At one point or another, they've played just about every form of rock music you can think of (with the exception of 80's rock), along with blues and 60's and 70's pop music.  Though this is a look mainly at their classic rock influences, this is a small collection of the many people that taught Pale Reason and made them the bizarre noises they are today.
 

        Pink Floyd has probably had a bigger impact on Pale Reason than any other band in the world.  Jon Hart was the first of the band to listen to them, and he literally taught himself how to play guitar by learning Dave Gilmour's style.  From their earliest works with Syd Barrett to the modern day of Dave Gilmour, Pale Reason has based a great majority of their own work on Pink Floyd's massive compositions, such as 'Echoes'.  Pink Floyd is still the band's main choice for cover material at most live shows.

 
 

Led Zeppelin

        Led Zeppelin, of course, will always be one of those bands that influenced everyone that has anything to do with rock music.

        Jimi Hendrix has made a big impression on everyone, but his long pieces, such as '1983...(A Merman I Should Turn to Be)' have made large dents in the way Pale Reason writes their music.

        The Doors music has affected many people, but Jim Morrison's lyrics and poetry have been the main culprit in Chris Showalter's writing.  The Doors have always been a favorite of the band's.
 

        With and without the Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett's music has always been extremely unique and original.  This is probably why Pale Reason are such big fans of it, though they rarely ever show it in their own music, mainly because it's something that can't be duplicated.