Equipment: Ibanez guitars, Marshall amplification, T.C. electronic processing, Dimarzio pickups, D'addario strings and Dunlop picks.
Influences: Andy Laroque, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Romeo, Alex Skolnick, Jeff Loomis, Steve Vai, Tony Macalpine, Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore, J.S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, Symphony X, Dream Theater, Angra, Elegy, Toxic and Nevermore.
Harley began playing guitar seriously at the age of nineteen. While studying from books and instructional videos, he practiced several hours a day developing his technique and studying music theory. Having listened to hard rock and heavy music since he was young, he also started developing a strong admiration for both Baroque and Classical era music. Influenced by Neoclassical guitarists Yngwie Malmsteen, Andy Laroque and Tony Macalpine, Harley started devoting many hours to the Neoclassical style of guitar playing.
In early 1996, Harley decided he would like to try and form a band or join one that was already established so he could gain experience in working with other musicians and playing live. In August of 1996, he joined a local cover band, while performing songs by the likes of Def Leppard, Warrant and Kiss; Harley felt there was no future in performing other musicians' songs. So after sixteen months and only two live gigs, it was time to move on. Upon further developing his songwriting, Harley decided to move into a more melodic, progressive metal direction. He spent the first half of 1998 teaching and songwriting while also further developing his technique on the guitar. In August of 1998, Harley joined Crytameria, a locally established band who were into writing original music. Cryptameria had already recorded a demo, so while Harley was learning the already existing material, he also started writing material to contribute to the band's songwriting.