Brian Heaton

Founder, lead writer and editor-in-chief of The Breakdown Room, Brian's career has had more twists and turns than a Dream Theater song. Having spent the first part of his career as a journalist and freelance writer for various magazines and newspapers, Brian turned to the "dark side" for awhile, embarking on a six-year foray into the world of communications and media relations.

Realizing the error of his ways, Brian returned to writing and now covers the technology industry as a professional business-to-business journalist.

Although his musical tastes range from thrash metal to film score, some of his favorite hard rock/metal bands include the original lineup of Queensryche (yes, it does make a difference!), Alter Bridge, Alice in Chains, King's X, Living Colour and Sevendust.

Brian can be reached at bheaton@breakdownroom.net.

Gregory Twachtman

Senior Editor Gregory Twachtman brings an eclectic point of view to The Breakdown Room with his wide-ranging interests in music. A native of Medford, N.Y., who currently resides in the suburbs of the nation's capital, Gregory's musical journey began in 1983 with his first vinyl album - Def Leppard's Pyromania and five years later took his first steps into the progressive rock scene after witnessing Queesnryche open for Def Leppard.

And while hard rock and progressive rock are the staples of Gregory's musical interests, throughout the years, he has only added to the wide range of music that can be found on his iPod, covering all the major genres including rock, pop, rap, blues, jazz, country and classical.

When not perusing the CD racks at the three indie record stores near his house, Gregory spends his days as a professional business-to-business journalist, a job he has been perfecting for more than a decade. He currently is covering the pharmaceutical industry and his journalism history is as diverse as his musical interests, as he has formerly covered the telecommunications industry (with an emphasis on wireless and satellite communications), the commercial nuclear power industry and the airline business.

Gregory can be reached at gtwachtman@breakdownroom.net.