Self-taught and self-recorded on piano, drums, synthesizers, electric bass, guitar, and assorted percussion, Alan studied physics and music at Wesleyan University. An electronic/experimental music pupil of Alvin Lucier , Ron Kuivila and Neely Bruce , Alan thrash-drummed his way through the latter's "Quartet for Bands" as part of the 1988 "John Cage at Wesleyan" birthday celebration, as a bemused Cage looked on appreciatively.