but did not feel strongly for the genre and instead oped to self-teach.

[2][3] LePond was introduced to Rush, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden through friends, and has since cited bassists Geddy Lee, Geezer Butler and Steve Harris as influences to his style of playing.

[3] Romeo invited LePond to audition for Symphony X, as the band were in need of a bassist following the departures of Thomas Miller and touring musician Andy DeLuca.

[4][5] In 2012, LePond formed progressive metal supergroup Affector with drummer Collin Leijenaar, vocalist Ted Leonard and guitarist Daniel Fries.

Upon joining Symphony X, LePond was playing a red 1987 Hamer Scarab 4-string bass guitar, which was featured on the releases V: The New Mythology Suite and Live on the Edge of Forever.